Lum Piviot/Washer question Thread

[fast.ed]

Have been waiting for Spyderco's response to this issue. My main interest is how Spyderco handles the space on the right side between the tang and the handle, and the 2 different washers. Someone said "it appears they are all made that way." It appears to me the blade tangs were made too small, or maybe the barrell spaces were too large? Looks like they tried their best to fix it in assembly with different size washers.

It will be interesting to see how Spyderco resolves the issue.

[The Deacon]

You are assuming there's an issue which needs to be "resolved". Spyderco's response, and the lack of any other comment from them, leads me to believe there is no issue, simply a design feature which some folks do not like. Not everything appeals to everybody. I has already been pointed out that there are other knives which use similar construction.

[lilbuj]

It may be custom fit with the washer size to get the correct action etc. The backspacer size must match the knife blade and washer size for the knife so the knife opens and closes smoothly without any side to side play.

[phaust]

Is it the width of the washers that is different or their diameter?

[JNewell]

Have been waiting for Spyderco's response to this issue. My main interest is how Spyderco handles the space on the right side between the tang and the handle, and the 2 different washers. Someone said "it appears they are all made that way." It appears to me the blade tangs were made too small, or maybe the barrell spaces were too large? Looks like they tried their best to fix it in assembly with different size washers.

It will be interesting to see how Spyderco resolves the issue.

I think what you're diagnosing as "space" is actually the white nylon washer, which is semi-invisible in the picture. I don't know why they chose to use different washer materials, but it appears to be intentional, at least at the factory if not as part of Spyderco's design specification.

I think you are too fast in concluding that there is an issue that needs to be resolved. More information would be nice, but until some additional facts are presented, all that can be done is to guess.

[fast.ed]

Is it the width of the washers that is different or their diameter?

The material...one is phosphorous-bronze, the other nylotron.

[fast.ed]

You are assuming there's an issue which needs to be "resolved". Spyderco's response, and the lack of any other comment from them, leads me to believe there is no issue, simply a design feature which some folks do not like. Not everything appeals to everybody. I has already been pointed out that there are other knives which use similar construction.

Check the pictures on the original thread...their is a space between the blade tang and the handle. That is the issue. Show me another knife (any make) that has a similar space.

[Teddy Thompson]

Check the pictures on the original thread...their is a space between the blade tang and the handle. That is the issue. Show me another knife (any make) that has a similar space.

I could show you several Spyderco knives with thick washers which have that much space on each side. I suspect that what you're actually objecting to is that there's more space on one side than the other due to the washers being different thicknesses, and possibly to the fact the washers are of different materials and colors. Again, you may not like the way that looks, but that does not mean it's an "issue" that needs to be "resolved".

[fast.ed]

I think what you're diagnosing as "space" is actually the white nylon washer, which is semi-invisible in the picture. I don't know why they chose to use different washer materials, but it appears to be intentional, at least at the factory if not as part of Spyderco's design specification.

I think you are too fast in concluding that there is an issue that needs to be resolved. More information would be nice, but until some additional facts are presented, all that can be done is to guess.

In Pheumothorax's 1st picture one can clearly see the tang up against the left liner. One can clearly see a big space between the tang and the liner on the right side. Take a close look at photo #1.

[Handwrecker]

All of the CF Lum I've seen have been assembled that way. I think it would be best if you stopped calling this a "problem", as it seems to be a design change. The new Lums have a few design changes from the older versions (no back spacer, different washer setup, liners) but everything I've seen posted says that the blades are centered, no play, and that they're smooth. That doesn't seem like a manufacturing SNAFU, but simply a change. Probably the same deal with how the Para2 and Manix2 used that bushing system as it was more economical and offered tighter tolerances in production.

No reason to start a Spyderco jihad, especially without waiting to hear back from them.

[fast.ed]

All of the CF Lum I've seen have been assembled that way. I think it would be best if you stopped calling this a "problem", as it seems to be a design change. The new Lums have a few design changes from the older versions (no back spacer, different washer setup, liners) but everything I've seen posted says that the blades are centered, no play, and that they're smooth. That doesn't seem like a manufacturing SNAFU, but simply a change. Probably the same deal with how the Para2 and Manix2 used that bushing system as it was more economical and offered tighter tolerances in production.

No reason to start a Spyderco jihad, especially without waiting to hear back from them.

Suggest you look at Pheumothorax's 1st picture in his thread. If you think the big space between the tang and the liner on the right is "centered", well thats your opnion. I think it would be best if you checked the picture first before offering an opnion.

[captnvegtble]

Check the pictures on the original thread...their is a space between the blade tang and the handle. That is the issue. Show me another knife (any make) that has a similar space.

I think people are mis-understanding what fast.ed is talking about. The picture appears to show a gap between the handle tang (metal) and the scales (CF)... he's NOT talking about the space where the washer is, he's talking about the actual handle. There appears to be a space lower down toward the bottom of the picute, but its fuzzy. It think if there is a concern, a different photo of the handle area can help sort out some of this confusion.

[captnvegtble]

I think people are mis-understanding what fast.ed is talking about. The picture appears to show a gap between the handle tang (metal) and the scales (CF)... he's NOT talking about the space where the washer is, he's talking about the actual handle. There appears to be a space lower down toward the bottom of the picute, but its fuzzy. It think if there is a concern, a different photo of the handle area can help sort out some of this confusion.

... where a lock-bar would be situated.

[The Deacon]

Check the pictures on the original thread...their is a space between the blade tang and the handle. That is the issue. Show me another knife (any make) that has a similar space.

There are other Spyderco knives that use thick washers. The difference here is that the Lum uses one thick, one thin, and two different materials. That is what you seem to be upset by, not the space per se. Even if it was a first, which I suspect it is not, that would not mean it was unintentional. You may not like the result, just as there are Spyderco design features I personally dislike. But our displeasure does not mean there is an "issue" which needs to be "resolved" by Spyderco.

[Handwrecker]

Suggest you look at Pheumothorax's 1st picture in his thread. If you think the big space between the tang and the liner on the right is "centered", well thats your opnion. I think it would be best if you checked the picture first before offering an opnion.

Yeah, I've seen the photos. And yes, I realize you're saying there's a little more space on one liner for the nylatron washer. Thanks for being a jerk. I'm still saying that despite EVERYONES carbon fiber Lum having these two spacers of different materials and thickness, people have still reported the tip of the blade being centered (when closed in the handle, you know, like on a centered blade?) and the action of the knife being very smooth, like Lums always are. That's why I don't believe it's a mistake.

Here's the thread so no one else gets yelled at.

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46635

[fast.ed]

First, I'm not upset, just trying to point out a problem with Pheumothorax's Lum. The big problem with his Lum is the big space between the tang and the liner on the right side. Have you looked at Pheumothorax's 1st picture. Its very obvious. The different washer problem needs to be addressed too. If a guys spends $199 for a knife, it should be "right."

[Spider bite]

I think its about time some one at Spyderco chimes in on this.

[dsmegst]

All this back and forth argument seem like a lot of talk over minutia. It looks like nothing more than a thin PB bushing bending over a bit to a spot where there's space, depending on the orientation of the blade.

[araneae]

First, I'm not upset, just trying to point out a problem with Pheumothorax's Lum. The big problem with his Lum is the big space between the tang and the liner on the right side. Have you looked at Pheumothorax's 1st picture. Its very obvious. The different washer problem needs to be addressed too. If a guys spends $199 for a knife, it should be "right."

The thing is its only a problem you have, or so it seems. It has yet to be demonstrated that this can or could in any way affect the knife. Mike(Pneumo) has no problem with his Lum.

[JNewell]

I give up. It would be good if Sal or someone else with real knowledge would weigh in here, however.