Caly 3 Damascus really gritty.

uncleduncle · #1

I was looking at other threads in relation to grit, some were saying to submerge the knife in soapy water and open and close it, compressed air etc. Can I submerge my CF Caly in water or will it cause me more problems? I literally just stabbed myself trying to to get this grit out. Used this benchmade Blue lube cleaner, opening and closing it, knocking it about and it's still sounds like I pulled the knife out of the sand.

uncleduncle · #2

Oh also, the fit and finish seems tobe off, but since it's a sprint I wasn't sure if Sypderco can really help. The blade has a decent amount of side to side play, isn't centered nicely and has a noticeable deep scratches in the CF straight from the box.

w3tnz · #3

uncleduncle wrote:Oh also, the fit and finish seems tobe off, but since it's a sprint I wasn't sure if Sypderco can really help. The blade has a decent amount of side to side play, isn't centered nicely and has a noticeable deep scratches in the CF straight from the box.

I believe spyderco will stand behind all their products, sprint model or not, so if you think there is a genuine issue contact W&R and send it in for evaluation. Blade centring and scratches aren't exactly a manufacturing defect more of a nit-pick but spyderco have final say there.

Otherwise, run some warm soapy water or wd40 through the pivot area and don't be stingy, water will not harm your knife just dry it properly afterwards. Use centrifugal force and a good blow to get all the water out, lubricate the pivot when done and see how you go. If it is still gritty it could be a rough detent which should wear in with time.

uncleduncle · #4

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll try to get in in water after I buy some compressed air. I was just surprised because the fit and finish was by far the worst I've had in a spyderco. Ironically it is the most expensive. It could be in part to the fact that where I bought it from had the item out of stock for a while and it came back into stock so I bought it. It may have been returned or something for those reasons.

Holland · #5

One of my paras felt gritty when it was new. i took it apart on multiple occasions to try and find the problem and clean it and got no results. i later found out that the ball detent was the problem and it just wore in as i used it

uncleduncle · #6

Oh I just realized, would a good indicator of grit vs the detent be that it is already starting to get circular lines on the blade around the pivot?

w3tnz · #7

Gah sorry a caly wont have a detent ball, there is most certainly foreign material in there, its not uncommon with a new knife. Go and wash it out now don't wait for compressed air use your lungs, give the knife some flicks while locked open to fling the water out and lubricate afterwards.

uncleduncle · #8

w3tnz wrote:Gah sorry a caly wont have a detent ball, there is most certainly foreign material in there, its not uncommon with a new knife. Go and wash it out now don't wait for compressed air use your lungs, give the knife some flicks while locked open to fling the water out and lubricate afterwards.

Will do captain!

w3tnz · #9

Thank me later *hopes it works* :D

mikerestivo · #10

If you are unhappy with the fit and finish I wouldn't invest time in de-bugging the grit problem. I would send it back to the place of purchase or contact Spyderco. The fit and finish on mine was perfect. I did have the grittiness problem, but I've had it on all of my pinned lockbacks from Japan. I had to flush with air, wash and lube and this fixed each of them.

gbelleh · #11

I would return it too if it's that bad, and get one from another vendor while they're still available.
My Damascus Caly 3 had somewhat disappointing fit & finish too. But just small cosmetic issues that don't affect function (not really worth exchanging). Still, not the best work to come out of Japan. On the other hand, my Damascus Delica is flawless.

Enkidude · #12

I too had some fit and finish problems with my Caly 3 damascus and I contacted Spyderco. They suggested I send it to them, but if there is a warranty issue they could only give me credit because they are no longer available (to Spyderco-obviously there are a ton of these still floating all over the place.) I received it as a gift from my wife so I am using it as my EDC, therefore not really worried about some of the nit-picky fit and finish aspects. However, I probably won't be buying or asking for anymore 200+ dollars knives again, at least from Japan. I was expecting flawless execution on a knife so expensive....

mikerestivo · #13

mikerestivo wrote:If you are unhappy with the fit and finish I wouldn't invest time in de-bugging the grit problem. I would send it back to the place of purchase or contact Spyderco. The fit and finish on mine was perfect. I did have the grittiness problem, but I've had it on all of my pinned lockbacks from Japan. I had to flush with air, wash and lube and this fixed each of them.

Let me back off of this - I've only had the grittiness on the G-10 or CF handled models from Japan (i.e. Caly series). The FRN models have not been an issue (but I think mine have been unlined).

uncleduncle · #14

Enkidude wrote:I too had some fit and finish problems with my Caly 3 damascus and I contacted Spyderco. They suggested I send it to them, but if there is a warranty issue they could only give me credit because they are no longer available (to Spyderco-obviously there are a ton of these still floating all over the place.) I received it as a gift from my wife so I am using it as my EDC, therefore not really worried about some of the nit-picky fit and finish aspects. However, I probably won't be buying or asking for anymore 200+ dollars knives again, at least from Japan. I was expecting flawless execution on a knife so expensive....

Agreed.

I just noticed today when I tried to resharpen that the stone isn't even hitting the edge at 40 degrees on the sharpmaker. It looks like its something like 50 degrees inclusive. I think I'll at least e-mail spyderco and see what they suggest. I don't want to defame their products because they are almost always perfect.

Let Us Slay ! · #15

I was planning on getting a caly damascus soon but this speculation of f&f errors is turning me off a little. Should I be worried about this?

gbelleh · #16

Most of them are probably great. I'd just try to order from a dealer who will check it out for you before shipping.

uncleduncle · #17

Let Us Slay ! wrote:I was planning on getting a caly damascus soon but this speculation of f&f errors is turning me off a little. Should I be worried about this?

I wouldn't worry about any of the above issues aside from the grit. But the grit can be taken care of. Not every piece can be perfect.

bh49 · #18

uncleduncle wrote:Oh also, the fit and finish seems tobe off, but since it's a sprint I wasn't sure if Sypderco can really help. The blade has a decent amount of side to side play, isn't centered nicely and has a noticeable deep scratches in the CF straight from the box.

Enkidude wrote:I too had some fit and finish problems with my Caly 3 damascus and I contacted Spyderco. ..

Why you, guys didn't contact your dealers?
About a month after I bought my Caly3 I noticed some discoloration on the blade, close to the tip. No big deal, but better without it. So I contacted my dealer and ask, if she can help, otherwise I will keep the knife. No problem, she exchange the knife, even didn't charge for shipping. Now I have perfect sample. Yes, it is $220+, but worth every penny for me.
I can only wish that Spyderco would make another variant with wood or bone scales. Or one variant every year to keep me in nirvana :D .

uncleduncle · #19

bh49 wrote:Why you, guys didn't contact your dealers?
About a month after I bought my Caly3 I noticed some discoloration on the blade, close to the tip. No big deal, but better without it. So I contacted my dealer and ask, if she can help, otherwise I will keep the knife. No problem, she exchange the knife, even didn't charge for shipping. Now I have perfect sample. Yes, it is $220+, but worth every penny for me.
I can only wish that Spyderco would make another variant with wood or bone scales. Or one variant every year to keep me in nirvana :D .

Interesting. I may do this. Although they don't have any others in stock. I'll see what they can do.

JudasD · #20

I bought one of these for my Dad for Christmas. It did feel a tad bit gritty initially. I just applied ample amounts of nano-oil, cycled the knife a few times and then blew away the rest with compressed air. The knife is crazy smooth now. very easy to flick open with no blade play.

JD