Quality Control Slipping?

[Mangoeater2]

I am new to this forum, Hi.

I just bought an American made Para 3 Lightweight knife.

For a $225 purchase of an American quality item, I was disappointed with the finish of the knife. I had to spend about 20 minutes grinding off the rough / sharp edges of the handle to make the knife comfortable in the hand.

The sharp edges were on the inside surface of the scales. I felt these could have been smoothed over prior to the knife being assembled.

Is this a common fault with the Para 3 Lightweights or was mine an exception to the rule?

[mikey177]

Welcome to the forum.

The 15V Para 3 lightweight I bought the other month was comfortable to hold.

Could you post a photo of how the scales on your knife looked when you got it?

[8th_Note]

I just got a Para 3 LW in SPY27. The handles are very smooth on the edges, no rough spots at all. I've also owned LWs in BD1N and Magnacut. They felt great too.

I've also never paid anywhere near $225 for a Para 3 LW. I know they cost more in Europe and other places outside the US. But in the US, I believe around $150 is the going rate for a new LW in any flavor

[Evil D]

I've softened that inside edge on quite a few FRN handle knifes. I don't think this is a sign of QC slipping, or at least nothing new.

[RugerNurse]

Any para 3 I’ve seen has been great. Where did you buy it from?
My recent SPY27 dragonfly was great. Solid lock up, no blade play, the FRN was smooth and well done.

[RustyIron]

For a $225 purchase of an American quality item, I was disappointed with the finish of the knife. I had to spend about 20 minutes grinding off the rough / sharp edges of the handle to make the knife comfortable in the hand.

The handle on the Para 3 is injection molded and it comes out the way it comes out. The shape is as the designer intended. Maybe your preference differs from his.

Consider automobiles. The rounded styles from the 1940's looked like a scoop of ice cream on the sidewalk on a hot summer's day. The sharp lines of the 1950's looked like a chrome plated shark with dreams of flying to Mars while wearing Elvis's sunglasses. If you're in the ice cream camp in regards to knives, it doesn't mean you're right or you're wrong. It's just a matter of style.

[Red Leader]

Hi and welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear your first experience wasn’t great, but hopefully how well that knife serves you over time will create a better perception.

To answer your question, the QC at Golden (where your Para 3 LW is made) is generally good, with consistent outliers, both good and bad, from my experience handling a few hundred of them.


The quality of their Taichung made knives is consistently great, with far fewer outliers. QC at Seki City (Japan) tends to be a bit more model specific.

In short, if you think there may be something wrong with your knife, reach out to Spyderco and have them assist. I think they would be glad to help.

[Fastidiotus]

Sounds like you're talking about the little lip leftover from the injection molding of the scales?

If so this is fairly standard. While I don't own a Para LW, all FRN Seki knives will have this to varying degrees. At this point it almost seems like a point of pride to show just how sharp and precise the molds are. I've never seen a counterfeit that duplicates it.

[zhyla]

I've softened that inside edge on quite a few FRN handle knifes. I don't think this is a sign of QC slipping, or at least nothing new.

This is something you can round over with some sandpaper in a couple minutes. I can’t imagine what OP’s knife looks like after “20 minutes” grinding.

[apollo]

Hello sorry to hear about your troubles.
I must say 225$ is allot to spend on a LW para 3. ( To me probably the worst Spyderco of all the LW's i own and even from the ones i ever had in my hands )
Even here in expensive Europe you can have a G10 Manix S30V for 170$ for example.
Whas this knife bought at a dealer or more something like Ebay?

To come back at the problem. LW are meant not only to have less weight but also to be cheaper to produce and sell and in the end because of that its a less quality product compared to the original g10 versions.
(Not that there quality is bad there for but you can not compare apples with oranges)

[Jeb]

I wondering if they didn't get a counterfeit maybe? I have seen plenty edges a little sharp from molding break lines but not that sounds this bad.

To answer the question about quality control slipping, not even a little bit, least imo if anything QC is getting better...

[Evil D]

I've softened that inside edge on quite a few FRN handle knifes. I don't think this is a sign of QC slipping, or at least nothing new.

This is something you can round over with some sandpaper in a couple minutes. I can’t imagine what OP’s knife looks like after “20 minutes” grinding.

I usually do it with the corner of Sharpmaker rods, then you can do both sides of the handle at the same time and don't even have to take the knife apart.

[jwbnyc]

^^Same^^

[ykspydiefan]

My Para 3 Spy27 is as described by the OP. I always thought that was the way it is meant to be shipped.

Like the nub on the Mule. Some things Spyderco does, is because it is easier for the end line user to remove something vs add something to a knife. I hope this is sensible in a way.

I do not buy enough knives to know if QC is changing better or worse. I left mine edgy and like it. I also like the nub.

[sal]

Hi Mangoeater,

Welcome to our forum.

These are production knives and there is noting wrong with your adding a touch of personal love to your knife. It's not a QC issue.

sal

[Tattoo]

I got this month Lil‘Native G10 with comp lock and Para 3 LW.
Para 3 maybe just slightly not centered but you really got to focus on that. All in all, very pleased.

[Mangoeater2]

I would just like to say that I now have 2 Spyderco knives, a Delica and a Para 3. Both lightweights.

I am highly impressed with both of these knives. The ergonomics are exceptional, the blades easy to sharpen and both have long lasting edges.

I am in love with these knives! Pity I didn't discover them many years ago.

I have retired so have little use for a daily carry knife, but I enjoy fiddling with these knives.

All the best, Les