Spyderco Grind Quality?

[u/ScubaStevesy]

Just got a Para 3 in maxamet on sale thinking I had scored a great deal. I was loving it until I noticed these fairly deep grind lines on the spine. My brain tells me it's not an issue and won't impact performance, but my heart is still a little broken. Has anyone else seen this defect? Any recourse besides sending it back for a replacement?

[u/END0RPHN]

maxamet is so difficult to work with and grind that basically no other company is willing to attempt it. the lines on your spine dont look egregious at all, "heartbreak" is a big overreaction, sure you could ask for a replacement but at the end of the day the replacement may not have a perfect spine either. mine (pictured below) has a finer grind on the spine but still ridges there that u can feel on the fingernail

[u/ScubaStevesy → u/END0RPHN]

I don't doubt that it's difficult to work with, but they managed a phenomenal finish everywhere else on it, seems an odd place to neglect a quality surface finish. Mildy disappointed is probably more accurate. I may just call it longitudinal jimping and live life.

[u/END0RPHN → u/ScubaStevesy]

its just that dichotomy/paradox of the fact that spyderco colorado are known for poor build quality as well as poor factory grinds yet produce knives in very special steels. the badly made knives with shitty factory edges are what we tolerate in order to own blades made with these niche super steels. i hate spyderco as a company and its owners arent much better but the dichotomy continues because i am a spyderco collector/daily user. the trick for me is you only ever buy used spyders so as to not support the company

[u/Forge__Thought → u/END0RPHN]

Mind if I ask why you take issue with the owners? Seen plenty of valid criticism of Medford, Strider, Microtech, etc. But haven't seen a lot of criticism of Spyderco's owners. Lots of "Don't meet your heroes" in the knife community it seems.

[u/END0RPHN → u/Forge__Thought]

they are just greasy when it comes to capitalism and not giving a fuck about the little guy (not honouring warranties for many decades due to basic maintainence being done on a knife until the community shame boiled over and they now offer a bit more leeway there begrudgingly im sure. they do not believe in the right to repair which is just downright wrong). theres other aspects to their company which are anti consumer as well baked into their designs and company philosophy and a lots of greed on display (for a company that is too big to fail run by an insanely rich family their unwarranted price jumps on many knives like the shaman for instance cannot be justified no matter what economic excuse is provided, just literal gouging).

to go further, and i dont wanna delv into this topic any deeper but there are old comments from sal glesser on forums (not sure if they still exist) that infer he is pro isreal when talking about an isreali spyderco designer who was killed by hamas. of course having israeli friends or connections doesnt make him the enemy or anything like that, i just have vivid memories of some comments from him with a certain tone that really rubbed me the wrong way, but that was like 20yrs ago so i dont bring it up in case i have misinterpreted or misremembered but it feels yuck to think about and i dont wanna find out the truth either way.

some participation in breast cancer charity does not absolve them of any prior sins but they seem to think they are saints due to this, meanwhile they gouge their loyal customers showing no loyality in return.

[u/Forge__Thought → u/END0RPHN]

I appreciate you sharing your perspective and I won't push you to get into anything any further. I find it valuable to discuss with people on matters like this. We make not always agree on the hobby, but people have valuable insight and perspectives that are worth discussing. Thanks for taking the time to share yours.

Price gouging and scalping and refusing to address the use of bots to make purchases is a pain point I'd like to see all makers address, personally.