I’ve been itching to try MagnaCut after seeing nintetyteen posts and comments about how goated it is. I found this MagnaCut Para 3 and thought it would be a good opportunity to try out Spyderco for the same reason. Their aesthetic never really caught my eye, but after reading review after review of folks singing the praises of Spyderco design, QC, heat treat, ergos, etc, I decided to give them a try.
I have to say I’m a little bummed. I’ve heard how strong and reliable their compression lock is, but this is the first knife I’ve ever owned with blade play. I’ve had budget QSP knives, kershaws, Vosteed, even an OG bugout and no name gas station liner locks and they all lock up tight.
Not only does the blade on this knife have some vertical play, but if I so much as look at the compression mechanism the knife unlocks. I know that is a weird complaint—that it’s *too* easy to use. But I don’t have confidence that this knife wouldn’t unlock while using it because the mechanism is just so flimsy feeling.
Am I out of my gourd? Surely the hordes of loyal Spyderco fans can’t be wrong? Is my knife fake? I bought from what I believe is a reputable retailer. Not sure whether I would try to return it or not. Thanks for the advice.
by CredibleGentleman
8 Comments
I think if the option is there, I’d return it. I have 1 compression lock Spyderco, and while I’m personally not a huge fan, there is zero blade play in mine, and it has never even come close to failing.
I’ve never owned a compression lock Spyderco with vertical blade play. They’ve all had lock stick, which doesn’t bother me. But none of them had play. If you bought it from an authorized dealer, I’d just return it for a replacement. Sorry that happened to you dude.
Sometimes they need adjusting out of the box, try tightening the pivot a bit and see if that fixes things. There should be no blade play at all and the compression lock should very easily but positively and purposefully engage and disengage.
Also just in general know the lightweight models are kinda on the more budget side. They are still excellent knives(or supposed to be, this one may be a lemon), but typically when people rave about spyderco construction they mean the full steel sandwich or ti construction models.
Sounds defective
You got the lightweight version so not as sturdy as regular. aftermarket scales may help
I’ve found the couple FRN spydercos I have to have quality control issues too. Its like the lightweights are their budget line I guess, but you wouldn’t think the quality of the whole thing would have to go down just because the scales are a cheaper material. It’s disappointing.
Sounds defective for sure. I have like 7 spyderco compression locks and none of them have faulty locking or blade play. Also their lw versions are no where near the pinnacle of spyderco imo
FWIW, you bought basically the flimsiest knife that spyderco makes. Now I do own and love my para 3 LW, but its with the understanding that it is plastic and lightweight, and I have stronger more snappy spydercos if I want that.
Its a shame when I see someone get a P3LW as their first spydie, because they have the same reaction you did. If I was expecting a PM2 experience, I would also be dissapointed with a P3LW.
I’d recommend a Sage 5, regular para 3 salt, native 5, or literally any other spyderco to set your standard. This is their cheap, simple offering (which is both a good and bad thing, depending on your perspective).
Hopefully this helps!