Stiffer springs in the ukpk lightweights

[martijn-]

one of the problems is the spring also gives tention to the blade when its closed, it will also make the knife harder to open if they just make the spring stronger.
thats why they made the new spring with the split end so the spring tension would be less when you open the blade and more when your closing it.

[buckthorn]

To quote from an earlier post of mine in this thread, "...we're asking a reasonable question when we ask the status/plans regarding an alternative spring design". Even if problems have been encountered in trying to get a stronger spring design ready for production, please, at least, tell us that!

[mann0mann]

Bump in hopes of someone from Spyderco will see this and chime in

[Jay_Ev]

Is there a chance the change has already been made? Just because they didn't come here and make a formal, official announcement doesn't mean the change didn't happen.

[Donut]

Is there a chance the change has already been made? Just because they didn't come here and make a formal, official announcement doesn't mean the change didn't happen.

I believe it is a rolling change, but I have seen no word to suggest that it has happened. I have been paying attention.

[buckthorn]

It's very frustrating to keep asking this question (for months, now) and not even receive an acknowledgement. If the change has been made (as Jay_Ev asks) then why not simply tell us?

[mann0mann]

I'm pretty excited...I believe I got a FRN UKPK with the new forked spring today!

Quick back story. I currently own a Black FRN UKPK with the CTS-BD1 Steel. I bought it about a month or two ago. Love it. Been EDC it at work for some time now. I recently sent in a knife for service to Spyderco, got fantastic service from Charlynn BTW and it ended up being that the knife I sent in could not be repaired. I was offered store credit and decided on getting another UKPK in Grey FRN since I like my Black one so much.

It arrived today and I noticed immediately the difference. The action is slightly stiffer, more after the mid-detent and towards the full opening of the knife. And the break of the joint is considerably more stiffer. I easily takes twice if not more force to break the spring, in fact it almost requires two hands.

Comparing the two, if you look at the spring face where it meets the blade tang, you can see a difference. On my black FRN model it is a solid face. On the new grey version it is split and is two pieces. Also looking into the liner at the spring, it is a different shape inside.

To be fair, i have never handled a G10 version or a Urban, so I can't compare to those (if anyone has a orange G10 version they want to send me...LOL), however I do have a Squeek and the Squeek's spring was stiffer than my black UKPK. The Squeek's spring is different (it is not forked from what I can tell, it has a solid spring face) and the detent is different. It's much stiffer at the midpoint (especially when closing). So I at least have some hands on time with some of the models.

I really think this has the new spring.

Everything about the action of this new knife too is great. The mid point detent is still soft enough that opening the knife is easy and there is no fear of it collapsing shut on your fingers if you don't make it past the first detent or it slapping on a close. But the final "lock" is great. Strong with just the right amount confidence needed and force to break the joint.

So happy with the new UKPK! Thank you Spyderco. :-)

[mann0mann]

I posted pics here -

http://s1106.photobucket.com/albums/...0New%20Spring/

[araneae]

Pleased to hear that. Now I just have to wait for them to get out on the market.

[Donut]

I have or had 6 UKPK and none in FRN yet, the spring strength seems to be hit or miss. The first one I got was a second and it had what felt to me like a perfect spring tension. I "lost" that one, and got a couple replacements. Some seem to slightly slip over the holding open point.

[RanCoWeAla]

Better check the tip status on your UK Pen knives to make sure the tip is far enough down in the handle in the closed position. I bought one last year and gave it away because of this.

[buckthorn]

I've been one of the forumites who has repeatedly asked about the status of a new spring design for the lightweight UKPK.Now the situation is even more confusing! After mannOmann reported receiving a new knife with the forked spring I said, "Ah ha, they've finally made the change" and asked my dealer to order a lightweight UKPK "with the new spring". The person who took his order claimed to have no knowledge about a new spring but the dealer placed the order anyway (which was fine with me because I knew that at least one person had received a knife with an improved design, and assumed I might also). I picked up my knife today and it SEEMS to be slightly stiffer and slightly more resistant to closing than the earlier lightweight example I own but definitely not as resistant as the G-10 UKPKs I have. The spring is NOT forked like the one mannOmann has shown us. So, I really don't know what I've received (slightly more resistant to closing but with the old style spring). WHY DOESN'T SOMEONE FROM SPYDERCO EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON???. The company is generally very responsive to its customers and provides a lot of information freely but it just seems to be stonewalling on this issue. IS SAL OR ANYONE ELSE LISTENING to our many unanswered inquiries about this?

[mann0mann]

I can tell you my box shows a birthdate of march 2012.

I would imagine this is just a running change and will take time trickle out distributors. I'd imagine with 4 FRN colors and last years rescue models. There might be a significant amount of inventory out there and saying hey there's a new version isn't going to help sell that old stock any faster.

[buckthorn]

The inventory situation is understandable but doesn't help those of us who, know about, ask for, and want, the new spring! Please tell me how to determine birthdate. Thank you.

[sal]

Hi Buckthorn,

We're always working on improvements for all of the models. It's a daunting task.

We've even invented a new spring for the Slipits, but the thresh-hold for what's "just right" is more challenging than it might appear. Changes are made slowly and tested before they can be introduced. We hold heat treat to 2 points RC, not many out there doing that. And even that makes a big difference in the spring tension. We try different materials, diferent thicknesses, different Rc's.

It's easy to make a stiffer spring, but you may not be able to open it one handed if the spring is too stiff. A fine point to reach.

sal

[buckthorn]

Hi Sal,

Thanks for getting into this conversation. Having received a multi-year ongoing tutorial from Dan Maragni years ago, I understand the difficulties you are facing in production (or even one at a time) heat treating. I bought my first Worker in 1989 and have been accumulating/using Clipits and Slipits ever since. I've also converted several other folks to be Spyderco customers. I'm definitely on your side and mightily impressed by your ongoing quest for improvements and your willingness to discuss this with your loyal forumites but, my question regarding why I can't obtain an FRN UKPK similar to the knife mannOmann received (new spring design) remains.

[Stew]

but, my question regarding why I can't obtain an FRN UKPK similar to the knife mannOmann received (new spring design) remains.

You probably can but you got an old one rather than one born in March 2012? I suspect there's a fair bit of old stock to use up and as the chap you bought from didn't have any idea about a new spring, I suspect he just ordered and gave you what was sent.

Perhaps if you give some specific directions it may help.

[buckthorn]

You probably can but you got an old one rather than one born in March 2012? I suspect there's a fair bit of old stock to use up and as the chap you bought from didn't have any idea about a new spring, I suspect he just ordered and gave you what was sent.

Perhaps if you give some specific directions it may help.

Thanks for the good suggestion Stew, but, as I explained in an earlier post, the dealer did ask for one with the new spring only to be told by the person taking his order that she knew nothing about the springs. This entire episode (first trying to get the information and then trying to get the"new" knife) has been frustrating but, fortunately, atypical of all my longtime dealings with Spyderco. I guess I'm weary of trying and will just do without-at least for now.

[Donut]

There are many dealers who can make sure you get the correct version. I would first email Howe's or Cutlery Shoppe to ask them. They are typically very good with customer service.

[sal]

We'll be looking into UK springs next week.

sal