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glennac
1363
Aug 11, 2018
Is the backside scale (clip side) that much differ from the front as the photos show? The front looks attractive, but the backside looks terrible. Now if both sides were the same appearance you’d have a sale.
This, and the quality control issues described below has me hesitant. 🤔
glennacAgreed. This is a very good deal, but, because of the nature of raffir noble, this particular knife is probably best purchased in person.
However, if you aren't choosey about the scales, I think MAP on these is around $127, so $109 (no pouch)is probably as cheap as you will find it.
glennac
1363
Aug 11, 2018
NotsurewhyibotherI really like the “camo” look of the material. But if the other side is just going to be ‘remainder’ material, and not be consistent with the front, then I’ll pass. 🤷🏻‍♂️
glennacI don't think it's really that they use the "ugly" scales on the non-show side (for righties). I've seen complaints on other sites where people said that their clip side looks better than the show side. It's just the nature of the material. Raffir Noble is made by suspending bronze and copper mesh in a translucent acrylic to get depth and random patterns from the intertwining of the mesh. Some pieces are just going to have less mesh than others and/or have it at a non-optimal angle for show. The randomness is part of what makes the material beautiful to me, but it also means I would have a hard time buying one without seeing it first. Particularly from a site like massdrop where returns/exchanges aren't really encouraged (not dissing massdrop, that's part of the reason they can offer such good deals).
JamesMM
63
Aug 11, 2018
NotsurewhyibotherI don’t presume to represent all customers, but personally I’ve found exchanges and returns through Massdrop to be easy, efficient, and done with courtesy and professionalism.
I agree with all all your comments regarding raffir noble. A beautiful material on an outstandingly slicy and pocketable knife.
Hatuletoh
850
Aug 12, 2018
glennacDont be. Or at least dont worry about the scales. I've always wondered about that pic: it's like they used the funkiest bit of the noble raffir ever made, then took a pic of it.
I handled at least half a dozen, maybe more, of these things at BladeHQ on the day I actually bought mine; and about a month before I'd looked over three of them whilst considering purchasing one at BladeOps (I ultimately ended up buying something different that day). None of them were drastically uneven from one side to the other, and although I picked the on I myself liked best, a case could have been made for one or two others.
But I picked one and I've been very happy with it. Obviously, I liked the look of the knife, but I've also come to love the blade shape, and the overall size and grip. Feels ve8ry good in the hand788878, like the scaled-down Manix 2 that it is. And of course, CTS XHP blade steel is outstanding. I paid about $130 including taxes so $119/109 is likely the best price you'll see.
I just hope Spyderco work those types of scales on as a regular material.
DougFLA123
1404
Aug 12, 2018
glennacI think it’s just luck of the draw.
glennac
1363
Aug 12, 2018
HatuletohThanks guys! I definitely can’t take my eyes off of this piece. And with “9 Left” I’m in. 👍🏼
By the way: Have we always had the “# Left” count available? I never noticed that until today. And it definitely prompts me to act. I have missed other drops because it wasn’t clear that quantities were limited.
Bknguyen
693
Aug 13, 2018
glennacMaybe I'm misinterpreting the comments but is it a quality control issue or just a matter of the scales not looking as good as in the pictures?
glennac
1363
Aug 13, 2018
BknguyenIt's definitely the consistency of the scales. Take a look at the sample pics provided. The front scale everyone agrees is quite attractive. But look at the scale on the clip side. It's just parallel wire mesh. No sculpted patterns as on the front. Very disappointing.
Naturally, that is just one sample. And the other photos I'm seeing online show very attractive patterns on both sides. So the chance of getting a good one is likely. Still, If I had received the one used in the sample photos here I would be very disappointed. If you scroll down you'll see one participant that received a very disappointing piece much like the one on the sample photos. Extremely plain with parallel lines instead of a sculpted (camo-like) pattern.
Since the very sample used in the photos above, and one participant here already showing a disappointing scale design, I'm concerned about the chances of getting one that won't be very pleasing.