Flea Market trip results in new Spirit Plus

[gustophersmob]

I made a trip to the local flea market today and came away with a Spirit with the plus kit.  1st impressions were very positive; the almost swiss watch like precision of the way everything clicks open blow away all other multi-tools I've owned.

Unfortunately, I've found some issues.  Right away I noticed the plier head pivot had some play in it, but I was willing to deal with it because it isn't so bad.  Then, however I noticed that there is a serious amount of blade play on the handle that contains the saw, bottle opener, peanut butter blade, etc.  If I move the saw blade while open, the rest of the closed tools in the handle move back and forth.  It moves so much that there is almost an 1/8" gap b/t the blade and chisel when moving the saw blade.

So tomorrow, back it goes.  The problem is, this was the only standard Spirit they had.  All the others were S models without the plus kit.  Maybe they will swap me the normal for the S in my plus kit, but I'm undecided if I'm willing to give up scissors in my MT.

Can anyone chime in as to whether this is a common problem?  Blade play is one of my biggest nit-picks on any knife and is usually a deal breaker for me, but this seemed excessive, especially given it is a Vic.

As an aside, the dealer had a NIB ribbed Cadet for $20 I'm debating on getting and a NIB Autotool for $67.  I don't need/want the autotool, but if it is a good price and someone here wants it, PM me and we can work something out.

TIA,
Dave

[Sazabi]

The AutoTool is fair game for the price, but get that Cadet; it's a steal if it's ribbed and NIB.

[gustophersmob]

Oh yeah, not sure how I walked out of there without it the 1st time!   

I think the good price I got on the Spirit Plus made me temporarily stupid   

[Sazabi]

Just what kind of deal on the Spirit Plus did you get?

[gustophersmob]

Just what kind of deal on the Spirit Plus did you get?

Not sure if we're allowed to talk about it on the forum  , so I sent you a PM.

[ryan1835]

its allowed tell us

[gustophersmob]

its allowed tell us

Well, as long as I don't get any  ....

I got it for $70.  Seems significantly lower than anything I've found online, although I didn't check with Tim, though.  Ok, ok, I'll  myself for that one 

[Dunc]

A little plier play is fairly common but blade play  Just had a look at my two and yes there is a little if you give the open blade a good wiggle and yes you can see the closed blades move . This would have worried me in the past but I've owned so many Swisstools and Spirits that I'm aware of all there problems and over extensive hard use this will not create a problem or in my experience get any worse .
    What I would do is go back to the shop and have a look at the other Spirits and see if they are the same .If your not happy with the results go for exchange or refund . One way round the "S"model lack of scissors is to get yourself a nice Alox Classic on your keys 

[Sazabi]

... One way round the "S"model lack of scissors is to get yourself a nice Alox Classic on your keys 

Or a Broker.   I wish I could find my copy that had no box so I could keep one of my spare as still a spare. :/

[ari6126]

... One way round the "S"model lack of scissors is to get yourself a nice Alox Classic on your keys 

Or a Broker.   I wish I could find my copy that had no box so I could keep one of my spare as still a spare. :/

Here they are for $30. You can usually get a coupon code for Sierra Trading Post too.

[Neil]

I'd go for an engine turned Windsor over a Broker any day.  Only a fraction larger but the blade is so much easier to control.

[Sazabi]

... One way round the "S"model lack of scissors is to get yourself a nice Alox Classic on your keys 

Or a Broker.   I wish I could find my copy that had no box so I could keep one of my spare as still a spare. :/

Here they are for $30. You can usually get a coupon code for Sierra Trading Post too.

Thank you for the link, Ari, but I actually bought out a guy's stock of Brokers (five total), but I'd rather not dip into them since I already have one that I've used somewhere. ^^;   It's probably hidden in my room somewhere; I just need to go back through and clean it again.  After all, can't beat Brokers at $20 a piece.

I'd go for an engine turned Windsor over a Broker any day.  Only a fraction larger but the blade is so much easier to control.

I hadn't known about the Windsor, though it does look amazing.  Likewise, I rather like the Directors, too, but both the Windsor and Directors needs keyrings.  With that said, yes, I know some of each had variations with them.

[gustophersmob]

Well, i got back a bit ago from my return visit.  I have decided to keep the Spirit, it seemed that all the ones they had exhibited a little blade play to one degree or another.  If it gets too bad after a lot of use, the warranty can handle it.

In other news, I also came away with a few other things. I go the NIB Ribbed Cadet, a NIB plain scale Yeoman and a New, no box, '97 dated soldier with "ARMAGEDDON" etched on the blade.  According to Sazabi, the soldier was a promo for the movie.

Here are some pics:

[gustophersmob]

Couple more pics.  Now all I have to do is decide whether to trade or sell them.

[gustophersmob]

Well, I have decided to try and trade the Yeoman and Soldier (plus a LM Wave), if anyone is interested:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24146.0.html

[gustophersmob]

Well, I have decided to try and trade the Yeoman and Soldier (plus a LM Wave), if anyone is interested:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24146.0.html

Changed my mind, now for sale:  http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,24148.0.html