Hi Borage,
I believe I need to see the knife in question. Please send it to me and not the seller. I am in communication with the seller and he seems to be a good person that would not intentionally sell a fake. If is not a fake, and you had the problems that you are having, then I need to examine the piece. And I need to see it before anything or anyone touches the the knife. Please contact customer service at Spyderco.
customerservice@spyderco.com or telephone and we will figure out the best way to retrieve the piece.
Your kind understanding and cooperation is appreciated.
sal