A few weeks ago I started a thread about looking for an EDC Folder with a blade that was <= 2.5 inches. My job and the city of Chicago, which I don't live far from, both place this restriction on blade length. I was looking for something similar to my mini-RSK (S30V). Thanks to user "tranx" who pointed out this knife to me. I ordered one and have been using it for about a week.
Note how I am calling this an "Evaluation". That's because I don't believe that it's proper to write a "Review" of a knife until it's been used for a long period of time... a lifetime, even. First, a little about me: I am NOT a knife expert. I'm 26. I live in suburbia. I'm not a big outdoors person, but I do bicycle. I just started EDCing a dedicated knife recently - a mini-RSK (S30V). I've been carrying a multi-tool for a few years (I prefer Leatherman); since I became an electronic repairman, I've developed a passion for tools, a liking for being known as "handy", and now, trying to be "equipped". I will make comparisons to the mini-RSK here, because it's the only other dedicated folder I own, and because the community here can relate to it.
First, the link to Spyderco's page, which has adequate pictures:
Spyderco Link Price paid: $59.75 + 5.95 shipping (eBay). Available in plain edge and Spyderedge. I bought the plain edge version.
The first use for the knife was trying to shave my forearm. The VG-10 blade proved to be very sharp right out of the box as it shaved many a hair effortlessly. I was impressed. In fact, it was considerably sharper than my mini-RSK was out of the box. So far, I've used the knife mainly for opening packages, and it has cut well. The thickness on the thumb rest is 3/32". Despite the small size, it feels like much force could be transferred to the material being cut if required. On one side, the base of the blade has "SPYDERCO" and "VG-10" at the base; the opposite side has "SEKI-CITY" and "JAPAN".
I have not sharpened the blade yet.
The knife features ambidextrous one-handed opening with the Spyderco Round Hole. The hole is nice and large, which is appreciated because the smaller overall size of the knife makes holding the knife for one-handed opening more difficult. Compared to the mini-RSK, opening requires more force. Overall, the opening is nice, considering the small size, but I prefer the thumb studs and smoother opening of the mini-RSK.
The knife locks with a very satisfying snap. The lock seems to be very solid. The thumb-actvated release works just like it should.
Overall, the knife has refined, solid, and high-quality construction.
The knife has an very elegant and polished look, which is part of what made it attractive to me. Unfortunately, the stainless steel handle scratches easily, but that doesn't bother me much as I'm more about utility.
The knive handle has cuts for a four-finger grip, but the cut for the pinky feels more like simply a resting place. I imagine this is unavoidable given the small stature. I was impressed with the way my fingers fit the handle.
It's a good thing the fingers do fit well, however, because, as one might expect, the very smooth and polished handle leads to what I believe is the knife's biggest drawback: the grip can be slippery. For example, after putting lotion on my hands, or getting them wet, I wouldn't try to open this knife one-handed unless I absolutely had to. Normally, this isn't a big deal, because my hands are not normally wet and I rarely, if ever,
need one-handed opening. But this is definitely something to keep in mind for potential buyers, and I would absolutely not recommend using this knife in a marine environment. I think of the kife as general-purpose, but not all-purpose. Despite the nicely designed finger cuts, the mini-RSK is definitely better in the grippability department.
The pocket clip is extremely secure and strong, which is much appreciated. In these aspects, it's comparable with the mini-RSK's clip. However, it's not reversible. It's held in place with three phillips screws. I believe torx would have been better, as I find that the phillips are too easy to strip out if the clip is removed / installed often. However, not many people carry small torx drivers, so the case could be made that the phillips screws are better for people who, for some reason, need to add / remove the clip while on the go. The phillips screws are probably much easier to replace, too. This isn't much of an issue for me, as I leave the clip on. The clip is oriented so the tip of the blade is carried down, which is the opposite of the mini-RSK. The Spyderco logo is engraved on the clip.
There is a 3/16" lanyard hole.
Summary:
(++) Nice sharp and apparently strong blade that is short enough to satisfy more restrictive blade-length laws
(++) Ambidextrous one-handed opening
(++) Lock and release work well and seem to be very solid
(++) High-quality construction
(+) Polished, elegant look
(+) Nice cuts in the handle for fingers
(+) Very strong, removable pocket clip
(+) Lanyard hole
(-) Because of the small size, somewhat more difficult to open one-handed, but should be expected given the small stature
(-) Stainless steel handle is scratched easily
(--) Potential for slippery grip if hands are wet or oily
(-) Pocket clip not reversible
(-) Pocket clip secured with phillips screws
Overall, so far I give this knife a 8.0 / 10.
Previous Topic
Index
