Spyderco Salt 1 - mini review

After my recent annoying experience with NYPD* while walking home after work I decided to change my EDC knife from Buck Strider folder to Spyderco Salt I. I know they sell fully serrated version which would be better for it's real purpose (sailing/rope cutting) but for all around knife I chose plain edge.



I figured it will serve couple of purposes:
1) Handle is yellow so higly visible and if clipped to the pocket it's not concealment just a tool. Plus thinking of slapping a Pooh or Tigger sticker on it
2) Not rusting so perfect for kayaking since I hate having multiple blades. I'm a firm beliver to use what you have becasue that's how you get better in handling that particular tool.
3) Smaller blade meaning better fit in the pocket.

All of the above is true about the knife. It is small, has a reversable clip, handles are "harsh" so it will stay in your hand, blade has a wide surface area in order to accomodate thumb hole on small blade, lanyard hole and pretty sturdy lock. How rust proof it is I will know after the season.

Few things:
I wish yellow was more yellow. It is kind of wash out yellow not a deep life jacket yellow but it still stands out. Comming from bigger folders both for work and EDC this knife is little too thin for my taste. I don't have big hands and when I got it I felt like I'm holding a toothpick. This may be my biggest problem with it but only time will show. Also this is one of the first knives I ever owned without a liner lock. I had a small accident with Buck knife that had a back lock and it almost costed me my pinky.

I like the knife a lot. I think that it will fit the purpose. As a matter of fact I like it so much I'm thinking of buying one more and ditching the Buck/Strider all together. It will fit perfect on my vest right on top of the trauma plate pocket. I think the size of the blade is perfect and I only used the 4 inch blades until now and going to 3 inches was weird.

*I was "detained" while going home after work @ 1 am becasue I had a folder clipped to my pocket. I missed the train, got home 2 hrs late just to have to wake up in 2 more hours to go back to work. PD appologized after seeing my ID/shield and it was very civil but it was just annoying and time consuming since the officer first involved didn't have much time on the job and some things were happening little too fast for him.

I was looking at the brother of this (sheepsfoot blade) to carry on my person while on the river. Yellow and maritime looking are good for those around us who are scared to use a butter knife. Let me know how the corrosion resistance holds up.

Bill

I wonder what they would have done if you were not an EMT / Firefighter.

It looks like a nice knife - I don't think the 3 inch blade should prove to be a problem.

Glad to hear another opinion. I EDC the knife and have for 3 months +. IMHO its as good a pocket knife as I've carried in quite a few years. Because my hands are small, I don't have any problem with the thinness of the handle, and it certainly makes it oomfortable in my pocket. The choils on the back of the blade make it easy to control. The H-1 steel seems quite good. I haven't given it a lot of hard use, but one week I did cut up some cartons at work and then made up some nylon mooring lines at home, and it stayed very sharp through that (I've had knives that didn't). The paint on the clip is disappointing - already showing scratches. But the metal under it seems to be rustproof, so hopefully its just cosmetic.

Sorry to hear about your incident. I wouldn't have thought a knife of this size with this type of blade would get more than a glance. It's pretty obviously designed as a tool, not an offensive weapon.

Keep us posted on how the knife works for you.

I think that clip is made out of titanium.

Things are getting "strange" when such a knife gets attention. I am glad I am no longer assigned to NYC.

I carried my Buck 110 everywhere then (1979-1981) as now. It was my blue jeans that attracted attention then.

It has always been my understanding that a 3" knife was good to go, anyhere in the USA. I think I will stay away from the large cities from this point forward.

To make it straight.

It was my Buck/Strider folder that was questioned. Spyderco Salt is my new folder.

Rereading the first and last paras of your first post, that's clear.

Which once again reminds me to pay closer attention. Good survival skill, paying attention. I need to work on it.

What are the rules/regs as far as travel by train in NYC and weapons? Obviously firearms are out of the question, but how do they treat knives? Are they banned outright or is there a blade length restriction?

And weren't they subjecting folks to random searches not too long ago on the subways in NYC?

That's been my general understanding too, but, does anyone out there follow the laws enough to know if that's reality? I don't really think/worry about the knife/knives/multi-tools I might be carrying except if I have to take an airplane.

i 2nd that one man. hard to believe a pocket knife would warrant a detention and cursory search. what ever happened to PC? as much as we get "right" here in the US, it seems that we are falling apart at the seams. grrrrr.

Here is NYC knife law as per Bernard Levine http://home.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm.

Basically it states no blades over 4 inches and knife has to be concealed from public view, though the law is pretty ubiquitous, so carrying any knife without a purpose could be a problem.):

Chap. 1 Public Safety 10-133
Historical Note: Formerly 436-5.1

10-133 Possession of knives or instruments.

A. Legislative findings. It is hereby declared and found that possession in public places, streets and parks of the city, of large knives is a menace to the public health, peace, safety and welfare of the people of the city; that the possession in public places, streets and parks of such knives has resulted in the commission of many homicides, robberies, maimings and assaults of and upon the people of the city; that this condition encourages and fosters the commission of crimes and contributes to juvenile delinquency, youth crime and gangsterism; that unless the possession or carrying in public places, streets and parks of the city of such knives without a lawful purpose is prohibited, there is danger of an increase in crimes of violence and other conditions detrimental to public peace, safety and welfare. It is further declared and found that the wearing or carrying of knives in open view in public places while such knives are not being used for a lawful purpose is unnecessary and threatening to the public and should be prohibited.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on his or her person or have in such person's possession, in any public place, street or park any knife which has a blade length of four inches or more.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public place, street or park to wear outside of his or her clothing or carry in open view any knife with an exposed or unexposed blade unless such person is actually using such knife for a lawful purpose as set forth in subdivision d of this section.

D. The provisions of subdivisions b and c of this sections shall not apply to (1) persons in the military service on the state of New York when duly authorized to carry or display knives pursuant to regulations issued by the chief of stall to the governor; (2) police officers and peace officers as defined in the criminal procedure law; (3) participants in special events when authorized by the police commissioner (4) persons on the military or other service of the United States, in pursuit of official duty authorized by federal law; or (5) any person displaying or in possession of a knife otherwise in violation of this section when such a knife (a) is being used for or transported immediately to or from a place where it is used for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or any employment, trade or occupation customarily requiring the use of such knife; or (b) is displayed or carried by a member of a theatrical group, drill team, military or para military unit or veterans organization, to from or during a meeting, parade or other performance or practice for such event, which customarily requires the carrying of suck knife or (c) is being transported directly to or from a place of purchase in such a manner as not to allow easy access to such knife while it is transported; or (d) is displayed or carried by a duly enrolled member of the Boy or Girl scouts of America or similar organization or society and such display or possession is necessary to participate in the activities of such organization or society.

E. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding fifteen days or by both such fine and imprisonment.


Case notes:
This section promotes a legitimate governmental objective and is not unconstitutionally vague or an improper exercise of the city's police power.------ People v Ortiz 125 Misc. 2d 318 [1984]




10-134 Prohibition on sale of certain knives

A. Legislative findings. It is hereby declared and found that the possession on public places, streets and parks of the city of folding knives which lock upon opening, is a menace to the public health, peace, safety and welfare of the people of the city; that the possession in public places, streets and parks of such knives has resulted in the commission of many homicides, robberies, maimings and assaults of and upon the people of the city, that this condition encourages and fosters the commission of crimes, and contributes to juvenile delinquency, youth crime and gangsterism; that is this situation is not addressed, then there is a danger of an increase in crimes of violence and other conditions detrimental to public peace, safety and welfare. It has been found that folding knives with a blade of four (4) inches or more that locks in an open position are designed and used almost exclusively for the purpose of stabbing or threat thereof. Therefore for the safety of the city, such weapons should be prohibited from sale within the jurisdiction of the city of New York.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale within the jurisdiction of the city of New York any folding knife with a blade length of four or more inches which is so constructed that when it is opened it is locked in an open position and cannot be closed without depressing or moving a release mechanism.

C. Exempt from this section are imported and exporters or merchants who ship or receive locking folding knives, with a blade length of four or more inches, in bulk, which knives are scheduled to travel or have traveled in the course of international, interstate, or intrastate commerce to a point outside the city. Such bulk shipments shall remain in their original shipping package, unopened, except for inspection and possible subdivision for further movement in interstate or intrastate commerce to a point outside the city.

D. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or by imprisonment not exceeding sixteen days (16) or both such fine and imprisonment. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollar for each violation.

Ok, so I'm covered by the "Boy Scout" clause! It's necessary as a registered Scouter to Be Prepared! (Ok, maybe that's a stretch?) So you see judge, it's like this...

In CA, it's illegal to carry anything over 2.5" on the grounds of a school.

"... persons in the military service on the state of New York..."

I don't even know what that means...???...

The entire point of the Spyderco Salt series is to make the knives out of corrosion resistant steel.

"A myth in the knife world is that out there somewhere there is a super-steel with high performance cutting ability that doesn't rust. A steel foundry in Japan made the myth a reality by intoducing H-1 steel. H1 steel is a PH steel meaning it is a precipitation-hardened steel. It's naturally hard without heat-treating and with 1% nitrogen instead of carbon it cannot rust. H1 holds a sharpened cutting edge equivalent to many premium carbon steels but without developing rust or pitting.

The Spyderco Salt I, Tasman Salt, Atlantic Salt and Pacific Salt knives have H1 steel blades with an enlarged Spyderco blade hole to facilitate opening with gloved or wet hands. They have lightweight fiber reinforced nylon handles with checkerboard texturing, Boye dent lock backs, and side to side reversible pocket clips mounted at the butt end. There is a lanyard hole for backup thong attachment when working in and around water."