485 valet deployment

E

ericlosh

Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Messages
371
This is a great looking knife visually and specs wise. I hear minor complaints to the deployment not being as easy as expected and was wondering if it was similar to a sebenza. A sebenza deployed the CRK way works very well and is not hard to manipulate. A lot of people have initial difficulty with those coming from different knives. I noticed it from my more typical spyderco, but it was easy to get used to and worked well with no problems.

The complaints i hear to the valet remind me of those complaints to the sebenza and was wondering if a slight different angle of approach was all it took to go from difficult open to wonderful open.

Thanks for the pointers
 
It's an Axis-lock. Should open easy-peasy and smooth as silk. If you're really concerned, have the dealer you buy it from check it for proper deployment before they send it to you.

My only real issue with the Valet is that the handle is too short for comfort. I prefer a knife with at least a 4" handle. But that's a whole different issue.
 
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I found the ergos a bit hard as it is small and with the size of my hand (average I guess) it was a little tight to open easily with the thumb-stud alone but I could still hold the Axis bar back and flip it open. Just a bit small for me and I fell in love with my 531 instead.
Still a great knife IMO.
 
Complaints about the Valet are from people used to Axis locks (myself included)... All my folders are Axis locks at this point, and I always depress the lock and let the blade rotate out. I tried that with a Valet, and it didn't work. Was disappointing and slow, because I know I would do that every single time, but if you open it like a normal person, it shouldn't be any issue at all. At least, I didn't have any issue with the thumb studs... And I don't have small thumbs. But, it was a brand new knife, so maybe it would smooth itself out and let you flip it open, as billym said.

I ended up ordering a 940-1 after handling it, to fill the role I wanted the 485 to fill. I fell in love with the thing. The 940-1 is only 0.2 ounces heavier and the same thickness for .5" more blade and a little more handle, and it opens/closes easily (the way I open/close Benchmades). It felt perfect in my hand, I've seen where I can get an Adamas deep carry clip for it to have it sit as low as the 485, and I have no preference either way on S90V vs. M390.... Might be worth looking into, as the 940-1 seemed to me like it simply did the 485's job a little bit better. Not to say the 485 isn't a great little knife. And, remember, these are my first impressions of both, so take that for what it's worth (not a lot).
 
I have the valet and edc a 943. I recently had cause to carry the valet again and find that the complaints I've read about the opening are overblown. I flick these knives open using the thumb stud, and the valet was no problem. Top shelf steel, too.
 
Okay sounds good. I have a manix 2 and there are enough complaints that that style of caged ball bearing is hard to use and i open and close that knife no problem one handed. I figure this wouldnt be a big deal but for spending that much its nice to get some second opinions.

The 940 is a great knife, ive had one, traded for a different great knife and then MAP2013 happened and made me real picky with them. Though i dont want to spend that on a 940, it is a knife i may buy again anyway. It is a drop dead awesome knife. It just has so much going for it. theres always the exchange i know.

The valet just looks good, made with the right stuff and priced well for construction and materials, a good useful design within the limits of a small knife.

Ill probably scan the offerings again just see if theres something long term that makes sense for what i want.

Thanks for y'alls time
 
Yeah, the Valet is absolutely a fantastic knife on paper. I was set on one myself, and I figured I would just adjust to however it opened best over time. I only switched gears when I stumbled on a 940-1 that I got to handle, and it simply excited me more.
 
the torrent 890 has long held my interest but i am swayed by the assited function. I like manual on pricey knives because you can feel the action better.
 
Personally I love mine. I have perfected the flick. You have to kind of wedge your thumb in the scale and stud gap and really flick it. Works great.
 
I got my valet from the locals today for $195

Blade is not centered everything else is at least fine by me


Okay I love this knife though

I was seriously pissed with bm map pricing a while back and this my first since then

It's very well made and priced for the materials

This knife is on point

Deployment is not 940 easy but it's like a flickable sebenza

I open it with that angle from my thumb and a little flick and it just flies out. I can't get enough of that. I just love it. I love this friggin knife


You bm folks are missing out if you don't have one yet
 
I am in love with my new Valet; in fact my old EDC was a Volli, then I went with the lighter Spyderco PM2, and now it's the more compact Valet.

I deploy it with thumb on the stud and a firm flick, and it's a nice smooth open. Zero wiggle, blade is slightly off center, but I'm not messing with it. Is it tougher to get a good purchase on . . yes, because of its size, but that's an expected trade off.

Super steel and scales that are superb for a production knife, what's not to love?
 
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