Aitor Castor , my 1st BEAR TRAP

A

aadhtbb

Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
192
I brought it for the shape of blade (pointy yet ez to control) ,carbon steel and wood handle .

Good finish & pretty handy when opened but super hard to pinch-open (hardest from closed to halfstop ,much easier but still hard from half to open ).The back spring is twice more strong as my GEC outlaw (most storng folder before the Castor)

And when it is in the half stop position , just feels like locked !

Rides in pocket well (I took the Bullnose for reference. )

Enjoy :)


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I really like the looks of that knife! I have seen one before and was really drawn to it. Thanks for sharing
 
Gevonovich said:
I really like the looks of that knife! I have seen one before and was really drawn to it. Thanks for sharing
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ditto!
although if i bought anything else right now I would have to come stay with one of you guys
i think my wife would toss me out! :D
 
I'd dare say that the Castor Pequeña I have rivals my Opinel #6 for value and usability. Took a little work to get it as sharp as I'd like, but otherwise it's a solid little knife. The snap on these certainly gets your attention and makes you glad to have that half stop for a chance of clearing any fingers you value of the impact zone.

If you're eying them, go for it. You won't be disappointed. Not that anyone here needs an enabler. :p
 
This is a surely solid knife also its backspring . But the spring results in that the tip of blade hits backspring everytime when from half to closed but does not touch when closed . So the tip is always dull (about 3mm )and you do not even want to sharpen it ....:(

Not a big issue and still a good knife.:p
 
Looks like a nice user. I've noticed a spike in the Aitor stuff of lately. I had assumed they were kinda a "dead brand". But that is not the case.
 
Thanks for posting this. I never had Aitor really on the radar - this might change now. The comparison the Bullnose Working knife is very helpful. Do you know, which carbon steel is used for the blade?
 
These look like they come in three sizes. Is this the smallest size? If so, think I'll stay away from the large.
 
Aitor was a good brand. I'm glad to see they are back. I've been busy being sick for months or I was going to pick up a Castor. Now I will -- I know who has them! :)

Thanks for posting this, aadhtbb. When I close any slipjoint, especially one with a strong backspring like my Douk Douks, I hold the blade all the way to close. I understand some manufacturers recommend a strip of cork or rubber to cushion a hard closing.

Mateo, you spainyards make tough knives for a thousand years! :D
 
Humppa said:
Thanks for posting this. I never had Aitor really on the radar - this might change now. The comparison the Bullnose Working knife is very helpful. Do you know, which carbon steel is used for the blade?
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The Castor knife is a folding everyday carry slipjoint in a typical Spanish style. The carbon steel leaf shaped blade is full flat ground, reminiscent of many Spydercos, which makes it a superb slicer. The handles are beautiful Bubinga wood, functionally designed, and contoured for an excellent fit in the hand. Available in three sizes, each knife is designed exactly the same - very lightweight, durable, ergonomic, and sharp.



SpecificationsBlade Length: 3-1/8" (80 mm)
Overall Length: 6-7/8" (175 mm)
Handle Material: Bubinga Wood
Weight: 2.3 oz.
Made in Spain

That is all I got from the site . I think for a blade with a 23$ price ,if they use carbon steel at least it would not be too bad ,nor too good really .

But I have to mention again that the spring is too strong and makes tip hit everytime.
 
aadhtbb said:
This is the mid size , a size for main blade for me I think.
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ahh, thats the medium size. i had thought you had the small size. i have the small size and it is indeed a real nice knife. actually havent carried mine much because im not ready to bang it up at work. lol
 
just for fun, heres a pic of the small castor next to some more common knives. the opinel is a #7 and the victorinox is a tinker.
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My Castor is a grande, which makes it easier to open, I think -- more blade to grip. But it is still very stiff. I greased the pivot a bit, and worked the blade back and forth. It should loosen or smooth the opening a bit. Just for fun I pinched the blade with a piece of chamois and of course it opened easily. :) The blade is only 2 mm thick, about 1/16". I'm going to try it out on fruits and vegetables!

Thanks due to Baryonyx -- he carries so many interesting knives. :thumbup:
 
I just got my medium sized one today. This may be one of the stiffest springs I've encountered yet. Very comparable to the GEC-made Schrade trapper I had. But with the leaf-shaped blade in a full-flat grind it can get scary sharp! Every bit as sharp as my Opinels. The wood was very thirsty also. What a fun great knife! Thanks aahdtbb for introducing me to this knife.
 
I have somehow resisted buying one of these castors for months now, not sure how much longer I can hold out.

Anyone have both a castor and a Douk Douk, how does the spring compare between the two?
 
I have both. I think my doukdouk is marginally easier to open; probably due to the greater leaverage of the longer blade of the doukdouk.
 
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