Any R2 reviews?

[V-1]

Anyone have an R2 that they'd like to review? Or can anyone point me in the direction of a review/discussion of one already posted. I saw one short thread that I posted in but haven't seen any others.

Oh yeah, the search function won't let you search for two letter words; "R2". Otherwise I would have tried that. Actually I did, that's how I know the rule. I appreciate the input.

 

[RLR]

I have one a love it. It is between a Delica and Endura in size, probably shows what the new D and E blade will be like (rounded tip for strength) and again I like it. Rock solid lock up, no play up or down, side to side, nothing. The skeleton handle makes for a great grip and light weight. The blade is quite thin, making the R2 a slicer from hell. I used it on a Turkey and was amazed. The VG10 holds an edge perfectly (on of my top 3 steels ever) and touches up effortlessly on a white stone. There are aggressive grooves both for the thumb and index in the smallish choil - in a choked up grip, this puppy ain't going anywhere. It is the perfect folding kitchen knife, but the handle does get gunked up. Another plus - can be taken apart for cleaning. And, the clip is a cool matching colour to the handle scales.

Pros - great slicer, light, solid, serviceable.
Cons - handle gunks up, but that's it.

4.5 stars.

 

[V-1]

Thank you Sir. Great review!

Love that Spyderco full flat grind.

 

[The Deacon]

When the R2 first was released I carried one for a month, to see if it might be "the knife" that would replace my Stretch. You might want to check out this thread where I began the field test, and this one written after it ended. Do keep in mind that some of my conclusions are VERY subjective. Both knives are excellent, the Stretch just works better with my rather short thumb.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I love the R2. Love the blade shape, love the handle shape, love how Spyderco lightened it up while retaining a good strong handle. I have it in both serrated and plain edge.

Among the standout features for me is the blade and handle length. A 3.5" blade with a "standard" blade-to-handle ratio is big enough to be useful for anything but is also eminently carryable. None of the other Spyderco's with 3.5" blade really caught my eye (except for the stretch).

I read a review (perhaps it was Paul's) where the writer surprisingly had a bit more trouble reaching the hole than on his other Spyderco's. Looking at a picture of the R2, I thought he was crazy. But indeed, while I can reach the hole and open the knife no problem, for some reason it's just a tad awkward ... something I've never felt on a Spyderco before.

I'm go back and forth on the choil that's part blade and part handle (as on the R2, Calypso Jr., Strider SNG, etc). I continue to love it for a knife like the Calypso Jr., a pure cutter that I'll always use with a sabre type grip. But this type of choil often feels a bit odd to me in a convulsive hammer grip, as for defensive use. Sometimes they really screw up the security of my grip.

Joe