Blade profile of the Spyderco Stretch

G

GSO

Joined
Feb 6, 2010
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229
I admit I immediately passed on the Spyderco Stretch after looking at its blade. Excellent slicer? Probably. One of Sal's favorites? That must speak much for it. Aesthetically, I just wasn't appreciating it. And you know how we are; sometimes we can't bring ourselves to carry a blade just because of the handle color.

Elsewhere in my consciousness was the Benchmade 555HG Mini-Griptilian. I've never owned a Benchmade before, but I could transition to that model. After all, it has the thumb hole that I'm so fond of, and that blade profile is much more appealing to me than all the other Mini-Grip offerings. It looks very effective in cutting and slicing, and, aesthetically, I just dig it.

So after a year, I acquired the BM Mini-Grip. After all my time with Spyderco wares, I really got a good first impression from Benchmade.

I flicked out the blade. That thumbhole is a little too small. I'll have to take time getting used to that.

Then I stared at the blade in front of me...

2013-05-21143609.jpg


and I stared at it...


and I stared at it...


And then, quietly to myself: Why didn't I just get a Stretch?


Please slap some sense into me. Stretch owners are especially welcome.
 
Well...why is there a benchmade in the spyderco sub forum lol? The best way I've ever heard spydercos knives described is "designed in the dark" ergonomics and performance come first, looks come second:)
 
9blades said:
Well...why is there a benchmade in the spyderco sub forum lol? The best way I've ever heard spydercos knives described is "designed in the dark" ergonomics and performance come first, looks come second:)
Click to expand...

Point taken. :o The thread is about a Spyderco enthusiast who ventured into Benchmade only to realize a Spyderco could have done the trick all along. I also particulary wanted to ask folks of the Spyderco community, not the BM community.

I also have a Lava and a Kiwi, and I'm very proud of Spyderco's general philosophy design.
 
I've been thinking about getting a Stretch several times. I was just about to get one, but then the Para2 was released and I decided to get one of those instead, which I of course don't regret. The Stretch is a great knife. The ergos are IMO better than the Mini Grip. The Stretch feels like it's a part of your hand when you're holding it while the Mini Grip feels like some object you're holding in your hand. I find the Mini Grip handle not quite adjusted to being so short. That handle shape works a bit better for the full size version I can imagine. The Mini Grip handle is nice and rounded of course, which many like, but the Stretch handle is I believe thinner relatively and doesn't take up so much pocket space. The Stretch also has a sweet full flat grind compared to the hollow grind of the Mini Grip and feels sleeker in general IMO. Stretch also has a 50/50 choil for choking up close to the edge, which is absent on the Mini Grip, eventhough the distance between the main grip and the plunge line is about the same on both knives.

My next purchase for a mid end, mid sized EDC knife will probably be the FRN Stretch.
 
The Spyderco Stretch was my first Spyderco. I, too, thought the blade was ugly but I still decided to get the Stretch. Now, after having the knife for over a year I no longer see the blade as ugly.
The blade-shape is very utilitarian. There is steel missing from the midsection, possibly for weight saving, and there's a hump of extra steel at the tip possibly for increased tip strength. Unattractive to the eye maybe but quite a perfect knife in my opinion.

I try to let the shape, color, etc, only affect my decisions positively, but I usually fail slightly at that. ;) Ugly knives work just fine.
 
The Stretch is a personal favorite of mine. It's my most used and carried folder. Thin flat grind makes for an excellent slicer, ergos are great, blade length is ideal, useful choil... I learned that ZDP is one of my favorite steels through owning the Stretch, and I have all versions of it in that steel. I appreciate sexy looking knives as much as the next guy, but I dont think the Stretch is ugly. It might actually be because of the opening hole hump COMBINED with the hump at the tip that may make people think of it as visually unappealing but it makes deploying the blade real easy and it locks your thumb in on the ramp while in use.. Put it this way, I use it more than my "sexier" blades. I say give it a try, make it your only knife for some time, and you should appreciate the knife more. As far as color, I really like BRG and now have a total of 5 Spydies in that color. In tip up carry, it shows a little more than an Endura/Delica but I can live with it. I show off my Stretch whenever I can and I've gotten nothing but compliments from folks who check it out in person.
 
I remember when I first saw Spyderco knives when I was about 8-10 years old, I really did think they were ugly and unappealing. But once you actually get one and use it, everything makes sense. They just feel right. Also, the looks grow on you. I actually rather enjoy staring at various Spyderco knives. They do have an appeal to them. Then again, I'm not a normal person. Maybe they really are ugly. I don't think so anymore though.
 
I'll be getting at LEAST ONE MORE FRN Stretch in VG 10. And, I'm keeping my eyew open for the carbon and stainless ones, also. Besides being every bit the slicer you can picture, it also stabs quite a bit easier than several other Spydies and other knives I've tried. ...uh...IF that matters to you in any way, lol :o
 
GSO said:
I admit I immediately passed on the Spyderco Stretch after looking at its blade. Excellent slicer? Probably. One of Sal's favorites? That must speak much for it. Aesthetically, I just wasn't appreciating it. And you know how we are; sometimes we can't bring ourselves to carry a blade just because of the handle color.

Elsewhere in my consciousness was the Benchmade 555HG Mini-Griptilian. I've never owned a Benchmade before, but I could transition to that model. After all, it has the thumb hole that I'm so fond of, and that blade profile is much more appealing to me than all the other Mini-Grip offerings. It looks very effective in cutting and slicing, and, aesthetically, I just dig it.

So after a year, I acquired the BM Mini-Grip. After all my time with Spyderco wares, I really got a good first impression from Benchmade.

I flicked out the blade. That thumbhole is a little too small. I'll have to take time getting used to that.

Then I stared at the blade in front of me...

2013-05-21143609.jpg


and I stared at it...


and I stared at it...


And then, quietly to myself: Why didn't I just get a Stretch?


Please slap some sense into me. Stretch owners are especially welcome.
Click to expand...

This pic deserves another...

bluestretch1.jpg
 
Love the Spyderco Stretch! I like that you get a lot of blade length and full flat grind -- and the blade to handle ratio is just about perfect. The plain edge ZDP-189 is a wicked slicer and the Spyderedge VG-10 is a workhorse!

Stretch_out.jpg
 
I think the Stretch's curvy drop point blade shape is beautiful, much nicer than other common ones like leaf and Military/PM style. Not coincidentally, two of my favorite Spydies are it and the Centofante 3, and the drop point UKPK is really good too. The Stretch is a perfect blend of size, looks, and ergonomics for me. I regret not getting a serrated version after seeing the above picture.
 
About a week ago a place I check out for Spydies had a full serrated Stretch for $69 shipped, I almost jumped on it so many times, and now it is gone. I too love my Stretch. A ZDP version might be in my future:D
 
I wish that blue green was still available for zdp stretches!
 
GSO said:
I admit I immediately passed on the Spyderco Stretch after looking at its blade. Excellent slicer? Probably. One of Sal's favorites? That must speak much for it. Aesthetically, I just wasn't appreciating it. And you know how we are; sometimes we can't bring ourselves to carry a blade just because of the handle color.
Click to expand...

I am in the same boat with you. Why would I EDC a knife, which is not aesthetically pleasing for me. There plenty, which are aesthetically pleasing and functionally great. But I went a little further. I bought original stretch and sold it after couple days. Great ergos, just not cannot stand a spine shape.
 
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