Centfante 4, the knife that keeps on giving.

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kgriggs8

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I am becomming a HUGE fan the Cent 4. In fact, it gets the most pocket time of any Spyderco I have ever owned. I own about 30-40 Spydercos so that is saying something. Most of my Spydercos are $100+ knives yet the Cent 4 never dissapoints. I think the design is so well thought out that if they ever discontinue it, I will probably buy half a dozen of them to assure I always have one.

I have had mine for years and I have not babied it because it is cheap knife. It still looks new save the wear on the pocket clip. This a big little knife. It carries like it doesn't exist yet I have not found a jopb that it failed to do.

I am putting the Cent 4 in my classics list along with a only a few others that I consider worthy.

Rescue
Cent 4
Large Calypso (C 54)
G-10 Police
Delica 3
Military

These are the best of the best. There may be a one or two that I missed but those are my favs from all times. In fact, I think the Cent 4 is a better knife than the Delica 3 but the D-3 is a classic and I can't argue that. Also, I am not saying there are not a ton of great Spydercos that are not on my short list but some of them are too similar to the ones on the list or too heavy or too expensive or whatever. It is my list so leave me alone!:D
 
I recently picked up a Centofante 3 and I can see where you're comming from. Its just an incredible knife.

I absolutely love the Benchmade Mini-Grip with its Axis-Lock. I didn't think that there was a Spyderco that would get me to shelve my Mini Grip. That was 'til the Cent 3 showed up. I broke it in with 100+ oppenings and a shot of teflon lube about half way through. It now opens like it was buttered.

If I had to list my favorite Spydies they'd be:
Centofante 3
Dragonfly
Calypso Jr. (w/G10)

I've handled a Manix and the upcomming Aqua Salt but haven't had the chance to put one through their paces. I'm pretty sure the Manix and AS would round out the list.
 
I also have a C3 and like it a lot. For a knife of its size it just disappears in your pocket- its so thin and light. I have plans on picking up a C4 in the future. I also look forward to a potential C5. Great knives for the money.
 
I agree the Centofante 4 is a great knife with an incredible blade that cuts like crazy. To use it is to appreciate it. Cheers!
 
Looking at the handle of either Cento it must be the perfect knife for me.

No funny cut outs that just don't fit my big meaty mitt(except the D3/SE)

Now would I be one happy camper if spyderco made a fully serrated version of the Cento:thumbup::thumbup:
 
I have one and it's my EDC knife. :D Pretty much perfect for what i encounter regularly and it's relatively inexpensive so i won't feel too bad if i were to lose it.
 
D3/SE said:
Looking at the handle of either Cento it must be the perfect knife for me.

No funny cut outs that just don't fit my big meaty mitt(except the D3/SE)

Now would I be one happy camper if spyderco made a fully serrated version of the Cento:thumbup::thumbup:
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Yo SpyDutch. You should grab one of these Cento's. Serrated Cento's is a great suggestion. I got big mitts and the Centos fit great. Ergos are top notch and comfortable in extended use. There ain't nothin like em.
 
I mail-ordered a C4 about a month ago. I was pretty sure I'd like it but was blown away by how nicely it fits my preferences. Heavy, uncomfortable, thick-bladed knives don't do it for me. The C4 does. Don't even bring up the spares issue - my wife thinks that I buy too many knives as it is.

Gordon
 
I recently got one of these for a regrind and I was very impressed with it! What a nice thin little cutter!!

Tom
 
I just ordered one, but it probably won't make it into my EDC rotation, which pretty much consists of only my reprofiled D'Allara DP. :D Mostly I'm wary of the thin blade, and the sharpening choil, which always catches on material. I'd much rather have a finger choil. Tip down is a plus, and the wharncliffe shape seems perfect. We'll see. Nothing that says I can't carry more than one knife. :) It certainly seems like an elegant design.

It has only one "partial" liner, correct?
 
There is one liner, but I think it runs most of the length of the handle. Not sure though - I would have to check mine at home.

I really like the Cento 3 & 4. The thin blade slices nicely, and the 3 makes a great kitchen folder.
 
It has a single liner but don't let that scrare you. Remember, the Delica 3 and Endura 3 as well as most older Spyderco had NO liners. I haven't seen too many broken handles on them so I wouldn't worry. I have used my Cent 4 harder than a knife like this should be used and I have not damaged it in any way. It is tough. VG-10 and FRN make tough, light and inexpensive combo that preforms well. Great knife, great price, great size and weight.

I did have a Cent 3 and I sold it before I really got to know it. I carried it tip down and the sharp thumb ramp pissed me off because everytime I put my hand into my pocket, I got a nasty scrap. On my Cent 4, I did two simple mods that made a big difference. I mounted it for tip up carry and I did the zip tie mod. I know have a Waved Cent 4 that doesn't bite me when I put my hand in my pocket.
 
I kinda miss my III. Can't get past the bug, though..IMHO, kinda ruins the lines flowing back (the grooves)
 
I like the looks of the Cento III but I'm so used to closing my Spydies by putting my index finger on the choil and depressing the backlock with my thumb, I'm afraid I'll forget the Cento doesn't have a substantial choil and try to close it one-handed anyhow. :eek:
 
I close my Native and Manix the same way. I guess we'll both have to learn the "index finger in the Spyder hole" method, and buy some more bandaids.

Today my D'Allara had to agressively cut some quadruple-thickness cardboard at an awkward angle, and wedge under a heavy duty zip tie wrapped around steel. Lots of lateral stress there, on the blade and on the pivot. This is what I think about when considering things like dual liners and blade thickness. It doesn't seem like the kind of thing the C4 is made for, but even back when I only had El Cheapo™ knives, I never broke one doing something stupid. Well...almost never. :D

The C4 arrives tomorrow. I need to buy some fruit...
 
I did some "moderate" prying on a doorlock once with my Centofante3 (to the point of abuse) and when i was finished, the blade still had zero bladeplay.... I was quite impressed by this.... a heckuva knife for the price.... I have no probs closing them onehanded with my thumb on the tang/ricasso , using my middle finger to depress the lock.... ;)
 
MG_Saldivar said:
I like the looks of the Cento III but I'm so used to closing my Spydies by putting my index finger on the choil and depressing the backlock with my thumb, I'm afraid I'll forget the Cento doesn't have a substantial choil and try to close it one-handed anyhow. :eek:
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It's true that the Cento III has a lot less tang to protect your index finder, but I close mine using the method you describe all the time and have yet to cut myself. I found that putting my index finger in the right/safe place was pretty intuitive. But you're right that you must be more careful than with, say, a Delica.
 
nphelps4130 said:
It's true that the Cento III has a lot less tang to protect your index finder, but I close mine using the method you describe all the time and have yet to cut myself. I found that putting my index finger in the right/safe place was pretty intuitive. But you're right that you must be more careful than with, say, a Delica.
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That is right. You can still you the method you have grown used to but you just have to be a little bit more careful. I learned quick that it doesn't take any force to close it anyway so as long as I let the blade drop under it's own weight, it won't cut you.

The Cent 4 WAS made to cut card board and zip ties. In fact, those are two of the things that I use my knife for the most and it works better than almost any other blade design. The thin blade zips through cardboard even if the edge is not as sharp as it could be. The Warncliff blade is perfect for getting under Zip ties and pivoting them cut.

I suggest you use it hard like you would a bigger knife. That will only show you how strong this knife really is. I am not saying pry anything with it, but use it like an Endura or a Military and I think you will find it is a much stronger knife than you expect. I have used mine for tough tasks and I have not done any damage to it at all. I am just so impressed with it for many reasons.

I think the VG-10 and FRN are the keys here. I have chipped S30-v and worn out a few Para-Militarys but I would hazard a guess that the Cent 3-4 is a more durable knife is many ways than the $100+ Spydercos we all think are better.
 
I finally broke down and bought a Centofante 4. I'm not sure why it took me so long since I'm a fan of the smaller Kershaw Centofante, wharncliffe blades, VG-10, and lightweight scales. Needless to say this knife has now claimed EDC status. The shape is perfect, it's insanely lightweight for its size, and the blade cuts like there's no tomorrow.

I spent the day switching out light bulbs for CFLs which involved an awful lot of evil blister-packs. The Cento4 blazed through those things like butter. The straight edge and sharp tip dug right in and didn't slip or slide out like a blade with a curved belly.

I haven't had this much fun with a new knife since the Calypso Jr. and I much prefer the ergos on the Centofante 4.
 
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