Centofante III

J

jarlaxle

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I had someone walk into my work with this knife on their pocket and i got to handle it, i was really impressed by the way it felt in my hand, and im looking for a new EDC without serrations. (i'm carrying the benchmade mini-grip in D2 part. serrated).

Does anyone have experience with this knife good or bad? and, is it an american made model? thanks for the help:o
 
I bought my dad one for fathers day several years back. I LOVE the design, and if I wasn't so broke I would get one for myself. Of course the VG-10 takes a sick edge, and the knife handles very well. I think the general blade shape is what made me like my Cara Cara so much, as there is a similar flow. And FWIW, the Cento 4 is vomit to my eyes. I like a nice "wharnie" sometimes, but compared head to head with the 3, it is like the ugly cousin who lives in the basement!!
 
beckerhead,
Come on, tell us how you _really_ feel! I personally like the looks of the 4 better. In my eyes, the 3 is just another upswept folder, nothing special. Might as well get an Endura, or Delica. But the 4, now thats utility defined. Some of us still see the beauty in wharncliff and sheepsfoot blades, just like some rave over hawkbills or tantos. to each his own, and for me, the 4 comes first, right after the funds allow a military and a manix.
 
I had the 3 for a few years before i sold it. It's light, thin and sharp. Looks very classy for a FRN jobby. What more do you want to know?
 
The C3 is a really nice folder and it cuts like a laser.

But there are two things that I don't like about it:

There is an edge all the way to the handle, so unlike other Spyderco lock-backs, you have to be careful when one-hand closing the knife.

The thumb-ramp peak above the thumb-hole is way too sharp.


IIRC, it's a japanese model.
 
I carried one as edc for a while. Great slicer due to it's nice thin edge. One of the best cutters on the marked. I wish they would make one in CF...

JD
 
Well anything with G-10 etc are going to be a price jump. If you don't know the difference btw the two, then I would suggest you should just get the cento 3. Use it for a few years. By then, you'll know what steel, handle material, grind, lock you like.

Then you can come here and beg Sal to make you a xxx with xxxx handle and xxxx lock PLEASE.

PS - Get a sharpmaker while you are at it.
 
You can one-handed close it by using your index finger in the opening hole while depressing the lock. Here are some pictures I took a while back for another thread to explain this method better:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4679187&postcount=32

I have the Centofante 4 passaround right now and it's a great knife. Smooth action, light and ergonomic handle, thin blade and very solid lock-up. I might just have to buy one if I don't win the passaround lotto. :)

I prefer it to the Delica / Endura series. Delica doesn't fit my hand right, and while the Endura is nice and I own one, the Centofante is lighter, cuts better and feels just as strong. More comfortable for me as well.
 
beckerhead said:
And FWIW, the Cento 4 is vomit to my eyes. I like a nice "wharnie" sometimes, but compared head to head with the 3, it is like the ugly cousin who lives in the basement!!
Click to expand...

I'll be honest, that's what I thought of the III. To each his own. ;)
 
I have the C3 in my pocket right now. As mentioned it is a wicked slicer with its thin blade. It is made in Seki city. My only complaint is that the handle could be a bit grippier. Also as mentioned you should be careful closing it if you are used to a knife with a choil. I caught my middle finger today while closing it. Overall its a nice knife for the price.
 
I loved the Cento 4. I think like some others that the 4 looks better. A lot less plain and more spyderco-esque. 2 Things that I didn't like. This was that the blade could hit the inside of the handle and the handle was too long compared to the blade.
 
allenC said:
There is an edge all the way to the handle, so unlike other Spyderco lock-backs, you have to be careful when one-hand closing the knife.
Click to expand...

I agree 1,000%.

I got one on Ebay last year. I was REALLY excited, with visions of a new EDC dancing in my head. Then, when I got the knife and handled it, this factor really bothered me. I sold it off to a friend and never looked back. It's a bummer because I still really like the size and shape and that thin blade.
 
I still dream of sending a Centofante 3 to STR and getting some Ti liners and G10 scales put on it. I like how slim and light this blade is.
 
"But there are two things that I don't like about it:

There is an edge all the way to the handle, so unlike other Spyderco lock-backs, you have to be careful when one-hand closing the knife.

The thumb-ramp peak above the thumb-hole is way too sharp."

True and true. The thumb ramp thing is a non-issue if you mount the clip tip up or if you just de-burr it with some sand paper. It is not something to worry about when all it takes is a few minuits work that anyone can do.

The edge comming all the way to the bottom of the blade is a good and bad thing. It is good because it gives you the max amount of cutting edge for the blade size. I like to use the very bottom part of the edge for some cutting tasks so I always look for knives that have an edge close to my finger. There is no need for a choil on this baby! It is bad because there is a risk of cutting your finger. I have almost but never quite cut my self on this knife.

The Cent 3 and 4 are IMHO, the best thing that Spyderco has to offer at that price. They are more than the sum of their parts. A few Spydercos over time have achieved this, the Delica 3, the Rescue, the Calypso and the Centofante 3 and 4. It is hard to explain but they are more knife than they really are somehow. I think it is because they are less knife than would normally be.
 
I never had a problem with lack of choil or the sharp thumb ramp either. I have sqeezed hard enough on my mini manix to cause blood blister on my thumb tho.
 
allenC said:
The C3 is a really nice folder and it cuts like a laser.

But there are two things that I don't like about it:

There is an edge all the way to the handle, so unlike other Spyderco lock-backs, you have to be careful when one-hand closing the knife.

The thumb-ramp peak above the thumb-hole is way too sharp.
Click to expand...

Those are the exact two reasons I don't like it too. I had one but I realized that if I squeezed the knife the blade touches the backspacer or inner part of the handle because it has no kick on the blade. I read that this is the way Frank Centofante wanted it designed but I still don't like it.
 
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