Does Anybody have the Spyderco Howard Viele??

Eric Isaacson

Eric Isaacson

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Dec 19, 1999
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I am just curious if any of you have the Spyderco Howard Viele? If so what do you think of it? If not what do you think of it? I am considering getting one just want some thoughts.
Thanks
Eric
 
Hi Eric,

I would try posting this in the Spyderco Forum.

Just a suggestion.
smile.gif


Later,
John
 
I had one for a while. I traded it for another knife, and it was fully serrated, which I hate, so I promptly traded it yet again. I liked the knife. I remember it was rather small, and the micarta handles were well-shaped and ergonomic. It was a fairly small knife, but it was proportioned well. The opening was smooth, but I had to keep lubing mine frequently (every few days) to keep it running smooth. There was a little blade play, but the locking liner worked well. The only gripe is that the hole is small, and it is set very close to the handle in the closed position. Match that with the thicnkess of the liners and scales, and the small hole was set close and deep, so it was a little tough to open. I have small hands, so it wasn't too bad. The knife is no longer made, so I would get one out of collector's interest. Nice knife!

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I bought my Viele (veal-E) last april and I carried it for months! I went from a delica/ bm pardue to that and I tell ya i nvr missed a beat!

The piece was perfectly sized for me; not too big too carry daily and not too small to be useful. The unit was strong and easy to maintain. The ONLY problem-to nice to use as an everyday knife.

Steel is excellent-nvr rusted. All serrations are great. Sharpens easily w/any X-rod sharpener. Micarta scales are tough as nails, but I opted to form plastic, rubber and balsa insets for the piece for whatever the day required.

I recently developed a slight WOBBLE in mine-horizantal and vertical blade play. I sent it in to Spyderco Warranty Service and trust I will receive it in tip-top wprking fashion.

The knife is terrific. Though small for some, it proves to be more "gentlemenly" everyday I carry it, and it is forever useful. Now that it is a collector's piece, I will carry something different, but recommend you look to purchase both a serrated and straight blade version-you'll get $$$ back in a few years!

I paid only $65 for mine over the web and I sware, out of my nearly 30 knives (folders) I still consider that one of the smoothest liner-lockers I own!

Good luck, and happy new year!


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God's choices in inflicicting suffering are unsatisfactory to us, nor are they understandable, unless innocence offends him. Clearly he needs some help in directing the blind fury with which he flogs the earth...


 
I parted with mine a year or so ago.
Was never in love with it.
No major faults ....but a knife in that class should have adjustable pivots. The metal edges on the handle were fairly sharp and needed rounding off . The thumb hole was a little small to be 100% effective and the edges were not chamfered. Little niggles but enough to make me feel ok about passing it on.
But the action was smooth and I liked the blade shape.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343
I THINK : THEREFORE I AM.........I think
 
I got mine for Christmas a couple of years ago. Not really a 'tactical' knife per se, but more of a fancy utility blade. The silver and black lines make the Viele one sexy knife, but, like everyone says, the opening hole is small.

I wear mine to fancy pants parties or weddings and show it off whenever I need to cut the cheese!
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My kids gave me one for Christmas a few years ago and I really like it. Mine is silky smooth, so the lack of adjustable pivots isn't really a problem. One corner isn't rounded, which kind of bothered me at first, but I've found that it is perfect to use for "indexing" in my pocket. I think it's a pretty elegant little knife. Not a user for me, more of a Sunday go to town carry. Typical Spyderco razor edge, too.

Jack

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Two degrees in be-bop, a Ph.D in swing, he's a master of rhythm, he's a rock and roll king.
 
By accident, I was sent the plainedge and was then sent the Spyderedge I had ordered so I could decide. Well....... I still have them both.
smile.gif


My favorite Spydie for fondling and carrying when I think I might be showing it off to new people. The plainedge especially is my favorite. Smooth action, solid heft, locks up tight, dual liners, open easy cleaning. I've cleaned trout with it and it was surprisingly adept and secure in my hand.

Oops...... the coffee is about down, and the parade about to start.

Happy New Year All


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This is my least favorite Spyderco. The opening hole is too small. A previous post mentioned lack of an adjustable pivot. For the price, I would expect a higher grade steel than AUS 8. The design seems to risk fingers sliding forward on to the blade.
 
Had one for a while.
Liked it, but mostly for the aesthetics.
It really is a beautiful knife.
I gave mine to a friend because I didn't like the fact that it was not user maintainable- riveted together instead of using screws- and it wasn't very ambidextrous friendly. I managed to savagely cut myself trying to close it with my left hand. :0
Overall, it really depends on your needs whether or not it is right for you.
If you want a knife that is more show than go, for light duty use such as opening letters and the occasional errant package, this could be the one. (It is also good for impressing favorable opinions from the non-knife inclined due to its artistic nature.)
If you want a practical general purpose knife to meet more demanding needs, one that you don't need to send back to the factory for minor adjustments, you might want to explore other options first.

Your Mileage May Vary

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-Compact
:)
 
I carry mine everyday. Really a nice "show the buddies" knife. Great looking and great serrations. I cut everything with it and it still looks great. I don't have any complaints about the finger hole, sharp edges or anything - but, I am easy to please. I just like how the knife feels, looks and works.
 
I had one for almost a yr.I agree with the opening hole,it's definetly too small.Most of the time I open the knife by pressing my thumb down on the top corner of the tang.It's next to the filed lines on the top of the blade.The Viele is one of the best looking production folders made.I have'nt had any problem with blade play and the liner stops right at mid-tang the same way when I first got it.By the way it's probably one of the smoothest opening production folders.
 
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