DPX HEST Folder

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Dagon said:
Well, yes, but even while I am a big Spyderco fan, I wasn't immediately impressed with the prototype design - adding a spyderhole to the nicely proportioned SR1 brought the design out of balance, in my opinion.
I hope that Sal will have the prototype with him in Amsterdam, I might change my mind after holding it.
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He will have it in IWA in Nurnberg for sure.
I will have it in my booth. Come in so you can see and touch it.
 
5.56 said:
HardUseFolders002.jpg


Looks like the lockbar is already 100% engaged in this pic. Do they ship like that?
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FWIW mine is hitting right at or just under 50% whether waved open or using the thumb studs
 
RYP said:
The DPx HEST /F has adjustable pivot tension and teflon washers. We specifically asked Lion Steel to tighten down the pivot tension hard and I did it again on the LE's. As Nathanwind pointed out when shipping a knife (even in the US) officials can "determine" that the knife does not meet regulations. In Australia the customs folks can flick the thing all day until they determine that its a "flip" knife. Keep in mind Managiao Italy is the home of the switchblade so we were extra cautious.

That being said, the HEST/F is a brutal use knife that means it is designed to be abused, without lubrication, in mud, sand, dirt, salt, dust, sweat etc. So the moving parts are thick, heavy and require a modicum of seating The material and finishes on the HEST were chosen not for how it looks when new but after being beat to shit after a few years. This means that the initial knife feel will be tough and crisp but will seat in.

Notwithstanding that, I or Gianni will personally look at your knife and tune it, replace it or do what needs to be done to make it work perfectly. As I have mentioned before I spent three months with my HEST/F abusing it in Burma and is smooth, dependable and only requires a minor strop, a washing in river sand and a good wash to get the crap out of it.
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It is on its way to you at DPx. Thanks for standing by your product.
 
Buffalohump said:
I can tell you what that knife needs just by looking at it. It needs to be an inch bigger and have a thumb disc rather than a stud. Then, if you still can't open it, its a mechanical fault.

Two problems there - small knife + thumb stud. Combine that with a stiff detent and you have a perfect storm of frustration.

Thumb studs are the trickiest of one hand opening mechanisms IMO. The most common error is people dont make them proud enough or give em enough traction. Me I like spine mounted discs a la Emerson and the aforementioned Spyder hole.
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A thumb disc would be a great upgrade. I been carrying an Emerson so long that studs seem... I don't know... but I prefer discs. When the opening the knife, they allow the entire tip of your thumb to rest between the blade and handle so you're only pushing out on the outward on the disc and don't have to apply downward pressure. You also don't have a stud digging into your thumb.

Of course, I don't have my HEST/F yet, so I can't compare the two knives first hand.
 
Completely Off-topic, but thanks for the picture of the Skirmish next to a ZT. I've been looking hard at my first ZT, but if they all exhibit that poor of a blade/handle ratio, I'm out.
 
EMT_Lee said:
We'll have to agree to disagree. They are both marketed as "hard use" knives. They are both made of basically the same materials. You might think one is suited for it's intended purpose better than the other, but that doesn't change the fact that they're both aimed at the same market.
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On paper their purpose may be the same, but the needle sharp thin tip of the Military is sure to break under a bit of stress. The knife is distal tapered, so while it is officially 4mm thick, it reaches that thickness only around the spider hole. The blade of the Military is simply fragile, thin and narrow compared to that of the HEST/F, which has one of the thickest widest blades on any folder and a high saber grind. We can agree to disagree, but neither of us can dispute the facts, which are that the Military is a great stabber and slicer, and a very well made knife, and that the HEST/F is designed and built as a folding survival knife with totally different priorities than the Military. As far as the ability to endure hard use is concerned, the HEST/F will leave the Military in the dust.
 
Horn Dog said:
I have been a knife user for many decades. But I do not doubt or question the experiences of others on this forum who are pleased with the performance of their HEST folders. I have no reason to disbelieve them. I can only conclude that mine is not typical of such folders. I appreciate all the well-meaning suggestions, too. But a review of a bad example of the knife is of little value to anyone. Hopefully I will hear from DPx customer service soon.
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HD you've been hangin' with our cult for a long time and about the most practical, objective reviewer I have seen, so when you say the sky is blue, I believe it. If you want me to I will send you one of the 5 that I bought and let you try one of these out while you are waiting on a replacement. Let me know.
 
R.A.T. said:
HD you've been hangin' with our cult for a long time and about the most practical, objective reviewer I have seen, so when you say the sky is blue, I believe it. If you want me to I will send you one of the 5 that I bought and let you try one of these out while you are waiting on a replacement. Let me know.
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Wow, Jeff, thanks a lot. I appreciate the kind words. I would love to try out another one and review it while waiting for mine to be tuned or replaced.
 
philwar said:
On paper their purpose may be the same, but the needle sharp thin tip of the Military is sure to break under a bit of stress. The knife is distal tapered, so while it is officially 4mm thick, it reaches that thickness only around the spider hole. The blade of the Military is simply fragile, thin and narrow compared to that of the HEST/F, which has one of the thickest widest blades on any folder and a high saber grind. We can agree to disagree, but neither of us can dispute the facts, which are that the Military is a great stabber and slicer, and a very well made knife, and that the HEST/F is designed and built as a folding survival knife with totally different priorities than the Military. As far as the ability to endure hard use is concerned, the HEST/F will leave the Military in the dust.
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Those aren't "facts". Those are your opinions. Saying a M4 Military (which you probably have never handled) is "fragile", is not a fact. Sorry.

Here's something that bothers me... "the HEST/F will leave the Military in the dust". How can you possibly make a statement like that? The HEST/F has barely hit the market. There are supposed accounts of the prototypes being used, but there's nothing to prove that or say how they've been used. The Military is a proven design, that a lot of people have been using without failure for quite a few years. It doesn't need to prove itself as a good, reliable knife. The HEST/F, on the other hand, has been out a short amount of time and already shown to have multiple faults (some poor F&F, lock failures, clip breakage, etc). So... back up that statement to me. Because you think it -looks- tougher? :rolleyes:
 
philwar said:
As far as the ability to endure hard use is concerned, the HEST/F will leave the Military in the dust.
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Bwhahahaha

You're assuming you can even get the HEST open, and then assuming the clip doesn't break. After that, if the lock doesn't fail, you might have a run at the Military, which has been in circulation mostly unchanged for over 20 years.

Pulease :rolleyes:
 
how dare anyone question the might of the infallible spyderco military... don't you know that the delicate tips excel at some tasks... Clearly no amount of abuse would dmg one of those...
 
furfmonkey said:
don't get the spyderco fanboys mad... theres too many of them lol
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It's a mission in life to educate them. :D The more the merrier!
As I've said many times before, I am a Spyderco fan. For the last 6 months or more, Spyderco's are in my FRP more than any other folder, and I regularly EDC a Mule as well.
Having said that, I am perfectly willing to test to destruction (on film) a Military or any other Spyderco folder that anyone else thinks can take on a folder that I think is tough (I'd choose my Cold Steel Black Rhino or ZT0300). I am also willing to bet on the result. All it would take is enough donations to pay for the Spyderco. I'll take my chances with its opponent (which I will supply).

For the record: I use my folders, I think I have a pretty good idea of what they can and cannot do. Digging an arrowhead out of a tree is something you can do for decades with a ZT0300, but it would break the tip off the Military on the first try.
I don't know how you can look at the Military and expect any other outcome. :rolleyes:
 
you should test a emerson horseman a ritter grip any ZT and a military

other than maybe slicing paper or cutting fruit (something i would never use a pocketknife for thats what kitchen knives are made for) i dont see the military beating any of them
 
This isn't about the Military, and I shouldn't have brought it up. Let's drop it. I also should say that I wasn't saying the HEST/F isn't a tough knife. On a good example, I'm sure it's an excellent hard-use knife. SnG, HEST/F, XM-18, and yes, M4 Millie... all very similar basic design, all pretty much the same materials, good makers... all tough knives.
 
sdg said:
At this point, hasn't there only been one reported broken clip?
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I believe you're correct and that was on an LE model. As far as I know about the only issue with the regular production version has been with Horn Dog's.

Pretty sure just about every post I've read/seen regarding a regular model has been favorable but some are going to overlook that to promote their own agenda which is why as I've posted before, I hope potential buyers give more weight to the posts by members that actually own the knife in question rather than those that are simply intent on stirring the pot.
 
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