- Joined
- Jan 29, 2003
- Messages
- 1,568
Not too long ago Ray Laconico introduced a knife design called the "Explorer" and it was immediately successful. I believe it was one off the first "patterns" that Ray offered consistently. Ray introduced the knife in this thread. I own an early Explorer and it gets more attention from knife folks and non-knife folks than any of my other knives, Laconicos and otherwise.
I believe that there have been reviews of the Explorer written before and there are several in the hands of Blade Forums members so I will not be writing a true review. I am writing to show the newest improvements to the design that Ray has made. These improvements should be right up the alley of many W&SS readers. It just goes to show you that the best makers, like Ray, Breeden, Fiddleback, Koyote, Stomper, and other regulars truly do listen to users and W&SS readers and they deserve your support!
Stats
Ray is a custom maker so the dimensions can vary by customer request. However, his pattern knives like the Explorer tend to be similar from knife to knife. The Explorer features a blade that is 5 1/2" from tip the scale. Overall length is about 10 1/2". It is made from 1/4" thick 5160 steel and wears black micarta slab handles.
The Same but Different
The Explorer's striking looks come from it's angular handle and tall, slightly drop point blade (or recurve on the original) with some extreme belly near the tip. This nearly straight spine blade profile and distal taper give the knife a very fine point. None of the recognizable features of the original have changed. All of the usefulness and quality of the original is built right into the newest iteration.
The butt of the knife has been made more perpendicular to the spine. This makes the knife more useful as an improvised hammer.
The slightly thicker handle slabs are now more contoured. This gives the very angular looking grip a more organic feel in the hand. The grip on the original Explorer was excellent but this new one will blow you away. You will also find that the new grip is slightly taller and more hand filling.
Ray also changed the design off the guard to be smaller and less obtrusive. The original guard on my Explorer used to rub my knuckle a bit until I broke its edges with some wet-dry sand paper. The new guard is hardly noticeable while still being very effective. If you like a guard on your knives, you will like this one.
My favorite modification of the design is that Ray moved the edge MUCH closer to the handle. This allows for much more powerful cuts while doing tasks like notching and whittling.
The Laconico Explorer is a fine knife for those who favor a larger and thicker knife. There is not much penalty in cutting performance from the thicker stock thanks to Ray's tall flat grinds and polished convex edge. This knife will shave hair easily and push cut newsprint. Thanks to its thick spine and differentially tempered 5160 steel and can take a serious beating. I tend to favor thinner knives but I do appreciate having thicker ones at times - especially ones that cut this well.
Overall, the new Explorer is a worthy successor to the original.
I believe that there have been reviews of the Explorer written before and there are several in the hands of Blade Forums members so I will not be writing a true review. I am writing to show the newest improvements to the design that Ray has made. These improvements should be right up the alley of many W&SS readers. It just goes to show you that the best makers, like Ray, Breeden, Fiddleback, Koyote, Stomper, and other regulars truly do listen to users and W&SS readers and they deserve your support!
Stats
Ray is a custom maker so the dimensions can vary by customer request. However, his pattern knives like the Explorer tend to be similar from knife to knife. The Explorer features a blade that is 5 1/2" from tip the scale. Overall length is about 10 1/2". It is made from 1/4" thick 5160 steel and wears black micarta slab handles.
The Same but Different
The Explorer's striking looks come from it's angular handle and tall, slightly drop point blade (or recurve on the original) with some extreme belly near the tip. This nearly straight spine blade profile and distal taper give the knife a very fine point. None of the recognizable features of the original have changed. All of the usefulness and quality of the original is built right into the newest iteration.
The butt of the knife has been made more perpendicular to the spine. This makes the knife more useful as an improvised hammer.
The slightly thicker handle slabs are now more contoured. This gives the very angular looking grip a more organic feel in the hand. The grip on the original Explorer was excellent but this new one will blow you away. You will also find that the new grip is slightly taller and more hand filling.
Ray also changed the design off the guard to be smaller and less obtrusive. The original guard on my Explorer used to rub my knuckle a bit until I broke its edges with some wet-dry sand paper. The new guard is hardly noticeable while still being very effective. If you like a guard on your knives, you will like this one.
My favorite modification of the design is that Ray moved the edge MUCH closer to the handle. This allows for much more powerful cuts while doing tasks like notching and whittling.
The Laconico Explorer is a fine knife for those who favor a larger and thicker knife. There is not much penalty in cutting performance from the thicker stock thanks to Ray's tall flat grinds and polished convex edge. This knife will shave hair easily and push cut newsprint. Thanks to its thick spine and differentially tempered 5160 steel and can take a serious beating. I tend to favor thinner knives but I do appreciate having thicker ones at times - especially ones that cut this well.
Overall, the new Explorer is a worthy successor to the original.
My explorer is on the way to me as I type. Is that my knife in the pic? Mines identical to it(new version). This makes me even more ansy to get it. I thought it looked a little differant then yours. Any chance of a spine shot?
I love them equally.
i neeeeeeeeed a laconico knife...