Recommendation? Getting my second knife: Spyderco Stretch V2 vs VG10

G

Germzx

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Aug 4, 2016
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Currently I own a Kershaw leek and enjoy it as a package and mail opener / paring / random use knife. I've also enjoyed messing around sharpening on it.

I am looking to get a second heavier & larger knife and ended up at the Endura or Stretch. Looking at blade length I don't believe I want as big as the Endura, but did want something as long or slightly longer than the 3 inch leek blade.

The Stretch I see is essentially $90 for a VG10 or $97 for the Vtoku2. I tried researching between the two steel types but don't really see a hard push for either. For the V2 I don't mind patina (or might like it), and my only concern about that steel is if it would ever actually degrade or rust. I do wipe my blades off before folding them if I've been cutting anything wet but I don't picture myself wiping down with oil very often if that's required.

Again, as I don't know various steels I have no way of knowing, but I don't have any issues sharpening my 14C28N Sandvik leek on my india stone and UF spyderco stone using simple green. I don't know if that's any reference to compare the VG10 or V2 sharpening experience.

Is there anyone who pushes for one steel vs the other? If I was to get the V2 is there anything special I need to know about care?
 
V Toku 2 is a super easy sharpening steel. Even easier than the well regarded VG10 and yes easier than the 14C on your Leek. It will have a bit less wear resistance but higher edge stability ( means you can go thinner and sharper within reason of course). Corrosion resistance is less as VG 10 is stainless anf V toku 2 isn't. The Stretch in V Toku is a laminated blade with a stainless steel laminated to the sides making a sandwich of sorts with the V toku in the middle. The visible lines are where the stainless ends and where the V Toku begins.

All knives ( except H1) can rust. Even stainless ones. I treat all my knives the same. I do not " force a patina" and do not feel it's necessary. After use I wash or rinse the corrosive/acidic/salty stuff off and seal the blade. I like paste wax though oil or liquid silicone works too. I have knives 40 years old ( non stainless) that are well used , scratched and resharpened enough to be noticeable that have absolutely no rust or corrosion whatsoever. The way I do it takes seconds. I can store mine for years after waxing and not worry at all.

Don't think non stainless knives are delicate, and waiting to fall to orange dust because they aren't. "Forcing a patina" is a relatively recent fad and it is in no way needed. A patina ed knife will rust the same way as a non patina ed knife in the same conditions. The same amount of work is needed for both. If you don't want to put any time into maintenance of your knife and it isn't stainless even in pretty lousy conditions it will take years or decades before it is not useful. In extreme conditions like salt sprat at the ocean it might take months to a rear or two but even then you still have plenty of time to save it.

That Stretch is a great knife well regarded that should last a lifetime with reasonable use and care. Because of the steel it has the option of sharpening to breathtaking levels of sharpness with mirror edges or if you prefer coarse edges it does that really well too. With really abrasive materials it will need sharpening more often than higher wear stainless steels but I would take V toku for the very high sharpness edges I prefer over Vg10.

Good luck and welcome to BF.

Joe
 
Between the stretches VG-10, V-Toku and ZDP, ZDP is easily the best. V-Toku rolled on me when cutting plastics (@15dps), VG-10 is fine for most stuff, haven't had it chip or roll yet iirc. Both take a very keen edge; I have a minor rust spot on V-Toku where there was a bit of tape on the blade for a week or so
 
You probably know what VG-10 can do. For $3 more I'd say give the Vtoku2 a shot.

I have a plain jane Stretch 2 lightweight in VG-10 and it's a great knife. Good EDC size and big enough to give you that "that's a knife" feeling.
 
And you really like the shade of blue scales on the Vtoku2 right?

I wouldn't sweat the corrosion concern...sounds like you are ok with a blade that has some character marks.

The Vtoku2 Stretch is just cooler in my estimation. I haven't used that steel so can't comment on performance.
 
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