got my new stretch!!!

G

gitarmac

Joined
Jan 20, 2001
Messages
401
I am so glad I opted for this model instead of another endura or delica, not that I don't enjoy them, I just already have them. The endura is a little large for edc, the delica, well it's another perfect model. Some of the other models I was considering had a blade profile sort of like the tenacious and I already have a couple of those. Another favorite of mine is the native. I have one of those around somewhere, I only wish I could find it.

My first impression is that the stretch is the perfect all around blade shape and size. I love the choil!. It seems to be a design that will fit every hand size. I got the zdp steel. I really wanted the superblue model but some of the amazon reviews were negative about the f&f and some flaws so I didn't want to spend even more and be dissatisfied. Amazon has a good return policy though. I gave it a lot of thought, I really can't remember why I chose zdp.

The tip is centered, and it open and closes nicely. The only imperfection, and I'm not really sure it's an imperfection, is when the blade is open, the back does not align perfectly with the lock, it is a little lower. It might be the way the blade tapers.

A minor complaint. There is no blade play and it locks up tight. I am among those that think spyderco should produce a model with g10 scales. I'm wondering why they didn't just do that to begin with on the fancy steel models.



On another topic, a long time ago I got one of the byrd flights. That is the most perfectly fitted folder I have in my collection. When the blade locks up, you can't even differentiate between the blade and the lock on the back, it's just one invisible line. I really should post a pic. It has not a single flaw. Except maybe the steel choice.

I got several byrd models when I went on a knife kick, when they first came out but the flight shines among the rest. I can't remember the name of the other model but one of them, a liner lock, came with steel liners and some kind of grippy insert. It is a very nice knife as well but I've come to prefer ones that are light in the pocket so it doesn't get much use.

Here is a pic of the extinct "byrd flight"
spyderco_byrd_flight_9.jpg



I love the swedge!

The knife I usually have with me when I'm gardening or doing chores is the tenacious. That's because it was inexpensive and I don't mind if I let it sit damp in the mudroom, or smack the edge against a piece of wire or something.

I have two of almost everything. I will probably get another stretch at some point in time. Maybe I will get the superblue model. Of course there is nothing wrong with the VG-10 one. I would probably use it more.
 
Glad to see others join the Stretch user fan club!

You'd probably be excited to hear the next variation of the Stretch is supposed to be G10 I believe!

Honestly though, my use of the Stretch Super Blue is really what pushed me over the edge of realizing and admitting that I really enjoy FRN! I always knew it with my Delicas, but it took the Stretch for some reason to get it out of me into the open!
It has me seeing some of the older FRN Spydercos now with a different appreciation.

I know this isn't ZDP like yours, but here's my SB user:
IMG_20150121_100838_169_zpsilj8prij.jpg



...also, I wouldn't trust many of those Amazon reviews I read, most are horribly skewed or just uninformed.
 
The ones that confused me the most were the ones that complained about the way it opened. I'm not sure what they expect.

Some of the benchmades got bad reviews over blades not centered. I had two models of the 705 and although both of them had off center blades, one of them was so bad it rubbed. I kind of believe those reviews. That being said I also ordered a mini grip, the one with the hole, when I ordered the stretch I received it as well and it appears to be flawless! It also appears to be a spyderoco with the hole and all. Honestly, if I told a spydie owner that it was a new model they would probably believe me. I guess that's why there was a lawsuit.

I lost one of the 705's in the woods and can't find the other. I don't think it's lost though. Still bums me out because I kind of liked it. I like this new one better. On the old model I had to remove the stud to sharpen it properly. The new one has a hole so that won't be an issue. The handle is nicer too.

Whenever I research something I look at both the good and bad reviews. Sometimes the bad reviews are just, well stupid people. It's usually an item that requires some kind of assembly and a lot of people aren't mechanically inclined.

I read one knife review, not sure which model, and someone gave it a bad review because they took it apart "to clean" it and had a hard time putting it back together.

I have never taken a knife apart to clean it. Even when my dodo's ball lock gets gunked up I don't take it apart, and it does get gunked up. That's why I stick to the lockback models.

I think the ball bearing lock is ultimatly more durable than the axis lock of benchmade but the axis so easier to flick. My 705's were like worry beads, that's why I replace them with a mini grip. :D My dodo's are my work knife. Whenever I've edc'd them the mechanism would get lint in it, same with the benchmades but to a lesser extent.

The 705 has been replaced with the 707 but I don't care for the handle on the 707 so I opted for the lesser expensive mini grip. Plus it has the hole.
 
Yeah sounds like you got the 555HG mini grip. I have one too and it's a nice folder. Only problem on mine is if it is loose enough to axis flip open then there is slight side to side play, but if I eliminate the play it hampers the flipability...
Also a bit odd to me how they call it a sheep's foot blade when it doesn't really seem to be. Looks nice though, has good proportions.

I love the Dodo too! Luckily no issues with mine jamming though!
I'm fortunate to have an air compressor both at home and at my workplace, so with easy access, all of my carry knives get blown out of fuzz quite often and regularly. A gunked up folder is kind of like my pet peeve.
I do agree that the ball bearing locks aren't as flipable as the axis lock though, just simply nothing to grip with one finger.
 
I recently got a Superblue Stretch. Love it. Mine has pretty excellent fit and finish. There is the tiniest amount of back and forth blade play, typical of every Japanese made Spyderco back lock I've sampled. Wish it wasn't there, but it doesn't really matter. I find the Stretch to be oerfectly sized for my hand and pocket, with about the most useful blade length and shape I've encountered. I can barely tell that I'm carrying it, unlike my Para 2, which sometimes pokes me when I crouch or get into an awkward position.
 
Still lovin' my stretch. I almost always get two of the models I like, cause two is one and one is . . . well you know the saying. It was a little rough opening, which really is a non-issue with me but tonight I was messing around and loosened the blade screw ever so slightly and it's smooth as silk with no blade play! I would never do this to a new fresh knife, I prefer letting it "seat" at first before fiddling. The zdp steel has been awesome.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a super blue model. I know I will regret not having one when they discontinue it.
 
Got a plain jane (black FRN VG-10) in a trade that should be here soon. I don't typically go for FRN but Im going to give it another shot.
 
Definitely pick up the Superblue. It's a great way to try and awesome steel. And I believe that the Superblue Stretch is already discontinued.

nNZTHvK.jpg
 
I don't own a stretch, but there is something really attractive about it that I can't quite put my finger on. proportions, maybe? I think it's one of those things where, if you can appreciate Spydercos at all, then the stretch probably appeals to you, but if you don't like Spydercos to begin with, the stretch looks super weird.

Amazon knife reviews are ridiculous. people give one star reviews for all sorts of things, like non-stainless steels rusting, or being frightened by the assisted opener, or the guy who buys a tactical folder when all he's bought in his life are case knives, and then saying he doesn't like it because it's not what he's used to ... it would be hilarious to cruise through Amazon and compile a list of the dumbest knife reviews.
 
We bought a grill last weekend at that orange hardware store. Two employees were helping me load the grill in the back of our SUV. I decided to cut off their plastic price tag and give it back to them. I pulled out one of my Stretches to cut the zip tie. They just stopped talking and looked at the Stretch when I rolled out the blade. I looked down and thought, "Man, that's one huge blade." Plus, the zip tie popped apart with just a mild push cut against it, no drawing against it at all. :D
 
Last edited:
The Stretch is my favorite Spyderco knife. At last count I think I have 3 or 4 of them. I keep wishing they would come out with one with Orange Scales :D
 
The Stretch is an awesome design.

Every spyderco fan needs one! :thumbup:
 
Wavester said:
The Stretch is my favorite Spyderco knife. At last count I think I have 3 or 4 of them. I keep wishing they would come out with one with Orange Scales :D
Click to expand...

Your wish may come true, if you like burnt oranges anyway...


I kind of want a black full SpyderEdge Stretch now.
 
Loving the Stretch too...

It is more-or-less permanently in my pocket when I am chilling at home. Love the light weight and great ergos, and Superblue is just the cherry on top.

 
Congrats!!! It's my all time favourite hard user EDC.

Here's a post I made about the Stretch a couple weeks ago:
mwally said:
Spyderco Stretch.

For a user, its about as good as you can get. While it's simple design & weird blade shape might not be too sexy, it's an outstanding performer. The blade is 3.5" but the OAL is under 8" (and a third of an inch shorter than the Para 2). The simple lock back design, to me, is the best for an EDC knife. I own a couple high-end framelocks and linerlocks, and while they are a joy to operate, I'm always paranoid about using them too much or too hard and blowing thru the life of the lock too quickly.

The blade shape makes it a great slicer, and I love the belly on it. The large Spydie hole makes for very easing opening, and after a few months of use, the knife flies open. It's much easier to open than the Endura that I used to own. The FRN handles are super grippy, and keep the knife very light weight (3.4oz). As do the skeletonized full length stainless liners. It's also very slim and easy to carry.

Best ergo's I've ever felt on a slim knife. The forward finger choil (w/ jimping) allows you to choke up on the knife for detail work. The aggressively shaped spine (although not pretty) is great for sliding the thumb down for detail work (choked up position). Reverse grip, and natural grip positions are both flawless.

For about $80 you can get the knife in VG10. At $100 you can get it in ZDP-189. I went for VG10 knowing that I really like the ease of sharpening. ZDP-189 is probably my favourite steel for a high-end folder, but not necessarily a hard user (I'm a career firefighter and carry this knife everyday at work as a backup to my fixed blade).

Here's an old pic that I thought would be usefull, so you could see a size comparison with the Stretch and my Mini Grip.
2mxrdzp.jpg
Click to expand...
 
delphidoc said:
That's the smoothest lamination line I've ever seen.
Click to expand...

This might be because I sharpened it on the FFG to create a zero-grind. Now the transition between the 2 steels are very smooth.

I tried to capture it here, but the picture quality is not great under the desk lamp...

Near zero with a coarse micro bevel - it cuts rather well! Maybe that's another reason why I like it so much... :D



 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top