Got my Spyderco Impala today

[shootist16]

The postman dropped off my Impala today. I opted for the plain edge non-guthook model. I haven't had a lot of familiarization time with it yet, but wanted to share my initial impressions.

One thing that I never picked up on from the pics is how the blade, in the closed position, follows the lines of the handles. In other words the top of the blade closely matches the bottom of the scales.

The g-10 scales are nice and thick. They are also champhered, which adds to the comfort. I believe it was NGK-webmaster who stated that this knife was comfortable in a variety of grips. I am happy to report he is right. The knife is comfortable. Seems as though it would be comfortable for periods of extended cutting.

The blade shape is very versatile and should lend itself to a myriad of cutting tasks.

One feature that I really like is the inlaid pocket clip. I would like to see Spyderco incorporate this feature in other knives.It seems to help the knife hold better to ones pocket. It also adds to the comfort of the knife because the clip isn't sticking out so far. This is a very nice touch and I applaud Spyderco for taking the extra step and adding this feature.

Fit and finish are typical Spyderco, excellent. No play in any direction, smooth opening, and Spyderco sharp!

The only thing that I would change about this knife is the liner. It sticks out slightly below both scales. I am sure that Spyderco did this for a reason, maybe to make it easier to close with gloves on? I would prefer to see the liner a little more recessed to guard against accidentally disengaging the lock. I am not saying that this is prone to happen with the Impala. I haven't used it enough to draw that conclusion.

I am looking forward to spending more time with the Impala.

 

[keninshiro]

Thanks Dennis for the short review. I have some questions: Does it have double liners? Steel or G-10 spine? Can't tell from the photos...

Thanks,
Eric Wong.

 

[Smoke]

Not the right place, but Dennis, I think the Impala is similar to the Starmate ala the single liner. How does it look to you?

 

[NGK-Webmaster]

shootist16: Told you it was a great knife, one of the best I have seen of Spyderco. The scales are very heavy and thick I think they will be super strong for allot of heavy work. And like I said you can hold the knife in quite a few different positions and still have a great grip. This thing was designed for working. I wasn’t sure about inlaid clip, but it does stick and hold to your pocket great. One thing I really like is the way the clip is secured to the scales: one large screw in the middle 3 smaller ones set around it, I think this will prevent the clip from moving around or becoming lose as on some knives I have owned.
When this knife came in I brought it home and was going to shoot pics of it for the website, one of my friends stopped by and was looking at it, this guy is a Benchmade guy he had never owned a Spyderco, well he took that one home that night they were not even stocked at the store yet. It has become his EDC knife now. Now I’m not putting down BM here just saying how good this knife feels and is built that it won over a new Spydie fan.
The Impala is one sided liner lock. The scales are very thick G-10 and are stout!