I"ve never written a 'review' here nor do I intend to but I came to the party late on a great knife that a few other people out there will want to know about. Many probably already do.
A while, while back in a thread far, far away, MathewSB posted a referral to a Gryphon M-10 4" fixed blade. I went to the retailer and was impressed by what I saw. I discovered the knife was around for a while last century but disappeared. I still wonder how it had escaped me.
For the cognoscenti out there, the Bob Terzuola designed M-10 is available again, now in VG-10, up from ATS-34. It now has a black DLC coating (which I understand is a good one). It is the little brother his M-30A tactical, also a classic.
After an exhausting 15 or 20 minutes of web research I purchased a Gryphon M-10 and have had it a while now.
The whole package new for $100. I consider it a solid deal.
Thanks to MatthewSB if you're out there.
This was NOT a review. :grumpy:
A while, while back in a thread far, far away, MathewSB posted a referral to a Gryphon M-10 4" fixed blade. I went to the retailer and was impressed by what I saw. I discovered the knife was around for a while last century but disappeared. I still wonder how it had escaped me.
For the cognoscenti out there, the Bob Terzuola designed M-10 is available again, now in VG-10, up from ATS-34. It now has a black DLC coating (which I understand is a good one). It is the little brother his M-30A tactical, also a classic.
After an exhausting 15 or 20 minutes of web research I purchased a Gryphon M-10 and have had it a while now.
The knife is a little jewel. Came sharp and ready. I had 3 goto urban carry fixed blades in my user rotation. I now have 4.
The Zytel handle is phenomenal and has to be gripped to be appreciated. It fits the hand perfectly in every grip, overhands included. Perfect tack, perfect cushioning, perfect texturing (varying on different parts of the handle). The knife is full tang but the Zytel fully encloses the tang (though you get a peek of steel in the lanyard hole, which is good sized). I don't remember experiencing a handle so universally (all grips) comfortable on a knife.
The balance is what you'd expect of a perfect tactical. Fine movement is like holding air. Jimped on the spine only where it should be. It would be misleading, however, to refer to this as a utility/tactical; it's vice-versa---the purpose of the knife is obvious. The grind of the pointy, 3/16ths" spearpoint false edge blade says only one thing but my use will of course be utility.
I haven't checked the Rockwell but assume it to be around 59-60 on the VG-10.
The SheathPro hard sheath alone is worth fully half of what I paid for the whole rig, Spyderclip included. Superb. Tight as a Vatican picnic. Each sheath is hand fitted. I have sheathed the knife 50-70 times trying to detect contact with or scratching of the blade and can't find a single trail....even on an oiled blade. The DLC coating still looks brand new.
The whole package is a great carry--like it's not just the knife but a whole 'system' on your pants or belt. The Spydie G-clip making all configurations possible, even IWB or OWB just clipped to the pants is mainly unfelt and feels very secure. The package is slim, straight and unoticeable against the body, yet the feeling is that it is carried snugly in tight.
I'd carry it as a necker, too.
The Zytel handle is phenomenal and has to be gripped to be appreciated. It fits the hand perfectly in every grip, overhands included. Perfect tack, perfect cushioning, perfect texturing (varying on different parts of the handle). The knife is full tang but the Zytel fully encloses the tang (though you get a peek of steel in the lanyard hole, which is good sized). I don't remember experiencing a handle so universally (all grips) comfortable on a knife.
The balance is what you'd expect of a perfect tactical. Fine movement is like holding air. Jimped on the spine only where it should be. It would be misleading, however, to refer to this as a utility/tactical; it's vice-versa---the purpose of the knife is obvious. The grind of the pointy, 3/16ths" spearpoint false edge blade says only one thing but my use will of course be utility.
I haven't checked the Rockwell but assume it to be around 59-60 on the VG-10.
The SheathPro hard sheath alone is worth fully half of what I paid for the whole rig, Spyderclip included. Superb. Tight as a Vatican picnic. Each sheath is hand fitted. I have sheathed the knife 50-70 times trying to detect contact with or scratching of the blade and can't find a single trail....even on an oiled blade. The DLC coating still looks brand new.
The whole package is a great carry--like it's not just the knife but a whole 'system' on your pants or belt. The Spydie G-clip making all configurations possible, even IWB or OWB just clipped to the pants is mainly unfelt and feels very secure. The package is slim, straight and unoticeable against the body, yet the feeling is that it is carried snugly in tight.
I'd carry it as a necker, too.
The whole package new for $100. I consider it a solid deal.
Thanks to MatthewSB if you're out there.
This was NOT a review. :grumpy:
