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H1 Steel... Or not?

C

chris0827

Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
163
Hey guys. Been struggling with this decision for a while and maybe you can help me out. I live in Illinois and with the exception of VERY infrequent SCUBA vacations to the Ocean, all my fishing, swimming and diving happens in freshwater.

I'm looking for a good folder to keep in my swim trunks when boating/swimming and something to use when I'm fishing/ice fishing and maybe carry while SCUBA diving... Except that SCUBA trip every couple years it's almost all freshwater though so I'd probably be OK with VG-10 (I have a blue FFG Delica), right? I kind of want something new and fun though...

I like the Hi-Vis yellow of the Pacific Salt for visibility. I'd probably get the full serrated version as I hear it has better edge holding, but would maybe prefer a PE...

What do you guys think, should I just say screw it and get the Salt (PE OR SE?) or be practical and just use the Delica? I need some peer pressure to talk me into the right decision (or maybe some common sense to save me some money). Thoughts?
 
You could use the delica without rust issues in the environments you described...however...(you wanted to hear that however didn't you?? ;)) you should definitely grab a fully serrated pacific salt! Spydercos serrations are amazing. Serrated H1 is even more amazing! The linerless washerless design of the salts is amazing too! Lighter with tighter lockup and smoother action than the delica/endura!

Grab yourself a salt man. They are the most amazing knives for the money that spyderco makes IMHO.
 
I think the yellow scales look awesome, and if you ever drop it it will be easier to find. I think having a completely rust resistant knife would be good peace of mind, even in fresh water. You'd have nothing to worry about with H1.
 
Definitely H1.....get one of each and you'll have blade type solved :)
 
Struggle no more grasshopper - absorb the wisdom and allow H1 into your life - spydie edge if you ask me. :D
 
Surfingringo said:
Serrated H1 is even more amazing! The linerless washerless design of the salts is amazing too! Lighter with tighter lockup and smoother action than the delica/endura!
Click to expand...


Hey could I get you to explain this for me? How is it that the salt series has tighter lock up? I would think having steel liners would provide better lock up, but I have never held a salt series so I really can't say anything for sure on this. Thanks
 
Deal4 said:
[/B]
Hey could I get you to explain this for me? How is it that the salt series has tighter lock up? I would think having steel liners would provide better lock up, but I have never held a salt series so I really can't say anything for sure on this. Thanks
Click to expand...

This is only my opinion based on the salts and enduras/delicas I have owned and handled. My salts have been consistently smoother and have had less side to side blade play. I think it is the fact that the salts have no washers. The steel on frn action is actually smoother than the action of the end/del with washers. I also believe that the lack of washers is the reason I get less bladeplay with my salts. With the salts, the blade is sandwiched snugly between the two pieces of frn. No free space like on the frn models with washers.
 
I agree with surfingringo. My Salt 1, H1 Dragonfly, and VG10 Ladybug have all been rock solid and I think it has something to do with the lack of washers
 
VG-10 models will do fine, but the H1 knives are awesome. The extreme corrosion resistance is a real plus in many scenarios, even though saltwater usage is where it is going to give the most notable difference in corrosion resistance versus stainless steels with good rust prevention.

When I got a fully-serrated Tasman, at first the edge retention was good but nothing special. Over time, the edge retention has increased noticeably (probably due to the way the steel hardens with work to some degree). If I had to guess, I would say my H1 Tasman has edge retention that is at least comparable to VG-10 SE Spydercos I have.

One thing to note about H1 is it scratches super easily. To me, I like that because it is easy to stonewash. But it does bother some.

One more plus to the H1 models is that the pocket clip is titanium. This IMO is a superior material for a pocket clip because it holds up really well to the flexing forces a clip will see, and the repetitive motion that over time can fatigue materials. Aftermarket ti clips are pricy (usually between $10-30) so this saves some money here for someone wanting a ti clip. It's a nice match for H1 given it does not rust.
 
Surfingringo and Handwrecker, thanks the the info! I guess I'm going to have to put one of the H1 knives on my wish list and give it a try myself!
 
I have to agree that my Salt knives (the ones with torx screw construction) have more solid lockup than my Delica 4/Endura 4 models. I don't think steel liners make the lockup any stronger, they make the handles more rigid. The Salts are my favorite Spyderco knives, even though I own more expensive ones like the Military, PM2, and etc.

Sure, H1 scratches in use easily, but I don't mind that at all. Because it really holds up well. And I find the serrations hold their edge better than SE in VG-10 or any other steel I have serrations in. And it's easy to resharpen when necessary. I've even had part of the edge roll when contacting hard stuff by accident, and was able to correct it with a few minutes on the Sharpmaker. H1 has excellent toughness.

My EDC Spydies are a SE Pacific and SE Tasman (both with black handles).

Jim
 
Man, sure not trying to take over this thread, but at least am still talking about H1 right!
I completely love spyderco mid locks, but all of mine have what I believe Sal referred to as the "Seki pop" which the blade does have some slight up and down motion when pressure is applied which really bugs me.
I can live with it and still love each of my spydercos, but am wondering if the H1 knives have this as well?
I have been thinking of getting the Manix 2 LW as my next spyderco, but maybe the Pacific Salt would be a good choice as well, just don't want to have more of the "Seki pop"!
 
Deal4 said:
Man, sure not trying to take over this thread, but at least am still talking about H1 right!
I completely love spyderco mid locks, but all of mine have what I believe Sal referred to as the "Seki pop" which the blade does have some slight up and down motion when pressure is applied which really bugs me.
I can live with it and still love each of my spydercos, but am wondering if the H1 knives have this as well?
I have been thinking of getting the Manix 2 LW as my next spyderco, but maybe the Pacific Salt would be a good choice as well, just don't want to have more of the "Seki pop"!
Click to expand...

The older H1 knives I have that are pinned construction all have a tiny bit of "Seki pop", but the newer ones I have with the Torx construction do not. I have at least 5 with the Torx construction, and none of them have any "Seki pop". Of course, YMMV.

But I used my pinned knives a lot, and even with the very tiny bit of lock rock(?), none of them ever came close to unlocking during use. More important is to regularly check the well of the lock and pick out any lint or dirt buildup that may cause the lock to not become fully seated.

Jim
 
My last two fresh water swim trunk knives have been cpm m4 and super blue. I can't imagine a situation, besides prolonged salt water exposure without rest, would give vg10 any issues.

That said, I do like certain design aspects of the h1 knives and am hankering for one or another for a variety of reasons, stain resistance does not happen to be one of them.
 
James Y said:
But I used my pinned knives a lot, and even with the very tiny bit of lock rock(?), none of them ever came close to unlocking during use. More important is to regularly check the well of the lock and pick out any lint or dirt buildup that may cause the lock to not become fully seated.

Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim, yes I completely agree that even with this lock rock that the knives aren't coming close to disengaging, it is just a preference thing. Also a good to keep the lock area clean from dirt and lint which is about the only thing that would compromise the lock.
I guess I will be keeping my eyes open to buy a Torx construction Pacific Salt! I personally want a PE even though I hear how great the SE in H1 is.
If anyone has one they are thinking of getting rid of theirs, send me a PM!
 
goodeyesniper said:
My last two fresh water swim trunk knives have been cpm m4 and super blue. I can't imagine a situation, besides prolonged salt water exposure without rest, would give vg10 any issues.

That said, I do like certain design aspects of the h1 knives and am hankering for one or another for a variety of reasons, stain resistance does not happen to be one of them.
Click to expand...

Just curious, but how did the M4 and SuperBlue hold up? Are you the type to wipe off the knife right after you get out of the water or do you wait until the end of the day?

I have a Pacific salt in my shopping cart... It's been sitting there for about a week. I want it... Just can't bring myself to click "buy" yet. I'm such a wimp!
 
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