- Joined
- Jul 24, 2002
- Messages
- 861
So I haven't really picked up any new production pieces in a long time, so I figured it was time to pick up a few that I'd been wanting to get a look at. Plus some other random stuff that I figured I needed 
D) before moving again next month.
Big box(es) came this week, contents:
- Spyderco Ocelot
- Spyderco Waved Endura/Delica 4s
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Plus
- Maxpedition Condor II
- Fenix P1 w/RCR123s + nanocharger
- Latest Arc AAA-P
- Ti Perrin two-strand bracelet
...and a pair of Ray-Ban Orbs w/G-15 glass lenses (Ti frame too, w00t) at a local shop here.
Comments:
The new Waved 4s are possibly the best knives at their pricepoint at the moment (the Griptilian used to be my first choice here but BM increased their prices, and the 4s carry much better).
There is no flex to the handle, they feel very solid, and the Wave works wonderfully. The Endura I got was perfect in every way, the Delica had a tiny bit of that vertical play when you're cutting down into something. Lots of reviews out there already, so not much to add here.
The Ocelot is simply amazing. The attention to detail on the knife is incredible, and the fit/finish is excellent for a production blade (there's an off-kilter grind towards the tip, and a discolored machining mark on the underside of the backspacer). The handle looks weird, but it's very versatile particularly combined with the ridges at the choil and back of the blade.
The G-10 scales are extremely thin making for a compact knife, and they are very, very grippy with the cool paw prints. This is slightly problematic though, because it's hard to pull out the knife from the pocket without wear. The hollow ground blade isn't really my thing, but it cuts well regardless of the thick spine. Gold spyder is also new for me, very nice. Def. keeping this one. Great time to be a Spyderco fan!
Haven't used the SwissTool Spirit yet, but as usual with Victorinox, excellent fit/finish. The included sheath looks to be good quality, but with the wrench/bits, the whole thing is a bit bulkier than I expected.
Maxpedition Condor II, quality appears good, it initially looked smaller than it actually is due to all the retaining straps. The zippers are a little weak, just opening and closing the bag they started going off-track. Will see if it hold up. I have a Jansport camping bag made of black nylon that I've been abusing for 10 years or so, and everything functions pretty much exactly as it did, so I'm hoping for similar performance.
New Arc AAA-P is brighter than the earlier incarnations, fit/finish is excellent at usual, rest is pretty much the same. The Fenix P1 runs on one CR123 battery, Lux III, twist on-off, HAIII coat. Lots of reviews already over at CPF, but this is excellent value for the money. I'm running it on protected rechargeable CR123s, and this thing throws a spot like nothing I've seen of similar size. Fit/finish is pretty good, threads were a little rough but smoothed out with some silicon gel. Comes with a nice sheath, extra o-ring, and a keychain attachment clasp-thing. Pure white beam.
The two-strand titanium Perrin bracelet is the second Perrin bracelet I have (other one is a steel three-strand celtic weave pattern), and it's probably better suited for a lady. Pretty small, extremely light. Looks good ano-ed blue, though.
And that concludes my knife/gadget fix report.
Still waiting on a new pair of adidas and a couple hand-stitched footbags, though. Plus a watch to be (finally) ordered this week.
This hobby is deranged. Really.
D) before moving again next month. Big box(es) came this week, contents:
- Spyderco Ocelot
- Spyderco Waved Endura/Delica 4s
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Plus
- Maxpedition Condor II
- Fenix P1 w/RCR123s + nanocharger
- Latest Arc AAA-P
- Ti Perrin two-strand bracelet
...and a pair of Ray-Ban Orbs w/G-15 glass lenses (Ti frame too, w00t) at a local shop here.
Comments:
The new Waved 4s are possibly the best knives at their pricepoint at the moment (the Griptilian used to be my first choice here but BM increased their prices, and the 4s carry much better).
There is no flex to the handle, they feel very solid, and the Wave works wonderfully. The Endura I got was perfect in every way, the Delica had a tiny bit of that vertical play when you're cutting down into something. Lots of reviews out there already, so not much to add here.
The Ocelot is simply amazing. The attention to detail on the knife is incredible, and the fit/finish is excellent for a production blade (there's an off-kilter grind towards the tip, and a discolored machining mark on the underside of the backspacer). The handle looks weird, but it's very versatile particularly combined with the ridges at the choil and back of the blade.
The G-10 scales are extremely thin making for a compact knife, and they are very, very grippy with the cool paw prints. This is slightly problematic though, because it's hard to pull out the knife from the pocket without wear. The hollow ground blade isn't really my thing, but it cuts well regardless of the thick spine. Gold spyder is also new for me, very nice. Def. keeping this one. Great time to be a Spyderco fan!
Haven't used the SwissTool Spirit yet, but as usual with Victorinox, excellent fit/finish. The included sheath looks to be good quality, but with the wrench/bits, the whole thing is a bit bulkier than I expected.
Maxpedition Condor II, quality appears good, it initially looked smaller than it actually is due to all the retaining straps. The zippers are a little weak, just opening and closing the bag they started going off-track. Will see if it hold up. I have a Jansport camping bag made of black nylon that I've been abusing for 10 years or so, and everything functions pretty much exactly as it did, so I'm hoping for similar performance.
New Arc AAA-P is brighter than the earlier incarnations, fit/finish is excellent at usual, rest is pretty much the same. The Fenix P1 runs on one CR123 battery, Lux III, twist on-off, HAIII coat. Lots of reviews already over at CPF, but this is excellent value for the money. I'm running it on protected rechargeable CR123s, and this thing throws a spot like nothing I've seen of similar size. Fit/finish is pretty good, threads were a little rough but smoothed out with some silicon gel. Comes with a nice sheath, extra o-ring, and a keychain attachment clasp-thing. Pure white beam.
The two-strand titanium Perrin bracelet is the second Perrin bracelet I have (other one is a steel three-strand celtic weave pattern), and it's probably better suited for a lady. Pretty small, extremely light. Looks good ano-ed blue, though.
And that concludes my knife/gadget fix report.
Still waiting on a new pair of adidas and a couple hand-stitched footbags, though. Plus a watch to be (finally) ordered this week.
This hobby is deranged. Really.
