How tough is Timberline's VDL?

[Anders Holm]

I got the chance to handle a VDL with spring assisted opening, and I wasn't exactly swept off my feet. I think the dealer's knife had its pivot screw too tight and the action was lazy, plus it needed cleaning - the feel of the pivoting parts was gritty (don't you hate it - you're just DYING to tell the dealer he's not doing his thing right, offering dirty and badly adjusted stuff for show!) But I liked the idea of assisted opening and would gladly give the VDL a chance.

Do you honestly think the VDL is worth the money ($90 in US, about $110 here), and most importantly, how much can it take? I'm for sturdy tools, and the current lightweight craze puts me off some.

TK loved the VDL, but they always like the knives they're featuring Or is it just me?

 

[Michael_Aos]

I liked mine a LOT. I think I paid somewhere around $65, shipped. A.G. Russell also had a very good sale on them a while back (due to a misprint).

Mine seemed a little "lazy" as well when I first received it, and didn't even lock up every time. After a couple drops of white-lighting though, it SNAPS open with authority.

A few minor complaints:

Dual thumbstuds -- I hate that, although they weren't actually much of a problem on this particular knife.

High-ride pocket clip -- this is why the thumbstuds didn't bug me, because it rides to high in your pocket the studs don't catch on anything.

It seems to me the thumbstuds were also the "stop pin", but I could be wrong. If they are, it seems like it could loosen up (blade wobble) easier.

Tanto blade -- I just don't like them.

And finally, I have my Kershaw Boa. I just like it better, and I don't really need two assisted-opening knives of similar size and persuasion.

I just sent mine to my dad as a birthday present.

Mike

 

[Bugs3x]

I'm quite curious about this also. I briefly handled the VDL back in April in Canada. At the time, I owned the Kershaw Whirlwind. The copy handed me at the store felt really great compared to the Whirlwind, IMO. It seemed at least as fast, possibly faster, but didn't whang into the stops as hard as the Whirlwind. At least that's how I remember it.

I now own the Avalanche as well. It is just flat a better knife than its less expensive cousin/brother, whatever. There is a greater sense of control about the opening, yet it happens very quickly. I think the Avalanche needs even less help getting started than the Whirlwind.

I'm not much of a fan of the tanto blade either. A reason I cooled my jets on the VDL months ago. I keep getting the feeling that about 5-10% of knuts like tantos, but about 30-40% of the knives that keep coming out are tantos. ANother of the many reasons I love Spyderco. With as many ELUs as about any company, they have one -- that's right 1 -- tanto blade. So cool.

If anyone has some months under his/her belt in using the VDL, let us know. Is it cool enuff to forget about the tanto??