Looking at a DPX Heat/F OD green, reviews and other suggestions appreciated

K.O.D.

K.O.D.

Sell your cloak buy a sword
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I've been looking at this knife a while, and like the features. I had a LionSteel SR1-A and like but it was a bit big and the aluminum scales were just too slippery. More and more I like knives that are 3" and under, and this knife has a lot of interesting and useful features. In my experience LionSteel does a great job with D2 (I have an Opera) and assume DPX is the same. I like the od green better than the black, but just don't understand why the black is in sleipner and the green d2.

Before I buy one of these, are there any other knives in this size range that I should look at. I'm not particularly a fan of smooth metal handles, which is why the G10 scale appealed to me.
 
You can't go wrong with the HEST/F in any form. I made myself a custom, I put the Milspec Sleipnir blade in an OD Green/Stonewash handle and I love it, it's a permanent part of my rotation. That said, they are all pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of that size so I can't really comment too much, but another one to look at is the forthcoming Lil LionSpy. It's basically an SR2 (the smaller version of the SR1) with a G10 and Titanium handle (like the HEST/F) and a Spydiehole.
 
I have a lot of knives that are 3-3.5", and my under 3" collection is fairly small. Chicago laws require a blade 2.5" or smaller, and I only have 1 folder that fits that spec--Spyderco Dragonfly ZDP-189. My under 3" knives are the LionSteel Opera Cocobolo, Brian Tighe Mini-Tighe Rod, and ESEE Izula.
 
Lost Cosmonaut said:
You can't go wrong with the HEST/F in any form. I made myself a custom, I put the Milspec Sleipnir blade in an OD Green/Stonewash handle and I love it, it's a permanent part of my rotation. That said, they are all pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of that size so I can't really comment too much, but another one to look at is the forthcoming Lil LionSpy. It's basically an SR2 (the smaller version of the SR1) with a G10 and Titanium handle (like the HEST/F) and a Spydiehole.
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Would you perhaps have a link or pic of the new Lil LionSpy? Sounds interesting.

For the OP, I've the first edition of the Heat, and recently acquired one of the new models as well. To me, the difference between blade steels is not a deal breaker. LionSteel D2 is good steel and gets a wicked edge.

The knife feels quite stout in your hand. If you have medium to smaller hands you'll be fine. If you've large hands, it may feel a bit awkward in your hand.

I'm sure that a knife maker can chime in, but it is my understanding that there is a handle to blade ratio to meet which will offer the best "feel". The blade is on the short side to meet length restrictions in some jurisdictions. But yet retains the spine thickness of it's bigger brothers. It will never excel at being a slicer, but it is a robust little knife that can stand some heavy use.

As they are priced relatively reasonable, I would think you could try one, and if it doesn't suit you, recoup most of your purchase price on the exchange.

If you happen to know anyone with the Benchmade 755, this would be a close approximation as to what the Heat would feel like in your hand.
 
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My custom. Milspec blade, back spacer (the regular back spacer would work, I just like the Milspec one because it has a 007 model number ;) ), pocket clip. Standard HEST/F 2.0 Titanium side and G10 scale. I also used the washer setup from the Milspec (phosphor bronze on the Ti side, nylon on the G10 side) which I feel is smoother than the standard HEST/F 2.0 setup (nylon on both sides). I've thought about getting another phosphor bronze washer to replace the nylon. Gianni (of LionSteel) prefers nylon washers, but I think they are sticky and I don't like how they wear, just personal opinion. I have several HEST/Fs and I love every one of them, even the "issue plagued" (which was largely user error) first gen HEST/F.

Only issues I've had with the 1.5 and up releases is sticky locks, but that's a common and easily fixable issue.
 
Lost Cosmonaut said:
I have several HEST/Fs and I love every one of them, even the "issue plagued" (which was largely user error) first gen HEST/F.

Only issues I've had with the 1.5 and up releases is sticky locks, but that's a common and easily fixable issue.
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If by "user error" you mean the guy that was using the machine that sets the lockface angle, then yes. Those had a known and critical flaw in the lock interface that caused the lockbar to slip. At least, it did in every single one that I had (several).

The 2.0 had issues of it's own, in my use. Even with the improved lockface angle, the actual lock geometry seemed to close to the pivot to actually make a secure lockup, and all of mine (again, several) developed lock movement with short periods of use.

I still have a really nice deep scar on my index finger where a HEST/F closed on it when I put my thumb on the jimping. I sent that one in without cleaning the blood off, got a new one in the mail, and that one DID NOT LOCK AT ALL, right out of the box...

I ended up having to get warranty replacements and then selling them at a loss, being brand new knives.

I am curious about the current production, but not THAT curious.
 
I know this is an old thread, but I recently bought a heat and wondered if anybody has found a replacement screw for the glass breaker? Dpx said they only have them for the hest
 
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