- Joined
- May 17, 2002
- Messages
- 5,757
I bought a new Meyerco Speed Demon off eBay at a very low price (about 9$ + shipping). The knife arrived today and I have to say that I'm quite impressed.
Specs:
it's 3 5/8" closed, a lockback keeps the AUS-8 tanto blade open, the handle is made of Fiberesin (black) and it comes with a reversible plastic pocket clip.
The blade reads "Seki, Japan" - I don't know whether just the blade or the whole folder was made there (I always thought Meyercos were made in the US?).
Blade:
Sure, the tanto shape is not everybody's favorite (a spearpoint version is also available, but since the low-price eBay offer was for a tanto bladed Speed Demon, I got that one), but at least the Speed Demon's polished (!) blade came shaving sharp - not hair poppin' sharp though.
I haven't done much testing yet so I can't comment on egde holding ability, but AUS-8 steel isn't bad (especially at that price point).
The (hollow ground) main section of the blade slices paper very well and the secondary edge doesn't come with too steep an angle (that section is flat ground).
Handle:
While the handle is quite short in my (admittedly fairly large) hands, it's pretty comfortable even though there's not enough space for my pinky on it.
The wide index finger choil could be a little smaller, but its considerable depth results in a nice guard towards the blade.
The Fiberesin is quite aggressively checkered, a feature that improves grip security a lot.
The knife doesn't feel very comfy in reverse grip because the finger choil is too large to just put the pinky in it (the handle is too short to allow such a grip style) and too small to comfortably place two fingers in there.
There are no steel liners in the handle, so it's quite easy to twist the whole construction.
Lock:
The backlock is secure, it passed several hard spinewhack tests without failure.
Opening:
Opening action is not exactly even and smooth, but it's easy though (without too much blade play).
The thumb opening hole (that comes without smoothened edges) is a bit small, but generally OK.
Pocket clip:
The reversible plastic pocket clip doesn't seem very sturdy and it's far too stiff IMO. It can be attached to either side of the Speed Demon's handle in a tip-up position by putting sticking an extension on it it into the lanyard hole and securing it with a Torx screw. I will probably tie a lanyard for this folder.
Bottom line:
If you can get one at the price I paid, buy it. It's definitely an OK small folder with a solid lock-up and a good blade. Overall quality isn't great (weak handle, mediocre opening smoothness, awful clip), but what do you expect in such an inexpensive knife?
[picture's source: http://www.ndsproducts.com]
More Meyerco talk
Specs:
it's 3 5/8" closed, a lockback keeps the AUS-8 tanto blade open, the handle is made of Fiberesin (black) and it comes with a reversible plastic pocket clip.
The blade reads "Seki, Japan" - I don't know whether just the blade or the whole folder was made there (I always thought Meyercos were made in the US?).
Blade:
Sure, the tanto shape is not everybody's favorite (a spearpoint version is also available, but since the low-price eBay offer was for a tanto bladed Speed Demon, I got that one), but at least the Speed Demon's polished (!) blade came shaving sharp - not hair poppin' sharp though.
I haven't done much testing yet so I can't comment on egde holding ability, but AUS-8 steel isn't bad (especially at that price point).
The (hollow ground) main section of the blade slices paper very well and the secondary edge doesn't come with too steep an angle (that section is flat ground).
Handle:
While the handle is quite short in my (admittedly fairly large) hands, it's pretty comfortable even though there's not enough space for my pinky on it.
The wide index finger choil could be a little smaller, but its considerable depth results in a nice guard towards the blade.
The Fiberesin is quite aggressively checkered, a feature that improves grip security a lot.
The knife doesn't feel very comfy in reverse grip because the finger choil is too large to just put the pinky in it (the handle is too short to allow such a grip style) and too small to comfortably place two fingers in there.
There are no steel liners in the handle, so it's quite easy to twist the whole construction.
Lock:
The backlock is secure, it passed several hard spinewhack tests without failure.
Opening:
Opening action is not exactly even and smooth, but it's easy though (without too much blade play).
The thumb opening hole (that comes without smoothened edges) is a bit small, but generally OK.
Pocket clip:
The reversible plastic pocket clip doesn't seem very sturdy and it's far too stiff IMO. It can be attached to either side of the Speed Demon's handle in a tip-up position by putting sticking an extension on it it into the lanyard hole and securing it with a Torx screw. I will probably tie a lanyard for this folder.
Bottom line:
If you can get one at the price I paid, buy it. It's definitely an OK small folder with a solid lock-up and a good blade. Overall quality isn't great (weak handle, mediocre opening smoothness, awful clip), but what do you expect in such an inexpensive knife?
[picture's source: http://www.ndsproducts.com]
More Meyerco talk
