- Joined
- May 26, 2005
- Messages
- 567
My new Ti handled ATR was delivered a few days ago. It is the first metal handled Spyderco I have acquired in, at least 20 years. I have a few, early, SS handled Spydercos as well as others from different manufacturers. I also have some steel and Ti. handled knives from "custom makers", most with integral locks of some kind.
I like the concept; the strength and simplicity; But good grip has almost always been lacking unless these metal handles were sharply grooved or textured some way.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
All I can say is, I am impressed. The ATR's relatively smooth handle really does provide a solid grip because of the choil, pinky shelf and the swell in-between. In addition, the handle is long enough to allow optimal placement of the rear spacer pins for greatest strength. This is in contrast to the concept of trying to fit the longest blade into the shortest handle and thus, IMHO, compromising strength. The handle is beefy enough to be very rigid.
Time will tell how the compression lock holds up but right now, there is no blade play in any direction while the knife is open. I like the stop pin on the inside of the spring, preventing it from ever being pulled too far outward, causing loss of tension. There is a shallow cutout in the bottom of the ricasso which engages the spring compression insert in the closed position and provides good initial resistance when opening the blade. This safety feature should last the life of the knife. There are no (IMO) annoying resistance points in between the open and closed positions.
The blade: It came out of the box super sharp. I am impressed by the amount of useful belly. And it is nice to know there is extra steel at the point. I also like the cobra hood for ease of opening and control in use. I have not tried it yet, but think the blade will work well in hunting as well as most utility tasks, even though it was designed primarily as a tactical folder.
Personally I would like to see a more springy clip; There are various ways of doing this. But overall, I love the knife. Everything is executed with near-perfection; Better than many "custom" models costing much more. Grind lines are clean and even and the holes look great as well as removing some weight. I feel this will be my new fav folder for a long time.....unless it comes out in some improved blade steel (ZDP?) whose performance turns out to live up to the hype.
QUESTION: Does anyone have any further information on who designed this knife and how it was designed? Any feedback on experience with compression locks?...etc.
...Ron
I like the concept; the strength and simplicity; But good grip has almost always been lacking unless these metal handles were sharply grooved or textured some way.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
All I can say is, I am impressed. The ATR's relatively smooth handle really does provide a solid grip because of the choil, pinky shelf and the swell in-between. In addition, the handle is long enough to allow optimal placement of the rear spacer pins for greatest strength. This is in contrast to the concept of trying to fit the longest blade into the shortest handle and thus, IMHO, compromising strength. The handle is beefy enough to be very rigid.
Time will tell how the compression lock holds up but right now, there is no blade play in any direction while the knife is open. I like the stop pin on the inside of the spring, preventing it from ever being pulled too far outward, causing loss of tension. There is a shallow cutout in the bottom of the ricasso which engages the spring compression insert in the closed position and provides good initial resistance when opening the blade. This safety feature should last the life of the knife. There are no (IMO) annoying resistance points in between the open and closed positions.
The blade: It came out of the box super sharp. I am impressed by the amount of useful belly. And it is nice to know there is extra steel at the point. I also like the cobra hood for ease of opening and control in use. I have not tried it yet, but think the blade will work well in hunting as well as most utility tasks, even though it was designed primarily as a tactical folder.
Personally I would like to see a more springy clip; There are various ways of doing this. But overall, I love the knife. Everything is executed with near-perfection; Better than many "custom" models costing much more. Grind lines are clean and even and the holes look great as well as removing some weight. I feel this will be my new fav folder for a long time.....unless it comes out in some improved blade steel (ZDP?) whose performance turns out to live up to the hype.
QUESTION: Does anyone have any further information on who designed this knife and how it was designed? Any feedback on experience with compression locks?...etc.
...Ron
