New member intro with a few knives

The mail arrived literally minutes after I got home so perfect timing.

First impressions:

Seller did an excellent job addressing all of my concerns and even highlighted and starred on the receipt the comments I wrote when I ordered it (not sure rules on mentioning websites here yet but you all know where it came from) who I requested to check for centering and action (forgot to mention blade play). The blade is very nicely centered and there is no play at all just like my Spyderco Shaman.

Opening the blade is very smooth, a bit smoother than my Spyderco, very easy to open using the thumb stud if I wanted. It's not drop shut and free moving like I have seen on a lot of axis lock blades, but I am sure it will break in, and I actually like it how it is now. Handles are nice and smooth and feel really nice and solid. I found the handle on the regular Grip a bit pokey and uncomfortable. I'm actually pretty surprised that the Grip handles are barely thicker than the Shaman I guess I never looked at the dimensions online, but the grip is a little lighter.

Shaman feels a bit more ergonomic, but the Griptilian is very good as well. I also feel like the Shaman feels a bit better suited for heavy duty tasks, it feels more substantial and solid. Not that the Grip doesn't feel solid, but if I were going to be using a knife camping or something outdoors, I'd grab the Shaman.. although I have no doubts that the Grip could handle it too.

Minor gripe, the clip doesn't sit against the knife like it does on the Shaman so whenever I tap or touch it, it makes a slight sound... hardly a big deal and doesn't bother me much. I do like the finish on the clip and this is my first deep carry knife so we will see how I like carrying it but so far so good. Minor win.. On the blade underneath the Mel Pardue logo there is a website url I did not notice until after I ordered and though "that looks kinda dumb" thankfully it is not actually on my knife.

Overall I really like both and I will probably baby the Grip a bit more due to exclusive and possibly limited nature of this particular variant and the Shaman will be more for when I know I am going to be outside or cutting a lot of heavy duty stuff. Sorry I tend to ramble, so without further ado here are some pics, any questions or requests let me know.

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Welcome home... Lol,
I was gonna say the same thing about your Spydie 'R'...
Not much 'worse for wear' and a
nice, disco'd collector piece.
I have never
owned or handled any of the 'Letter' -(?) models,
but I've seen pics. of some unique designs.
Congrats on your new piece.:thumbsup:
B.T.B.
 
First day carrying the grip.. wow this thing is sweet. Cut open several boxes and had to look to see if it was actually cutting because I couldn't even feel the blade going through the tape it was like butter. Also the action is getting smoother since I opened and closed it all day long probably a few hundred times just playing with it.

Dunno if it is just a mental thing or because it is brand new, but it seems to cut better than my Shaman. Perhaps its the M390 steel vs s30v? I don't know I'm still kind of a newb. Anyways this thing is awesome and it makes me want more knives in M390 steel.
 
It wouldn't cut better due to blade steel, but might if it's sharper or has a grind that has less resistance in through cuts.

Don't baby it; you will enjoy it less. Just don't abuse it either.

I vote to retire the old Spyderco with honors. Some guys actually frame their retired knives, if they have enough history with them.

The Ranger grip knives are underrated around here. The liner lock actuated by pressing the shield is a particularly elegant touch. Just get a good belt pouch for it or make a pocket hanger, and they're fine to carry as well.

Now slow down for awhile and enjoy your collection; put some miles on it.

If anything, invest in a Spyderco Sharpmaker now.

Welcome to the forum!
 
Welcome to BF!! Lots to see and read here! Enjoy your time and nice collection!!
 
Man, good to see a surviving R.

Congrats on the new BM Grip, I really like that version. Welcome to the forum. Now hide your credit cards and forget your Paypal login!
 
Hah funny you should say that. In my research I have come to really like the Hinderer xm-18 3.5" design and this is very similar, but more budget friendly if you can call it that. I think the Hinderer is probably more than I will spend in the near future on a knife so the ZT 0562cf may be in the cards in the next several months.

Glad to see the love for the R, it has been my favorite knife I have ever had and I don't think that it can be topped for me. It has been semi-retired. I tried taking it apart to clean it and had a difficult time getting it back together, and of course me not knowing what I am doing ruined the action on it because I think I wiped off too much grease trying to clean it. One day I will have someone who knows what they are doing re assemble it again.
 
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