New spec handle observations and questions

Silver Needle · Jul 29, 2016

Now that I've enjoyed the handle on my 4.7 I can say the new spec canvas micarta is much more grippy and textured than the canvas micarta on my old spec 5. Did we devise a definitive way to identify microtexturing? I'm thinking the cruforge is standard canvas, but my 3v may be microtextured canvas.

Has anyone noticed discoloring inside their hardware? I'm not concerned about this, I was just surprised to see it.

Can you tell how the top bolt on the 4.7 doesn't look the same inside? Again, this doesn't bother me, I just didn't expect to see it.

Close up of micarta.

fbhandler · Jul 29, 2016

So... Would you say the 4.7 is "hands down" the better knife ??

Ps I can see a slight difference in color from the pic...

McVeyMac · Jul 29, 2016

Does it appear to be rust SN? It could be that oil had accumulated in it at one point, and then desiccated over time leaving a yellowish residue. Try some oil or WD40 on a QTip and see if it cleans it out. The close-up does not appear to be of the offending fastener.

neil944 · Jul 29, 2016

I noticed the same discoloration on the 2.7 I just received.

Only one of the four screws. This is the first time I've seen this out of 5 different new spec knives

Silver Needle · Jul 30, 2016

fbhandler said:
So... Would you say the 4.7 is "hands down" the better knife ??

Ps I can see a slight difference in color from the pic...

To see the discoloring better, you really have to zoom in.

Man! The differences between the 5 and 4.7 are noticeable, but I still love the 5 for what it is. I'm just used to having a little more for my index finger to hold onto in a fisted hammer grip, but other than that one position, the deeper finger pocket of the 4.7 makes more sense. Of course the finish and heat treat of the 4.7 are better, but I still like the thickness and especially the blade height of the 5. All along I thought the 4.7 would make me want to put away my 5 forever without a second thought, but the 5 is just so good that I still love it. With that said, the 4.7 really is special and does take the spot as my favorite knife.

McVeyMac said:
Does it appear to be rust SN? It could be that oil had accumulated in it at one point, and then desiccated over time leaving a yellowish residue. Try some oil or WD40 on a QTip and see if it cleans it out. The close-up does not appear to be of the offending fastener.

Good idea! Before posting here I did try a dry cotton swab and it came out with a little black on it. I tried the WD40, but no luck. Here is a better shot of the offender.

Thanks, neil. You have over twice the new spec experience than I do!

Riz! · Jul 30, 2016

I can see that in the photo. It could also be heat treat oxidation that wasnt totally removed when they tumbled the fasteners. Its probably difficult for the tumbling media to get into the recessed area of the fastener

Silver Needle · Jul 30, 2016

Riz! said:
I can see that in the photo. It could also be heat treat oxidation that wasnt totally removed when they tumbled the fasteners. Its probably difficult for the tumbling media to get into the recessed area of the fastener

That makes sense, I was just surprised because all pictures I had seen before seemed consistently, uniformly colored. That's why I was wondering if others noticed the same thing or not. Doesn't really matter either way, I'm just being curious.

fbhandler · Jul 30, 2016

Silver Needle said ..."The differences between the 5 and 4.7 are noticeable, but I still love the 5 for what it is. I'm just used to having a little more for my index finger to hold onto in a fisted hammer grip, but other than that one position, the deeper finger pocket of the 4.7 makes more sense. Of course the finish and heat treat of the 4.7 are better, but I still like the thickness and especially the blade height of the 5. All along I thought the 4.7 would make me want to put away my 5 forever without a second thought, but the 5 is just so good that I still love it. With that said, the 4.7 really is special and does take the spot as my favorite"

This is good to hear... Both that the new spec "lives up" and the old spec "holds on" ...

McVeyMac · Jul 31, 2016

I think that Riz's explanation makes the most sense to me regarding the fasteners.

TRfromMT · Jul 31, 2016

For you S!K gurus -

Someone asked me if I could make a set of the new spec handles for a pretty 2015 model. Are the new spec handles for a given model simply thicker/more contoured through the middle section (width) or are they also deeper with more belly. I think the new handles would overhang the steel in the belly of an old spec knife, right?

XtianAus · Jul 31, 2016

That is suprising to see...i agree, it doesnt seem like a big deal. Unusual nonetheless.

Could it be rust? Or are the fasteners stainless? I always assumed they were.

TRfromMT · Jul 31, 2016

Low grade stainless (garden variety, but typical in fasteners for higher strength) can corrode. In particular when it has been heavily cold worked, like when it is made into a fasteners.

Silver Needle · Jul 31, 2016

That's some good info, boys.

I can't be sure because I've messed around with the handles quite a bit, but I want to say the discolored one was the one on top under the kydex sheath. Not sure if that means much.

Tinbanger · Jul 31, 2016

TRfromMT said:
For you S!K gurus -

Someone asked me if I could make a set of the new spec handles for a pretty 2015 model. Are the new spec handles for a given model simply thicker/more contoured through the middle section (width) or are they also deeper with more belly. I think the new handles would overhang the steel in the belly of an old spec knife, right?

I think there are a lot of differences in the shape of the handles, the spine of the handle on the new spec has a hump also. I think the new spec are longer too. Hopefully we see more "real" gurus chime in on this.