Now here's an interesting Spyderco!

[hardheart]

tekna microknife?

 

[bob bowie]

In the 80's they had a fixed blade with a spring loaded plastic guard that poped back at the touch of a button. " The legal auto knife" but it was to big for a pocket knife and lacked a way to tote it on a belt so it bombed. :barf:

The Tekna Micro Knife worked that way. There was a cheap knife called the Black Magic that used this concept also.

 

[gajinoz]

I was just thinking it would be a great knife to keep in the feed shed. You always need something to open bags, cut baling twine and so on. A sharp fixed blade lying around or on a shelf or somewhere is just waiting to slice through flesh if you're not careful. Something with a simple guard that won't get lost seems like a great idea to me.

 

[sixfeetdeep]

Sorry. but to me it is just another blah design by Spyderco again. I was one of their collectors & I finally had to retire my number because of all the bad knives I was getting. I love Spyderco's, but I really don't like any of the knives that they have been coming out with as of lately.
Don't mean to harp on them, but nothing interested me from them in a while.

 

[Sal Glesser]

thanx fulloflead, the senior moments do come more often , but this one has a plan.

The model was designed to be a "travel" piece. Picnics, tail-gate parties, camping, backpacking, etc. The bi-directional handle is quite "grippy". the 3" AUS-6 (Aichi, cryoed) blade is almost 4mm thick base, so it's a stout piece of steel.

The guard is spring loaded to stay open or closed. It really wasn't designed to carry in a pocket and I wouldn't recommend it.

Less expensive than a decent folder, easier to clean and easier for ladies whom are often leary of folders. The large handle provides good control and the blade is a very functional size

(handle to blade ratio has art value, but not much practical value, IMO. Handles are for holding, blades are for cutting, witness the scalpel)

sal

 

[gajinoz]

The guard is spring loaded to stay open or closed. It really wasn't designed to carry in a pocket and I wouldn't recommend it.

Less expensive than a decent folder, easier to clean and easier for ladies whom are often leary of folders. The large handle provides good control and the blade is a very functional size

Hence my idea of a good shed knife. My wife can use it out there, not have worry about a folder that's going to chop her fingers off, (or whatever weird thing she might be thinking), and if she leaves it on a shelf and bends over and knocks the shelf and the thing falls down it's not going to bury itself in the back of her neck or suchlike. (Assuming she closes the guard of course.)

I like it, go for it Sal.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I like the design. At the $29.95 price I can see having one in the tackle box, glove box, tool box, shop queen, etc.

I showed the picture to my wife and she said "It looks functional". Believe me, that is high praise.

Sal,
If the knife sells well will you sell another version with VG10 like you did with the SPOT? We use the 6A version of the SPOT for utility and my daughter carries the VG10 version for self defense. I appreciate having the choice of steels.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi CHuck. We'll watch reaction on the model before considering any changes.

sal

 

[Trout Tamer]

I like the design concept of this knife. It's simple and functional, with a very comfortable-looking handle. I'm curious to see if any design mods occur after it's been out in the market for a bit.

 

[selfinflicted]

Potential concerns: When the blade cover retracts it changes the handle contour, puting a strait edge where the index finger folds across. That might make it less comfortable to hold when you're using it than when you're not. Also, AUS-6 is not a blade steel I seek, due to it's lousy edge retention. I guess it keeps the price down, but I'd rather see it in VG-10 and pay a little more.

I really like the concept of this knife though. Leave it to Sal to keep the innovations coming.

 

[frank k]

Well, I just received the passaround Vagabond. I agree with Sal that the Vagabond is not a knife suited for EDC pocket carry as I had envisioned, but I do like it as a “travel” knife as Sal suggested.

The Vagabond’s handle appeared to me to be oversized in the photos, but actually it is a little on the small size if anything, though very grippy thanks to the aggressive texturing. The blade guard’s thumb extensions do leave a flat spot where my index finger wraps around when it is folded in the handle, but this dose not bother me at all. Overall, I find the handle to be comfortable.

I think that the concept has a lot of potential - I can’t wait to see where Sal will take it.





- Frank

 

[diamdave]

Considering the textured, contoured grip and finger protection (somewhat) plus the angle of the blade, I think it could be a backup weapon as well. Obviously the 'sheath' prohibits a quick draw, and you can't exactly palm it like a Delica, but I wonder if it has potential. Mine is due July 8, I'll let you know.

 

[bill_G]

it seems that Knife center has taken it off their website....the link is now broken....wonder if Spyderco asked them to do this??

 

[frank k]

The link works for me.



- Frank

 

[APBT]

Stout blade under 4"?
Nice big handle w/o finger grooves?
No wierd grip angles to tell me where to put my thumb or how to hold it?

Nice work Sal! Keep 'em coming! I'll end up buying 3 of each just to do my part in keeping them in production!

 

[ZENGHOST]

In the 80's they had a fixed blade with a spring loaded plastic guard that poped back at the touch of a button. " The legal auto knife" but it was to big for a pocket knife and lacked a way to tote it on a belt so it bombed. :barf:

I like mine:

And I also like the looks of the Vagabond. I used to have a bait knife that had a plastic sheath. I ended up losing the plastic sheath so I just tossed the knife in a drawer. Looks like I'd be able to avoid losing the sheath with this one. I ended up finding the sheath and gave the knife to my mom to use at work. She'd never use a folder, but I think she'd probably use something like this.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

Also, AUS-6 is not a blade steel I seek, due to it's lousy edge retention. I guess it keeps the price down, but I'd rather see it in VG-10 and pay a little more.

selfinflicted,

Have you tried a Spyderco knife made from AUS6? The reason I ask is because we have tested different knife companies AUS6 and they are not all the same. The majority of our testing is cutting cardboard for packages. Spyderco knives with AUS6 consistently outperform other companies with the same steel. A similar condition exists with Kershaw and 440A. Both companies have perfected the heat treat and gotten the most out of the steels. I'm not saying the performance is equal to VG10 or S30V, however I would not rate the edge retention as lousy.

Try a Spyderco with AUS6. You might be surprised. If your not happy send me an e-mail.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Zenghost. Thanx for the post and the memory trip.

Regarding the ladies; my wife, Gail and I found in our searching, that most women in general do much better with fixed blades than foloders.

Thanx Chuck. Our testing concurs.

sal

 

[selfinflicted]

selfinflicted,

Have you tried a Spyderco knife made from AUS6? The reason I ask is because we have tested different knife companies AUS6 and they are not all the same. The majority of our testing is cutting cardboard for packages. Spyderco knives with AUS6 consistently outperform other companies with the same steel. A similar condition exists with Kershaw and 440A. Both companies have perfected the heat treat and gotten the most out of the steels. I'm not saying the performance is equal to VG10 or S30V, however I would not rate the edge retention as lousy.

Try a Spyderco with AUS6. You might be surprised. If your not happy send me an e-mail.

Thanks Chuck, that's good to know. My experience with AUS6 wasn't satisfactory, but it wasn't a Spyderco. Being a huge fan of Spyderco knives (and devoted customer) I am not at all surprised that Spyderco gets the most out of the steel. And it sounds like the retracted blade guard doesn't effect handle comfort. I'm looking forward to trying one out.

 

[ecmouse]

am I wrong or does this knife look like a cheep plastic knock-off