Opinions/reviews of the Spyderco Starmate?

KBR

Joined
Feb 12, 2002
Messages
1,525
I just picked up one of these in PE and was looking for any opinions and/or reviews of the Starmate. Thanks in advance. :D

(BTW, I did do a search with no real reviews of the Starmate. :( )
 
Starmate is discontinued. Most discussion was back two or three years ago. Do a search in the Knife Reviews and Testing Archive rather than the current forum. My complaints are a clumsy placement of the opening hole, blade a little thicker than optimal for utility knife, Spyderco heat treated the blade on the soft side (I forget 55Rc or 56Rc). I think they did this to keep the tips of the serrations from chipping. I used the plain edge version and it would roll on bone impact. Here is a link to one review.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89271&highlight=starmate
 
I'd be interested in your opinion of the Starmate as you become more familiar with it.
I bought a Military and a Starmate about 3 years ago. I waited with great excitement for the backordered Starmate. In the meantime I developed a real appreciation for the Military. I kept the Starmate for only a couple weeks. I found it an ergonomic mismatch for my hand and pocket. A beautiful knife, though. I couldn't comment on the blades attributes as I never cut anything but some cardboard with it. I still find its form appealing. The Military, though, is with me yet. Now, that's a knife.
 
It's been almost a year since I bought my first Military and find it hard to leave the house without it. Everything about that Spydie just fits me just right.
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However, the first time that I handled a Starmate, I found the handle itself too straight for me. At least at that time... I figured that I'd take a chance on trading for one and have to say that things have changed now that I've carried it for a couple of days. I'll put in my two cents with a review once I've carried it some more.

One thing that I did notice, though, is that the blade is thick throughout all the way to the tip. I did some slicing and dicing in the kitchen yesterday with that hollow ground edge and, IMO, it can't really compare to the slicing ability of the flat grind on the Millie. ;)
 
I have mostly used straight handled knives (puukkos) for all my life so for me Starmates straight handle is good. Compared to knives with angled/ curved handle Starmates handle is far better e.g. Wengers banana shaped handle don't work well for me.

I like the way it carries in my pocket. This is because of thin handle and tip down clip.

When I got it I thought that the balance was too blade heavy (because of the thick blade) but after a couple of days I was accustomed to it.

What I still would change is the grind. I'd prefer flat ground blade but because this is custom collaboration designer (Terzuola) decided the grind. But I'd still rather have flat ground blade...
 
I really like the Starmate. In the beginning, I didn't like the handle because it didn't fit "perfectly". However, I found that it fit "almost perfect" in a million grips, which is better than a perfecti fit in only one grip. Over time, the handle fits perfectly, my hand must have morphed.

The steel is a little soft, but as the edge degrades, it remains "toothy" and still cuts. It's easy to sharpen with a ceramic material. I get tired of flat edge blades, a good hollow ground is nice change, there is no perfect grind, only great execution. The hollow grind on this knife is good looking, functional and allows for a very thick spine.

My edge rolled too, but only due to the initial Spyderco factory steep grind. I used the shiny ceramic of a plate and "steeled" it back into place. After a few hand sharpenings, the edge no longer rolls. The 440V will chip, but only with abuse. I chipped about 1 mm off the tip prying a nail of a tire, finally pulled it out with the edge of the spydie hole. It was easy to re-profile.

The handle and liner lock are the jewels of this package. The use of a single liner, nested into the handle makes for a slim light package. It really shows that you do not need dual liners or titanium to have a strong knife. The heavy blade allows the knife to be snapped open with authority, as fast as an automatic. Something that cannot be done with a sebenza w/o voiding the warranty. Mine has been flicked open many times and there is a slight deformation in the stop pin, however blade lock has not move since Day 1. This knife was designed by Terzuola to be tip down and opened with the Spydie drop. With that method, the knife opens exceedingly fast with the handle dropped right in your palm.
 
The Starmate is a great knife.

-Very light
-Ergonomic
-Grippy G-10 handles
-Holds an edge a long time
-Easy to re-sharpen
-Very durable
-Strong lock
-Excellent blade shape (maybe a bit too thick)
-Opens easily
-Great cutter

What's not to like? Carried mine today since my Military is due for a sharpening.
 
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