Ouroboros; I need info / advice

This is one of the few areas where I disagree with NickShabazz NickShabazz . I suspect It's because he seems to enjoy disassembly and reassembly. I take stuff apart all day long at work, I don't need to do it to all my knives when I get home.

That's where the Teflon washers fall short. They're more susceptible to damage during the "maintenance"(read unnecessary disassembly) process. If you're like me and only disassemble your knives once in a blue moon, they'll be fine. The action is often better than PB washers.

I prefer washers of some sort to ball bearings, but otherwise the pivot mechanism is rarely a concern of mine. I'd go for it. It's a cool knife.
 
EricV said:
CRK owners don't use their knives and some guy on youtube's commentary is more important than the experiences of a community people who on average have probably owned many more knives...What a very odd way to go about asking if anyone has had problems with Teflon washers in decent quality knives. A quick search will tell you that PB washers tend to allow for blades to float more freely, but teflon style washers can have more pocket grit on them and still feel smooth.

Despite what your youtube hero may say you can order PB washers in different fairly standard thicknesses, you just need a cheap micrometer or caliper to measure.
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Strange way to go about asking a question. Throwing out unrelated insults and all. Oh well. I use my L21 Micarta all the time....

I agree on the price. That is a lot. I do love the blade shape though. Perhaps when more are out in the wild I will snag one on the exchange. The washers I am indifferent about.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I take stuff apart all day long at work, I don't need to do it to all my knives when I get home.

That's where the Teflon washers fall short. They're more susceptible to damage during the "maintenance"(read unnecessary disassembly) process. If you're like me and only disassemble your knives once in a blue moon, they'll be fine. The action is often better than PB washers.

I prefer washers of some sort to ball bearings, but otherwise the pivot mechanism is rarely a concern of mine. I'd go for it. It's a cool knife.
Click to expand...

Exactly
and thanks
and thanks to all who have given me the dope slap about non PB washers (white slick things).

My hand creeps inexorably toward the BUY button . . .
 
craytab said:
Throwing out unrelated insults and all. Oh well. I use my L21 Micarta all the time....
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Will you guys READ what I wrote or stop with the idea that I was insulting CRK users.
I was saying THE FEEL IS WHAT THEY LIKE ALOT.
 
craytab said:
I do love the blade shape though . . . The washers I am indifferent about.
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Thank you.
Yes I suppose I am paying a premium for the design period.
I like the steel well enough. XHP or ZDP would be the only thing I would want more or maybe Blue but I don't have any in a knife to compare to just chisels.
 
My feelings on the Ouroboros are well known, and perhaps more positive than usually assumed. If it weren't for the washers and, more importantly, the price tag, it'd be one of the better new knives in a while. Paul Alexander is an exceptional designer, and I'm excited for his future work.

I also talk about the Ouroboros washer swap in another video. There is not an off-the-shelf washer that works in that knife, but if you're willing to machine down (and stack) some off-the-shelf washers to hit the right thickness and diameter, it's absolutely do-able. And the action is much improved. But at that point, you're perhaps deeper into the knife in money and time than you'd like.

Also, for what it's worth, the word on the street is that Paul Alexander is working on other designs with Spyderco which might tickle your fancy. And, given Spyderco's recent change of the Reinhold Rhino from teflon to PB (which was billed as a desirable feature upgrade), teflon washers may not be a concern in those future models.

Finally, lest I become a complete straw-man, of course, a very well done plastic, teflon, or nylatron washer can absolutely result in an action which is just as nice as a well done phosphor bronze washer. Terzuola, JG Customs, and plenty of other makers have shown this. If you never disassemble your knives, this, like so many other things, is a matter of taste.
 
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Like an over-priced redo of the Junior model or whatever it was called. Do not want.
 
Yup!! The designer of the Oroborous, Paul Alexander, has another in the pipe line. Should be on the shelves soon.
Really cool dude that participates on the Spydie forum.
Joe
 
NickShabazz said:
My feelings on the Ouroboros are well known, and perhaps more positive than usually assumed. If it weren't for the washers and, more importantly, the price tag, it'd be one of the better new knives in a while. Paul Alexander is an exceptional designer, and I'm excited for his future work.

I also talk about the Ouroboros washer swap in another video. There is not an off-the-shelf washer that works in that knife, but if you're willing to machine down (and stack) some off-the-shelf washers to hit the right thickness and diameter, it's absolutely do-able. And the action is much improved. But at that point, you're perhaps deeper into the knife in money and time than you'd like.

Also, for what it's worth, the word on the street is that Paul Alexander is working on other designs with Spyderco which might tickle your fancy. And, given Spyderco's recent change of the Reinhold Rhino from teflon to PB (which was billed as a desirable feature upgrade), teflon washers may not be a concern in those future models.

Finally, lest I become a complete straw-man, of course, a very well done plastic, teflon, or nylatron washer can absolutely result in an action which is just as nice as a well done phosphor bronze washer. Terzuola, JG Customs, and plenty of other makers have shown this. If you never disassemble your knives, this, like so many other things, is a matter of taste.
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NICK ! !
Errrummm
MR. SHABAZZ ! ! !
It is an honor Sir.

Oh yes; I totally watched your long version YouTube on the Ouroboros AND the washer swap vid.
Thank you very much for those and all your many informative and enertaining YouTubes.
OK . . . I gotta say it :
You're A Gem
​
Nah, I'll have a great time reworking the pivot / washers / tab (where it possibly touches the washer).
I enjoy this sort of thing as long as the general ergos of the knife and heat treat are great
Good news is I ordered the knife including shipping for just under $170 so that beats $200 anyway.

Thank you once again !
 
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sharkattacksw said:
If you want another compression lock, how about the Sage 5?
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Yes I looked at the Sage knives. Obviously they are Classic, Classic Spyder Excellence.
I guess it boiled down to I wan the Ouro and was considering "settling" for a Para because it has several things I like : blade length, pointy tip, super action.

I'm just not into the Sage right now. That could change some day.
For example this is the way I would lean :
Pattada (ish)
Not the N690 steel (prefer the VG10)
Compression lock (obviously)

And leaning away from the Manix and Para type handles so for me, right now the Sage is kind of a mini Manix.

The Ouroboros is more like the Pattada (believe it or not) because when gripped with thumb and index finger it is a pretty shallow handle right there think Trapper or Ti Lite. I dig that.

Yes the blade isn't any where near as long as the Pattada, Trapper or Ti Lite but the handle is what I am focusing on.

Best I can do to explain my weird leaning toward the Ouro and away from the Sage.
 
NickShabazz said:
My feelings on the Ouroboros are well known, and perhaps more positive than usually assumed. If it weren't for the washers and, more importantly, the price tag, it'd be one of the better new knives in a while. Paul Alexander is an exceptional designer, and I'm excited for his future work.

I also talk about the Ouroboros washer swap in another video. There is not an off-the-shelf washer that works in that knife, but if you're willing to machine down (and stack) some off-the-shelf washers to hit the right thickness and diameter, it's absolutely do-able. And the action is much improved. But at that point, you're perhaps deeper into the knife in money and time than you'd like.

Also, for what it's worth, the word on the street is that Paul Alexander is working on other designs with Spyderco which might tickle your fancy. And, given Spyderco's recent change of the Reinhold Rhino from teflon to PB (which was billed as a desirable feature upgrade), teflon washers may not be a concern in those future models.

Finally, lest I become a complete straw-man, of course, a very well done plastic, teflon, or nylatron washer can absolutely result in an action which is just as nice as a well done phosphor bronze washer. Terzuola, JG Customs, and plenty of other makers have shown this. If you never disassemble your knives, this, like so many other things, is a matter of taste.
Click to expand...

Wowbagger calling Nick Shabazz
Nick Shabazz
Calling Nick Shabazz
come in Nick Shabazz
over . . .

hey, I looked at the videos and searched otherwise but can't tell.
What is the pivot design that is in the Ouroboros; is it the same bushinged pivot as the Para2 ?
(I'm not sure I would call it a bushing pivot since there is no bushing around the pivot but that's what I was told it is called. In any case are they the same shouldered design ?)
 
Regarding the compression lock... have you checked out the Spyderco Caribbean? Decent size and price point with LC200N blade steel. I'm looking forward to that one.
 
duffman0500 said:
Regarding the compression lock... have you checked out the Spyderco Caribbean? Decent size and price point with LC200N blade steel. I'm looking forward to that one.
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I just did. Looks like a good sized useful work knife.
I like the titanium clip it comes with to that's a nice touch.
Over all not my kind of knife right now. Things could change.
plus
I just bought my very last knife . . . ever . . . no . . . really :
Para 2 blurple with S110V
I'm even getting along with the steel (a personal phobia / level of incompetence on my part)

Thanks for the suggestion though :thumbsup:
 
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