Phoenix overview

B

bearcut

Joined
Sep 3, 2006
Messages
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OK, after years of buying Benchmade Axis folders I went back to Spyderco for another blade. I bought a Phoenix because it doesn’t look like a typical Spyderco, and it has the ball-lock which I figured was the closest thing to the Axis system I could find.

I like it.

After a few minutes I could open and close the knife, one-handed, easily within a second. The people who say they can’t close this knife one handed need to practice more! I’m not sure if the ball-lock is an improvement over the Axis, but it is very close to a real viable alternative. If Spyderco offers it on more models I will buy more of their knives for sure.

Overall fit and finish is pretty good. Sharp edges in certain areas of the knife have already been addressed in other forums, and I agree that they could have been melted a bit. It isn’t a deal breaker for me though. When you have a design as radical as this one, you come to expect some idiosyncrasies. The frame had no scratches as had been reported by some earlier owners. The ball-lock functions very smoothly, no problems there at all, and has a very solid lock-up.

The overall design is very cool and has an extreme WOW factor. Don’t hand this knife over to anyone unless you have the time to wait for them to quit fondling it.

I wouldn’t choose this knife as my only folder, but since I am fortunate enough to have many different knives, I can rotate it out and put up with some of its shortcomings.

Overall, the Phoenix is very nice. I am looking at the Native 4CF now…

I also bought an Al Mar Mini-SERE.
After a prolonged absence from this manufacturer as well, I bought another one of their blades.
This is a great little knife. A lot of knives claim ‘Tactical’ status. This one wrote the book. If you’ve never handled a SERE or Mini-SERE, check them out. Al Mar quality is excellent.
 
I know you mentioned the sharp edges already, but I was curious...do they interfere with the ability to one hand close the knife as much as people claim they do? That'd be a deal breaker for me, at this price anyway.
 
Not at all, in fact, I’m really not sure why people talk about any difficulty closing this knife one-handed. I’ve only had the knife a couple of hours and I can easily do it. Maybe it’s because I’ve been using Axis folders for so long. If you are used to the average Spyderco locking systems, the ball-lock wouldn’t be real intuitive I guess.

The heel of the knife is really the only part of the knife frame that seems a little sharp. However, it is not that bad, I don’t have a tender spot on my palm from it yet, and I’ve been playing with it quite a bit.

The action on this knife is really good. It should be though, this ain’t no cheap plastic handled model.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I've been using axis and BBls for years...so the lock itself should be no problem. People just had me worried about the sharp bottom of the handle. But based on your reassurances, I think this has to return to the top of my Spyderco list.
 
So far I love my Phoenix. it fits in the hand very well and I've always been a big fan of the ball lock. I do have to agree with others about the back of the handle being sharp. I found it's only an issue when you are taking out/putting it in your pocket. It's not a huge deal but it is a slight annoyance. As others have noted the Titanium liners do scratch easily but that's not uncommon from any other natural finish Titanium.

If the sharp handle back is a concern, Mr. Blond in the Spyderco forums has a review of his Phoenix where we smoothed down the back end, very nice (see page 2)
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36281&highlight=phoenix

All in all my Phoenix is a keeper!!
 
Most Spyderco’s have some type of molded composite handle. These almost never have any sharp edges or right angles. If that is what the buyer is used to, a knife like the Phoenix is going to seem a bit less finished. The edges of the titanium frame, for example, are not rounded off. When gripping the knife however, it is not even noticeable, in fact, the ergonomics are great.

Molded handles tend to look similar, nothing wrong with that, that’s why they are usually so comfortable. They don’t distinguish themselves visually from one another, hence, the eye catching appeal of a knife like the Phoenix.

Molded composite pistol frames, (Glock, H&K, Berretta, etc.) have the same tendencies as molded knife handles, very comfortable and ergonomic. They also look the same.
One would never mistake one of these pistols for a 1911 or other metal framed pistol.
Both work pretty well though, they are just different.

I am holding off on rounding off the butt on my Phoenix for a couple of reasons.

First, it isn’t that bad. If it were cutting my hand, or causing me extreme discomfort, I would round it off immediately. It doesn’t, so I won’t.

Second, the blade on this knife, when closed, extends almost to the end of the frame.
Closing the knife with ones palm pressing into the bottom of the frame, (where it is ‘sharp’), puts it in the path of the very tip of the blade. I haven’t cut myself yet, but the potential is there. The edge provides a tactile warning marker that ones palm is near no-mans land.
I am learning to hold the knife with the spine flat against my palm when closing the blade, this solves the problem. I can still open and close the blade, with one hand, in one second flat.

Like I said before, if I could have only one knife for EDC, this probably wouldn’t be my choice. I would carry a BM Griptilian or a Delica with an FRN handle. Not the prettiest on the block, but they work. For duty work, deployment, or tactical use, these would be my choices over a knife like the Phoenix.

But when I want to carry a reasonably useful knife with Ivory look-alike handles on a titanium frame, with a unique locking system and blade, all wrapped up in a stunning package, my only choice is the Phoenix.

I have noticed that the more expensive and classy a knife looks, the less it scares sheeple. The Phoenix looks like a piece of art and tends to inspire curiosity more than fear.
Women think it’s pretty, and men want to grope it…

Looks count.
 
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bearcut said:
But when I want to carry a reasonably useful knife with Ivory look-alike handles on a titanium frame, with a unique locking system and blade, all wrapped up in a stunning package, my only choice is the Phoenix.

I have noticed that the more expensive and classy a knife looks, the less it scares sheeple. The Phoenix looks like a piece of art and tends to inspire curiosity more than fear.
Women think it’s pretty, and men want to grope it…

Looks count.
Click to expand...
That last bit may have just sold me. I might have to pick one up now. :D
 
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