Photo Request and Question - Spyderco Vallotton Sub-Hilt

tchapman414

tchapman414

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Jan 9, 2014
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I am currently strongly considering purchasing a Spyderco Vallotton Sub-Hilt. Though not truly necessary for my use, I enjoy the heft and overall quality feel of a nice overbuilt folder. My only concern with this knife is that it may still be a bit too much so. I regularly EDC a ZT 0801 or 0566 comfortably, but the dimensions of the Vallotton still give me pause. For those of you who have or have had this knife, how does it compare to a ZT for clipped pocket carry? Also, something I could not manage to run across in my readings that I would like to confirm, the polished G10 of the handles is relatively smooth, correct?

As far as the photo request, would anyone with this knife please post a few photos comparing it to a Spyderco PM2, ZT 0801, or ZT 0566 insofar as open length and handle thickness?

Thank you for any help any of you may be able to provide.

-Thomas
 
Another side note I forgot to include - I am considering the Vallotton after eliminating the choice of a Spyderco Gayle Bradley. My only reason for such is the possibility of corrosion of the M4 blade. If anyone may be able to comment to this to help me return to my original choice, I would greatly appreciate it. Should the corrosion be a huge concern for a humid Ohio summer?
 
The Valloton is one of the very few Spydercos I just love. It was one of the first "high end" knives I bought when I got into knives. It ended up being a little too large for me and I sold it, and regretted it. Been thinking of buying another. Again, I don't generally care for Spyderco- or ZT, so I don't have any of the knives you asked for comparison pictures of, but here's a little gratuitous knife porn:



Oh, and yes, the polished G10 is quite smooth.
 
Thank you, Bigfatts! That's the main thing that keeps drawing me closer to buying it - it just exudes quality.
 
Bigfatts said:
It certainly is a quality knife, on all accounts. One of the few I regret selling off.
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As far as being too large, how does it ride in the pocket? I don't have any real length restrictions, and I don't see it as very threatening-looking, so open shouldn't be an issue.
 
In the pocket, it's a little thick- but not too bad. It's also a little long in the pocket, not really a problem unless you're wearing pants with a shallow pocket. It's beena while since I had it to put in my pocket but I would compare it to the Boker Kwaiken pocket-wise. One thing I always thought was that it would make a hell of a candidate for a Wave mod since the blade stops act as thumb studs.
 
Thanks for the info! I am still torn between the Vallotton and the Gayle Bradley. I thought I had eliminated it as a candidate, but it seems to review with much the same level of quality and I have a bit of a weakness for carbon fiber. Have you any experience with that one?
 
I've never carried my Vallotton, but I have used it a lot. If that doesn't make a lot of sense, it's because I find it to be too thick and narrow for my pockets but perfect as a desk knife. It sits on my desk perfectly and because of its width hardly ever tips over. It's markedly a very different knife from the GB or Para2, but the level of fit and finish even rivals that of the Gayle Bradley. Don't let the non-stainless nature of CPM-M4 of the GB deter you from trying it out, unless you live in a very humid area or work in moist and damp environments. My GB, Air, & CPM-M4 Military have all been relatively as low-maintenance as my other knives, although I have forced patinas on my GB & military as they do get used often and hard.

Some quick and dirty pics with the Para2 & GB:
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Thank you so much for the pictures, Gooeytek! If only able to select one between the Gayle Bradley and the Valloton Sub-Hilt, which would you recommend?
 
If you're going to carry and use it often, I'd pick the GB.

I'd also like to add that the Vallotton is one of the thickest knives I have at 0.695" minus the clip. By comparison, a ZT550 is 0.569" thick.
 
After seeing the pictures showing the thickness of the Vallotton, that's what I am leaning towards. How did you patina your blade? It is quite nice looking. Have you had to do much maintenance in rust prevention with having it?
 
Gayle Bradley needs to be washed, dried and lubed if exposed to too much salt and humidity but it's really no big deal. Vallotton is not the best slicer compared to GB or PM2 and the big Spyderco hole makes it a tad too wide in the pocket.

Some comparison pictures. In the first one I also included Spyderco Hungarian since it has the looks like the Vallotton but thinner blade.

Top to down: Spyderco Vallotton, Spyderco Hungarian, Spyderco ParaMilitary 2, Spyderco Gayle Bradley, Zero Tolerance 0801, Zero Tolerance 0566:

b7484758-3a53-46cb-afa6-34fa9f28a45d_zps892234ed.jpg


Top to down (blade thickness and grind in parentheses): Spyderco Vallotton (0.156" Hollow), Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 (0.141" FFG), Spyderco Gayle Bradley (0.118" Hollow), Spyderco Hungarian (0.118" FFG):

77aea248-6061-4b69-8718-ab90bb542944_zpsf1e09a68.jpg
 
Thank you, RamZar; those are some great pictures that really help my decision. The Vallotton is seeming more like a collectable and less like a comfortable EDC. For the value offered, I may have to go the route of the Gayle Bradley, after all.
 
tchapman414 said:
Thank you, RamZar; those are some great pictures that really help my decision. The Vallotton is seeming more like a collectable and less like a comfortable EDC. For the value offered, I may have to go the route of the Gayle Bradley, after all.
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GB is not just a great value at under $140 but just a great, high-quality, very tough folder albeit not light. Personally, the best Spyderco has to offer short of the Southard. As others have mentioned, the liners protruding and the liner lock disengagement are subjective issues and only you can tell. Don't worry too much about staining the M4. If you look closely at mine you'll see patination due to my thumb around the hole. The CF scales are actually G-10/CF laminate and the texture gives you a good grip.
 
I have read about those complaints with the liners and liner lock, but it seems to me to be a design choice rather than a fit/finish issue, and I like the aesthetics it provides. Have you done anything special to protect the area around the pivot area of the blade? Also, since you mentioned the Southard, which is also on my list, how would you advise between those two?
 
tchapman414 said:
I have read about those complaints with the liners and liner lock, but it seems to me to be a design choice rather than a fit/finish issue, and I like the aesthetics it provides. Have you done anything special to protect the area around the pivot area of the blade? Also, since you mentioned the Southard, which is also on my list, how would you advise between those two?
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GB is designed that way to be a tough no failure allowed (within reason) folder. Not going to do anything about the staining around the hole.

Personally, Southard is the best Spyderco since I prefer a flipper, titanium frame lock, premium steel and above all lightweight and a narrow profile carry.
 
RamZar said:
GB is designed that way to be a tough no failure allowed (within reason) folder. Not going to do anything about the staining around the hole.

Personally, Southard is the best Spyderco since I prefer a flipper, titanium frame lock, premium steel and above all lightweight and a narrow profile carry.
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The Southard is definitely on my list of knives to get, now with the Gayle Bradley added. With the experience I've had with my ZT 0801, the Southard certainly has a lot of appeal. Since you hold the Southard as the best Spyderco, would you advise getting it prior to the Bradley?
 
tchapman414 said:
The Southard is definitely on my list of knives to get, now with the Gayle Bradley added. With the experience I've had with my ZT 0801, the Southard certainly has a lot of appeal. Since you hold the Southard as the best Spyderco, would you advise getting it prior to the Bradley?
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If you had to get just one I'd say Southard. It's a great all around EDC that's plenty tough.

I think it's the best production flipper with titanium frame lock out there until ZT 0562CF shows up.
 
RamZar said:
If you had to get just one I'd say Southard. It's a great all around EDC that's plenty tough.

I think it's the best production flipper with titanium frame lock out there until ZT 0562CF shows up.
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Great! I may have to get one of those first, then. How is the G10 scale on it? Much rougher on the pocket than the 0566 or PM2?
 
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