powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
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Just a few thoughts here on a pair of passaround knives I received earlier this week.
First, the Spyderco PPT. PPT refers to the folder’s three designers; Fred Perrin, Philippe Perotti and Sacha Thiel. Its a medium sized, 5.3 oz. frame lock folder sporting CPM-S30V steel. Overlaying the framelock are milled G10 slabs which make the knife look and function as a linerlock. The G10 is milled in a "corregated" pattern, which in my view has a stone-age, caveman look.
Aside from the corregated G10 pattern and exposed frame lock that functions as a liner lock, two things stand out about this knife. One is the unique clip, which allows for deep pocket carry. This is good, and I would love to see it on all Spydies. When in the pocket, the PPT is not exposed at all, aside from the clip. I much prefer this, as it lets me fly below the radar and not advertise to the world that I'm carrying a folder. Deployment is just as fast as a standard-clipped knife, but you don't have that couple of inches of handle sticking out of your pocket. I like it.
What I don't like, and frankly won't tolerate anymore, is a Spydie hole that is partially obscured by the handle. Imagine having your car door partially obsured by the body, so that you could only grab part of it. On the PPT, the obscured Spydie hole prevents good thumb access, which for me results in a 2-stage opening. First, the blade swings out about an inch, which allows the thumb to completely fill the Spydie hole. Then in stage 2, the thumb is allowed to push the blade open as with any Spydie. This design places looks over function, in my view, though I'm sure that Mr. Sal and company would contend that any additional relief to expose the Spydie hole would also expose the frame lock, thus making it more susceptible to unintentional disengagement.
I don't see it that way, but I also am not a knife designer. When I got my sweet Spyderco Gayle Bradley, it also was plagued with a covered Spydie hole and (intentionally) poor access to the liner lock. I sent it off to Brother Krein, who beautifully relieved the handle and liner to fully expose the Spydie hole and give good access to the liner lock as God intended. See pic below.
So overall, I like the PPT and might grab one if they are still available. The Spyderco site shows them as discontinued. If I did get one, you can bet that I would send it to Tom Krein. I give the the PPT a partial thumbs up, as it feels good in the hand, looks nice, has that great pocket clip, and nice jimping that extends all of the way down the spine to the false edge. Nice piece of knife. But that Spydie hole may be a deal breaker for me. This is just a personal peeve of mine. Other folks may not even notice. YMMV. Expect to pay around $150 shipped, though a favorite online vendor had only one left.
PPT, top. Byrd Meadowlark, bottom. Dirty blade on the PPT from teaching some sticks who the boss was.
Partially obscured Spydie hole.
Modded Gayle Bradley showing exposed Spydie hole. This is what the PPT should look like.
Next up is the Byrd Meadowlark with G10. Pic above. I had never had my hands on a Byrd, and assumed from their price point that they were akin to something you would buy at a Stop-n-Rob. Not so. The G10 Meadowlark feels every bit as well built, smooth and solid as its Spyderco cousins. Consider it a fully lined, G10 Delica-analogue for $30 shipped from ebay. Feels every bit as good as a Delica, and the unique Byrd hole design functions just as well as the traditional Spyderco hole. Blade steel on this one is 8Cr13MoV, which I know nothing about, but I'm no steel snob. Aggressive jimping, which is crazy at $30, but production costs are cheaper in China where the Meadowlark was born. Came plenty sharp, even after getting a workout from several guys ahead of me on the passaround list. Nice saber grind, and pockets easily at 4 oz. Nothing to dislike about this one, especially at $30 shipped. This one takes its place as a "best value", along with the Tenacious/Persistence lineup and the Walmart Buck 110 with sheath. I'm well pleased with this one, and in fact more pleased than I was with the PPT when price is factored in.
Thanks to Brother Sal for the knives, and Frank K for managing the passaround.
First, the Spyderco PPT. PPT refers to the folder’s three designers; Fred Perrin, Philippe Perotti and Sacha Thiel. Its a medium sized, 5.3 oz. frame lock folder sporting CPM-S30V steel. Overlaying the framelock are milled G10 slabs which make the knife look and function as a linerlock. The G10 is milled in a "corregated" pattern, which in my view has a stone-age, caveman look.
Aside from the corregated G10 pattern and exposed frame lock that functions as a liner lock, two things stand out about this knife. One is the unique clip, which allows for deep pocket carry. This is good, and I would love to see it on all Spydies. When in the pocket, the PPT is not exposed at all, aside from the clip. I much prefer this, as it lets me fly below the radar and not advertise to the world that I'm carrying a folder. Deployment is just as fast as a standard-clipped knife, but you don't have that couple of inches of handle sticking out of your pocket. I like it.
What I don't like, and frankly won't tolerate anymore, is a Spydie hole that is partially obscured by the handle. Imagine having your car door partially obsured by the body, so that you could only grab part of it. On the PPT, the obscured Spydie hole prevents good thumb access, which for me results in a 2-stage opening. First, the blade swings out about an inch, which allows the thumb to completely fill the Spydie hole. Then in stage 2, the thumb is allowed to push the blade open as with any Spydie. This design places looks over function, in my view, though I'm sure that Mr. Sal and company would contend that any additional relief to expose the Spydie hole would also expose the frame lock, thus making it more susceptible to unintentional disengagement.
I don't see it that way, but I also am not a knife designer. When I got my sweet Spyderco Gayle Bradley, it also was plagued with a covered Spydie hole and (intentionally) poor access to the liner lock. I sent it off to Brother Krein, who beautifully relieved the handle and liner to fully expose the Spydie hole and give good access to the liner lock as God intended. See pic below.
So overall, I like the PPT and might grab one if they are still available. The Spyderco site shows them as discontinued. If I did get one, you can bet that I would send it to Tom Krein. I give the the PPT a partial thumbs up, as it feels good in the hand, looks nice, has that great pocket clip, and nice jimping that extends all of the way down the spine to the false edge. Nice piece of knife. But that Spydie hole may be a deal breaker for me. This is just a personal peeve of mine. Other folks may not even notice. YMMV. Expect to pay around $150 shipped, though a favorite online vendor had only one left.
PPT, top. Byrd Meadowlark, bottom. Dirty blade on the PPT from teaching some sticks who the boss was.
Partially obscured Spydie hole.
Modded Gayle Bradley showing exposed Spydie hole. This is what the PPT should look like.
Next up is the Byrd Meadowlark with G10. Pic above. I had never had my hands on a Byrd, and assumed from their price point that they were akin to something you would buy at a Stop-n-Rob. Not so. The G10 Meadowlark feels every bit as well built, smooth and solid as its Spyderco cousins. Consider it a fully lined, G10 Delica-analogue for $30 shipped from ebay. Feels every bit as good as a Delica, and the unique Byrd hole design functions just as well as the traditional Spyderco hole. Blade steel on this one is 8Cr13MoV, which I know nothing about, but I'm no steel snob. Aggressive jimping, which is crazy at $30, but production costs are cheaper in China where the Meadowlark was born. Came plenty sharp, even after getting a workout from several guys ahead of me on the passaround list. Nice saber grind, and pockets easily at 4 oz. Nothing to dislike about this one, especially at $30 shipped. This one takes its place as a "best value", along with the Tenacious/Persistence lineup and the Walmart Buck 110 with sheath. I'm well pleased with this one, and in fact more pleased than I was with the PPT when price is factored in.
Thanks to Brother Sal for the knives, and Frank K for managing the passaround.
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What is a minor annoyance for a right-handed user becomes complete frustration as a lefty. Real pity as well, as I loved the lock, ergos, blade, clip, scales...just not the deployment.