Quick Review on the Spyderco Amalgam:

[Quiet]

Well, the second Taichung Spydie I've purchased this month showed up, thanks to fellow BF member @darthkonquer and I spent some time with it last night, trying to figure it out. This is somewhat of an odd one, despite the fact that the design is so...well, normal for what's on the market right now. Oddly, you don't seem to see many of these popping up around here. For example, I genuinely can't recall ever seeing one on this thread. So, there doesn't seem to a huge draw for them.

That said, I had wanted to check out an Amalgam since I'd seen the reveal of the design some time back, and they were always on my target of opportunity list (which admittedly is pretty short right now!). Well, having gotten one in hand, I'll keep this review focused, and as before, I'll go by the numbers. But first, the short of it.

TL;DR: It's an interesting knife, and worth grabbing if you can get a great deal on one. Overall, a good design overshadows a few minor negatives. It's probably worth what various Bladeforums Vendors are asking new. Take that for what it's worth.

Now then, onto the factors:

Good:

1. This knife is very light! Given the size of the overall package, it's pretty crazy to have this much blade, with full-handle real estate for a knife this light. Contrast that with the Spyderco Military, and it's always felt like the handle on those is just about an inch too long.
2. Good slicey thin "general use" drop point blade shape, and in my personal opinion, the choil placement on the blade is fine. Speaking of that choil, it's actually a good design, not too deep, so that the leading "point" of the sharpened edge doesn't dig into my finger (I'm friggin' lookin' at YOU, Hinderer XM-18). I have hands that are between L and XL depending on the glove maker, and my index finger fits perfectly into that blade choil.
3. The handle shape is VERY nice. The choil in the scales, along with the small amount of jimping on the spine of the blade makes this knife lock into my hand VERY well, and is a pleasure to hold and use.
4. Unlike some other flipper designs, the Spyderhole on the Amalgam gives you another method of opening this knife, should you not choose to use the flipper tab. I can report that the Amalgam easily opens using the "Spydie-Flick" method, by the way.
5. The fit and finish is flawless, as expected. Simple as that. When you get one of their Taichung models, you simply expect it to be perfect, and this Amalgam is true to form.
6. If you want a large Spyderco that's not a Military or Endura, or just wanted a large Spyderco without a needle-tip, this is the knife for you.
7. Overall, it's exactly what it looks like. A folding knife with a nearly 4 inch drop-point blade in a high level of fit and finish, and is available for under $200. That's a solid, dependable recipe, which makes me scratch my head that more folks don't have these.

Hmmmm...I think I may know why...

Could Be Better:

1. This knife is very light! This is a personal opinion ONLY, but I'm generally used to larger knives in this size being a bit heftier, more substantial feeling. I DO like the lightness, it's just one of those things that's still throwing me. This knife definitely does not radiate that "heavy solidity" of say, a Cold Steel Recon 1, or a Hinderer XM-24, or a ZT 0561, or, or, etc. It's a large, but very light folder. So, bear that in mind.
2. The BIG issue for me: The flipping action isn't great. It just isn't. I maintain my personal opinion that Spyderco flipper designs always leave much to be desired in the actions. I've fondled many of them over the years, and they all tend to have the same problem: a light detent. I'm sure they have many fans, but honestly, Spyderco flipper models are always easy to misfire due to this. So, I would say that if flipping action is your most important metric....well, for the same money as Amalgams cost new, you could comfortably get into, well plenty of Zero Tolerance models on the Exchange, all of which will be better flippers than this knife. That's especially crazy given that this knife is allegedly on bearings. I blame the detent 100%.
3. The flipper tab design is a tad problematic. It takes some getting used to, but the fact is, you definitely have to "lightswitch" the flipper, because if you pushbutton the flipper tab (which incidentally is actually the more reliable flipping method on this knife, regrettably), you get to enjoy getting the meat of your fingertip pinched when the compression lock locks into place. It's not a painful pinch or anything, it's just yet another sign that they didn't really think this design through 100%.
4. The flipper tab gets in the way of closing the knife one handed. I am a big fan of one handed opening and closing my knives. One of the (many) things I enjoy about the Spyderco PM2 is how I can hold the knife in my fingertips, depress the Compression lock tab and swing the blade closed in one instantaneous, simple movement. On the Amalgam, doing this same move means that the knife only closes three quarters of the way, when the flipper tab swings down and hits your finger tip. Meaning, I have then remove my fingertip, then close the knife fully against my leg. This is a VERY MINOR nitpick, and probably just more of a quirk of this particular knife. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

These sound like sweeping largely negative factors, but candidly, these ARE minor issues. A little bit of wrist action helps the knife deploy properly (unless I just Spydie-flick it open), and it locks up firmly, ready for use. The fit and finish are simply perfect, and the knife feels great in the hand. I DO recommend this knife UNLESS flipping action is the most important factor for you (well that, and the blade steel, as this guy has Spyderco's entirely adequate S30v).

Finally, the good part! Onto the pics!!









For a quick size comparison, here's the Amalgam with two other flippers I just happened to have handy, the Diskin Volcan, and my ZT 0562CF:



Thanks for stopping by!

 

[abbazaba]

Thanks for the review! I haven't held this one yet so it's great to read about.

The Spydie Hole generally doesn't work as well with a harder detent (My advocate is a good example), so it's difficult to balance the detent strength when they add a flipper. Hinderer had the same complaint for years... too soft for the flipper, or too hard for the thumb studs. His Teflon washer drag wasn't helping either.

Assuming it free falls when the lock bar is fully disengaged, I've found many flipper examples suffer from deep grind lines and/or a small detent ball that creates a lot of drag friction when deploying/closing. Not saying that is the only possible cause, but when it doesn't want to freely drop on bearings, its usually related to drag. I noticed some makers polish this area of the tang, and have even seen Spyderco do it on the PM2. Spyderco tends to leave deeper grind lines with their "satin" finish than other makers, which might be a contributor.

 

[Quiet]

Thanks for the review! I haven't held this one yet so it's great to read about.

The Spydie Hole generally doesn't work as well with a harder detent (My advocate is a good example), so it's difficult to balance the detent strength when they add a flipper. Hinderer had the same complaint for years... too soft for the flipper, or too hard for the thumb studs. His Teflon washer drag wasn't helping either.

Assuming it free falls when the lock bar is fully disengaged, I've found many flipper examples suffer from deep grind lines and/or a small detent ball that creates a lot of drag friction when deploying/closing. Not saying that is the only possible cause, but when it doesn't want to freely drop on bearings, its usually related to drag. I noticed some makers polish this area of the tang, and have even seen Spyderco do it on the PM2. Spyderco tends to leave deeper grind lines with their "satin" finish than other makers, which might be a contributor.

Hey my friend, I appreciate it!

So, yes, I can definitely see this as there possibly being some sort of balance between the two they were trying for. Sadly, they definitely leaned towards the Spyderhole deployment, because the detent is VERY light. As in, I can shake the knife 90% of the way open with a good flick downward while holding the knife. Sadly, though, the knife doesn't drop closed when the lock is depressed, so I am not sure what's going on. It doesn't have the sort of action that I've come to expect from a knife running on bearings, I can state that solidly. All of that said, when the knife is open, and in the hand, it does feel good, and the blade geometry is typical Spyderco in that it flies through anything you want cut. I got some more fidget time with it at lunch and while the flipping issue is still a thing, just the feel of it in hand goes a long way in negating that. It has enough "real estate" so that it fills my hand, and that's probably another thing I should have added above. It's a very thin knife. My Olamic Wayfarer (a personal favorite) is a stellar knife, but very thick in the pocket. This knife is very thin, so it nearly disappears when clipped into your pocket, but then BOOM, you have a large knife when you need it.

 

[cbrstar]

Another great review!
The Amalgam is a knife that is on my radar because I like the looks and size. But it's right at the price point were other Spydies like the Shaman (only got one last week lol) are a little more attractive to me.

I have the same issue with my Tropen, with closing and the flipper tab. Flip knives and compression locks are just not the greatest combo. I would like to try a frame lock Spydie flipper in the future.

I had a Benchmade Axis flipper with almost zero detente. I ended up giving it to my Father who has bad arthritis in his hands. He can barely open a regular knife but he can easily open the axis flipper which has helped him a lot. Maybe it's time to get him a Almagam instead?

 

[Sergeua]

I think it be prettier if the blade didn't have that lump infront. Small change. Less metal removal as possible.

In the back too perhaps. Would be easier to slide your hand in the pocket.