RE: ATR new vs. old...

K

kudzu74

Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
221
Hey, I just wondered if anyone has handled both the new and old version of the ATR...(being the titanium vs. stainless steel versions). Are there any major difference other than the handle material? Just curious...I managed to snag an older version NIB PE ATR for $165.00 off the exchange forum here. I like it...can't wait to get a Benchmade Skirmish to compare the two. I have a suspicion that the Skirmish is very similiar to the ATR other than size and a little shape...and of course the manufacturer. Anyhow, let me know about the ATRs! :)
 
Yeah, and my Chrysler Mini-van is similar to a HUMMER except for size, shape and manufacturer:)
I think you will find the Skirmish a hummer of a knife!
 
As for the comparision of the ATR vs. Skirmish...I was referring to the blade steel, lock type, handle material, and hmmm those lil holes... that look so much like the one we have come to love but from a different company. :rolleyes:
 
Yester5, for some of us, the Chrysler minivan, especially in some of its variants, may be a better choice than the ridiculous and ridiculously over-priced Hummers. While I have nothing against SUVs, I do have a problem with the Hummer. Mostly, from the one that I drove a couple of years back, it is just too damned big with terrible handling and braking.
 
Yester5 said:
I think you will find the Skirmish a hummer of a knife!
Click to expand...

Wait... You're saying that the Skirmish is a hype-driven monster that's overbuilt in ways that'll never be useful to the consumer and piteously lacking in the features that'd make it practical in everyday use?

Okay; I'll buy that.
:D
 
I think you missed the point of the ? and ended up at the butt-end of the blade...now can we see how well you HANDLE it. I was asking for a comparision of the two...wether or not anyone currently has both knives. I know this might be a hard thing to discover because like myself most of you prefer one knife company over another. The only reason I ask for a comparision is there are so many similiar features to the two knives (ie. compression lock?, blade steel, handle material, and those lil holes...). Hence, I was curious to see what the forumies thought of this matter. As for Hummers...they suck...if I had one I'd sell it buy a Nissian Armada and keep the change like 20k for more knives and paying off some debt. Anyhow, I would really like to see what you all think in a more serious discussion than cars. :rolleyes:
 
Hi Kudzu,

The Titan ATR has thicker scales than the SS version.
The SS version has extra holes in the scales as well.
This keeps the SS version and Titan version about the same weight.

The Titan version was double hollow ground, but will be changing to double flat grind on the next run.

The SS version is is hollow ground on the lower grind and flat ground on the upper.

The Titan version has blind stop pin.
The SS version has screws holding the stop pin.

The Titan version is CPM-S30V.
The SS version is VG-10.

Both are the same size.

They both use the same Cobra Hood.

Both use Integral Compression locks.

Both use the same clip.

Both can be disassembled.

Both blades are hand satin finished.

Both are Spyderco sharp.

hope that helps.

BTW is your screen name connected to the Mazda powered sports racers?

sal
 
Sal, any comments on the ATR vs. Skirmish? Btw, my screen name comes from years of muddin' when I was younger. ( MUD = multi-user domain) basically on-line text games that were roleplayish in nature... such as Lord of the Rings, etc. I like the name 'kudzu' because its grows fast...referred to in the South as the mile a minute. Also, the way I look at my own personal walk with Christ...it grows fast, its flexible, sometimes it goes places it shouldn't, but it always keeps going towards the SON light! :p *sorta metaphorical* Anyhow, you asked...so I answered...however what is this about MAZDA? Gotta look into this...O, Sal...if you ever come up with a green G10 Native with a ball bearing lock H1 steel 'kudzu' would be a nefty variant name. *hinthint*
 
I think the Skirmish is a beautiful design. It's a shame there are issues with our trademark.

I can tell you, in our testing, a compession lock is stronger than a framelock.

IMO, the blade finish on the ATR has a nicer finish / polish.

The ATR carries fairly easily. Opens easily.

I designed the ATR and invented the compression lock, the opening hole, Cobra Hood and the pocket clip. No one is accusing me of copying any other designers "styles" or "features".

The ATR has a fully serated version.

sal
 
Sal! Any word on when the next run of Titanium ATR's with the flat ground are gonna be available???
 
My original post ment, in an off-handed way, that these two knives are very different. Yes, there are similarities, but size, blade design, lock design, and carry options make comparing these two like comparing apples to oranges, IMHO. I EDC my ATR, but I feel, for me anyway, that the Skirmish is too big for practical, EDC. Yes, the blades are S30V steel, but the ATR is a serrated, modified dagger shape, while the Skirmish is almost an inch longer, reverse-recurve design with no serrations. Yes, they both use the Spyderco opening hole (calling a spade a spade), but the ATR also has a great thumb ramp in the Cobra Hood. Over-all lenght of the ATR is 8 7/16" as opposed to the Skirmish at 9 3/4"- over an inch difference. That might not seem like much, but for pocket carry, it is (to me anyway). Another interesting difference is that although bigger overall, the Skirmish weighs 6.8oz. The ATR lists at 9.75oz.
Another big difference, IMHO, is the Skirmish's Mono Lock (frame lock) and the ATR's Compression Lock. After using knives of both types, I feel that the Compression lock is a better design, both safer to use and stronger to boot, but that is my opinion based on my use, YMMV. The Skirmish comes with a pocket clip that allows it to be carried one way only. The ATR's clip can be changed for left-handed carry. And finally, the ATR retails for $299.95. The Skirmish lists at $220.00. I feel both knives are great designs, and I am waiting to get my hands on the Skirmish and give it a workout. I have been using my ATR for a couple of weeks now and I can tell you it is an outstanding piece of kit that is a great value.
 
O, I'm not accusing you of anything...however, I was getting to the point that the Skirmish seems like a copy of the ATR. I don't know your sentiment on that matter nor do I wish to pull up any ill will towards one side or the other. I was more interested in how the knives compared to one another because of the commonalities of the two knives.
I am very happy with the ATR PE I picked up the other day...its a great knife and will probably be among my EDC users instead of a collector piece. I cannot put that kind of a knife in a box and put it away and not use it. Anyhow, I appreciate the responses...I was consider buying a Skirmish for around 140.00 USD, but I'm gonna hold off for a bit.
 
Hi Kudzu. Never felt accused, just sharing opinions. Reality is a firm, but honest teacher.

Hey Yester5, thanx for the thoughts. ATR, BTW is 4.75 oz. I'm a stickler for weight. Nature is my teacher. The goal has always been, "no more than necessary and no less than perfect".

sal
 
Sorry Sal, my bad. I was a little confused about that, but I got the weight #'s from the Spyderco web site-http://www.spyderco.com/online_product_info
I could not believe that the ATR weighed more than the Skirmish:)
 

Attachments

  • specs.jpg
    specs.jpg
    31.1 KB · Views: 41
Thanx for the input Yester, we're in the middle of re-doing the info on the site. We'll check that one out.

sal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top