- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 24,607
A few days ago, I finally got my first Spyderco (thanks Newgraham!). A blue-handled Resue 93mm. I bought it for secondary carry, companion to my plain edge EDC drop/clip point. I've always found straight edges great for utility use, and I wanted a serrated blade to compliment my plain edge (I am not a fan of 50/50 blades, as I consider them a poor comprimise). Since I know of only one company that does full serrations, Spyderco was a natural choice. Plus, reading this forum and the great support, input, and give-a-damn-ness Sal gives, I felt guilty not owning one of his knives.
The first thing I did was reverse the pocket clip, since I planned from the beginning to carry it in my left front pocket (I am right handed though). But I'm not sure where it'll end up. I keep pens and my main knife in my right front pocket, and my wallet, keys, and change in my left front. I don't put anything in my back pockets (it's uncomfortable, and I cycle a lot, so anything in there will fall out). The problem is that the Rescue closed is a very broad knife. It's hard to get my hand in my pocket (and my wallet out with it) with the knife clipped there, so often I have to remove the knife. I tried putting it inside my waistband at 4:00 (still LH clip), and that was great. It's barely noticable there. However, with my active lifestyle, combined with the heat of Arizona and the humidity of the monsoon season, moisture is a big problem. The first day I got the knife and tried it IWB, discoloring spots appeared the next day. Happily, it was very minor and the knife looks brand new again. So I'm not sure where the knife will eventually find its place to rest.
Regardless of where it ends up, I think I'm keeping it in LH clip configuration. It's more comfortable to hold that way. The tip of my middle finger rests in the bow of the clip, my index above the tip of the clip, and my ring and pinky on the flat part. Very comfortable to hold. Held the other way, the clip, especially the tip, digs into my hand. I made a makeshift lanyard out of a cord that came off a backpack zipper. The slots in the clip screw are chewing at it little-by-little. I might file down the sharp points to reduce lanyard wear.
The seperate choke points on the handle are great. When held at the choke point closest to the blade, the handle could hit my middle finger closer, but I really can't complain, as I can't expect a production knife to fit my skinny hands.
On to the blade...I love it. I love everything about the blade. The thumb traction grooves on the back are great (and just what I need to keep it calloused-up until my MT Scarab gets repaired). I haven't really used the index-finger choke point unique to the Rescue, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it. Plus, it gives the knife a unique look.
The blue Rescue 93mm has the 25/75 serrated blade. There is slightly over 1 inch of plain edge at the tip, and the rest is Spyderedge. This is easily the sharpest OOTB knife I've handled. I thought my Kershaws were unbeatable for OOTB sharpness, but Spyderco has one-upped them.
This is my first knife with VG-10, and now I'm starting to understand why it's loved so much. I've used this knife quite a bit on paper and cardboard (mostly the plain edge part) in the few days that I've had it, and it only has gotten very slightly dull. But literally only a couple strokes with a ceramic rod, and it's popping hairs again. At first I was a bit apprehensive about the knife being hollow-ground instead of flat, but that's passed. The hollow grind seems to help keeping the chisel-ground edge from making goofy cuts in cardboard (an issue I've always had with chisel-ground knives).
The only issue I have with the VG-10 is the aforementioned tarnishing. Sal, if you come out with a H1 steeled Rescue (or sheepsfoot/wharncliffe styled) knife, I'll be the first one on the list to buy one.
Originally, I was very apprehensive about the Spydiehole. I've always had thumb studs on my 1-hand folders, and never really cared for the thumb holes. But, the hole is growing on me. I'm used to it. To be honest though, I'd still prefer a thumb stud. I feel they're safer (more distance from the edge and my thumb). But, I've yet to cut myself with my new knife (thanks for the bandaids anyway Newgraham
). I tend to Spydiedrop it open anyway.
Besides my nitpicking here and there, I only have one real beef with my new knife. I wanted ORANGE handles. But the orange handles only come with the fully-serrated blade, and I wanted the 25/75 blade. Oh well, you can't have everything.
In the end, I am very impressed with my new knife, and very pleased. It's my first Spyderco, but it sure as hell won't be my last. I'm thinking of getting a Pacific Salt next, and of course, a Spyderfly.
Sal, if you're taking suggestions, I'd love to see a premium Rescue knife. G10 or alumite scales, lower riding clip, perhaps a more exotic lock like the ball or compression, etc. I know there's the D'Allara Rescue, but that's too fat in my hands (and pocket or wasteband).
The first thing I did was reverse the pocket clip, since I planned from the beginning to carry it in my left front pocket (I am right handed though). But I'm not sure where it'll end up. I keep pens and my main knife in my right front pocket, and my wallet, keys, and change in my left front. I don't put anything in my back pockets (it's uncomfortable, and I cycle a lot, so anything in there will fall out). The problem is that the Rescue closed is a very broad knife. It's hard to get my hand in my pocket (and my wallet out with it) with the knife clipped there, so often I have to remove the knife. I tried putting it inside my waistband at 4:00 (still LH clip), and that was great. It's barely noticable there. However, with my active lifestyle, combined with the heat of Arizona and the humidity of the monsoon season, moisture is a big problem. The first day I got the knife and tried it IWB, discoloring spots appeared the next day. Happily, it was very minor and the knife looks brand new again. So I'm not sure where the knife will eventually find its place to rest.
Regardless of where it ends up, I think I'm keeping it in LH clip configuration. It's more comfortable to hold that way. The tip of my middle finger rests in the bow of the clip, my index above the tip of the clip, and my ring and pinky on the flat part. Very comfortable to hold. Held the other way, the clip, especially the tip, digs into my hand. I made a makeshift lanyard out of a cord that came off a backpack zipper. The slots in the clip screw are chewing at it little-by-little. I might file down the sharp points to reduce lanyard wear.
The seperate choke points on the handle are great. When held at the choke point closest to the blade, the handle could hit my middle finger closer, but I really can't complain, as I can't expect a production knife to fit my skinny hands.
On to the blade...I love it. I love everything about the blade. The thumb traction grooves on the back are great (and just what I need to keep it calloused-up until my MT Scarab gets repaired). I haven't really used the index-finger choke point unique to the Rescue, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it. Plus, it gives the knife a unique look.
The blue Rescue 93mm has the 25/75 serrated blade. There is slightly over 1 inch of plain edge at the tip, and the rest is Spyderedge. This is easily the sharpest OOTB knife I've handled. I thought my Kershaws were unbeatable for OOTB sharpness, but Spyderco has one-upped them.
This is my first knife with VG-10, and now I'm starting to understand why it's loved so much. I've used this knife quite a bit on paper and cardboard (mostly the plain edge part) in the few days that I've had it, and it only has gotten very slightly dull. But literally only a couple strokes with a ceramic rod, and it's popping hairs again. At first I was a bit apprehensive about the knife being hollow-ground instead of flat, but that's passed. The hollow grind seems to help keeping the chisel-ground edge from making goofy cuts in cardboard (an issue I've always had with chisel-ground knives).
The only issue I have with the VG-10 is the aforementioned tarnishing. Sal, if you come out with a H1 steeled Rescue (or sheepsfoot/wharncliffe styled) knife, I'll be the first one on the list to buy one.
Originally, I was very apprehensive about the Spydiehole. I've always had thumb studs on my 1-hand folders, and never really cared for the thumb holes. But, the hole is growing on me. I'm used to it. To be honest though, I'd still prefer a thumb stud. I feel they're safer (more distance from the edge and my thumb). But, I've yet to cut myself with my new knife (thanks for the bandaids anyway Newgraham
). I tend to Spydiedrop it open anyway.Besides my nitpicking here and there, I only have one real beef with my new knife. I wanted ORANGE handles. But the orange handles only come with the fully-serrated blade, and I wanted the 25/75 blade. Oh well, you can't have everything.
In the end, I am very impressed with my new knife, and very pleased. It's my first Spyderco, but it sure as hell won't be my last. I'm thinking of getting a Pacific Salt next, and of course, a Spyderfly.
Sal, if you're taking suggestions, I'd love to see a premium Rescue knife. G10 or alumite scales, lower riding clip, perhaps a more exotic lock like the ball or compression, etc. I know there's the D'Allara Rescue, but that's too fat in my hands (and pocket or wasteband).