Rinaldi custom spook - First look

Joined
Oct 22, 1998
Messages
137
This Friday, I got my Custom spook made by Trace Rinaldi . It is pictured below with the OD green concealex sheath and an Axis lock for size (and recurve
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) reference.

View

The blade is full flat ground from D2 stock, 3.4mm thick. Overall length is 20cm, the sharpened part of the edge is about 8cm. The handle slabs are burgundy micarta, smoothly fixed to the full tang with tiny mosaic pins. The lanyard hole is reinforced with a steel tube that is also flush with the handles. On the spine, there is filework right where the thumb rests in a saber grip. The sheath is a very clever design, the screw closest to the 'mouth' can be used to adjust retention of the blade, as well as for mounting a belt loop for IWB carry. Other options are neck and slip-sheath carry. A big surprise when I opened the package was that Trace had also included a Tek-Lok clip (Quote from his E-Mail to me : 'The Tek Lok is usually extra, but I figured you might like it and I was a bit late delivering' That's real customer service, thanks again !). This clip can mount to the sheath for vertical and horizontal carry, and is adjustable for different belt widths. Pictured below are the sheath with Tek-Lok attached and carry positions in the small of my back and inverted behind the left hip (my current favorite).
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I'm left-handed, so I appreciate the fully ambidextrous design.
What got me interested in this knife is the integral guard that guarantees a secure grip during thrusts and the recurved edge that I learned to love on my Axis lock. The recurve on my Spook is more acute than that of the Axis lock, Trace changed the edge shape and the handle design slightly compared to the Spook pictured on his web site. Add the the flat grind, and the Spook outperforms the Axis lock when it comes to slicing cardboard. The handle is just long enough for my hand in saber and hammer grip, people with bigger hands than me or those who want a butt end (punyo) striking option will benefit from a longer handle. With a concealment blade, there is always a compromise to be made regarding that. The choil/finger cutout in front of the guard is great for doing finer work (Or for palming the blade to cut something without too much attention from others). So far, I haven't done any heavy-duty cutting, just having fun slicing cardboard, but with D2 steel and Paul Bos doing the heat treat, I can expect excellent edge retention.
In conclusion, this is an excellent little blade for a price that is hard to beat, the only downside was the waiting period (about 5 months), but even that was more than compensated by Trace, whose workmanship was excellent.
This knife will become my daily carry, and I'll post further observations soon.

Take care,
Tobse !

[This message has been edited by Tobse (edited 04-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Tobse (edited 04-15-2000).]
 

Cliff Stamp

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Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
17,562
Very high performance blade geometry, how acute is the edge profile ? Is the index finger cutout rounded?

-Cliff
 
Joined
Oct 22, 1998
Messages
137
Cliff, the primary bevel is about 2.1mm wide, the blade is .8mm thick at the transition from the primary bevel. The finger cutout and the edges of the spine are only slightly 'broken' (I'm not sure of the correct term). For applying heavy pressure to the spine with the second hand, more rounded corners would be useful, but for the light cutting chores this knife will do for me, this will work just fine.

Take care,
Tobse !

[This message has been edited by Tobse (edited 04-15-2000).]
 
Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,774
I was starting to worry about that blade Tobias:) It took longer than I thought it would. Anyway glad to see you are happy with your Spook, I thought you were kinda crazy ordering Burgandy Micarta, and an OD Green sheath but it looked pretty neat after it was done.
Please keep me informed on how it performs, these are some of the first tool steel blades I have done, and appreciate the feedback very much.

Trace.
 

dogboye

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 23, 1999
Messages
6,848
Tobse, you mention
Trace changed the edge shape and the handle design slightly compared to the Spook pictured on his web site
Could you elaborate on this? What changes did he make? I tried to spot the differences between your picture above and Trace's picture on his website. However, the only thing that I could see was maybe the butt end of the handle doesn't have the exposed tang on yours (it is flush). Anything else?
Also, you mention that the handle is pretty short, but fits your hand well. How about width/thickness? Have you noticed any tendency for the knife to try to turn in your hand while cutting?
Thanks.

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iktomi
 
Joined
Oct 22, 1998
Messages
137
Trace - They made me wear OD green topped with a maroon beret for a year, so I really like that combination.

Rockspyder -
Handle dimensions are : length (of the slabs) 9.5cm, maximum width 2.1 cm, maximiúm thickness 1.2cm. I haven't noticed any tendency to twist out of my grip, but then I haven't done any heavy-duty cutting yet (mostly cardboard and various foodstuffs) - I'm not sure about all the design changes that Trace has made - It's probably best to ask 'the man' himself, exchange ideas and find the solution You like best !

Take care,
Tobse !


[This message has been edited by Tobse (edited 04-21-2000).]
 

dogboye

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 23, 1999
Messages
6,848
Thanks Tobse. That answers most of what I was looking for. I REALLY like that design. I had bookmarked it long ago, thinking that I might see if Trace would do one in BG42 (not realizing D2 might be an option). Then I kinda forgot about it until I saw your posts. Now I'm really interested in it BAD, again. Those handle dimensions sound pretty sweet.
I have already sent Trace one e-mail, and gotten a reply back, regarding pricing and such. I was taking another look at your pictures when I noticed what you said. I was a little hesitant to email Trace again, since I still have to think about it a bit. It is a good price that he's asking, IMO. Anyway, thanks again for your help.

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iktomi
 
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