Salt and Pacific

Tom Krein

Tom Krein

Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,628
I just got back from a week on the beach in Florida. Before going I heard about the new Spyderco Salt. The Salt has a new blade steel that was "supposed" to be rust free. I decided to order one and try it out in Florida. When I ordered it I was told that they had just got in some of the new larger Pacific's that have the same steel. I decided to order a plain edge Pacific and a serrated Salt.

I have carried the knives for the last 3-4 weeks intermitantly and found that they take an aggressive (toothy) edge, and are easy to sharpen on a super fine diamond hone. In use I found the edge holding to be fair to good. The only weakness I found in daily carry would not really be a weakness in normal useage. I was cutting empty coke cans with some of my knives and thought I would try it with the Pacific. The Pacific cut over half way through the can, but when I examined the edge it looked like it had rolled slightly in two small areas. These sharpened out with only a few strokes on the superfine diamond hone. I would not hold this against this knife as it is not really what it was designed for. I have been very happy with their performance in everyday cutting chores.

How did they do on the beach? Well I carried one of these knives clipped in my swimming suit when ever I was at the beach. I swam in the ocean alot and the only cleaning I gave these knives was the fresh water shower I would take to rinse off the salt water before going up to the condo. I wouldn't even take them off, just left them clipped in the pocket or waistband of my swim suit while I rinsed off. THEY DID NOT RUST. THEY DID NOT EVEN DISCOLOR. THEY STILL LOOK BRAND NEW!!

If you need a good knife in a corrosive environment I recommend giving the new Spyderco Salt or Spyderco Pacific a look. I have been impressed with their performance. Do any of you fellow forumites have any experience with the Salt and Pacific?

Tom
 
Thanks for the review Tom. So far all I have heard is good stuff about the salt knives. I am planning on paring a serrated pac salt with a Ltwt Goddard for EDCas soon as I have a little extra cash and the positive reviews make me think they will be a very good choice.

Sam
 
I know this has been brought up before but how a about a salt Harpy? What are the difficulties of producing one, just using the rust resistent steel. My Merlin is my everyday carry around saltwater and after two years I just rinse it off and unless it is rusting apart where I can not see it seems to be holding up fine. But still I would like to see a hawkbill produced with the new steel. While your at it could you make it with G10 handles? :p
 
Tom or any other makers, how hard is it to get H1 steel for custom knives and what are the expenses like compared to other steels? it would seem like there could be a market for very corrosion resistant blades, whether they be for water use or for carry duty in situations/carry methods where they may be sweated on a lot. Thanks for any input.
 
I've had similiar experiences to Tom's with the rust resistance of the Pacific Salt. Good edge holding as well. Also easy to get sharp again if I do abuse it. H1 is amazing steel.

I asked this on the general forum and I'll ask it again here. My Pacific Salt has an additional groove at the back of the recessed area in the tang where the locking bar fits. The knife also had a fair bit of vertical blade play, not sloppiness but a tendency to click vertically from one postion to another. I know it's not a massive issue with lockbacks but I was wondering if anyone else experiences this problem?
 
Thanks for the informative review. Just wish that a fixed blade in H1 will come out some time, it would make a great saltwater fishing knife.
 
Hey Tom! Is that why my knives are late? :p Oh anyway, the Salt 1 and Pacific are great watersports knives! :D I love them! :D
Psalt1.jpg

Salty goodies! Samo's H-1 Spydies..

Sam
 
Sam,
Your knives will ship out today. Sorry for the delay! Thanks for the pictures.

One2gofst,
I have not seen any H-1 steel for sale. I do not even know if H-1 should be called steel. I also do not know what it would take to heat treat. I wouldn't think it would heat treat like carbon steel. Stelite is a good option in a custom knife that you want to use in corrosive environments.


Phwl,
You might try a fixed blade out of Stelite or Talonite. I would not try to make the blade too thin or too long as Stelite will bend in my experience. It will make into a great 3-5" fixed blade that is ment to cut and not chop.

Ming65,
I believe that the groove at the back of the locking notch is actually a place for some of the acumulated pocket lint, etc. to go. I do not believe that this is what is causing your knife to have vertical blade play. If it is enough to be bothersome I would contact Spyderco about it. They stand behind their product!

Tom
 
Thanks Tom! Did you go fishing down there at Florida? Heard the "wildlife" is awesome! :cool:

Sam
 
Sam,
We went on a 6 hour deap sea fishing trip. We did O.K. We caught about 15 vermilian snappers. Didn't do as good as the guys on either side of me but had a good time. Next time will know what to do better.

Tom
 
I have had my Salt in the ocean and it held up VERY well ! I also had my mini police necklace it wasn't so fortunate but it survived.

As for the H1 steel I have been looking for it for a design I have done. I have my Japanese contacts in play for it. If I get some Tom I will pass some your way if your interested.


S/F,
CEYA!
Ceya Knife Designz
 
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