Scorpius Review

Jazzman

Jazzman

Joined
Jan 11, 2001
Messages
2,750
I just recieved my Scorpius SE from NewGrahm about 5 min ago and I wanted to share my initial impressions. First, I was surprised at how large this knife is. I guess I was expecting something more of the Dodo size (and weight frankly) but at the size of the Native, the Scorpius should carry well.
-Handle- WOW! Spyderco proves again that they are the king of ergonomics, followed closely only by Emerson IMO. My hand locks into the handle and although smooth, the SS scales don't roll or feel slippery (however, I will do some further testing). The butt of the knife sticks out of my grip and looks like it would be a great equalizer. The locking bar has the Boye detent which I am so fond of and doesn't intrude in the gripping of the handle in any way.

-Blade- If you were to mate the Native with the Pro-Venator, the child would be the Scorpius. There is sufficient belly for serious cutting needs while stil maintaining a nice pointy tip for detail work. I ordered a serrated model and after knocking the burr off of the back of the blade, it is par with Spyderco's box level of sharpness. The hole is larger than most others than I have seen, measures out to be about 14mm in diameter! The only disappointment about the blade is that it slightly rubs against the sides of the scales when opening. I have noticed this with alot of new Spydercos though, so I'm not that worried about it.

-Clip- a nice feature is that you can mount it either on the butt or tip of the knife. In either scenario the knife sits high in the pocket (similar to the police). Because of how flat this knife is, it carries very comfortably.

Overall, I think that the Scorpius will be getting some major pocket time. I don't feel that it will displace my Sebenza for long, but you never know ;) Alot of people have expressed their feelings about the choice of stainless over G-10 scales but for EDC cutting (as mine will be used for), this doesn't present as a problem. Another factor is that people have long proclaimed the aforementioned Police as a EXCELLENT tactical...why should the SS scaled Scorpius be any different?
Thanks,
Matt
 
Jazzman, glad to see you got the Scorpius. I love knives this size. Beefy knives with 3" blades are essentially my large EDC. I know many folks love much larger knives, but I guess that why so many different models are made.:)

The Scorpius has a nice heft. Could someone say how much it weighs?
 
Please try this...

Run your hand under warm water for 10 seconds, then draw your Scorpius from pocket/closed position as fast as you can and thrust it as hard as you can into, say, a tree. Let me know what happens.

Stainless is for 'dress' knives. Your grip might hold with the Scorpius, but I wouldn't even think of trying the above with a Police or other stainless model.

I like the look of stainless as much as the next guy, but to make a blade with a 'defensive' purpose and only offer it in stainless is poor judgement, in my opinion. G-10 and textured Zytel are the way to go.

Until then I'll keep shopping around...
 
Out of curiosity why in the hell would you stab a tree?

And the warm water is to simulate what blood? Get some freaking crisco it's quicker. And if you're going to bitch about stainless handles then for gods sake don't grease up your hands and go try to attack someone wearing a tree.

In my book which is obviously different from everyone else in the world I've never had an issue with Stainless handles. if the ergos are good then it'll stay in your hand. I'll grant you I've never had a spyderco covered in blood before but I damn sure haven't had it slip when my hands were sweaty nor when the knife/hands were just water wet.
 
Stabs/thrusts into hard targets like a tree or wood post may be an extreme test for a knife that is marketed only as a medium duty general utility design, but if a design is labeled for military/police/tactical use, testing grip retention against wood targets is not far fetched at all. I'm sure most ss handles will perform most tasks when wet if ergos are good, but that dosen't mean it will handle power stroke slashes and thrusts securely, regardless of how firm ones grip is.

Everyone handles their particular knife differently, and maybe some people can retain grip on the Police and Scorpius with wet hands through power thrusts, but I can't and think most people who even train in MBC as I do can't either. Under pressure and unorthodox gripping I wouldn't do any hard thrusts with the Scorpius if I can help it. I do own a Scorpius and like it, the design is nice the construction is solid. But ultimately it is flat out slick and even the best ergos on it will still not make it as secure as it could be with texturing.

It should handle fine with user caution as to what it's limits are.

take care,
Ken
 
I wouldn't stab a tree, or anything else if I could avoid it. However, in a violent or stressful situation, a cut can be sloppy and a thrust can be awkward and offline. A blade can meet a wall, briefcase, bone, and yes, even a tree. Surely this would test the strength of your grip to its limits? I would think that an authority on the subject, as you claim to be, would understand this?

The warm water would be a way to simulate the feel of sweaty hands to some degree, and not necessarily blood. If you have ever had blood on you hands while using a knife (cleaning game, for example) you would know that blood is really only slippery at first, but quickly becomes sticky and adhesive as it dries in the air. I only suggested the test as a way to evaluate your grip under less-than-perfect conditions. I assure you, whether your grip is weakened in any way by having wet hands or not, you will feel less confident about your ability to retain the blade under these circumstances.

I agree that 'grease' would be another fine medium with which to test the security of your grip, assuming you have greasy palms. Sounds like a personal hygeine concern to me, so I won't discuss it further.

Cutting rope and slicing an apple with sweaty hands using a stainless knife really aren't the appropriate tests to evaluate the stresses you will encounter in a so-called 'tactical' or 'self-defense' situation. So I'm not surprised that you haven't experienced any problems. Some mild contact-sparring with trainers would be more appropriate.

I am willing to admit that, for 'normal' utilitarian use, a stainless knife is just as secure in the hand as any other. However, why not give yourself every benefit of technology (such as textured contact materials) rather than sacrificing for ergonomics alone?

YMMV.IMHO.etc. It's your life and everyone is entitled to his own opinion and preferences. You teach what you've found to be true and I'll do the same. Let's just hope we both know what we're talking about.

Beyond that, I think the Scorpius is a great knife. I will be buying one, although it probably will not make my EDC. Spyderco is definitely on the right track though (as they often are) and as long as they continue to put materials and form in the same package (e.g. Lil'Temp, Gunting, Chinook, Civilian, etc) then every knife will be a winner.
 
It's your life and everyone is entitled to his own opinion and preferences. You teach what you've found to be true and I'll do the same. Let's just hope we both know what we're talking about.
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I couldn't agree more. Well said. I will only argue with one point

I would think that an authority on the subject, as you claim to be, would understand this?
Click to expand...

I don't believe I ever claimed to be an authority on anything...ever. but it sure the hell beats getting into a pissin contest.

So my contention is I have no reason to stab a tree, I understand the reasoning behind it but I feel other cutting/stabbing tests are more appropriate. This is another case where apparently my reality differs from everybody elses. I'm ok with that it's my world they know me here etc.
I also believe that there is nothing inherently wrong with choosing SS handles for SD. I will agree that pretty much anything else will add traction to the handle (WELL DUH!!) but I personally choose not to.

assuming you have greasy palms. Sounds like a personal hygeine concern to me, so I won't discuss it further.
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I just noticed this part..:D very funny . Thanks.

I think that about covers it.









(ok maybe once I claimed to be an authority on Szabo knives but I was fairly certain no one was listening)
 
i dunno about the rest of you, but yeah, my $0.02: i dislike all metal handles, including titanium ones, because they can get slippery.

which is why i choose knives with significant forward guard or a prominent flipper and i much prefer textured G10 or micarta over stainless, titanium, smooth synthetics, or smooth naturals.

i dont do any hi-power stabbing, but i HAVE lost my grip on my knife doing any number of things -- cutting thick cardboard (sebenza), chopping branches (becker 7), etc. etc. and it's better than the blade goes forward and out of my grip rather than backward and onto a finger.

that's my $0.02 and i'm sticking to it, greasy palms or not. ;)

-jon

ps: knives i haven't lost my grip on: emerson (just about anything), strider gb (linoleum)
 
I don't stab anything but my paycheck.;) I like the look and feel of a good chunk of steel. I also like a little heft. I carry for utility, and I'm ambidextrous, so I forget which pocket I put the darn thing in. If it's too lite, I have to search. I live a sheltered life.
 
Is the Scorpius a "sprint" run? I don't remember any kind of details being released prior to them hitting the market. Anybody know the skinny on this?
 
It is a regular production model. Sal just likes to keep some secret until they are ready to ship.
 
I got on the web to scope them out; put in my order 10 minutes later at Bens - Seattles (actually a suburb called Renton) best place to buy a knife for 100 miles in any direction! Should get it early next week - plain edge.

Sorry I did not follow along on the digressions........fun stuff huh!
 
I like knives with blades this size too, but I would not buy this one for the following. Stainless Steel handles, slippery, weigh too much, scratch easily. Bad handle to blade length ratio. I prefir clips oriented for deep pocket carry (Meerkat is great on this issue).
 
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