So, what's wrong with Ti-salsa?

L

lreed

Joined
Dec 7, 2001
Messages
538
Hi, I've been thinking about this question for a while. IMHO, Ti-salsa just has all the "hot spots" needed to be a good high-line knife: Titanium handle, integral lock, good blade steel, comfortable handle. And the manufacturing quality is pretty good as to my standard. But why I don't see as much discussion on this knife, and its price keeps dropping?
 
It's too friggin' fat!

The big fat blade is big enough to be used as a spatula, or replace your peanut butter spreader. Sure, there are times when a very wide blade is useful, but for general utility, either a clip point blade, spear point, or wharncliffe are all more appropriate in my opinon.

I just wish that Sal and gang would marry up the Lil' Temperance blade (leaf design - fat blade but with a nice solid point), with the Ti Salsa handle, or facsimilie thereof.
 
...the first Salsa I had (I agree about the width of the blade) was just too 'snubnosed' for me. A little work with a file brought it down to a nice Lil Temp leaf blade profile.

I have another one now. It was CE (the bane of the knifeworld IMO). A little more file work took it down to a recurve tanto shape (I call it the "Nightmare Salsa" for those cool custom grinds that Mick Strider does, well, and the job that I did to a lovely little knife). Now, it owns cardboard boxes and other packing material.

The wide blade, with a high flat grind is great for reshaping.

For me, it carries way bigger than it actually is. So it doesn't end up in my pocket all that much.

Thom
 
Yeah, it's huge considering the length of its blade. And I wish it has a deep pocket carry clip. But it feels so good in hand! A handle this comfortable can rarely be found on a knife with less than 4" blade.

Thom, would you post some pics of your customized salsas? I am really interested.
 
Hi Lreed. The Salsa was designed to handle large knife tasks with a 2.5" blade. Most 2.5" blades are thin and small, more suited to cutting string or tape.

Most 2.5" blade knives have rather diminutive handles that do not permit a the purchase needed for large knife tasks. The Salsa went through more than 15 models before the ergos were acceptable for most hand sizes doing most chores. The handle/choil shape provides good "grip" by form alone. The knife is light and very strong.

There are many areas where a blade longer than 2.5" are frowned upon or even illegal to carry, such as Boston.

The wide flat gound blade is an awsome cutter for boxes, the full belly will handle skinning or food prep chores, The large opening hole and "Cobra hood" make one hand opening easy, even with gloves.

The design is also still in its infancy and will undergo many refinements over the years as we learn more about the model.

some thoughts to share.

sal
 
I like it as is. However it would be really cool with a trailing-point blade, al-la Lil' Temperance.
 
I work in a Federal government office building where the 2 1/2" rule is definitely in effect, so I carry a variety of knives that fit that law. Of them, the Salsa and the Kiwi are my favorites, depending upon the level of formality of dress that I need. For day-to-day chores, the Salsa cannot be beat in that size. And, roguesoul, please try to remember that the Salsa in not an MBC blade and was never intended as a fighting style knife.
 
I really like the Ti salsa. My guess is people are freaked by it's looks. Yes, it's wide, but still slim, feels great in the hand. I carry mine in my watch pocket.

ti1.jpg
 
I own a cranberry Salsa and a Ti Salsa. They are both great for PC carry. I like them mainly for their full size handling and gripping chacteristics. I would prefer a slightly pointier blade, but the looks of the blade as is, helps me slip it through the scrutiny of non-knife people. It's my main travel blade, together with a newly acquired Pride, so it doesn't see that much pocket-time.

Plus, I saw a Salsa protoype which colors were amazing.

Wouter
 
The Salsa's the best thing I've seen for heavy-duty work when you're limited to a short blade for practical reasons. I love the way mine (blue aluminum) performs and feels in my hand. It also "rides" really inconspicuously in the pocket, due to the wire clip and dark anodized handle.

--But--

It has one major flaw that prevents me from carrying it regularly. The cobra hood. At first I thought it looked stupid, then I got used to it and thought it looked endearing (that's kinda my pattern with Spydercos).

Problem is, when you combine the tip-up carry, smooth-opening compression lock, and cobra hood, I just can't get the damned thing to stay closed in the draw. It "waves" partially open about 20% of the time unless I contort my fingers around to hold the blade while drawing. I've lost blood twice because of this.

I'll still carry it under certain situations (tech work in "polite" environments, for example), but it'll never be an EDC with those issues.
 
I haven't made any changes to the blade on mine, but I did have the titanium anodized.



Overall I like the design a lot. The ergonomics are outstanding. My only gripe is with the width of the blade, not in its own right, but because it adds too much width to the the closed knife. A flatter profile along the back of the blade, combined with a slightly smaller hole could easily take 30% off the overall width of the knife. That would make a big difference to how comfortably it rides in a pocket. (And with the Cobra Hood I don't think a slightly smaller hole would affect how easy the Salsa is to open.)

--Bob Q
 
Grover_Cephas said:
The Salsa's the best thing I've seen for heavy-duty work when you're limited to a short blade for practical reasons. I love the way mine (blue aluminum) performs and feels in my hand. It also "rides" really inconspicuously in the pocket, due to the wire clip and dark anodized handle.

--But--

It has one major flaw that prevents me from carrying it regularly. The cobra hood. At first I thought it looked stupid, then I got used to it and thought it looked endearing (that's kinda my pattern with Spydercos).

Problem is, when you combine the tip-up carry, smooth-opening compression lock, and cobra hood, I just can't get the damned thing to stay closed in the draw. It "waves" partially open about 20% of the time unless I contort my fingers around to hold the blade while drawing. I've lost blood twice because of this.

I'll still carry it under certain situations (tech work in "polite" environments, for example), but it'll never be an EDC with those issues.
Click to expand...

Isn't the cobra hood removable? All the pictures I've seen have shown it attached with an itty bitty screw. And even if it isn't, why not just grind it off if it bothers you?

Just a suggestion.
 
I have noted the comments and will take them to heart. Probably time to begin thinking about a Salsa II.

sal
 
I think that the newer black Salsa, aside from it not being cranberry red, meets my Salsa requirements. Compression lock, ambidextrous clip, very secure "Little Big Knife" feel.
 
proud2deviate said:
Isn't the cobra hood removable? All the pictures I've seen have shown it attached with an itty bitty screw. And even if it isn't, why not just grind it off if it bothers you?

Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's removable. But the spine under it is "unfinished", and it's slightly recessed, leaving sharp corners right where you get purchase with your thumb. Somebody who's more ocmfortable with a grinder than I am might consider this no big deal, but for me it seriously compromises the knife's usability.
 
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