Sound off about the "R"

[Architect]

I went to the Bay Area Knife Collector show this weekend.

I looked at lots of custom-made $700 folders that I wouldn't trust to cut butter.

I finally handled the vaunted Chris Reeve Sebenza, small and large varieties.

What I walked away with was a mint-in-box Spyderco R.

This is such an exceptional knife, I can't imagine why it did not survive the marketplace, except possibly that its cost was ahead of its time.

It is strong, exceptionally thin, exceptionally light and is very impressive to lay persons, without being scary. It uses ATS-34 steel. I would have preferred a flat grind for this design, but the usual cutting resistance offered by the hollow grind is nullified by cut-outs in the blade which reduce drag.

Finally, an essential piece of my Spydie collection filled.

 

[toothed]

I like it for the same reasons (thin, light and unusual). However, I'm reluctant to use it for cutting food. How hard will it be to keep the blade clean and rust free? Let's hear from others who actually use the "R" for all cutting tasks.

 

[Chinook]

I only have the Q model and found the cutout blade to catch on cardboard or other tuff material pretty bad. Makes a great letter opener tho and conversation piece. Can't imagine spreading peanut butter with it. ><g>

 

[MAURICE]

ats-34?
stainless,IIRC.
dont worry about cutting food with it.
plus it gets a good edge,and keeps it. not hard to sharpen,either. have a mini task with it. great stuff.