Spyderco Amalgam: An underrated knife

[boing]

Thanks for the feedback on the lock access and tab size. Most of the feedback I've seen on the lock has been on the placement relative to the flipper, so this has been interesting.

boing, does that expanded lock cutout cause any ergonomic issues with grip? Seems like it would be fine with a saber grip which is how I use my knives most of the time, but given the amount of discussion on this thread already about compression lock ergos with a hammer grip I'm wondering if a wider lock cutout would exacerbate the issue and whether a larger tab would help if combined with the cutout mod. At the same time I'm also wondering if a larger tab could cause pinching against the corners of the cutout on the opposite scale when the lock tab engages.

Hi Brian. I’m also usually using a saber grip, but I spent about 20 minutes today settling an argument with a bunch of Amazon boxes, mostly using a hammer grip. I was deliberately not being delicate, and the larger cut-out didn’t cause any hotspot problem. I wouldn’t call it a definitive ergo test, though. For that I’d want to get outside and prune a bunch of branches or do some other woodsy task with sustained pressure and some twisting action on the handle.

I’m thinking about prototyping some custom scales on the 3D printer, larger with more contour on the sides. My guess is that even a small amount of swell at the lock area on the un-notched scale would go a long way to alleviating the concentrated load on the hand. I’m not sure a larger lock tab would help, given that it’s still a pretty acute edge.

 

[Buellrider]

Hi Brian. I’m also usually using a saber grip, but I spent about 20 minutes today settling an argument with a bunch of Amazon boxes, mostly using a hammer grip. I was deliberately not being delicate, and the larger cut-out didn’t cause any hotspot problem. I wouldn’t call it a definitive ergo test, though. For that I’d want to get outside and prune a bunch of branches or do some other woodsy task with sustained pressure and some twisting action on the handle.

I’m thinking about prototyping some custom scales on the 3D printer, larger with more contour on the sides. My guess is that even a small amount of swell at the lock area on the un-notched scale would go a long way to alleviating the concentrated load on the hand. I’m not sure a larger lock tab would help, given that it’s still a pretty acute edge.

I am interested to see what you come up with on the scales.

 

[elde66]

I have an Amalgam. I liked it when I bought it. I cut the flipper tab off.....because it's mine and I wanted to. I like it better now. Sure hope that doesn't upset anyone here on the Forum.

 

[soc_monki]

I have an Amalgam. I liked it when I bought it. I cut the flipper tab off.....because it's mine and I wanted to. I like it better now. Sure hope that doesn't upset anyone here on the Forum.

I like my flipper... But it's your knife so you do you! lots of people have done it. I specifically bought the amalgam because I wanted a spyderco flipper... But I still spydie flick it as well! Nothing wrong with having multiple deployment options!

 

[boing]

I am interested to see what you come up with on the scales.

I’ll post back when I have something workable in hand. This is a fun-only project for now, but the hypothetical end game would be to have a viable data file to be sent to a proper fabricator who could manufacture a scale set in white linen micarta, and then IT’S OVER FOR YOU BITCHES!

 

[Buellrider]

Dude, Micarta scales on the Amalgam would be bad ass, especially after being reworked with more of a lock release opening.

 

[boing]

Behold:

More stuff here: https://imgur.com/a/GG545Aq

• Overall thickness across the flats of the handle is 12.5mm, which is 1mm thicker than stock.
• The palm swells are another 3mm thicker, which seems like a lot in the pictures, but man it feels good in the hand.
• The edge radius is 3mm.
• The butt end is widened to 4mm over stock. The pinky and ring fingers really lose their strength when they're curled over too far, so this keeps them in a stronger range of flexion. Too many knives taper here, which is oh so very wrong. I'm looking at you, Spyderco Delica!

I didn't add the swell at the lock tab, mostly because it was a pain in the ass to do, but partly because the PLA plastic doesn't have the strength, ductility, or toughness to really use the knife hard and prove out whether the swell would reduce the hotspot there.

Plus, PLA is really slippery without doing some kind of post-processing treatment to increase traction, so it's not all that practical to put the knife through it's paces with this handle.

I don't have long enough clip screws to put the clip on. This is my greatest failure.

 

[GundaManiac]

Behold:

More stuff here: https://imgur.com/a/GG545Aq

• Overall thickness across the flats of the handle is 12.5mm, which is 1mm thicker than stock.
• The palm swells are another 3mm thicker, which seems like a lot in the pictures, but man it feels good in the hand.
• The edge radius is 3mm.
• The butt end is widened to 4mm over stock. The pinky and ring fingers really lose their strength when they're curled over too far, so this keeps them in a stronger range of flexion. Too many knives taper here, which is oh so very wrong. I'm looking at you, Spyderco Delica!

I didn't add the swell at the lock tab, mostly because it was a pain in the ass to do, but partly because the PLA plastic doesn't have the strength, ductility, or toughness to really use the knife hard and prove out whether the swell would reduce the hotspot there.

Plus, PLA is really slippery without doing some kind of post-processing treatment to increase traction, so it's not all that practical to put the knife through it's paces with this handle.

I don't have long enough clip screws to put the clip on. This is my greatest failure.

That is awesome! Very nice job on that handle, with the even more flared out rear and the palm swell. The ergonomics and aesthetics on your redesign look right up my alley.

 

[boing]

That is awesome! Very nice job on that handle, with the even more flared out rear and the palm swell. The ergonomics and aesthetics on your redesign look right up my alley.

Thanks. I did a thinner version, too, which is friendlier in the pocket. Usually the first go at something like this is like “Well, if a little palm swell is more ergonomical, then a HUGE palm swell should be MOAR ergonomical!” and then you come to your senses and dial it back a little for the final version.

 

[GundaManiac]

Thanks. I did a thinner version, too, which is friendlier in the pocket. Usually the first go at something like this is like “Well, if a little palm swell is more ergonomical, then a HUGE palm swell should be MOAR ergonomical!” and then you come to your senses and dial it back a little for the final version.

Got any pictures of your dialed back version? I love seeing design progression.

 

[colubrid]

Why spyderco does not just copy the PM2 but with a more equal blade to handle ratio.

That is what i don't like about the PM2. The long grip and short blade.

 

[Houlahound]

Pic to post ratio = 3/71.

Thread sux ass.

 

[boing]

Pic to post ratio = 3/71.

Thread sux ass.

You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution:

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP2...plain-blade-carbon-fiber-g10-laminate-handles

 

[boing]

Got any pictures of your dialed back version? I love seeing design progression.

There's not much to look at, but more pics is more pics. I did get the clip installed on these because they're thinner, and I threw in the backspacer I'm working on (still tinkering with the gcode on that one).

 

[Kenneth J Burley]

I have an Amalgam. I liked it when I bought it. I cut the flipper tab off.....because it's mine and I wanted to. I like it better now. Sure hope that doesn't upset anyone here on the Forum.

Pics/vids of this? Just got mine in, liking it but considering this mod. Also mine seemed to come with a pretty shallow finger choil. Seller claimed never sharpened and it appears as such aside from the shallow finger choil.

https://imgur.com/a/9IQqodH

 

[elde66]

Pics/vids of this? Just got mine in, liking it but considering this mod. Also mine seemed to come with a pretty shallow finger choil. Seller claimed never sharpened and it appears as such aside from the shallow finger choil.

https://imgur.com/a/9IQqodH

Be happy to…..right now I’m about 600 miles and four days from the knife. I’ll post a pic here Friday.

 

[elde66]

It had been so long ago I’d forgotten that I had blackened the modification. The pic probably not going to help much - this is the best I can do.

 

[Kenneth J Burley]

It had been so long ago I’d forgotten that I had blackened the modification. The pic probably not going to help much - this is the best I can do. View attachment 1719583

Nice. I just finished removing some scale material to open the lock access up. Happy with it. I kinda like the flipper option and I've been able to open and close fluidly so for now I'll keep my tab

 

[Texas Spenser]

I could see how the tab would bother some people, but its not a deal breaker for me. I just learned to get my finger off the lock bar when closing, same as the Yojumbo. The knife is so good otherwise its hard to knock it. I might upgrade the clip one of these days, just for fun, but the clip is perfectly serviceable for me as is.