Well, I just go the ATR from the passaround today and when i opened it my first impressions were that it's exactly the size i thought it would be. The overall length is near identical to my large sebenza but the ATR is fatter. The blade shape is a bit strange but it cuts pretty much like any other clip/drop point when it comes to cardboard, paper, rope etc. The handle reminds me of the kershaw boa handle, the overall shape is very similar. The flared butt, the palm swell. The palm swell on the ATR seems a bit overdone imo but overall it feels pretty comfortable in hand. The edges are not rounded but they are beveled and not sharp. I keep thinking the holes should be countersunk though. The clip makes the knife ride very high in the pocket, a lot of knife is showing. Normally people would pull the knife from the pocket with two fingers but with the ATR the flared butt allows for a firm three finger pull. There is imo a lot blade play. The ATR uses very very thin washers (paper thin) so it's hard to get no blade play while still having able to open without excessive force. There is a little vertical bladeplay but it's acceptable. The action is not very smooth, it kind of feels gritty when i open it as if there is no washer at all and it's steel rubbing against steel. Overall the ATR is a solid knife if I was into the design and aesthetics of the knife I would seriously consider buying one.
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Spyderco ATR review - from passaround
- Thread starter Manji
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JTC,
The locktab is actually just a little below where the rests (with most of the fingerpad being pressed into the cobra hoody) and, should you rest it lower, the locktab is bevelled/chamferred in a way that makes it most comfortable. Of course, there's the fear that the thumb could disengage the lock, but that's most likely chicken-littleism on my part (I put my thumb on the side of most knives anyways).
Manji,
My ATR has no vertical or horizontal play, but maybe that's because it has one user. Or maybe the pivot just needs cleaning and the pivot screw needs post-cleaning tightening?
The locktab is actually just a little below where the rests (with most of the fingerpad being pressed into the cobra hoody) and, should you rest it lower, the locktab is bevelled/chamferred in a way that makes it most comfortable. Of course, there's the fear that the thumb could disengage the lock, but that's most likely chicken-littleism on my part (I put my thumb on the side of most knives anyways).
Manji,
My ATR has no vertical or horizontal play, but maybe that's because it has one user. Or maybe the pivot just needs cleaning and the pivot screw needs post-cleaning tightening?
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Thom,
Wondering if you EDC the ATR? I haven't heard of many people who EDC theirs as of yet.
Wondering if you EDC the ATR? I haven't heard of many people who EDC theirs as of yet.
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I did. It's very versatile and comfortable. I'm now EDC-ing an ER Nemesis just because I wanted an uber-tank, but the ATR is such a great cutter. It's the Sal-benza. 
I was EDC-ing it from since I got new pivot screws from Spyderco to when I received my Nemesis from 1SKS and then EDC'd it until Frank from ER sent me new thumbstuds. If the ER starts feeling too heavy, it will be back to the ATR.
I was EDC-ing it from since I got new pivot screws from Spyderco to when I received my Nemesis from 1SKS and then EDC'd it until Frank from ER sent me new thumbstuds. If the ER starts feeling too heavy, it will be back to the ATR.Originally posted by JTC
Manji,
From the pictures I've seen of the ATR it looks like the lock cut out is right where your thumb would rest. Is it comfortable to use or does it gouge your thumb? Nice review!
John Crites
You don't really rest your thumb on the lock cut out you rest your thumb where the cobra hood is. Which reminds me, I forgot to mention that the lock kind of pinches your finger when you open the knife. I'm left handed and when i open the knife the lock always pinches my finger, even when i open the knife right handed it still pinches me sometimes. Also closing the compression lock seems to be a chore, i really don't understand how the compression lock is better then the framelock
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I think it's better for two reasons, the first is you fingers should be out of the way when you release the lock.
The second is that if you look at a frame lock the compression force travels along the length of the lock, on the compression lock the force is across the width of the cut, which is a much shorter length, which should make it "stiffer", less apt to flex.
The second is that if you look at a frame lock the compression force travels along the length of the lock, on the compression lock the force is across the width of the cut, which is a much shorter length, which should make it "stiffer", less apt to flex.
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It takes some deliberate practice to avoid pinching your fingers and palm, but it is definitely doable.
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Well, it's a great, great knife. When the next batch comes out, you will be able to buy them online for just under $190. Some folks will become disillusioned, or need fast cash, and you may find them for $150 or less.
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Originally posted by thombrogan
I did. It's very versatile and comfortable. I'm now EDC-ing an ER Nemesis just because I wanted an uber-tank, but the ATR is such a great cutter. It's the Sal-benza.
What, no 921?
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Have any of you done any pointwork with the ATR? It looks like an awesome knife, my concern has been that I work with the point alot, and like it to be easily controllable, and very sharp. I was worried about both, particularly how quickly the point flares, which could slow penetration.
Joe
Joe
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My 921 is slowly undergoing a transformation into a much thinner-bladed, steeper-angled knife. Out of the box, it's still a pupa. When I'm done, it will be a butterfly. I'm waiting on some diamond hones, first, as I think most of the troubles experienced with my EdgePro coarse hone came from my using it to change the primary edge bevel from 30 degrees to 12.
Have no worries, Joe. Buy yourself a Chinook II and get a pointier blade for less money. The ATR's tip can be as sharp as you make it, but it's not quite for piercing at any noticeable depths. There's a Benchmade and a Spyderco for everyone, but this Spyderco isn't for you. Maybe the Yojimbo when it comes out?
Sooo, it's worth $200, but not the MSRP. Anyone think its worth the $300, for comparison, it's made of the same materials as the Sebenza, which many believe is worth the MSRP of $325. I'm intrigued by the knife, but choke on the price, especially for a Spyderco. I've never paid more than a $100 for a Spyderco. The only production knives I have that are more, ~$150, are a benchmade 42 and Autostryker, and these still weren't close to $200 or 300.
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It may be worth its MSRP, but since the next batch isn't out and you don't have to pay the whole three smackers, it's hard to truly say either way at this point.
The ATR was my first high-end piece that wasn't a Benchmade and I was both happy to get the knife and the deal I got for it (the owner wanted to buy a C2O midtech as soon as he could, so, at the price he sold his ATR, I wanted to help him out as best as I could ). I probably would've passed if I couldn't get the knife for a discounted price.
The ATR was my first high-end piece that wasn't a Benchmade and I was both happy to get the knife and the deal I got for it (the owner wanted to buy a C2O midtech as soon as he could, so, at the price he sold his ATR, I wanted to help him out as best as I could
). I probably would've passed if I couldn't get the knife for a discounted price.- Joined
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Alas, I've come to favor a pakal grip for a knife this size, and lockbacks don't work in that grip.
Joe
I have a first batch ATR and paid $165 from knifeworks.com. It was well worth the price, for sure.
As far as blade play goes: I find that the pivot screw has to be adjusted to compensate for any side to side blade play. I have had to adjust mine and all of the play has disappeared.
I also own a large Sebenza. The Sebenza is a better quality knife overall. Never any blade play at all. However the ATR cannot be compared, directly, to the Sebenza simply because it is less expense. The ATR was worth the $165 I paid. If they were both $325.00 I would choose the Sebenza, without hesitation.
As far as blade play goes: I find that the pivot screw has to be adjusted to compensate for any side to side blade play. I have had to adjust mine and all of the play has disappeared.
I also own a large Sebenza. The Sebenza is a better quality knife overall. Never any blade play at all. However the ATR cannot be compared, directly, to the Sebenza simply because it is less expense. The ATR was worth the $165 I paid. If they were both $325.00 I would choose the Sebenza, without hesitation.
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Pakal? Pikal? Smart moms know how kids' minds grow upon sweet pikals?
Is that a reverse-grip with the edge in so as to simultaneously trap and destroy the contact surface of an assailant? It sounds all SE Asian martial arts-like to me.
If the Chinook II doesn't work and you still need something pointy, there's the upcoming Yojimbo, the original Snody-made Yojimbo, and that 806D2 you seem so pleased about.