Spyderco FRN Vesuvius

[Dexter Ewing]

This is a copy of a post I just made to the Spyderco Forum:

I received a FRN handled Vesuvius last week and eagerly took it out of the box but soon my new-knife happiness was very short lived. I'm not sure of others who have received the same knife feel this way but I am not happy with this one. My disappointment mainly lies with the quality of the FRN itself:

[*] The inlay does not sit flush with the surface of the scale. On top of this, there is a little bit of flashing around the perimeter of the hole for the inlay.

[*] On the ends of the scales, there's some flashing left over from the molding process. Also, on the second set of exposed screw holes, there is some flashing around the holes.

[*] Out of the box, there is some side to side blade play which.....

[*] ....in turn causes the blade to rub against the liner upon opening. I know this is no big deal and I can fix it easily and very quickly by breaking out my Torx wrenches and tightening the pivot but that's beside the point. A $90 knife should come out of the box ready to use, without having to fiddle with it to bring it up to your standards.

I'm not sure whether I'm being too critical or not but my first impressions of this particular sample I have is not good at all.

Not wanting to end this post on a sour note, I would like to point out the good things I noticed right away:


[*] Tight lock up. A while back Spyderco let me borrow a G-10 handled prototype of this knife to write an article, while lockup was great on the proto, this one is even better. The lockbar has more tension

[*] Even grinds on the blade, cutting edge is usual top quality from Spyderco. Shaving sharp!

Sal, when I see you next week at the show I will give this knife back to you. Any other folks have quality problems of the FRN scales, or am I the only one?



------------------
Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge

 

[OwenM]

Sorry to hear about the fit. The Vesuvius has kind of caught my eye. FRN handles being the biggest turnoff. Nice looking blade, and I like ATS-34.
Haven't seen one in person. So they have screws and an adjustable pivot. That's a big plus over most FRN Spydies.
Like to see it wearing G-10, no inlay necessary, and with no fuzzy edges, naturally.

Blade play out of the box is no big deal if the pivot's adjustable. Aside from the flashing on the FRN, how do you like the knife?
Is it comfy?
Is the compression lock hard to manipulate (never tried one)?
Like I say, the fit/finish sounds disappointing, but how is the knife, functionally?

 

[Dexter Ewing]

Owen - All my concerns aside, I do like the overall design of the knife. It is quite eye catching and I love the blade shape. Ergonomics are good too, the Compression Lock is easy to get to. I can close it one handed similar to closing an Endura. The G-10 prototype I borrowed for a while had excellent fit and finish, especially with the inlay. Maybe Spyderco will decide to bring out the G-10 version later on, and if that's the case I definitely want to get one of those. Functionally, it is a sound design and should serve the user quite well.

------------------
Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge

 

[Steve-O]

A question...what is a FRN?

BTW, IMHO, WYSIWYG...

ROTFLMAO!

First run numbered?

BRB...

Steve-O

[This message has been edited by Steve-O (edited 05-30-2001).]

 

[Dexter Ewing]

Steve-O: Hurry back ASAP because I'm about to answer your question PDQ

FRN = Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon. Another word for Zytel I guess

------------------
Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge

 

[Steve-O]

Thanks Dexter!

 

[The General]

Spyderco tend to do the best FRN blades around. Pity this got through. It seems it happens to the best as well as the worst.

------------------
Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!

 

[Dexter Ewing]

The General wrote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Spyderco tend to do the best FRN blades around. Pity this got through</font>

Wayne - I agree. I've got the Endura and Delica as well as other FRN models and they are top notch. Not only do I not like the quality of this particular one, I disagree with Spyderco's design to bring out a high end custom collaboration with this FRN material.

------------------
Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK

NC Knife Knuts @ Table 18-B at the Blade Show

Living life on the edge

 

[misque]

To those who might be interested in this model, it also has two full length steel inserts under that FRN handle.
My sample has some of the same QC problems as yours Dexter. The inlay does not sit flush with the handle and there are two little "nipples" of FRN hanging off the back of the handle apparently left over from the molding process, I assume. Also, the visible portion of the Compression Lock looks un-finished to me. Kind of like it was stone washed or something along that line.

For me, these are just minor cosmetic quirks. But, I can see where they would be a point of contention for afficionados and collectors.

The overall knife is well designed IMO. The blade shape is eye catching and quite functional. The knife is comfortable in my hand and the Compression Lock seems to be out of my way during use. A great option Spyderco included was right hand tip up or tip down carry.
I think this would be a nice little "gentlemen's" work knife. It isn't overly long in blade length (3 1/8") and the inlay gives it the look of a kinda classy tool rather than a weapon. Even with the icky FRN handle.

Like some others, I would also like to see a colored Micarta or G-10 on the handle. It would really give the appearance of an upscale folder to this cool design.



------------------
The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu

 

[OwenM]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dexter Ewing:
Maybe Spyderco will decide to bring out the G-10 version later on, and if that's the case I definitely want to get one of those.</font>

I just went through a dealers 2001 catalog, today. The Vesuvius is listed, and pictured with G-10 scales (with inlay).

Did this just not happen?

This was his most current catalog, and he was putting together an order when I came in.