Spyderco Gunting? Not sure if I should get one.

[Mitchell Knives]

Hi. I was thinking about asking for a plain edge Gunting for Christmas this year. However I'm a little unsure if that's the one to get. First off, the thing that attracts me to the knife is the fact that it's a Spyderco, my favorite maker. I have come to almost exclusively rely on the Spyder Hole. I am also looking for another CPM-440 V knife because of the great edge holding ability. I've tried the Chinook, but prefer the Starmate and Military so far. I also like the "spoon" clip to aid in grip exchange. The handle is nice grippy G10 which is my favorite handle material. I like the idea of the horn as a means of exploiting pressure points/opening the knife but also feel that it would be a great window breaker. I don't plan to use this horn feature, I just think it's a good idea. I've played with one before and like the weight/feel. My only real concerns are lock issues, carry and blade play. It's my understanding that to use the horn, you would have to leave the blade very loose, creating a lot of play. Is this correct? If so, this would absolutely drive me crazy and push the knife off my list. Secondly, does the knife carry well? If a knife dosn't carry well, most people will leave it at home. If this is the case, there's no point in getting one. Also, I understand that the compression lock is extremely strong but, when engaged, is there any blade play? Are any of these problems inherent in the Gunting? I would probably get one if it locked up rock solid with no play and carried well. I would like to hear the opinion of present Gunting owners. Thanks.

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

I have had my Gunting since it came out and it is one of my EDC knives so I will address you point-by-point.

Originally posted by ElectricZombie
It's my understanding that to use the horn, you would have to leave the blade very loose, creating a lot of play. Is this correct?

Not at all. The amount of energy involved in a 'kinetic' opening is far more that you expend with a regular thumb opening. You can keep the pivot tight and still "bam" it open.

Secondly, does the knife carry well?

I think it carries great in the front break kydex belt holster from Skunkworks. I don't think it carries well clipped to the pocket.

Also, I understand that the compression lock is extremely strong but, when engaged, is there any blade play?

I have four compression lock knives: Gunting, Gunting trainer, and both versions of the Temperance Jr. All four lock up rock solid without play.

 

[JamesA]

Not so much a second opinion as my experiences with this knife. You did a good job with the good points, and I'm sure you missed a couple.

Anyway, point by point, like TOTC does:

1) You definitely, definitely do not have to keep the blade loose. I could tighten it to the level where I couldn't snap it open, couldn't even THUMB it open, and it'd still ramp open.

2) Let's say this tactfully: You really, really ought to get a sheath for it. Just pretend that the clip isn't a clip, it's a grip manipulation enhancer. If you wear jeans constantly and you clip it to your pocket and you have some method to keep people from noticing constantly -- an untucked shirt -- then maybe you've got a shot. Of course, I wear jeans constantly with an untucked shirt, and the high-profile carry bugged me enough that I won't carry the thing anymore.

3) Here's why I'm posting; mine developed VERY slight blade play. Much less than my average lockback, but still some. It's currently off at Spyderco because of it; usually I'm not this picky, but this time, I sort of have to be.

 

[Colinz]

My thoughts on the subject:

1. No bladeplay whatsoever and I´ve been doing kinetic openings all day.

2. The lock is rock solid. It makes some of the additions found on linerlocks for keeping the blade in the handle obsolete.

3. It carries without problem in jeans-like trousers. I would however do as JamesA said in his post, wear a untucked shirt. Slacks (Dockers etc.) is a problem. The angle of the knife in the kind of pockets found on those type of trousers makes the ramp stick out in a way that makes it prone to kinetic openings if you brush into an object (wall, chair, table etc).

I disagree with JamesA when he says that the clip is more like a grip manipulation enhancer. It does work like a clip in some trousers and if you are going to use the Gunting with a sheath it will be easier to manipulate the knife without the clip. The G-10 on both sides makes it spin much faster. I´m going to take away the clip when I get a sheath and dremel the clip-side scale so that they get a similar look (and function).

/Colinz

 

[jim_l_clifton]

I have 3 G'S A TRAINER,A STRAIGHT BLADE & A SERR. BLADE.
Have had no problems with blades opening! EDC in a sheath, sometimes in wb, but sheath is the best way to carry!Love the G!
jim

 

[wire edge]

I've had mine for about 4 months now and it still intrigues me. The "fun-factor" is never ending. I do, however, find my self carrying it only when I have a jacket on or very long shirt to cover the beast. In jeans, the entire ramp is exposed and tends to look threatening, IMHO. Could someone post a good link to Skunkworks, I can't find the sheath on their site. Other concealment links for a sheath would be helpful too. Thanks

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Thanks for everyone's helpful replies. I was really concerned about the blade play issue, now I know that won't be an problem. As for carrying, I always wear t-shirts and jeans. A while back I noticed a guy at Barnes and Noble, tucked in shirt with a Gunting in his pocket! It really wasn't too obvious and seemed like it would be easy to access. He also was a big Gunting fan and we compared knives for a while while patrons watched! LOL. I can just hear it now: "Look at those two serial killers over there comparing weapons!" Ha, Ha.

Another question:

Who is a really good online dealer to buy a Gunting from that will thoroughly inspect the blade prior to shipment?

I was looking at the website of "fourstroke" (Terry Prichard) because I'm involved in a trade with him right now and was wondering if any one knew how thorough his inspection methods were. If you don't have any experience with this particular individual, please suggest someone with which you do.

As for getting a sheath, I think I'll wait and see how it carries first. Oh, dosn't the knife come with an intro video? As I stated, I don't know if I'll even use the hump much but, it's a good thing to know. Perhaps if I get really intregued, I'll buy the video set. Thanks all.

 

[hardheart]

Doesn't come with a video, you have to order the set of 3. If you carry anything in the same pocket the gunting is clipped to, you have to remove it to reach in, the horn is very obstructive to jeans pockets. I just traded mine off, the addition of the horn didn't do anything for me. Doesn't fit into my type of MA training, and DO NOT try to open the gunting using the horn against ANY part of your body.

 

[FullerH]

I bought mine in January of 2001 and carried it every working day until 9/11 as a utility knife. I chose the Gunting for its oversized controls as they work well with my arthritic hands. I stopped carrying it for a while after 9/11 because I work for the federal government and did not wish to provoke the guards at my building. But things have calmed down a good bit and I am thinking of carrying it again. When I did carry it, I carried it in Docker style pants and other such casual but non-jean style pants and had no trouble. I carry in the right front pocket and the horn faces forward and is covered by the pocket slant. A fair part of the butt of the knife does, however, protrude.

You MUST keep the pivot screw tighter on this knife than on other knives or you will have trouble with the horn catching on your pocket as you replace the knife into your pocket and causing it to open at an awkward moment. I had the pivot screw in mine start to loosen as I used it, and I noticed that it had started to come open in my pocket. I was quite fortunate that it did not bite me as it has bitten others! Bram Frank, the designer of the Gunting has stated repeatedly on the Spyderco Forum that the cure for this is to keep the pivot screw very snug. You want it snug enough that you cannot do a "Spyderco drop" with the knife. And you should thank Bram that he designed the thing "tip down". I don't even want to think about the possibilities of what could happen if you combined a "tip up" Gunting with a loose pivot screw! Bram also suggests, and Sal seconds, that you might wish to appy a drop of Loc-Tite to the pivot screw as you adjust it.

I have never felt the need for the holster, but I am not carrying mine as a defense implement. Others who do recomment them highly.

I have pried things with my Gunting and never had a problem with blade play or with breakage. I have not applied stupid levels of torque to the blade, but I have applied some.

If you get the Gunting, also get the tape, "Spyderco Introduces the Gunting by Bram Frank". The person from whom I bought mine insisted that I buy the tape as well, and he was right. Almost every mistake that I have read about that somebody has made is discussed on that tape and Bram shows you how to avoid them. Bram runs through all of the neat tricks that you can do with the Gunting, but he doesn't take the time to teach them. You need to buy his teaching tapes for that. This tape is to familiarize you with what is really a very different breed of knife from any that you have ever used before. Also, you should check into the Spyderco Forum and its archive to see what has been said about the Gunting there.

Finally, I love my Gunting and just doing this post has decided me to start carrying it again.