Spyderco Impala Passaround

TOB9595

TOB9595

Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Messages
2,773
Received the knife Monday eve. Right out of the box my thoughts were WOW! nice heft. It has a nice smooth quick opening with a pronounced snap. I like this!
The blade is a nice length and the anti slip grooves are well placed. One at the gut hook for close skinning, the others at thumb and forefinger just past the handle. I found it comfortable to use with my fingers on the grooves (ridges) with the blade upside down and in usual profile. The handle is a nice non slip material without being too ridgey or abrasive.
The lock looks to be about 30% with a good hold.I felt quite safe with the cutting I did. I cut boxes, leather, hair on my arm, paper, rope and poly rope with easy results. I used it as my edc
Since I had no access to game to gut and skin, o to have this a little longer!! sigh,, I bought a roasted chicken and tomatoe for dinner and used this on it. I cleanead and boned with glee!! the knife performed well. I touched up the blade with my lansky med thru ultra just after I got it and before doing dinner I steeled it. The edge holds very well. I hope the next folk can sharpen better than me. I'm saving up for the apex. The grease from the chicken didn't create a slipping problem. Tho the true results can only be had inside the body cavity. I hope someone can do this while in the passaround. I cut the tomatoe with ease before steeling. The knife cleaned up well and easily. Still lightning snap action.
What I don't like is the clip.!!!
I don't like a shiny clip to draw attention while in my pocket. Yeah you're saying What's he EDC'ng it for. This knife is definitely an edc in my mind. It's beautiful... back to the clip.
The clip is also on the opposite end of the knife than I'm used to a quick draw, for me, is accomplished by having the clip on the opposite end from the blade. Maybe I'm just used to the carry of spydies for decades. The clip should be black and repositioned. I see the need for the clip to be positioned where it is due to manufacturing needs. it's easier if you're not having an integral clip. I never had a clip break on me tho I have seen it.
The clip and knife is easily dissambled for mega cleaning. This is needed when using it for it's intended purpose. There is ample space between the bolsters so blood, guts, dirt, debris is easily flushed till properly cleaned. I didn't take it apart.
This is one great knife. I think the price is a little steep. But I haven't bought a hunting knife in a while and never would have considered a folder before. I probably will stay with a fixed blade for this purpose.
Did I tell you this is one great knife.
This is my first passaround and hope to get in on more.
Thank you Dave for the opportunity.
I look forward to the others reviews as I feel kind of lame at this and am sure I missed something.
Three days is just not enough to run it through it's paces ... but off it goes tomorrow (Thursday) to kenniryk.
knife specs are here

Regards
Tom
 
Kewl The server is back up ! Well I received the knife today , I will post a review about it after I mail it off to T.Erdelyi . I dont know if I will get much of a chance to use it . My car broke down Thursday and I have been all tied up with that.
 
The knife was very nice. I think the g-10 handles could have had some more grip to them , i have other knives made of g-10 that have more !The blade has a nice shape. I didnt have a chance to cut anything with it,But i Carryed it for a day. I didnt like the clip . I put it in my pocket and sat down and noticed it moved right up and almost unclipped ! I think I would lose it if I carryed it alot . I likeed the snap and lock up of the blade .It felt very nice in my hand and feels like a well made knife, I might think about getting a spyderco knife now . Really not sure if i like the hole in the blade or not . I guess I have to use it and get the hang of it .I also think the price is kinda high . Well I sent the knife out today . I sent it to { 3 - T Erdelyi (PA) } I sent it priority with delivery confirmation. Thanks for giving me a chance to check out the knife Dave !
 
This Spyderco Impala is nice knife. I like just about everything about it, well except for the gut hook. I also think that the linerlock is a little whimpy. Would have been nicer if it had thicker, full liners on both sides. The G10 handle flexes under pressure on the open side. The position of the file work areas on the blade give you several different hand positions to do various chores safely. The very sharp blade locks up solidly with a nice click. A nice pocket knife for the traper/small game hunter.

Thanks Dave for chance to check this knife out.
icon14.gif
 
I liked everything about the Impala, even the guthook, well the look of it anyway.
The 'wimpy linerlock' made it easier and quicker I think, I actually liked it that way. I liked the shape of the handle and the blade and really liked the SNAP when you open it. I used it ALOT {at least 15-30 times per night @ work, and a few at home) to cut a few different types of things all of which it pretty much went right through. The edge held out better than a few other knives had but I still needed to do some work to it before it was sent {still new to sharpening, hope I did a good job :D). Don't have any complaints about the Impala, good knife.


Thanks Dave
 
I got the Impala Thursday, and carried it all weekend. I do have to agree with most people so far that the gut-hook doesn't have that much practical use, day to day. I tried using it to open a few boxes, but the thickness of the back of the blade didn't let it slip under the edges of the cardboard to get the cutting part under there. It came nice and sharp, whoever had it last (was that you CriT?) I do love Spyderco's use of hollow grinds. This one looked great. The clip had a very elegant finish, although it rode a little high for my tastes. The liner did seem a bit wimpy, but I'm just used to something thicker, and I'm sure this one will do. I like the G-10 handle well enough. I see no need for additional liners, as the it seemed sturdy enough. It's nice to have an easy-to-clean build, with the spacers rather than a solid spine. Overall, quite impressive. I can see myself considering the Impala in the future, without the gut-hook, of course. Is the handle the same shape as the military? I like the shape of the blade on the military, but prefer a hollow grind. Well, It may be a day or two 'til I'm able to get the knife off to the next person on the list, but no later than Friday.

DD
 
As soon as I opened the box and took a hold of the Impala, I liked the way it felt. It fit my hand well and my thumb seemed to naturally nestle into the opening hole. It opened smoothly with just enough drag and then solidly locked open. I did find that when opening it with my left hand, the blade did rub a bit on the inside a bit.

I’m a big fan of G-10 and I felt that the scales on the Impala provided a great gripping surface without being overly abrasive. The scales did flex a bit when squished in, but this didn’t seem to cause any real problems. Heavy steel liners on both sides could stiffen it up a bit, but would add cost, width and weight (I would guess). There was a small amount of side to side blade movement, but not enough to be worried about.

The VG-10 blade arrived sharp, but I went ahead and gave it a quick touchup on the Sharpmaker. The edge came out very sharp, just about right for a user knife. It sliced paper and shaved hair off my arm.

The liner lock was easy to manipulate. Some might complain that a crushing death grip might defeat in at the wrong time, but I don’t see that being an issue for most of us.

I tried to find a use for the gut hook, but have come to the conclusion that I don’t have one. It sort of reminded me of the Benchmade Rescue Hook, but obviously that is not what it is intended for.

I carried it for a few days on my own time and at work as an LEO. The one big gripe that I have is the polished pocket clip. It just stands out way too much, especially against my dark uniform pants. The clip itself is very solid and the clip side scale is even relieved where the clip makes contact with it. For EDC, it would be nice if the clip was positioned a bit higher to allow the knife to sit lower in the pocket.

I just purchased a new BBQ grill and used the Impala to open up all the cardboard, plastic wrap and straps. It cut through everything without any problems. Then, just for the heck of it, I cut up a heavy/thick banana box. I’m happy to report that the edge held up well to a fair amount of abusive cutting. I have some knives that might slice a bit easier, but they may not have held the edge as well.

So, will I be buying one? I’m undecided still. If so, it will be without the gut hook and I would really be more likely to pick one up if the clip was black, or at least bead blasted.
 
Impala received back today, thanks all.

Once some more knives get back and I return from vacation we'll have some more passarounds.

Thanks,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top