Spyderco Poliwog

[Cliff Stamp]

This is one of the knives that visually I would have passed on for many reasons, I don't generally like stainless steel handles (heavy and slick), speed holes, smaller than full sized handles and in general designs slanted more towards aesthetics than function. Ref :

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_open.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_closed.jpg

However moving beyond personal bias for a moment, the knife came very push sharp (94 on thread) though lacking in slicing aggression (0.8 cm on cotton under 200 g load), and thus it push cut hemp with 19 lbs, but slicing offered little reduction in force, 16 lbs. So above average in sharpness and cutting ability on hemp, standard for Spyderco with an edge between 0.014-0.020" thick at ~12-14 degrees per side..

The first real task was to cut a lot of hardwood, a few hundred slices were made into a piece of birch flooring. The main purposes were to give a quick check on initial edge stability but more importantly to check ergonomics. Surprisingly there was no issue with the pinky in the end cutout which is often a problem with smallish grips mainly because the full curve allowed the force to be applied readily and naturally to the apex.

There were no immediate hot spots and after the cutting there was only minor discomfort due to the ends of the top part of the ball lock recess being a bit less than optimally contoured and this tends to sink into the fleshy part between the thumb and forefinger, this can easily be fixed by the user with some sandpaper or a few minutes with a dremel.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_shavings.jpg

As for edge retention, the knife went from being able to push cut light paper readily to requiring a draw, and with a few passes on CrO loaded leather was back to smoothly push cutting photocopy paper with no need of even a hint of a draw. VG-10 is a solid performer for stainless in many aspects of edge retention and this one is no exception.

In the kitchen the handle shape is a little odd for most tasks, for some tasks like peeling potatoes a three fingered grip was used with the index finger free and around the side of the blade and often the thumb used as a pinch grip for control. It was also easily sharp enough to cut fresh tomatoes and functional enough on dicing small vegetables, but lacks the length for thicker cuts of meat and vegetables.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_potatoes.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_potatoes_chunked.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_pork.jpg

There are some general concerns with grips due to the nature of the handle, sabre and hammer holds work fine as does a reverse grip, but icepick is a problem, the handle simply doesn't sit well and security is very low, thus it is near impossible to do a hard jackhammer like stab unless reverse grip is used and the wrist tilted back at an angle to keep the force compressive on the lock.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_icepick.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_sabre.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/CliffStamp/Spyderco/poliwog/poliwog_reverse.jpg

In regards to the lock it was stable under light to moderate spine whacks (dent pine readily to about a mm) under varyign speeds, white knuckling doesn't seem to be able to load the lock and torques are not an issue either. It was a bit grating to close at first, but cycling the lock rapidly towards the end of the close smoothed it out significantly.

As a stronger test of edge retention the Poliwog was used to cut up some ridged 1/8" carboard, the performance was similar to other blades seen in the past, more wear resistant steels like S30V can outperform it significantly, but it does fairly well if after every few dozen cuts it is lightly stropped, and the performance cen be further enhanced by lowering the grit of the edge finish.

One of the blades strongest aspects is the actual rather "funky" appearance, it is one of the most friendly knives to present to non-knife people as it has a high gadget appeal and it has a very nice symmetric flow with graceful curves rather than sharp tactical corners and black blades and G10 grips. In this regards the three screws around the lock are a less than symmetric (though likely chosen for functionality) and the rectangular cutouts would look better if they curved the other way.

Concerning the width, as many have commented it looks massively wide through the Spyderco opening hole, however this is more of an optical distortion due to to the shortness of the knife and the top "horn" of the ball lock, which does however make the profile symmetric. It actually measures just a small fraction of an inch wider than the paramilitary in the same region.

In short, though this looks to be a knife designed primarily for visual appeal (it seemed that way to me anyway), there is a strong sense of function from the ergonomics of the smooth curvature which fits the hand well, to the well designed primary profile and efficient edge design. While grips are somewhat limited due to the finger grooves, the knife performs well over a fairly broad range of tasks and VG-10 gives solid edge retention and responds well to sharpening.

I look forward to using this one in the woods this weekend, and keeping up EDC use for awhile checking on the stability of the ball lock, the ergonomics in various grips (with and without gloves), and any uses and limitations of the point presentation and short blade.

Ref :

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=198

Passaround :

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362538

-Cliff

 

[STR]

Great review Cliff. I have one of those myself that I must admit has that same appeal as the Spyderco Q does as far as collector worthy gadgets go.

My wife liked it so much that when a friend sent it to me to just check out I ended up talking him out of it as a stocking stuffer for her. Kind of funny because she usually doesn't blink an eye at my knives or what I get in the mail cutlery wise but this one stood out and she played with it admiring it. She said, 'it looks like a heart I like it'.

Go figure.

Anyway, I was much like you. Visual appeal only and didn't give the Poliwog a second glance when I first saw it. Just like the Dodo though, you have to actually hold one and put it to use to appreciate it for what it can do. I find it feels better in the hand when opened than when closed. Closed is a bit awkward and opening it is odd because it seems to barely open and its locked. Its almost like your hand expects it to keep moving farther. But after a few openings you get used to it.

Thanks
STR

 

[Cliff Stamp]

... opening it is odd because it seems to barely open and its locked. Its almost like your hand expects it to keep moving farther.

I noted a problem in this regard too, I remember years ago reading how a guy who made vaccum cleaners had to make it louder than necessary to enable them to sell and I remember thicking that was idiotic. Well when I open the Poliwog there is no real "clack" or noticable egangement that you get from lockbacks or even compression/liners and like you note from the curvature you seem to not get quite finished. It is amusing at first, of course a loud snap doesn't indicate a strong/secure lock and this one is fine so you just have to throw away some preconceptions. The Dodo is similar in nature, but the hook of the blade throws some people and looks really aggressive, the nice bright handle offsets this somewhat though, another nice knife which is a rather unique pattern.

-Cliff

 

[SanV]

I noted a problem in this regard too, I remember years ago reading how a guy who made vaccum cleaners had to make it louder than necessary to enable them to sell and I remember thicking that was idiotic. -Cliff

I've read this story too, in a slightly different version. It was about some company (I think it was Philips) where the engineering department had developed a virtually noiseless vacuum cleaner. The marketing department decided not to release it, because they thought that people would not believe it really cleaned. It's a nice story, but I've always suspected it could be an urban legend.

SanV

 

[GoodGuy]

I purchased one of the Spyderco Poliwogs mostly out of curiosity using one of my favorite online sources (i.e., I didn't hold one before commiting to one). I was a little disappointed in that it was both bigger and heavier than I had expected. The handle, too, is not a "tacky" as I'd like. I'm considering checkering the surface to give it some "grab." One the plus side, the blade geometry (and angle at which the edge is presented as I hold it) seems to work well for me. I've used it for a variety of plunging cuts and draw cuts, and I find it feels solid and precise. I've also used it for some scraping chores with satisfaction.

I've read some reviews indicating the ball lock spring might not hold up to use, but so far I've not experienced any issues with that.

 

[STR]

I've read some reviews indicating the ball lock spring might not hold up to use, but so far I've not experienced any issues with that.

I suspect the coil spring will hold up better for the long haul than the Omega type springs like those in the BenchMade Axis locks and SOG Arc lock folders. I can't prove or disprove it but that would be my guess. Both should outlast many of the people carrying them if maintained though. The good thing about a coil is if it gets weak you just pull it out a bit and the spring is all back again. Anyway, that is just my thoughts on it.

STR

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I was a little disappointed in that it was both bigger and heavier than I had expected. The handle, too, is not a "tacky" as I'd like.

The metal frame folders do add quite a bit of weight to the blades, some like the heft as it gives that solid feel, personally I'd just go with FRN unless you want the weight for some kind of impact work. The slick nature of the grip is another downside alongwith temperature sensitivity, extreme hot or cold is likely an issue.

I've read some reviews indicating the ball lock spring might not hold up to use, but so far I've not experienced any issues with that.

I have seen some issues with the Dodo, it can be very stable at times and then insecure at others, I'll see how this one holds up. There have been comments in the past about problems with that type of lock from others as well as comments that problems have been addressed and the lock improved. I like many aspects of it and it is inherently torque and white knuckle stable, the only real issue are spine loads/impacts.

-Cliff

 

[ROBB]

Can this folder be closed comfortably with one hand?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes, though it will likely seem awkard at first and isn't as easy as liners/integrals.

-Cliff