It is the Rodney Dangerfield of Spyderco knives. it gets no respect. I have a used PE version that I carry when I am not carrying another knife. It is part of my rotation. I just never hear anything about this knife and it surprises me because it is such a sweet design.
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Spyderco R-2, overlooked.
- Thread starter kgriggs8
- Start date
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- Apr 14, 1999
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- 1,490
I agree. You don't hear much about it but it's a great EDC piece. I carry my PE model a lot. Great user. Great ergonomics, plenty of full flat grind VG-10 blade, carries thin and light, handles give a better grip then solid slabs, reasonable price, etc. The list goes on and on. The design is perfect for daily utility use.
I have both a PE and a SE model. I love them. I'll have to pick up another PE before they dry up so I can have two (PE & SE) in NIB condition for the collection. My current PE model has been used quite a bit since I got it last year. It's FAR from NIB condition anymore.
I have both a PE and a SE model. I love them. I'll have to pick up another PE before they dry up so I can have two (PE & SE) in NIB condition for the collection. My current PE model has been used quite a bit since I got it last year. It's FAR from NIB condition anymore.
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- Apr 27, 2003
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- 5,738
I did a rather extensive review on it when it first came out. Used one exclusively as my EDC and KP knife for a month, to compare it to the Stretch which, since its introduction had served as my primary knife for both those purposes. Was really excited over it, because the Stretch, while a great working knife, is (at least to me) one of Spyderco's less attractive designs due to the "hunter" blade spine shape.
Short version - love the look of the R2, and it feels great in my hand once opened. Fit and finish are excellent, especially considering the price-point. As expected, cutting power was more or less identical to the Stretch, as the blade steel and grind are the same, and the edge curvature is very similar. "Deal breaker" for me was that the thumb reach needed to open it was considerably greater that that of the Stretch, and was not really comfortable for my short thumbs. Other minor gripes where that both the blade and lockbar pivot screws kept working loose, it took "industrial strength" loctite to stop them, and that the clip was not lefty friendly.
The last, is not a biggie for me as I take them off anyway, just a matter of principle. But it may reduce interest in it by other southpaws. Considering that a disproportionally large percentage of the most active participants in both Spyderco forums are left handed, that may be a major reason for the minimal amount of commentary on it.
Short version - love the look of the R2, and it feels great in my hand once opened. Fit and finish are excellent, especially considering the price-point. As expected, cutting power was more or less identical to the Stretch, as the blade steel and grind are the same, and the edge curvature is very similar. "Deal breaker" for me was that the thumb reach needed to open it was considerably greater that that of the Stretch, and was not really comfortable for my short thumbs. Other minor gripes where that both the blade and lockbar pivot screws kept working loose, it took "industrial strength" loctite to stop them, and that the clip was not lefty friendly.
The last, is not a biggie for me as I take them off anyway, just a matter of principle. But it may reduce interest in it by other southpaws. Considering that a disproportionally large percentage of the most active participants in both Spyderco forums are left handed, that may be a major reason for the minimal amount of commentary on it.
""Deal breaker" for me was that the thumb reach needed to open it was considerably greater that that of the Stretch, and was not really comfortable for my short thumbs. Other minor gripes where that both the blade and lockbar pivot screws kept working loose, it took "industrial strength" loctite to stop them, and that the clip was not lefty friendly."
I don't have very long thumbs but I never noticed what you are talking about. You must have very short thumbs for it to be a problem. My blade and pivot never worked loose, can't say the same for my Para. I am right handed like all good hearted people so the clip is not an issue for me.
I guess that is why I like the knife, I have not experienced any real problems with it and it has one of the best blade designs to come along in a while.
I remember the comparision between the the Stretch and the R-2 and the Stretch came out on top. I have both and the Stretch has two things that make it less of a winner than the R-2. One, it is MUCH heavier! That is the big thing, it weighs probably twice as much. The second thing is, the blade design is a hunter/skninner design and is not as useful as the much more thought out R-2.
I don't care if people like the R-2 or not but I just don't understand why the Lil Temp is such a hit but the R-2 is not. They have similar blade designs.
I don't have very long thumbs but I never noticed what you are talking about. You must have very short thumbs for it to be a problem. My blade and pivot never worked loose, can't say the same for my Para. I am right handed like all good hearted people so the clip is not an issue for me.
I guess that is why I like the knife, I have not experienced any real problems with it and it has one of the best blade designs to come along in a while.
I remember the comparision between the the Stretch and the R-2 and the Stretch came out on top. I have both and the Stretch has two things that make it less of a winner than the R-2. One, it is MUCH heavier! That is the big thing, it weighs probably twice as much. The second thing is, the blade design is a hunter/skninner design and is not as useful as the much more thought out R-2.
I don't care if people like the R-2 or not but I just don't understand why the Lil Temp is such a hit but the R-2 is not. They have similar blade designs.
I like my R2 more and more, I've been carrying it again for several weekends in a row, and I'm a diehard Li'l Temp fan. The Li'l Temp is very different though; the blade is thicker and the handle is where the real magic is. I think the R2 is more like a compact version of the ATR actually.
Wouter
Wouter
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
Great sized knife, nice lightweight considering it's aluminum, great bladeshape. The main thing I dislike about the R2 is that the ergonomics don't quite work for me -- for some reason, I find it oddly difficult to get my thumb in the hole and open it. This is so for the only Spyderco I have this problem with, and I've seen others mention the same thing. Not a big deal, just a little thumb gymnastics.
Joe
Joe
:thumbup: I have to say that this is one of my faves. For some reason I tend to like blades 3" or less, but the R2 broke this unwriten rule for me. I think the lightness of it is fantastic and for an aluminum knife it really sticks well to the hand. On some knifes even though I find the hole well 
o ) they feel a little loose in the hand, I guess becasue of lack of grip with my pinky & ring fingers?? The cutouts in the R2 seem to take care of this. I get the feeling that sales are / were low for the R1 and R2, but personally I'll love to see the design continued.
o ) they feel a little loose in the hand, I guess becasue of lack of grip with my pinky & ring fingers?? The cutouts in the R2 seem to take care of this. I get the feeling that sales are / were low for the R1 and R2, but personally I'll love to see the design continued.I know the R-1 looks way cooler but I had one and it has nothing on the R-2 in terms of function. I compared a R-1 and a R-2 side by side and I found no quality differences between them. The R-2 is made just as well as the R-1. The fact that it has a solid blade only serves to add to it's good points. Have you even tried to cut some fruit with a skeletonized blade? It doesn't work very well, it gets caught up in every nook and cranny and is a pain to clean.
The R-2 is a knife that was made to be used not collected. People that compare the R-2 to the R-1 and say it is not as good of a knife are missing the boat. The R-2 can stand on it's own. They should have named it something else so it didn't suffer by comparison to such a collectable knife as the R-1. Nothing is going to measure up the good old days. In fact, the R-2 is made just as well as the R-1, it is just a more mundane design so people are not impressed with it. When you use it, it gets more impressive.
I actually had never heard of the R-1 when I bought my first R-2. I was describing my perfect knife on a thread and someone mentioned that already basically existed. I looked it up and I was surprised to find that it did. I bought one on E-bay for about $85 and I have never been happier with a purchase. Since then, I have bought two more as spares because it really is one of my favorites and considering that only 600 PE and 600 Se were made, I may not be able to get another in case I lose or break it.
The R-2 is a knife that was made to be used not collected. People that compare the R-2 to the R-1 and say it is not as good of a knife are missing the boat. The R-2 can stand on it's own. They should have named it something else so it didn't suffer by comparison to such a collectable knife as the R-1. Nothing is going to measure up the good old days. In fact, the R-2 is made just as well as the R-1, it is just a more mundane design so people are not impressed with it. When you use it, it gets more impressive.
I actually had never heard of the R-1 when I bought my first R-2. I was describing my perfect knife on a thread and someone mentioned that already basically existed. I looked it up and I was surprised to find that it did. I bought one on E-bay for about $85 and I have never been happier with a purchase. Since then, I have bought two more as spares because it really is one of my favorites and considering that only 600 PE and 600 Se were made, I may not be able to get another in case I lose or break it.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2004
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- 654
I just picked up an R2 a few weeks ago at the local B&M store. I remember seeing pics when it first came out but was kinda turned off by the skeletonized handles. After seeing it in person I was totally sold (I'm a sucker for full flat grinds). I've been edc'ing it off and on. The ergonomics work great for me and I love the way it cuts. I began to wonder why there wasn't a lot of comentary on it either.
In my opinion the R2 is an awesome edc cutter, lightweight, looks goods, not too big or bulky and fits the hand nicely. I'd love to see a G-10 version without the cutouts.
In my opinion the R2 is an awesome edc cutter, lightweight, looks goods, not too big or bulky and fits the hand nicely. I'd love to see a G-10 version without the cutouts.
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- Jun 8, 2005
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It's a very cool looking knife, but a little big for my needs and really doesn't offer anything functionally superior to other lockbacks available at that price range. But, you pay something for a really great looking knife, and that's fair too. It's nice to have in the line up just to mix it up. My ex girlfriend loved it.
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- Jun 8, 2005
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Well, that'd be cool, but you can't really have an R knife without the cutouts. In my mind, anyway.
"Well, that'd be cool, but you can't really have an R knife without the cutouts. In my mind, anyway."
I agree. The "R" should have been left alone. I think the R-2 suffered because it was compared to the R instead of letting it stand on it's own merits. The R-2 is a great design and if the handle was G-10, I think it would be a hot seller. People just don't seem to buy metal handled knives as much as FRN and G-10 now-a-days.
I agree. The "R" should have been left alone. I think the R-2 suffered because it was compared to the R instead of letting it stand on it's own merits. The R-2 is a great design and if the handle was G-10, I think it would be a hot seller. People just don't seem to buy metal handled knives as much as FRN and G-10 now-a-days.
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- Feb 16, 2005
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kgriggs,
your affection for the R-2 is contagious. You made me start carrying mine and I'm starting to think it's a good EDC. It's light and packs a nice punch. I initially was a bit disappointed by it because I was comparing it to the original, but it really does offer a functionality that makes it stand apart from some other comparably sized folders.
I think you're onto something here. It may really be one of the more underappreciated Spydercos. I do like metal handled folders. One of my favorites is the Herbst - and it also suffers to from not being fully appreciated in my opinion.
your affection for the R-2 is contagious. You made me start carrying mine and I'm starting to think it's a good EDC. It's light and packs a nice punch. I initially was a bit disappointed by it because I was comparing it to the original, but it really does offer a functionality that makes it stand apart from some other comparably sized folders.
I think you're onto something here. It may really be one of the more underappreciated Spydercos. I do like metal handled folders. One of my favorites is the Herbst - and it also suffers to from not being fully appreciated in my opinion.
Sal Glesser
Moderator
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- Dec 27, 1998
- Messages
- 11,671
The R2 was designed to be an EDC versionof the R1 which was more difficult to use daily because of the cut out blade.
Sales were not a problem as the "sprint" run sold out before they came in. We made a "Sprint" run because we had so many models in the line up that a new regular model would have been too much.
I think that the model was relegated to collector status because it was a "sprint" and many won't carry it for that reason. Too bad. It is supposed to be a user.
sal
Sales were not a problem as the "sprint" run sold out before they came in. We made a "Sprint" run because we had so many models in the line up that a new regular model would have been too much.
I think that the model was relegated to collector status because it was a "sprint" and many won't carry it for that reason. Too bad. It is supposed to be a user.
sal
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2006
- Messages
- 83
HI
Could someone help a newbie out and post a picture with both R & R-2? I have discovered the R-2 thanks to this forum and it looks more like the EDC I need than the Manix I've ordered. (Can't wait to get the manix with all the great things I read about it, though!)
Could someone help a newbie out and post a picture with both R & R-2? I have discovered the R-2 thanks to this forum and it looks more like the EDC I need than the Manix I've ordered. (Can't wait to get the manix with all the great things I read about it, though!)