Spyderco R Nishijin

got mine today. Its a lot bigger than I thought. Its much closer to the para 2 in size than the delica. But the handles are purrdy
 
It arrived today! I'll post some pictures in a bit, and probably a review in a week or so.
 
Some pictures as promised:

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I don't think that the comparisons to a Caly 3 are quite accurate. I like the use of torx screws for the knife, plus you can disassemble it, unlike the Caly 3/3.5. The blade length is also a little longer on the R Nishijin.

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Here it is next to my two perennial favorites.

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I also want to add that, at least on my version, the strength of the back spring and the depth to which the lock back bar drops into place is very confidence inspiring.
 
This knife looks huge compared to the caly 3. I expected it to be a lot smaller. Any comparison pics with a delica?
 
Sorry, I don't have a Delica available right now, but the Caly 3 is basically the same size.
 
Cynic, i'm glad you mentioned that about the lock bar. The first time I opened mine it sounded like a firecracker going off! You definitely are right on point about "confidence inspiring", you definitely know that the R is locked...THWACK!
Was yours gritty too? Mine definitely was but after I cleaned it up a bit it was good to go. I would also like to mention how impressed I am with how sharp it was straight out of the box, amazing.
 
OldSarSwmr: Mine was gritty at first, but I flushed it out and added BM Blue lube. It's smoother now. Yeah, it's the strongest lockback spring I've ever come across.

Sharpness was decent, but I sharpened it to hair whittling within the first 30 minutes. I have an obsession with keeping all my knives hair whittling.
 
I had completely dismissed this knife as something I wouldn't like based on the original pics. I just watched a youtube video on it - it's very glossy and 3D looking. I also (like several others) assumed it was smaller.

I definitely have to get one.
 
EZ Bake said:
I had completely dismissed this knife as something I wouldn't like based on the original pics. I just watched a youtube video on it - it's very glossy and 3D looking. I also (like several others) assumed it was smaller.

I definitely have to get one.
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The weave is very interesting. It doesn't come across on camera quite right. There definitely is a 3d effect, and if you look closely at the weave that forms the cross hatch patterns you can see the tiny individual strands of glass. The Nishijin glass fiber is more interesting that I thought it would be.
 
I carried one yesterday. Really nice knife.
Played with it at Shot and knew I needed (2) of 'em. :D

Some knives are not recognized as they should be until they are gone.......
This might be one of those. Always liked the blade and choil on the R, but never the scales.
This knife solves that completely. Very solid in the hand.
Even with the smooth scales I have zero fear using this one due to the design & well placed jimping.
Its a winner..... And a looker.
 
I will say this - why the heck does it have a matte black pocket-clip? Seriously, is this for a subdued look or what? The entire knife screams "shiny" except for the clip. Glossy finish over the contrasting darks/lights of the glass-fiber, naked blade as is all the rest of the steel/hardware and then an almost "tactical flat black" pocket-clip (that despite the durability of Spyderco's coating is definitely going to scratch/wear based on every other Spydie I own with a black pocket clip).

My Para-2's satin pocket-clip looks like hell if you get right up on it, but back up a foot or more and you can hardly tell anything is wrong with it (and it's the hardest used knife I own). Both my son's Delicas' pocket-clips look like crap no matter how you look at them because they have a few marks/scratches on them.

On an all-black knife (or black-blade/hardware/screws) I fully understand, but there are several models that just look out of place - this new "R" (especially with the sprint-run Nishijin-pattern glass-fiber) is definitely one of them (in my opinion anyway).
 
Received mine yesterday :)
For those who are Stretch fans,the "R" sure is a close cousin.
 
Here's a video I made with some size comparisons in it:


[YOUTUBE]PXn3_tTV1ko[/YOUTUBE]
 
fielder said:
I love the strong tip on the blade, I really hope it will be available with G10 or frn scales. Is it strong enough to be a real user knife or is it mainly for collectors?
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It has full stainless steel liners, and I'd venture a guess that the glass fiber handles are probably about on par with G10 for strength. It has a very strong backlock spring.

I don't really see it as a collector's knife. It is a great EDC knife that won't shred your pockets.
 
I'm really starting to become a fan of slick handle materials like CF/almite/Ti. They feel really comfy and reassuring in the hand and they make a cool snick sound when you pull them out of your pocket. Sage 2 is calling, dammit!

About the Caly 3.5 not being 3.5 inches: playing around with both knives I find that with the 3.5 I naturally take a longer grip, with a more relaxed index finger. With the 3 I have a tighter and more choked-up grip naturally, so the 3.5 has a significantly longer feeling to it. Also it's thinner.

The R looks great. If it would work this way I really think Spyderco should do away with Delica and Endura and make these nicer knives more affordable. I really don't see the point in D&E... getting noobs bogged down in decisions?
 
Is that choil smaller than other knives in this size or is that my eyes tricking me?
 
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