Another review for a good knife: the Spyderco "S". This is one of their "little big knives" and made in Taipei, Taiwan. It weighs in at nearly nothing (2 ounces) and you won't even notice it's there until you reach for it. Yet, it's secure. It will set you back about $55. Yes, I know you can get a regular Delica, Native, or Endura with that, but this little slicer is also worth your attention. The model number is C109BKP. Here's my review...
Handle Details: The "S" has a handle made of aluminum that's been anodized either silver (to match the blade) or black. It's 3-1/2" when closed, and has nice finger grooves for grip. The wire pocket clip is reversible for left or right hand carry, and it's tip-up only. Sadly, it's not a deep-carry wire clip. The handles have a web cut-out, and yet the cut-outs don't dig into your hand. The entire knife is held together with only three Torx screws (two T-6 for the handle and one T-8 for the blade pivot pin) and one barrel screw for the pocket clip. The knife locks open with a Compression Lock, and disengages rather easily without being flimsy. The screw for the pocket clip is hollow so you can put a piece of lanyard through it if you desire.
Blade Details: The "S" has a nice blade made of 440C. It's 2-7/16" long with a 2-1/8" cutting edge. It came out of the box very sharp, and cut paper without effort. It's 1/8" thick and flat ground. The left side of the blade has "SPYDERCO" above "440C" near the thumb hole, while the right side has "Taiwan" on the tang. The Spydero Round Hole (the thumb hole) is 15/32" in diameter; not large enough to use with gloves, but large enough to open normally. This isn't exactly a hard-use knife anyway. The blade and its web cut-outs are made with a process known as M.I.M. (metal injection molding) which gives the blade the combination of the material flexibility of powder metallurgy and the design flexibility of plastic molding. The blade is a great slicer.
There's a neat animation of the M.I.M. process here... http://www.gknsintermetals.com/technology/mimanim.htm
Here are some photos of the neat little "S".
Back of knife...
Next to a Boker Subcom for size comparison...
You can check out the "S" at Spyderco's website here...
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=268
Handle Details: The "S" has a handle made of aluminum that's been anodized either silver (to match the blade) or black. It's 3-1/2" when closed, and has nice finger grooves for grip. The wire pocket clip is reversible for left or right hand carry, and it's tip-up only. Sadly, it's not a deep-carry wire clip. The handles have a web cut-out, and yet the cut-outs don't dig into your hand. The entire knife is held together with only three Torx screws (two T-6 for the handle and one T-8 for the blade pivot pin) and one barrel screw for the pocket clip. The knife locks open with a Compression Lock, and disengages rather easily without being flimsy. The screw for the pocket clip is hollow so you can put a piece of lanyard through it if you desire.
Blade Details: The "S" has a nice blade made of 440C. It's 2-7/16" long with a 2-1/8" cutting edge. It came out of the box very sharp, and cut paper without effort. It's 1/8" thick and flat ground. The left side of the blade has "SPYDERCO" above "440C" near the thumb hole, while the right side has "Taiwan" on the tang. The Spydero Round Hole (the thumb hole) is 15/32" in diameter; not large enough to use with gloves, but large enough to open normally. This isn't exactly a hard-use knife anyway. The blade and its web cut-outs are made with a process known as M.I.M. (metal injection molding) which gives the blade the combination of the material flexibility of powder metallurgy and the design flexibility of plastic molding. The blade is a great slicer.
There's a neat animation of the M.I.M. process here... http://www.gknsintermetals.com/technology/mimanim.htm
Here are some photos of the neat little "S".
Back of knife...
Next to a Boker Subcom for size comparison...
You can check out the "S" at Spyderco's website here...
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=268
