Thanks, jhillas, for the loan of this knife!
First Impressions:
The pass-around SPOT version I used is the plain-dress version, with AUS6 steel and SpyderEdge option.
- This is a pass-around knife, so I can't comment on NIB sharpness.
- Highly-concealable little slash-and-rip weapon, clearly designed for that purpose.
- Very light carry-weight.
- Is that sharp butt-point a carry-comfort concern?
- Sheath blade-retension is fine, but the low-carry-suspension sheath design is a disappointment.
Sheath Design:
This sheath is similar to the sheath provided with the Ronin, providing good blade-retension and non-twist suspension, but sacrificing concealment and carry-comfort considerations. Overall length of the sheath is excessive and necklace attachment points are too high, resulting in a sheath that suspends the knife about 1/2" lower than it could have.
The low-suspension problem isn't as critical for concealing the SPOT, since the OAL of the SPOT is only a bit less than 5", but irritation caused by the sharp point on the handle-butt rubbing the diaphragm area may be a carry-comfort problem.
As with the Ronin sheath, crude/temporary modification of the sheath appears simple: Cut the upper portion of the sheath back nearly to the blade-tip and use the TekLok holes for necklace attachment-points, to elevate suspension of the knife.
Handle Design:
Dayuhan had wrapped the SPOT handle, and I left the wrap on. Comfort with the wrap is good.
I wouldn't have thought it possible to combine excellent control and a secure four-fingered grip into such a small handle, but it's right here in the SPOT! A minimalist-design that really works.
This is the first knife I've used with a forefinger-hole accomodation. Once I became familiar with the handle, my thumb and forefinger quickly went to their proper stations and the grip just self-indexed into my hand.
I sliced, slashed and ripped some cardboard, wood, fabric and cord - quickly discovering that continual cutting with the SPOT causes finger pain. Not a surprise - the SPOT wasn't designed as a cut-all-day working knife - and it wasn't designed for box-cutting either!
The Blade:
For a testing 'target', a towel was folded twice (4 layers) and lashed around a cardboard box. The towel was then draped over the cord (thickness now doubled to 8 layers) and a second lashing was used to hold the towel-ends in place. The intent here was to test stab-penetration and damage caused by a ripping blade-extraction stroke.
The SPOT 'beak' easily penetrated through the 8 toweling layers and side of the box in a stab, and the towel material was devastated by a ripping withdrawal stroke (about 30 degrees downward).
I'm not a fan of reverse-curve blade grinds on a utility EDC knife, but that little hooked-down 'beak' on the SPOT blade really seemed to enhance 'ripping' damage to the target on the extraction stroke.
I'm quite convinced that the SPOT is outstanding for it's intended defense purpose.
Utility EDC Suitability:
It's just silly to discuss suitability of this blade for varied-task EDC duty. This compact little knife is designed expressly for deadly-force defensive use - it ain't for whittlin'.
Summary:
I see this knife as an outstanding 'Ace-in-the-hole' ripper. That seems to be the intent of the design, and it would appear to excel in that role.
The low-carry sheath design is a disappointment. Modify it or replace it.
Any varied-task EDC-suitable properties are unintended coincidences - this is a weapon.
SPOT versions and options (sheath is included):
- Fancy-dress with Micarta outline scales and VG-10 steel for less than $70 on-line.
- Plain-dress with AUS6 steel and without Micarta scales for less then $45 on-line.
- Plain-edge or SpyderEdge options offered for both versions.
If you're looking for a very-concealable seriously-bad-ass 'Ace-in-the-hole' defensive weapon, the Spyderco SPOT may be perfect for you!
First Impressions:
The pass-around SPOT version I used is the plain-dress version, with AUS6 steel and SpyderEdge option.
- This is a pass-around knife, so I can't comment on NIB sharpness.
- Highly-concealable little slash-and-rip weapon, clearly designed for that purpose.
- Very light carry-weight.
- Is that sharp butt-point a carry-comfort concern?
- Sheath blade-retension is fine, but the low-carry-suspension sheath design is a disappointment.
Sheath Design:
This sheath is similar to the sheath provided with the Ronin, providing good blade-retension and non-twist suspension, but sacrificing concealment and carry-comfort considerations. Overall length of the sheath is excessive and necklace attachment points are too high, resulting in a sheath that suspends the knife about 1/2" lower than it could have.
The low-suspension problem isn't as critical for concealing the SPOT, since the OAL of the SPOT is only a bit less than 5", but irritation caused by the sharp point on the handle-butt rubbing the diaphragm area may be a carry-comfort problem.
As with the Ronin sheath, crude/temporary modification of the sheath appears simple: Cut the upper portion of the sheath back nearly to the blade-tip and use the TekLok holes for necklace attachment-points, to elevate suspension of the knife.
Handle Design:
Dayuhan had wrapped the SPOT handle, and I left the wrap on. Comfort with the wrap is good.
I wouldn't have thought it possible to combine excellent control and a secure four-fingered grip into such a small handle, but it's right here in the SPOT! A minimalist-design that really works.
This is the first knife I've used with a forefinger-hole accomodation. Once I became familiar with the handle, my thumb and forefinger quickly went to their proper stations and the grip just self-indexed into my hand.
I sliced, slashed and ripped some cardboard, wood, fabric and cord - quickly discovering that continual cutting with the SPOT causes finger pain. Not a surprise - the SPOT wasn't designed as a cut-all-day working knife - and it wasn't designed for box-cutting either!
The Blade:
For a testing 'target', a towel was folded twice (4 layers) and lashed around a cardboard box. The towel was then draped over the cord (thickness now doubled to 8 layers) and a second lashing was used to hold the towel-ends in place. The intent here was to test stab-penetration and damage caused by a ripping blade-extraction stroke.
The SPOT 'beak' easily penetrated through the 8 toweling layers and side of the box in a stab, and the towel material was devastated by a ripping withdrawal stroke (about 30 degrees downward).
I'm not a fan of reverse-curve blade grinds on a utility EDC knife, but that little hooked-down 'beak' on the SPOT blade really seemed to enhance 'ripping' damage to the target on the extraction stroke.
I'm quite convinced that the SPOT is outstanding for it's intended defense purpose.
Utility EDC Suitability:
It's just silly to discuss suitability of this blade for varied-task EDC duty. This compact little knife is designed expressly for deadly-force defensive use - it ain't for whittlin'.
Summary:
I see this knife as an outstanding 'Ace-in-the-hole' ripper. That seems to be the intent of the design, and it would appear to excel in that role.
The low-carry sheath design is a disappointment. Modify it or replace it.
Any varied-task EDC-suitable properties are unintended coincidences - this is a weapon.
SPOT versions and options (sheath is included):
- Fancy-dress with Micarta outline scales and VG-10 steel for less than $70 on-line.
- Plain-dress with AUS6 steel and without Micarta scales for less then $45 on-line.
- Plain-edge or SpyderEdge options offered for both versions.
If you're looking for a very-concealable seriously-bad-ass 'Ace-in-the-hole' defensive weapon, the Spyderco SPOT may be perfect for you!