Spyderco Stretch Review

[lava_lamp]

Spyderco Stretch Review - Part 1

I recently received a Spyderco Stretch with black FRN handles and a VG-10 blade through the pass-around forum here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=722026

This is actually the third Stretch I’ve handled. I previously owned the carbon fiber handled ZDP-189 version and the blue FRN ZDP-189 version. The MSRP and street price of the respective versions is: CF/ZDP-189 $259.95/$170, FRN/ZDP-189 $169.95/$129 and FRN/VG-10 $129.95/$83. http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=422

I’ll cut to the chase and say that overall, I like the FRN VG-10 version the best of the three. The Spyderco ZDP-189 blades I’ve had all came scary sharp and stayed that way during the time I used them. They tended to absorb stains a bit and acquire a slight patina and I always felt aware that the blade hardness was higher than my usual knives, leading me to baby them a little.

The VG-10 version is more of a workhorse. It came scary sharp and seemed as sharp as the ZDP-189 versions. The blade is full flat ground with lots of belly and thinner than any Spydie I’ve handled. It is almost like a pocket filet knife and an awesome slicer.

Fit & Finish

The knife is made in Japan and the fit and finish is good but not great. The lock is tight, but the blade came off-center. It might be resolved with some pivot adjustment, but I didn't try.

Ergonomics

I like the FRN handles best among the handle choices. The carbon fiber on the Stretch is more like G10. It isn’t smooth like the CF on the Native 4 and has a duller look than the twill CF on the Gayle Bradley and Sage 1. I have a large hand and found that the exposed liners on the CF Stretch were sharp edged and cut into my hand a little. The FRN feels better, but the distance between the pommel area in the rear and the guard in the front is a little tight. There is a choil on the blade, but itsn't as deep and round as the choil on many Spydies and I felt sometimes like my hand might slip off onto the blade, even though it has jimping.

If you haven’t seen a Spyderco knife with the bi-directional texturing, it is really a treat. It is quite grippy without creating hotspots.

The back is an closed design with a Boye dent lockback. I'm right-handed, but the Stretch seems very lefty-friendly. The Spyderhole is generously sized and easy to access from either side. The clip is painted black and reversible right/left or tip up/tip down.

 

[lava_lamp]

Spyderco Stretch Review - Part 2

Conclusions

I find myself asking: "Who is this knife for?" It is mid-sized, bigger than a Delica and smaller than an Endura or Military.

The blade profile is considerably thinner than the Delica/Endura series, too, and even thinner than the Military.

Overall, I think this is the knife for you if you are bored with your Delica or Endura or have ever though of having Tom Krein regrind you a better slicer. Thanks again to Frank K., BladeForums, and Spyderco for letting me evaluate the Stretch.

 

[Big_Red]

Looks like some pics are not loading in the second post..

I just got my blue ZDP stretch today. Cutlery Shoppe has a great deal on them by the way.

All I have are first impressions, but the ergos on this one are fantastic. The blue looks cool to me without being too bright/flashy and the FRN feels nice and solid. Overall weight seems very light for a blade of this size. Seems like a great knife based on first impressions. Oh, the blade was perfectly centered with fit and finish fairly good for a plastic knife Very sharp as well.

 

[amen74]

I also recently got a blue FRN Stretch2 ZDP-189 from CS. Fast shipping and a perfect example.

Thanks for the review Lava.

 

[DennisStrickland]

stretch in zdp & endura in vg10 on way . i'm curious as to which will get the sharpest. more on that later.

 

[frank k]

Thanks much for the review!


My 2 cents on the Stretch are that the blade one of the most practical found on any Spyderco, not too pointy, not too wide for lots of control yet it is a tremendous slicer thanks to the pronounced belly, thin blade and full flat grind. I love the light weight of FRN and the handle shape, but I thought that the grip texture was a little too aggressive. Since, as Sal has pointed out, Spydercos are designed to lock into the hand by there shape and do not depend on the traction of grip texture. I think smooth FRN handles with some grooves like on the Centofante 3/4 would have been great for t he FRN Stretch. Just my personal preference - still a excellent knife!

 

[dangreco]

Thanks for the review, I enjoyed the breakdown of the CF texture.