Spyderco Stretch?

[Filoso]

How can I get a hold of suingab? Do you have his email address?

Here is his thread in the knifemaker's section

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1173808-Custom-Made-Knife-Scales?highlight=Suingab

 

[Fred Sanford]

The Stretch is my personal favorite large folder. Unless I'm headed into "beautiful downtown Greenville", where there's a 3" blade limit, there is always one in my pocket when I leave the house. As for the looks of the handle, that can always be changed. These days, I most often carry one of these...

Wow. Paul, those never get old. Beautiful. My favorite has to be second from the right.


As far as the original question goes, The Stretch is a great knife. I have a BRG (British racing green) model in ZDP-189 that I love. The Stretch has one of the most comfortable handles I've ever held. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Spyderco designs for the hands, not the eyes. However, they are still very pleasing to my eyes. I love form follows function.

 

[almoe66]

I agree with most everyone. I have one in SB and it is absolutely the best feeling knife in hand that I own. My hands are on the large size and the Stretch fits like a glove.

 

[Krav]

I loves my superblue, sorry I'm to lazy to move off the couch, I had the stretch on me.

I really like how I can choke up on it

 

[-F1]

I have at least 7 Stretch units ... sometimes I lose count ... and it's definitely my favorite model, bar none. The handle is fantastic. I have an Endura, and you will really appreciate the Stretch after handling/using an Endura or something similar. The Stretch handle helps lock your hand in. It's also a very efficient length, when closed, with respect to the length of the blade.

I also like the way they look. Go figure.

 

[Brisket]

The Stretch pleases the hand but not so much the eye. Get one and it will all make sense.

 

[Evany]

I too find the Stretch slightly ungainly looking compared to other Spydercos. Nevertheless, I find it to be the best performing, most perfectly sized and most ergonomic folder I've ever handled. I usually EDC a Paramilitary 2 and keep the Stretch clipped in the handlebar bag on my bicycle. Recently I damaged the clip on the Para 2 and since I have not had time to repair or replace it, I've been carrying the Stretch exclusively. Even though I prefer the Para 2 due it's construction and because it's so fun and intuitive to operate, I gotta say the Stretch out performs it in actual use.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

Yeah, that handle locks into your hand real nice.

 

[firefighterguy]

Is this knife worth getting in vg-10? I'm not sure how I feel about the dark green handled of the zdp model. This knife has kinda taken the top spot of my next Spyderco list. I'm not sure why. I just hear fantastic things and love the finger choil.

 

[The Deacon]

Is this knife worth getting in vg-10? I'm not sure how I feel about the dark green handled of the zdp model. This knife has kinda taken the top spot of my next Spyderco list. I'm not sure why. I just hear fantastic things and love the finger choil.

Most definitely, because VG-10 is an excellent steel. Personally, I'll always take VG-10 over ZDP-189, if given the choice. In my experience, VG-10 may not hold an edge quite as long as ZDP-189, but I find it to be easier to sharpen and sharpening it only takes me half as sharpening an equally dull ZDP-189, so what I lose on one end, I make up on the other. I've also found VG-10 to be considerably more rust resistant than ZDP-189.

 

[DavidZ]

Most definitely, because VG-10 is an excellent steel. Personally, I'll always take VG-10 over ZDP-189, if given the choice. In my experience, VG-10 may not hold an edge quite as long as ZDP-189, but I find it to be easier to sharpen and sharpening it only takes me half as sharpening an equally dull ZDP-189, so what I lose on one end, I make up on the other. I've also found VG-10 to be considerably more rust resistant than ZDP-189.

+1 on this.... I had my ZDP-189 stretch rust pit just from pocket sweat. Never on the VG-10 model.

 

[oldmanrunning]

I like to think of this as a UK friendly Stretch, it is a tough hombre.

 

[benzology]

 

[benzology]

Great knife, great ergos... the looks will grow on you.

 

[-F1]

Most definitely, because VG-10 is an excellent steel. Personally, I'll always take VG-10 over ZDP-189, if given the choice. In my experience, VG-10 may not hold an edge quite as long as ZDP-189, but I find it to be easier to sharpen and sharpening it only takes me half as sharpening an equally dull ZDP-189, so what I lose on one end, I make up on the other. I've also found VG-10 to be considerably more rust resistant than ZDP-189.

I totally agree. My only ZDP knife is the CF Stretch, which I just could not pass up on due to being stunning and awesome in all other respects besides the steel. I really do not like ZDP. I had one of the dark green ZDP Stretch units, and gave it to a friend. It quickly developed rust spots. I told him "You can't let it stay wet" to which he replied "I don't!". And, of course, ZDP chips if you stare at it too intensely.

 

[corey.lively]

I love all my Spyderco ZDP blades, including the Stretch. It's easily in my top 5 steels. It takes a wicked edge and keeps it for a long long time. I have had chips before but they've only been on my factory edge. Once I re-profile and polish my bevels, I haven't noticed a chip.

ZDP will rust, but I've never felt that I've had to baby it. The rusting was my fault, and it happened on my Ladybug3 that rides on my keychain that rides in my pocket. I just wipe whatever blades i carry for the day down with a silicone or oil rag when I put it back in the knife drawer. I do this with all my knives(and guns for that matter) regardless of steel and I don't have problems with rust.

 

[SpeedHoles]

I like both VG10 and ZDP-189. VG10 should not be thought of as a "budget steel".

Everyone who says ZDP-189 excessively rusts are completely over exaggerating! (I almost recently started a thread on this...)
I soaked one of mine in various forms of vinegar for hours just to test it, and it didn't do much other than darken the blade, barely perceptible in certain angles of light. I even left it covered in rice vinegar over night once to dry and no effect. And, this may have actually protected it because now it won't rust. I even stir my coffee with it often. Cut tomatoes with it and left it for hours without cleaning....
Just treat it well and care for it and you'll be fine. These people complaining of ZDP-189 rusting must have a heart attack with Super Blue, or 52100, or even M4, etc...

Also the sharpening I haven't found much harder at all than any other high end steels. Maybe serious reprofiling... but I actually enjoy some good therapeutic sharpening sessions.

Here's a couple of photos for the haters who keep spreading words of exaggeration.

This is me TRYING to get it to patina, but even after left to dry, it just wiped off clean, several times of doing this...

 

[-F1]

I didn't say the guy's ZDP blade rusted through like a 17th-century boat anchor. But it did have rust spots, and it wasn't his fault. For those that don't mind this, that's great. Me, I don't like it. I do put a premium on corrosion resistance, and I refuse to constantly baby my blades. It's all what you value and where you want the balance. I personally only want stuff that performs on its own and does not require wiping or other maintenance like that. I get this with steels like S90V. (Sadly, not on the Stretch, though.)

 

[kurt6652]

The problem with zdp189 is when it rusts, it pits. I like zdp189, but it is about as corrosion resistant as d2, another nice steel that I like. Vg10 is more corrosion resistant and a great all around steel.

 

[TravisH]

Here's a couple of photos ...

THAT is exactly what I'm going to do to my Stretch - grind off the spine's tip hump into a sweet swooosh.


I have several Delicas and a Stretch in ZDP and none have shown signs of rust. Shadowy patina, yes. Red rust, no.

For a test, I used one of my Delica ZDP's as my 'garden knife' for about 2 weeks instead of my Mora. Cut vegetation, tomatoes, peppers, and roots. The only 'care' it got was wiped off on my pants. Nothing more than a shadowy patina started to develop which was easily removed with mag polish.