I received this knife 5 days ago and have had time to form some impressions that others interested in this knife might find helpful.
The GOOD...
This knife has more good qualities, in my eye's, than bad.
- When I get a new knife unwrapped and in my hand the first thing I check is whether or not the blade is centered, and on the Szabo it is.
- I then just look it over to see whether it has any visible faults and this check came up perfect as it all looked good.
- I'll then open it two handed at first just to feel the action and see if there are any rough spots and I could find none. The action was smooth throughout the entire arc and when closing the internal spring pulled it down nicely.
- The overall fit and finish is very good. I've had three knives that came out of Thaichung, Taiwan and all of them have had this same fit/finish. I would actually prefer the Taiwan Spyderco's!
- The G-10/carbon fiber composite material that is used as the handle scales looks great and depending on the light it can be mesmerizing as the cube designs reflect the light differently. I can sit for several minutes looking at this simply spellbound. Then again it may just be the morphine I have to take
The material has a nice, tactile feel to it that I like the feel of.
- The only experience I have had with the compression lock was back around 2000-2001(?), but I really cannot remember exactly and the year may be way off. The knife I asked to see at the knife shop I was in was the Spyderco titanium ATR and I think this was the first use of this lock(?). As you can see I am not a Spyderco historian! Anyway, I came away unimpressed with the compression lock. There was vertical blade play in the knife, along with side to side play, though I don't think this was caused by the lock. So the first thing I did once I opened the blade was to check for this play and I found it to be absolutely solid with no play in any direction. There is plenty of steel for the lock to wear across so I think this knife will be solid for a very long time.
- Lastly, this knife has a very solid feel to it. The steel liners and thick blade help to give it it's 6.9 ounce weight, and in a knife this large, that solid feel sure feels good!
The BAD....
There are only three areas that I found that would cause me to even say anything, and a couple are probably just personal preferences.
- In handling this knife I simply think it to be a little thinner than I am accustomed to, especially in the bigger folders, but this is a personal preference that another person may not find it to have. On the other hand that thinness makes the knife ride very comfortable in my front right pocket, and I do not see that as a problem.
- I am having a bit of trouble in opening it without having to reposition my hand, but it is getting better and I am learning what I need to do to get a smooth opening.
- The last problem was a burr on the blade. It was simple enough to get rid of though so.........
I like the Szabo and think it to be a keeper due to it's excellent construction and it's large size. Great knife Spyderco!!:thumbup:
One thing I forgot to mention about the handles is how all the screws are countersunk so they do not rise above the handle. I would consider that just an extra step to make this a quality piece!
The GOOD...
This knife has more good qualities, in my eye's, than bad.
- When I get a new knife unwrapped and in my hand the first thing I check is whether or not the blade is centered, and on the Szabo it is.
- I then just look it over to see whether it has any visible faults and this check came up perfect as it all looked good.
- I'll then open it two handed at first just to feel the action and see if there are any rough spots and I could find none. The action was smooth throughout the entire arc and when closing the internal spring pulled it down nicely.
- The overall fit and finish is very good. I've had three knives that came out of Thaichung, Taiwan and all of them have had this same fit/finish. I would actually prefer the Taiwan Spyderco's!
- The G-10/carbon fiber composite material that is used as the handle scales looks great and depending on the light it can be mesmerizing as the cube designs reflect the light differently. I can sit for several minutes looking at this simply spellbound. Then again it may just be the morphine I have to take
The material has a nice, tactile feel to it that I like the feel of.- The only experience I have had with the compression lock was back around 2000-2001(?), but I really cannot remember exactly and the year may be way off. The knife I asked to see at the knife shop I was in was the Spyderco titanium ATR and I think this was the first use of this lock(?). As you can see I am not a Spyderco historian! Anyway, I came away unimpressed with the compression lock. There was vertical blade play in the knife, along with side to side play, though I don't think this was caused by the lock. So the first thing I did once I opened the blade was to check for this play and I found it to be absolutely solid with no play in any direction. There is plenty of steel for the lock to wear across so I think this knife will be solid for a very long time.
- Lastly, this knife has a very solid feel to it. The steel liners and thick blade help to give it it's 6.9 ounce weight, and in a knife this large, that solid feel sure feels good!
The BAD....
There are only three areas that I found that would cause me to even say anything, and a couple are probably just personal preferences.
- In handling this knife I simply think it to be a little thinner than I am accustomed to, especially in the bigger folders, but this is a personal preference that another person may not find it to have. On the other hand that thinness makes the knife ride very comfortable in my front right pocket, and I do not see that as a problem.
- I am having a bit of trouble in opening it without having to reposition my hand, but it is getting better and I am learning what I need to do to get a smooth opening.
- The last problem was a burr on the blade. It was simple enough to get rid of though so.........
I like the Szabo and think it to be a keeper due to it's excellent construction and it's large size. Great knife Spyderco!!:thumbup:
One thing I forgot to mention about the handles is how all the screws are countersunk so they do not rise above the handle. I would consider that just an extra step to make this a quality piece!
