Spyderco Tenacious Dominates Competition

[Rasco]

My apologies if this has been posted here before, but I just saw it and thought it was pretty cool and had to share. I dunno how "scientific" this test was, but it certainly reinforced my already positive opinion of this budget knife.
(Skip to about 3:30 into the video for the Tenacious)
[video=youtube;4KmHfbG7z7g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmHfbG7z7g[/video]

 

[3rdGenRigger]

Watched that earlier this week...it did alright, but they had no competing Spydercos with different lock mechanisms. They also hung the weight roughly the same distance from the pivot on the knives, but there are a lot of other variables not considered. Neat test though, and it certainly tells you a lot more than just spine whacking a few knives. I know the Tenacious feels solid, and before watching it I knew I'd never break the lock even under hard use...now I'm twice as sure.

Edit: I'd have put the knives in upside down (As that's the normal direction force is applied to the blades...most people don't cut with the spine), and upped the weight in 10 pound increments until they broke in half. Hmmm...we have several crane trucks and lots of heavy weights...perhaps I should.

 

[Popsickle]

I wouldn't quite say it dominated the competition but it did well on a single test. Most knife users will not put anywhere near that type of weight onto a knife

 

[Rasco]

Yeah I guess the headline was a little exaggerated, but hey, I was excited to see the Tenacious hold up.
Granted, it was pretty jacked up at the end of testing, but it did hold.

Just thought I'd share with you guys, for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Friday night, I'm at work, bored

 

[Semper Praesidio]

Great video! I already felt good about my purchase of the Tenacious, but this just reaffirmed it.

I agree with 3rdGen that the pressure should have been applied to the other side of the knife as that is where the pressure is going to be when someone is using a blade. In spite of that these were some interesting results.

Also, you've heard the old adage, "two knives are one and one is none," basically encouraging the carry of multiple blades. I've also heard one promoted that "a folding knife is a broken knife." I think this test shows that folding knives (even "budget" folders) are a lot stronger than people give them credit for.

 

[cards94]

The only thing I have against not trying the Tenacious is that it's made in China.

 

[3rdGenRigger]

For ~$40 you can't go wrong though, and they are built solidly. And Spyderco still profits from the sales, as their head office is in Golden so I don't mind terribly. It's my only China made Spyderco, but it makes a good experimentation platform for sharpening, or a great sturdy beater knife, or a loaner knife to a friend who you think may use it as a pry-bar. It's my new traveling knife (Or my Orange Dragonfly...it'll depend on my mood the day I leave) because it's inexpensive and easy to replace if anything were to happen to it. It's a better test of the lock strength as is, but if the force was rotated 180 degrees it would be a better test of the pivot and handle strength, though it would likely take even more force to cause a failure in such manner.

 

[RamZar]

Good candidates for lock strength tests are the Sage series if someone can afford the "destructive" tests. Hopefully, not too soon since we should see new Sage folders with Compression & Button locks to accompany the current liner lock, frame lock, bolt action lock and back lock. These are extremely well made small folders and it evens the playing field.

Kudos to Spyderco for creating the Sage series and paying due homage.

 

[AVigil]

The only thing I have against not trying the Tenacious is that it's made in China.

Is that a rule only for knives or does it apply to electronics as well?

 

[singularity35]

But it doesn't have a dohickey...so lateral strength must be pretty lousy....

 

[cards94]

Is that a rule only for knives or does it apply to electronics as well?

US made knives only. Everything else is impossible.

 

[Dano1987]

Good to know because I am so frequently putting hundreds of pounds of stress on my knife locks. Ha. Cool though. I just ordered an all black tenacious.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Is that a rule only for knives or does it apply to electronics as well?

Just knives, or we'd be cavemen with out a cave.

 

[tchapman414]

I was glad to see the Tenacious succeed, but I cannot say it surprised me. The liners/lock on it are rather beefy compared to much of its competition, and always has a positive lockup and feel.

 

[Lycosa]

Sonofagun... the good 'ole lockback.

 

[Rasco]

I was pleasantly surprised at the Zancudo. I have one and I wasn't expecting much from it

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

The Cold Steel isn't lock back but Tri-Ad. Having said that, the Gerber & Buck lock didn't fail so it doesn't matter much at this point.

Anyone interested should check out Demko testing Hold Out & Counter Point

I have 2 Resiliences, a Bradley, and SB Endura. I think all locks well.

 

[NetshadeX]

Also worth to note that gradual pressure is VERY different to sudden shock. For instance, personally you'll never see me stab a piece of wood full force with a linerlock knife, even if said knife held 380lbs in a test.

Don't get me wrong, I love linerlocks but that's mostly for their speed and convenience.

 

[390beretta]

The only thing I have against not trying the Tenacious is that it's made in China.

I bought one of those knives (in the tenacious line, the larger one) Was very disappointed when I saw it was made in China, however the price was right. Been using it now for 6 months or so exclusively and couldn't be happier with it.....very tight lockup, no blade play whatsoever, sharpens easily, etc. I'd suggest you give one a try.

 

[Lee48]

I don't have a Tenacious but I do have the Ambitious and the Persistence. Those knives have massive liners and lock bars in comparison to their size. I assume the Tenacious is similarly designed, therefore, I'm not surprised at the lock's strength.