Spyderco Terzuola

Belly

Gold Member
Joined
May 21, 2000
Messages
206
Can anyone give me some advice on the Spyderco Terzuola? I love the blade material and the eccentric pivot pin ideas, but I have been trying not to buy liner locks, especially ones that can easily open when gripping the handle. From pictures and short tests at the local knife store, it seems that the lock can easily open if gripped high on the handle. My Spyderco Military is an awesome knife, but I had to retire it due to the simple "grip-and-unlock" problem. Is the Terzuola similar when being used moderately?
 
I have been carrying one for about 3 months and have really put it through some stuff (literally). I haven't noticed any problems and feel confident that you won't either. I guess the only way to find out is to give it a try.

Matt @ The Razor's Edge Knife Co. http://www.razorsedgeknives.com
Email: info@razorsedgeknives.com


[This message has been edited by The Razor's Edge (edited 05-23-2000).]
 
I have no any lockup problems with mine. I found SPYDERCO liner lock flawlessly designed and executed. Starmate is one of two my favorite folders for daily carry.

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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland
 
I have owned both knives and have not had a problem with either.

I would wager to say that the Military might seem to be more prone to potentially have that happen than the Terzuola. I say this because I feel that the liner loc is slightly more exposed on that model and is placed in a location where I could see that being possible.

The fact that you are having this problem though is probably indicative of your having a knife with an improperly adjusted lock/a liner that is not stiff enough. I am not expert, but that is what it would seem to me.

Spyderco is great for customer service. I guarantee if you send it back to them with a letter explaining your problem they will either fix it, give you a new Military, or will exchange it for another model knife. I did it once with another knife that I had a problem with and they swapped it for a different model--no problems or hassles.

Matt

 
If choosing between Military and Starmate which one would you guys recommend, for daily carry. Also, Military's blade is 56-58 RC Starmate's 59-61 RC according to Spyderco booklet, wouldn't it make Starmate blade more likely to chip as 440V is comparatively brittle. What do you all think?

Thanks.
 
ace,
Sal says the two are the same lower Rc hardness.

As for which is better, that is totally up to the individual. The two have radically different handle designs and one should really try both to see which is better for them.
As for me, I have both (2 Starmates too) and I have a hard time deciding which I like better. At present, I'm leaning toward the Starmate, but that'll likely change tomorrow or the day after. For the last three days I've been carrying the Military and last night I went back to the Starmate.
Tough choice to choose the better of the two...
biggrin.gif


I should mention that myself and a number of others here on the Forums feel that the Military is the better tactical/defense type knife and the Starmate is the better utility type knife. This is rather odd in that they were actually designed to perform the opposite functions. You know, Military=utility & Starmate=tactical/defense.
Go figure...

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 05-23-2000).]
 
There's a whole thread regarding that very choice in the (archived?) Spyderco forum. Since you already have a Mititary you're halfway to the solution for this ageold dilemma - that is, you must own both! I've got 'em both and can't choose between them!
smile.gif
 
The answer is: the Starmate!!!
smile.gif

hope this helps.
Greetings
red

As already stated it's a Q of personal preference. I like the slightly smaller handle.
 
Belly,

I recently traded away a 710 Axis-Lock for a Starmate and I haven't regretted it in the least. The Starmate's liner is seriously stout and very strong - I couldn't "white knuckle" it if I had to. A knife like this could give liner-locks a good name. :-)

Jn
 
I too was stymied by the choice between my plainedged M&S So I traded for a serrated M and now they both serve differently and its easier to choose depending on expected tasks for that day.

Butt don't ask me to choose which is "best"


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><CHINOOK*>
--
Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult
 
I have owned both. I would say the Starmate is the bette knife for several reasons. I believe that it has a stronger lock up and the blade definately has more strength. It is thicker and more stout than the Military. I would fear that the point on the Military would be quite easy to break off--especially in using in the role that its name implies that it was designed for. I would feel much more confident in the abilities of the Starmate over the Military if I were to go on a long military deployment where the knife would be used and abused and not receive proper care at all times.

I think the Starmate is a much better size for carrying. It seems to be of higher quality. And lastly (and significantly I believe) I think that it would be less likely to be interpreted as a weapon by a LEO. The Military is just a huge looking knife, and I believe that it might be difficult to convince someone that you carry it for slicing oranges/cutting boxes etc. It just plain looks like a weapon!

I am in the military and carrying big knives around post (when not in the field) is not authorized on most posts, and is certainly discouraged to say the least. I would not feel completely comfortable having to show my Military model to an MP--where as I would feel that the Starmate might not be as likely to get me in trouble

Yeah I know that the measurements on the two are very close--but the shape, wide blade, and long handle of the Military make it look a lot bigger.

Matt
 
I have both the Military and the StarMate, both in 440V and both in plain edge. I prefer the StarMate for aesthetic reasons, mostly. Both seem built to last virtually forever and I have NEVER had the lock on either give the least trouble and I have tried many ways to release them. I truly love my StarMate and deem it to be ac close to perfection in a folding knife as I have seen, including the vaunted Sebenza at 3 times the price.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
Thanks for all the info. I think I'm going to buy Starmate. I already bought BM 710 M2 and like it, but it doesn't seem like this is enough. I think I'm hooked
smile.gif
, I also want a good fixed blade. What to do, what to do...
confused.gif
I saw SOG X42 in BG-42 in a Blade magazine ad. Looks like an interesting fixed blade, but I couldn't find any info on it.

Thanks.
 
ace,

just bite the bullet and buy the Starmate and a fixed blade.
Order a custom fixed blade from Matt Lamey in 3V and you'll be a happy man (until your wife finds out that you spent $400 on knives, that is)

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I don't suffer from insanity ... I enjoy every moment of it
 
As a Spydernut I'm pleased to report that my first fixed blade, a Camillus CQB1, is a ripper
smile.gif
 
Belly,

If you have an "unlocking" problem with the Military, you'll find the Starmate is very similar in liner lock construction. Both locks are flush with the right slab of the handle, but the Military has a longer finger cutout on the left slab to make the lock easier to disengage, and so because your index wraps around the liner a bit more, might be somewhat more prone to unlocking. Also, my Military has somewhat less "spring" tension when locked vs. the Starmate which seems stiffer. The two are pretty close though.

I don't find this to be a problem, but if you do, see the rather huge Crawford Kasper or a Benchmade Axis for a solution. I like the BM Axis 710 better than the Military, CPM 440V not enough to counterweight the design flaws (IMHO) of the Military.

I agree with much of what Bowler1 said, with this added: The Military is much less efficient design-wise than the Starmate. The Military has about 3/16" less useable cutting edge, and yet is about 1/2" longer when closed. The Military is the one folder I own which I find uncomfortable to carry, as my usual position in front jeans pocket, and it pokes me when I sit.
 
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