Spyderco Ti ATR (PE)

[Cotherion]

By a stroke of rare luck I just won a Titanium ATR (PE) from EBay for about 200 bucks.

What I would like to know is that have I payed too much or is this a reasonable price? By the way, it's NIB.

I've been collecting (and using happily) Spydercos for a while now. Previously the most expensive folder I owned was a Rukus at 140USD, 710D2 for 110USD and followed by a Manix for 100USD. This is by far the most expensive I have ever owned and it is by pure faith (gained from Spyderco's excellent quality!) that I dived into purchasing this one.

Anyone who owns (or owned) a Spyderco ATR (Titanium or SS) can you please let me know if this is a good model and possible cons (so I might know what to expect)?

Mucho Arigato and have a nice day.

 

[audiopile]

these in whatever handle material are simply great knives. The version of the compression lock is so overbuilt that I can't imagine it ever failing - have yet to hear from anyone with wear problems either. Blade shape is very useful - despite the metal handles - these for some reason are very comfortable to use - flat design packs well. ATR's are also some of the smoothest opening and closing folders I have ever handled.
Basically the only reason I don't carry/use mine anymore is that they are a bit big N scary.
Paid more than $200 for one of my stainless versions - seems like you got a very good price for the Ti.

 

[Cotherion]

Thanks audiopile. I'm glad you mentioned about the compression lock being overbuilt, I had a liner lock failed on me once and lock strength is one of my main considerations.

Yeah the blade shape seems good, I decided on the PE version because the serrated version seems too much a hassle to sharpen even with my sharpmaker. I've never been too good with serrations.

Part of the reason I bought it was because the picture file had a good pictures. From the pics it can be seen that the fitting is very tight with the blade having a small gap from the handle when closed. The thickness of the titanium is the deciding point for me and S30v steel to boot!

Below is the link to the (already finished) ebay page. You'll see what I mean by the picture quality deciding my purchase.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230284770792&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Guys, let me know if there is a problem with the pics ok? I hope nothing is wrong with the folder that I missed. I'll post a review when the knife gets to me within 5 days (Express international to Malaysia!).

 

[Bogie]

I have 3 total all PE 2 Black SS & 1 Ti they truly are a great knife I bought all new when they first came out and have been EDC a SS since the Ti is for when I have to be dressed up.

 

[Cotherion]

I have 3 total all PE 2 Black SS & 1 Ti they truly are a great knife I bought all new when they first came out and have been EDC a SS since the Ti is for when I have to be dressed up.

Great, since you own both the SS and Ti versions and the PE and Serrated versions as well I got a few Qs for you I hope you don't mind.

Comparing the Ti and the SS versions, which is more 'rock solid' feeling? This is because I read in BF that the SS versions have more holes on the handles and the handle's SS scales (whachamacallit) are thinner than the Ti version. I assume this means the SS version is not as rigid as the Ti version given more holes and thinner scales?

Secondly since I already purchased a PE version, how does the serrated version perform in the real life usage? Is sharpening easier? Given that I'm not too good with serrations I'm probably gonna get the SS version of the ATR serrated IF and only IF the one I got turns out to be as good as I hoped. Don't think I can afford another Ti ATR if I wanna complete my 'set' with a serrated one.

Thanks guys...

 

[bladkersh02]

I just got a SS serrated ATR. All I can say is that I've read several threads this year here and elsewhere with people giving high praise to the ATR. Lots of most comfortable, smoothest opening, and why did I wait so long to get this model statements. I think when you get it, you will hold in your hand, slowly exhaling without a thought of what you paid.

 

[Cotherion]

I just got a SS serrated ATR. All I can say is that I've read several threads this year here and elsewhere with people giving high praise to the ATR. Lots of most comfortable, smoothest opening, and why did I wait so long to get this model statements. I think when you get it, you will hold in your hand, slowly exhaling without a thought of what you paid.

What I paid is about a third of my monthly salary

I'm glad to hear that it's a good Spyderco model. I'm surprised why it's discontinued? It is also because I read past bladeforum threads/posts regarding the ATR that I finally decided to shell for one

I rationalize to myself that even though I paid a lot for it, many years down the line I'll still be enjoying it It's not like degradable stuff, it's forever!!!

 

[83mmATR]

I have the stainless version. Though there seems a wear on the lockbar, there is no bladeplay after a series of opening/closing or gradually applying pressure on the spine.

 

[SIFU1A]

great knives imho, my fav spyderco by far, i have 3 Ti ATRs, 2 PE and 1 SE, also have a SS SE,

$200 nowadays is a great price, IIRC i paid ~$225 for mine new from NGK~ 3 yrs ago, one in LNIB shape is worth ~$250 maybe $300, i wouldnt take $250 for my user ATR FWIW.

really like the design, they are slim and carry well, i like the S30V, i like the pocket clip some dont, also really like the compression lock, i also like the "cobra hood", the Ti ATR is really the only production knife i ever carry anymore, i edc either an emerson custom CQC13, EKI CQC12 or the ti ATR, not bad company to be in imho.

the ATR with the SE is kinda odd imho, the serrations are on the back 2/3 so its not really like a std SE knife, almost a combo edge, but while it may look a little funky it cuts just fine, i prefer the PE version though. the SE is more difficult to sharpen than the PE, dont have to do it as often though i suppose,

the SS ATR locks up fine, has a few more holes drilled in the handle for whatever reason, i presume to lighten it a little, not a bad knife at all, i prefer the Ti version though, i like the 4 holes vs the many holes of different diameters, and just the general feel is better imho.

 

[Cotherion]

Interesting, i've not seen a pic of the lockbar upclose. Looks stocky but the wear seems ok as long as there's no bladeplay.

I think I'll give the titanium ATR serrated version a miss and go for the SS version instead. One is bound to pop up in the 'for sale' section sooner or later

SIFU1A, that's a lot of Titanium ATRs, you must really like them And as I suspected, the Ti versions give a better 'feel' than the SS versions. Though VG-10 ain't no slouch!

Maybe a pic of your EDC ATR Ti to see how one looks after being carried/used instead of a safe queen? A man must have his knife porn once in a while

 

[83mmATR]

I haven't used mine for heavy cutting but allow me to share a photo of one of my favorite spydies.

 

[Cotherion]

Nice, the SS version is also nice looking. I'll get a Serrated SS version to complete my set next

 

[SIFU1A]

Interesting, i've not seen a pic of the lockbar upclose. Looks stocky but the wear seems ok as long as there's no bladeplay.

I think I'll give the titanium ATR serrated version a miss and go for the SS version instead. One is bound to pop up in the 'for sale' section sooner or later

SIFU1A, that's a lot of Titanium ATRs, you must really like them And as I suspected, the Ti versions give a better 'feel' than the SS versions. Though VG-10 ain't no slouch!

Maybe a pic of your EDC ATR Ti to see how one looks after being carried/used instead of a safe queen? A man must have his knife porn once in a while

the finish on the ti ATR really holds up well, doesnt scuff bad at all,

 

[Cotherion]

If that is your EDC Atr, I'd say it held up pretty well

I can have a feel for the size since you put a lot of stuff in the pic. It isn't a small knife from what I can see. Is the weight and the thickness fine for clipping to a pocket?

Guys, wanna ask, is the wear of the lockbar less on a titanium version compared to a SS version?

 

[MikeC]

Question is the compression lock much like a frame lock except along the spine? What gives the wear issue if the knives are all ss or some ti handles with ss blades and they are properly cared for there shouldn't be any wear for many, many years. Is this lock type not what I think or does it operate differently than the frame lock? Cotherion, I have read before hat ti 6AI4V ti if properly heat treated has approximately 8 times the wear resitance of most steels including stainless steels. On the other hand I have also heard some people say that ti will wear at a more rapid pace when coming into contact with ss as opposed when coming into contact with ti. Don't interpt that as ti wears faster than ss as I said before I've read ti has greater wear resistance than ss, its just than when coming into contact with a harder material it will wear at a faster rate.

I could be wrong there are some very knowledgable individuals on this site.

 

[Kaizen1]

Question is the compression lock much like a frame lock except along the spine? What gives the wear issue if the knives are all ss or some ti handles with ss blades and they are properly cared for there shouldn't be any wear for many, many years. Is this lock type not what I think or does it operate differently than the frame lock? Cotherion, I have read before hat ti 6AI4V ti if properly heat treated has approximately 8 times the wear resitance of most steels including stainless steels. On the other hand I have also heard some people say that ti will wear at a more rapid pace when coming into contact with ss as opposed when coming into contact with ti. Don't interpt that as ti wears faster than ss as I said before I've read ti has greater wear resistance than ss, its just than when coming into contact with a harder material it will wear at a faster rate.

I could be wrong there are some very knowledgable individuals on this site.

To answer one of your questions, the compression lock is NOT like a frame lock on the opposite side. It's pretty ingenious inmo. The lock bar does stop the blade on one side similar to a frame lock, but on the other side of the lock bar, it's pressing against the stop pin. So it gets "compressed" in between the tang of the blade and the stop pin.

Here's a pic from Morimotom:

 

[THG]

To answer one of your questions, the compression lock is NOT like a frame lock on the opposite side. It's pretty ingenious inmo. The lock bar does stop the blade on one side similar to a frame lock, but on the other side of the lock bar, it's pressing against the stop pin. So it gets "compressed" in between the tang of the blade and the stop pin.

It strikes me as having the force-against-edge strength of a liner lock knife but much more force-against-spine strength. This is because the compression lock really can't be forced to bend the same way a conventional liner can.

 

[Cotherion]

With liner locks or frame locks, the slenderness is an issue. Too thin and the lockbar will buckle/bend under high loads. However for the compression lock, it is enormously stockier in profile and under extreme loads I can forsee no buckling or bending of the lockbar. This is one of the main reason I decided to fork out mucho moolah (more so for me due to salary and cost-of-living!) on this folder.

Question is the compression lock much like a frame lock except along the spine? What gives the wear issue if the knives are all ss or some ti handles with ss blades and they are properly cared for there shouldn't be any wear for many, many years. Is this lock type not what I think or does it operate differently than the frame lock? Cotherion, I have read before hat ti 6AI4V ti if properly heat treated has approximately 8 times the wear resitance of most steels including stainless steels. On the other hand I have also heard some people say that ti will wear at a more rapid pace when coming into contact with ss as opposed when coming into contact with ti. Don't interpt that as ti wears faster than ss as I said before I've read ti has greater wear resistance than ss, its just than when coming into contact with a harder material it will wear at a faster rate.

I could be wrong there are some very knowledgable individuals on this site.

Interesting, I wonder how some of our more knowledgable members out there will comment on this. Given that many high-end folders have titanium-to-stainless-steel contact means that at least some might have a comment on this. If what is said is true that ti to ss contact wears out faster then it's more logical to engineer a ss contact surface on the titanium lockbar?

In the case of the ATRs, I'm assuming that the Ti handle scales are thicker than the SS versions from what I read in BF. This means the surface to wear in the compression lock is larger. I'm actually looking forward to holding a thick and well engineered titanium folder soon

 

[THG]

With liner locks or frame locks, the slenderness is an issue. Too thin and the lockbar will buckle/bend under high loads.

I never really understood how this is an issue for any compression/liner/frame lock, though. When you're cutting, the force is being taken off of the liner lock and applied to the stop pin, right?

As far as I'm concerned, the only function of the liner lock is to keep the blade from dropping loose. The stop pin is what needs the most strength then, right?

 

[SIFU1A]

heres a little better pic i couldnt find it earlier, it does have a few minor scuffs which dont show up very well (which is a good thing) but all in all i think it still looks fine, and i'm picky lol.

yeah the finish spydie uses on the ATR really holds up well, stonewash maybe?? anyway the only other finish i have had hold up like that is the ti side of my EKI CQC12. and i do edc the ti ATR several times a week and while i dont carry a lot of stuff in that pocket i do occasionally have keys or some change in it, so it really does hold up well. i have been carrying it for ~ 2 yrs now too.

as far as liner wear i really havent had any with the ti or the SS, no noticeable wear anyway & i dont take it easy on it like some of my folders ie i inertia it all the time.

imho the ATR's carry very well in the pocket, pretty slim, no complaints in that area at all,

i got my 1st ti ATR from NGK but the other 2 i have i swapped for, traded a 90% EKI commander for the LNIB plain edge one and a LNIB BM skirmish for the LNIB SE one, both were "ok" deals at the time (~ 2 yrs ago) and sound even better today.

really like the design though, my fav spyderco by far and really the only production knife i carry on a regular basis the last couple of yrs.

and the SS one w/the VG10 and such is also good, just not as good as the ti.