Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
I carried this one for a long time before it hit me what this was best suited for after watching it fit one role very well. I always carry a lot of knives, mainly for review purposes and I am pretty much just looking for things to cut a lot of them things that most would avoid with higher end knives.
The Vagabond while cutting well for a knife in general won't match the performance of the slimmer blades from Spyderco, it is readily out cut by a Paramilitary for example (see the reviews for more details), however while I would not say it is an over built prybar, it does handle a lot of tasks that you might not be so likely to do with one of the more cutting optomized blades.
For example it was readily used to cut/dig up a layer of sod to extend a small garden, and while it didn't have the edge retention of a custom with a harder and more abrasion resistant steel, the Vagabond's steel machines easier so even though it blunted more, the total sharpening time was similar.
So it tends to get tasks which I know are likely to damage or excessively wear edges as it sharpens up easily, and since the steel is fairly tough and ductile and the edge not as razor thin as most of Syderco's line it holds up better than many models would for that type of work. Plus as it is inexpensive, putting a lot of wear on it, really isn't that much of a concern.
To be clear here I am not saying this is an overbuilt tactical, far from that. Just that if you are used to the high flat grind models like the Calypso Jr. with the really thin and acute edges, this will not cut at the same level. It will still outcut many knives on the market however, again the review has more specific cutting comparisons.
With the handle I was mainly curious as to if the guard would stay closed and it did in most conditions, details in the review. The only reservation I would have is if you tend to stick it point first in your pocket and there is something else in there, it can catch on the guard and open it . I tended to just let it hand from by belt on a laynard, but I see it more as a tool box or glove compartment knife.
Where this worked perfectly was as an introduction to knives with friends who were used to fairly low end knives. As a first high end production company knife this really impresses people. It is sharp, fits well in the hand, the steel stays sharp very well compared to 420, mystery stainless etc., has a very high resistance to corrosion, resharpens easily and the guard is an interesting addition.
After they carry and use this for a few weeks and you repair the edge a few times as they get a handle on the kinds of things that can damage the edge, then you say "Ok, so now do you really want to see what you can get." and give them something like a Military and they are blown away and much more able to appreciate its level of performance.
This one is out on extended use now with relatives who are tradesmen, carpenters mainly. I'll get it back shortly for some baseline tests of edge retention.
Ref :
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/vagabond.html
-Cliff
The Vagabond while cutting well for a knife in general won't match the performance of the slimmer blades from Spyderco, it is readily out cut by a Paramilitary for example (see the reviews for more details), however while I would not say it is an over built prybar, it does handle a lot of tasks that you might not be so likely to do with one of the more cutting optomized blades.
For example it was readily used to cut/dig up a layer of sod to extend a small garden, and while it didn't have the edge retention of a custom with a harder and more abrasion resistant steel, the Vagabond's steel machines easier so even though it blunted more, the total sharpening time was similar.
So it tends to get tasks which I know are likely to damage or excessively wear edges as it sharpens up easily, and since the steel is fairly tough and ductile and the edge not as razor thin as most of Syderco's line it holds up better than many models would for that type of work. Plus as it is inexpensive, putting a lot of wear on it, really isn't that much of a concern.
To be clear here I am not saying this is an overbuilt tactical, far from that. Just that if you are used to the high flat grind models like the Calypso Jr. with the really thin and acute edges, this will not cut at the same level. It will still outcut many knives on the market however, again the review has more specific cutting comparisons.
With the handle I was mainly curious as to if the guard would stay closed and it did in most conditions, details in the review. The only reservation I would have is if you tend to stick it point first in your pocket and there is something else in there, it can catch on the guard and open it . I tended to just let it hand from by belt on a laynard, but I see it more as a tool box or glove compartment knife.
Where this worked perfectly was as an introduction to knives with friends who were used to fairly low end knives. As a first high end production company knife this really impresses people. It is sharp, fits well in the hand, the steel stays sharp very well compared to 420, mystery stainless etc., has a very high resistance to corrosion, resharpens easily and the guard is an interesting addition.
After they carry and use this for a few weeks and you repair the edge a few times as they get a handle on the kinds of things that can damage the edge, then you say "Ok, so now do you really want to see what you can get." and give them something like a Military and they are blown away and much more able to appreciate its level of performance.
This one is out on extended use now with relatives who are tradesmen, carpenters mainly. I'll get it back shortly for some baseline tests of edge retention.
Ref :
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/vagabond.html
-Cliff