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- Aug 8, 1999
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Recently, I picked up these two knives and I think that they are two of the best deals for the money around.
The SOG X-42 Mini Autoclip is typical Zytel folder except it has a non-reversible, Zytel clip that is adjustable for tightness, a good feature that can help in blade retention. The overall length of this knife is 6.75" or about the same as a Calypso jr. The blade is 2 7/8" with a cutting edge of 2 5/8". The blade style is a radical tanto similar to the BM/Elishewitz Stryker. The pivot on this knife is adjustable which is a great plus on knife in this price range ($39.95 from www.knifecenter.com.) The most distinctive feature of this knife is that the blade is made of BG-42 steel, a steel that heretofore has only been available on very expensive knives. The RC is about 62 which is pretty hard, I haven't done any hard cutting with this knife but I guess that this is not a blade that one would engage in heavy chopping with. For cutting, however, it is wonderfully sharp. I think the X-42 Mini Autoclip could give the 440V Native and VG-10 Calypso jr. lightweight a good run for the money.
The Spyderco Vesuvius is bit different from the SOG. Although it is FRN also, it has a pretty blue shell inlay which gives the knife more of a gents knife aura. The Vesuvius is also larger than the SOG with an overall length of 7.5" and a blade of 3 1/8". That makes this knife a shade shorter than the Spyderco Viele or BM 940, in other words, it is about as long as I can care to use for EDC. The Vesuvius is unique for a couple of reasons, first it is the only current U.S. made Spyderco with an ATS-34 blade. I understand that this was a request of Frank Centofante, the knfe's designer. The second much more important feature of the Vesuvius is that it uses the Compression Lock, Spyderco's new ultra strong locking system. The Compression looks like reverse liner lock but it is much more secure. The lock takes some getting used to in that it seems easier to disengage left handed on a right handed knife than right handed. This, however, is temporary, provided one manipulates the knife enough to get used to it. The two drawbacks of the Compression Lock is that it can pinch slightly when closed and that the blade can drop quickly when disengaged. The quick drop can result in a cut if one is not prepared. I avoid this by holding the knife with my hand close to the tang to keep the knife from dropping to fast. Holding the knife to the side instead of vertically works well also. Overall, the Vesuvius strikes me as a great deal, the blade shape is similar to the Wegner or Pro-Venator and would be quite useful for general utility or as a hunting or light camp knife. The price ($58.50 from www.gpknives.com) is a great deal also.
Both the Vesuvius and X-42 Mini Autoclip are tip knives and light and comfortable to carry. I don't know their weights but I guess that the SOG is under 2 oz. and the Vesuvius is around 3.5 oz. These are great knives with good prices, if you can find them, buy them and you won't be disappointed.
The SOG X-42 Mini Autoclip is typical Zytel folder except it has a non-reversible, Zytel clip that is adjustable for tightness, a good feature that can help in blade retention. The overall length of this knife is 6.75" or about the same as a Calypso jr. The blade is 2 7/8" with a cutting edge of 2 5/8". The blade style is a radical tanto similar to the BM/Elishewitz Stryker. The pivot on this knife is adjustable which is a great plus on knife in this price range ($39.95 from www.knifecenter.com.) The most distinctive feature of this knife is that the blade is made of BG-42 steel, a steel that heretofore has only been available on very expensive knives. The RC is about 62 which is pretty hard, I haven't done any hard cutting with this knife but I guess that this is not a blade that one would engage in heavy chopping with. For cutting, however, it is wonderfully sharp. I think the X-42 Mini Autoclip could give the 440V Native and VG-10 Calypso jr. lightweight a good run for the money.
The Spyderco Vesuvius is bit different from the SOG. Although it is FRN also, it has a pretty blue shell inlay which gives the knife more of a gents knife aura. The Vesuvius is also larger than the SOG with an overall length of 7.5" and a blade of 3 1/8". That makes this knife a shade shorter than the Spyderco Viele or BM 940, in other words, it is about as long as I can care to use for EDC. The Vesuvius is unique for a couple of reasons, first it is the only current U.S. made Spyderco with an ATS-34 blade. I understand that this was a request of Frank Centofante, the knfe's designer. The second much more important feature of the Vesuvius is that it uses the Compression Lock, Spyderco's new ultra strong locking system. The Compression looks like reverse liner lock but it is much more secure. The lock takes some getting used to in that it seems easier to disengage left handed on a right handed knife than right handed. This, however, is temporary, provided one manipulates the knife enough to get used to it. The two drawbacks of the Compression Lock is that it can pinch slightly when closed and that the blade can drop quickly when disengaged. The quick drop can result in a cut if one is not prepared. I avoid this by holding the knife with my hand close to the tang to keep the knife from dropping to fast. Holding the knife to the side instead of vertically works well also. Overall, the Vesuvius strikes me as a great deal, the blade shape is similar to the Wegner or Pro-Venator and would be quite useful for general utility or as a hunting or light camp knife. The price ($58.50 from www.gpknives.com) is a great deal also.
Both the Vesuvius and X-42 Mini Autoclip are tip knives and light and comfortable to carry. I don't know their weights but I guess that the SOG is under 2 oz. and the Vesuvius is around 3.5 oz. These are great knives with good prices, if you can find them, buy them and you won't be disappointed.
