Spydie Ti slasa

R

razorsdescent

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Jan 16, 2005
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looking for a ti frame/ compression lock folder thats 150 or under. the salsa while rather small seems like it would fit the bill. is it any good??

hows the volpe?? not stainless but elegant and meatier.

im looking for a companion to my sebenza that i would carry while in uniform so as not to beat the heck outa my sebenza.


Thanks in advance.
 
razorsdescent said:
looking for a ti frame/ compression lock folder thats 150 or under. the salsa while rather small seems like it would fit the bill. is it any good??

hows the volpe?? not stainless but elegant and meatier.

im looking for a companion to my sebenza that i would carry while in uniform so as not to beat the heck outa my sebenza.


Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Regarding the above choices:

I have both, here is my opinion.

The Salsa is a fine knife with a very reliable Compression lock. For most folks who own both the regular handled Aluminum handles Salsa vs. the Ti. most prefer the Ti. The usual reason given is it feels grippier.

Now when the Salsa is clipped in a pocket, it is wide so if you have stuff underneath the Salsa, it can get in the way. The Cobra hood also gets in the way while pocketed. If you only carry that knife in that pocket, no worries.

Deployed, I find the cobra hood very nice as a thumb rest/grip. Since the handle is shaped with lots of finger grooves, I'd recomend holding the knife if possible prior to purchase. If your hand is too large or too small it is possible you won't like the fit.

The Volpe has the Reeve style liner lock which is a good lock. Unlike many locks in the liner lock family, very little of the lock is available to disengaging. Those with week tender finger, complain it is difficult to unlock. This means it is also harder to unlock by accident...IMO. However, it also means you might not be able to unlock it with gloves on.
Picture of lock available for disengagement.
imgp2112medium7aq.jpg


I think it far better built than the Salsa with better steel for the blade.

The clip is Right Pocket only.

I like the odd hump on the blade that allows thumb or finger aide for fine or detailed cutting.
imgp2102medium4ic.jpg


I can close it one handed with either hand. ;)

I haven't used either knife for long or hard knife work, but my overall impression is the Volpe would hold up better.

Hope that helps and good luck.
 
Thank you zenheretic. That was a very in depth and detailed response.

I still would like to know why they chose steel rather than Ti for the volpe. wood concerns me as far as duarability.

The frame lock wont bother my fingers i assure you. I never really worry about closing a knife with gloves on, i might need to get it out in a hurry, but if im closing it i can probably take a moment or two.


I guess it all boils down to wether i can get my hands on a ti salsa. If not the volpe looks like it has the frame locky goodness i crave.

too bad the atrs are even rarer, (not to mention expensive)

Also both look fairly PC. I can get away with carrying a larger folder in the city because im a soldier, but id rather not have the hassel.

Currently carrying a griptillian and i honestly have to say that its relaly not the knife people on this forum think it is. I need to stick with spyderco unless im purchasing a bali.
 
razorsdescent said:
I still would like to know why they chose steel rather than Ti for the volpe. wood concerns me as far as duarability.
Click to expand...

Steel vs. Ti.

Well I don't work for Spyderco but I'm guessing steel is easier to work with. Spyderco has been putting out steel handled knives for 20-30 years and know that material very well. They frequently will try a new design in steel first and see how it sells. The reason always given is the initial production set up is less with steel vs. other materials.

For whatever reason, they have had bad luck with Ti. historically. Why they have bad luck and other companies don't is a mystery. Ti prices do seem to flucuate more...who knows. The weight benefit vs the cost increase of Ti vs steel is likely small in the Volpe. :rolleyes:;)
 
The Volpe is my favorite 3+" carry. It is handsome, light, even with the steel scales, and very comfortable to use. I especially like the position for placing your finger forward of the Spyderhole, it is most useful in controlling fine cutting. You can do some very fine cutting with the shape of the blade.

But the Volpe is not made by Spyderco. It is a collaboration made by Fox Knives of Italy in conjunction with Spyderco. It is fully up to the best of Spyderco standards, just a bit different. For instance, it uses a premium European steel rather than the Japanese steels with which Spyderco seems to be playing lately. And the design is rather different and, I thnk, more stylish than most Spydies.
 
FullerH said:
But the Volpe is not made by Spyderco. It is a collaboration made by Fox Knives of Italy in conjunction with Spyderco. It is fully up to the best of Spyderco standards, just a bit different. For instance, it uses a premium European steel rather than the Japanese steels with which Spyderco seems to be playing lately. And the design is rather different and, I thnk, more stylish than most Spydies.
Click to expand...
Technically correct, but it is made by Spyderco as much as any other production company that outsources one of their knives.

Since we are splitting hairs, Spyderco has played with Japanese steels for about 20+ years.

It is customary for them to use local steels for the factory that makes knife "x".
 
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