- Joined
- Dec 30, 1998
- Messages
- 89
I bought the Starmate for my 14th anniversary present for myself (to myself, by myself). (Yes, yet another shameless excuse.) Mine is a plain edge model (#503). What impressed me first about this knife was its size: it's a big, robust knife. Although I read and knew its dimension, having the original aluminum Terzuola, I was expecting it to look and feel about the same. Was I wrong. Its blade is beautifully ground: grind lines are fluid and clean. Reminds me of a certain type of Japanese "tanken's" grind line in its visual appeal. Quite different from the old Terzuola, which was quite ugly.
I was surprised to see the evolution of its liner (or leaf) lock. Most of the leaf is embedded in the G10 scale, and only 1 1/4" of it is exposed for locking/unlocking access. Its concept is very similar to Microtech's. There will be no chance of accidental unlocking due to the meaty part of the fingers/palm pushing the liner while "white-knuckling."
What distinguishes this knife, aside from its beautiful grind line, is its CPM440V blade. Like most of you, I am quite accustomed to ATS-34 and what I can expect from it: I know how long it holds the edge and how sharp it gets when I sharpen it. This is my first encounter with 440V, and it's just unbelievable. You'll have to have it to appreciate what it does. The Starmate became my daily carry knife because of this blade and its performance. -- One more note on the grind line before I leave this topic. It is ground from a very thick stock: it's well over 1/8" thick in its spine, whereas most other knives of this caliber uses the 1/8" stock. It is then deeply hollow ground to form a wickedly thin edge. The result is its stunning visual appearance: it begins as a pry bar at the spine and ends as a scalpel; thrilling visual roller coaster ride.
Some of you noted that its handle is not very comfortable. No, it doesn't have the most ergonomic handle design. I love the Police/Rookie handle. In fact, the Rookie is the most comfortable knife I've ever owned. The Calypso/Jr. handle looks very comfortable also. (I don't have them . . . yet.) I also like the AFCK handle. But the Starmate handle is pure Terzuola. You can't (alas!) compromise the design.
Sal, if you're reading this, here are some of my constructive criticism for design improvement:
1. The thumb ridges on the back of the blade: they fall slightly below the scale, so that they offer only a marginal traction. Either lower the scale or raise the back of the blade, or place them higher up the blade, as in the old Terzuola, so that the scale won't be in their way.
2. The hole: I would like to have it fluted for comfort. All of my old Spydercos' holes were fluted. The newer ones (my Rookie, CF Dragonfly, and Starmate) aren't. Is there a trend?
3. The clip: The new Military style clip mounted just under the pivot pin really defeats one of the strengths of the tip down carry, that is, the deep pocket concealment. As it is, it carries too high. If the pivot pin is no longer adjustable, then there is no reason to mount the clip under it. I personally prefer the tip up. (I loved the option I had in the old Terzuola.) The new reversible clip placed in the lanyard hole (a la the 98 models and the BF Native) would solve the screw placement (on the liner) problem.
4. The handle: No, I'm not requesting you to make it ergonomic. Just one modification. When it is in the closed position, a little corner awkwardly sticks out of the handle on the pivot pin side. Just a little imperfection, but annoys me.
In sum, the Starmate is a phenomenal knife. Following Jordan, Elway, and Gretzky, I'll officially retire my old Terzuola and carry the Starmate for the next 10 years.
I was surprised to see the evolution of its liner (or leaf) lock. Most of the leaf is embedded in the G10 scale, and only 1 1/4" of it is exposed for locking/unlocking access. Its concept is very similar to Microtech's. There will be no chance of accidental unlocking due to the meaty part of the fingers/palm pushing the liner while "white-knuckling."
What distinguishes this knife, aside from its beautiful grind line, is its CPM440V blade. Like most of you, I am quite accustomed to ATS-34 and what I can expect from it: I know how long it holds the edge and how sharp it gets when I sharpen it. This is my first encounter with 440V, and it's just unbelievable. You'll have to have it to appreciate what it does. The Starmate became my daily carry knife because of this blade and its performance. -- One more note on the grind line before I leave this topic. It is ground from a very thick stock: it's well over 1/8" thick in its spine, whereas most other knives of this caliber uses the 1/8" stock. It is then deeply hollow ground to form a wickedly thin edge. The result is its stunning visual appearance: it begins as a pry bar at the spine and ends as a scalpel; thrilling visual roller coaster ride.
Some of you noted that its handle is not very comfortable. No, it doesn't have the most ergonomic handle design. I love the Police/Rookie handle. In fact, the Rookie is the most comfortable knife I've ever owned. The Calypso/Jr. handle looks very comfortable also. (I don't have them . . . yet.) I also like the AFCK handle. But the Starmate handle is pure Terzuola. You can't (alas!) compromise the design.
Sal, if you're reading this, here are some of my constructive criticism for design improvement:
1. The thumb ridges on the back of the blade: they fall slightly below the scale, so that they offer only a marginal traction. Either lower the scale or raise the back of the blade, or place them higher up the blade, as in the old Terzuola, so that the scale won't be in their way.
2. The hole: I would like to have it fluted for comfort. All of my old Spydercos' holes were fluted. The newer ones (my Rookie, CF Dragonfly, and Starmate) aren't. Is there a trend?
3. The clip: The new Military style clip mounted just under the pivot pin really defeats one of the strengths of the tip down carry, that is, the deep pocket concealment. As it is, it carries too high. If the pivot pin is no longer adjustable, then there is no reason to mount the clip under it. I personally prefer the tip up. (I loved the option I had in the old Terzuola.) The new reversible clip placed in the lanyard hole (a la the 98 models and the BF Native) would solve the screw placement (on the liner) problem.
4. The handle: No, I'm not requesting you to make it ergonomic. Just one modification. When it is in the closed position, a little corner awkwardly sticks out of the handle on the pivot pin side. Just a little imperfection, but annoys me.
In sum, the Starmate is a phenomenal knife. Following Jordan, Elway, and Gretzky, I'll officially retire my old Terzuola and carry the Starmate for the next 10 years.
