Super steel Spitfires?

19-3ben

19-3ben

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
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I've recently been intrigued by the 722 Spitfire in either the S30v blade from Copper and Clad, or possibly the S35VN that SKBlades carries.

I was wondering, from those with experience/in the know, is there an upgrade in fit/finish on these models? Or is it the same level of fit/finish and it just happens to have a blade made of a higher end steel?

They seem like a great deal. I mean $50-60 for a reliable lightweight folder in a "super steel" sounds like an incredible steal, but I just don't hear much about these... I wonder why they are not more popular and why they are not a "Delica killer" considering they're pretty comparable in size and lock type but made in USA, high end steel, and actually cost less.

So really I'm asking, not only about fit/finish, but what's the skinny on these knives?
 
I don't own one but many have commented on that model. That it was well finished. The super steels start at something like S60V and go up. Buck made that model in S90V which is a super steel. DM
 
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I can't speak to every high end Spitfire, but my S90V/154CM version is perfect.

I don't know if it's a matter of Buck stepping up the quality, or SK's scrutiny. I know SK looks over every piece and makes only the best ones available.

They have another S90V model coming out with a coated blade soon, so keep your eyes on their site (if you can stand the constant email list signup pop ups).

 
I'll second that, not one complaint about my "Hornet" Spitfire from SK Blades. It was worth every penny!
No blade play, excellent fit and finish, perfect snap open and close and just a nice looking knife.
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I can also say the Hornet is the most solid of the Spitfires that I have.The Extreme that I have is not as solid as the Hornet but much better than the Blue S30V's that I have, I'm very disappointed with the Blue S30Vs that I have. I also have a Orange 722 that is ok. Good Luck 👍
 
I sent back to Copper & Clad twice their blue Spitfire S30v for blade play and a distinct clicking sound when opening their version, twice. I finally gave up and requested a refund.

I do have the SK Blades Hornet and Extreem and they are both very nice operating knives. My blue S30v BCCI Spitfire has some up and down blade play but I placed an order for the new marroon S35vn from BCCI anyway.
 
David Martin said:
Pokt, is the coated model a Spitfire? DM
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Yes. The 2nd batch of hornets had an issue with the final position of the 154CM. It was merely cosmetic as I understand it so they're coating the blades since the symmetry of the metals wasn't acceptable. The cutting edge will be S90V, but the rest of the blade will be coated so you won't see the transition line between the two different steels.

I assume it's okay to share that information here, and I'm sure Stephen will clarify if need be. If it's not, he can let me know to edit this post. As to how many are going to be available with coated S90V/154CM blades, only he can answer that, and whether or not the Hornet will make its return uncoated.

I'm happy and fortunate to have one of the originals. I may have bought the last one SK had to ship. I went back to order another and have them shipped together, and it was no longer available. A sign that I spend too much on knives, I presume.
 
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I have not seen an issue with any spitfires I have owned as far a lock and play. I own I believe 8 of them including 1 from the first year they came out. I used that knife for about 2 yrs as an edc until I broke the top doing something I shouldn't do with it. If I wanted to scrutinize any of them . The blue handled one from copper and clad has a tiny air gap between the lock release and the handle . But the knife functions well.
 
I have the SKBlades Extreme Spitfire and a regular orange one. For the most part, I like the Extreme Spitfire. My biggest gripe is the vertical play in the blade. I think Buck really dropped the ball with the Spitfire. It is a really nice knife if you get one with no issues. My orange one is near perfect. QC seems to be all over the place with this model.

I'm on the SKBlades mailing list, and got an e-mail about the new Spitfire. They call it the Wasp now, because of the change. I wish still had the e-mail. I would post the picture of the knife included in the message. I believe the e-mail said Buck is using a black Cerakote on the blade and hardware. The handle is still the gold color.
 
MT_Pokt said:
I can't speak to every high end Spitfire, but my S90V/154CM version is perfect.

I don't know if it's a matter of Buck stepping up the quality, or SK's scrutiny. I know SK looks over every piece and makes only the best ones available.

They have another S90V model coming out with a coated blade soon, so keep your eyes on their site (if you can stand the constant email list signup pop ups).

Click to expand...


:D :D I'm crying over here, because I couldn't agree more with the email pop ups! Hahaha! When I test the site, they drive me bonkers. I was told once you sign up, they would go away, but alas they have not. I've eliminated it all together, and now we can both rest a little easier!

As to the knife. I'm still negotiating with Buck on the cerakote version. I do have a working model in my pocket and it is very cool. I'll put up a picture here for everyone if the sun ever comes back out in the NW. If we manage to reach an agreement, there will be about 80 of these WASP models available, assuming they all lock up correctly. Either way, the cerakote version will be slightly more expensive than the Hornet. We'll see how negotiations finish up!

As to the vertical play on the Extreme, we literally went through every knife and separated them into a 100% perfect box, a 98-99% box, and a sloppy vertical play box. So for now, I still can send ones with great to excellent lock up.
 
I just ordered an Extreme Spitfire from SK Blades this morning. Please tell me that it is from the 100% box. ;) I ordered from Ypsilanti.
 
I am digging the wasp. I have the hornet and the extreme. Now if you could get me one with serrations 😁
 
Last August 2016 I was a "knife newbie," just got interested in knives (mainly Bucks) that month. As I look at my grey Spitfire, I realize now I didn't know what I was getting. I acquired this knife in September 2016. This thread has helped out a little in learning about my knife.

Not sure if it's considered more of a "plain-Jane" Spitfire as it doesn't have any of the above-mentioned steels for blade material. I checked my order and mine carries 420HC steel. But that is not marked anywhere on the blade; not sure why.

As far as the knife, it has been nothing but perfect for me. Opening and closing is very easy, smooth as silk. The blade has no play whatsoever. It is built perfectly --- everything works just fine. Grey color against the stainless steel silver make this a most sharp-looking knife in my eyes. Since I have a horizontal belt sheath that fits my Spitfire exactly, that is how I EDC it.

Guess my "unknown" purchase last year was fine. I still plan to look at some of the Spitfires talked about in this thread.

Spitfire Grey 722









 
how optimal will the heat treatment on the new s90v be? what's the hrc #? Im thinking about getting one and having the recurve ground out via a re grind. still debating.
 
skblades said:
As to the vertical play on the Extreme, we literally went through every knife and separated them into a 100% perfect box, a 98-99% box, and a sloppy vertical play box. So for now, I still can send ones with great to excellent lock up.
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I received my black Extreme Spitfire yesterday. SKBlades...great work and fast shipping! I definitely got one with excellent lock-up! I just discovered your company and website last week...and now I am a believer. Following you on Facebook too.

I haven't been a Spitfire guy in the past. I have handled many in the past and even purchased one last year...only to return it. Blade play was horrendous on all but one that I handled. Felt cheap in the hand.

But not this Extreme Spitfire from SKBlades. It's tight, tough, and anything but cheap-feeling. For $60, it is a steal of super steel. With only 250 produced in the first run, you better order yours soon. I am keeping and carrying this beauty.

I'm definitely a Vantage guy. SKBlades, any chance that you will ever do some extreme work on the Vantage line?
 
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revnewk said:
I received my black Extreme Spitfire yesterday. SKBlades...great work and fast shipping! I definitely got one with excellent lock-up! I just discovered your company and website last week...and now I am a believer. Following you on Facebook too.

I haven't been a Spitfire guy in the past. I have handled many in the past and even purchased one last year...only to return it. Blade play was horrendous on all but one that I handled. Felt cheap in the hand.

But not this Extreme Spitfire from SKBlades. It's tight, tough, and anything but cheap-feeling. For $60, it is a steal of super steel. With only 250 produced in the first run, you better order yours soon. I am keeping and carrying this beauty.

I'm definitely a Vantage guy. SKBlades, any chance that you will ever do some extreme work on the Vantage line?
Click to expand...
A Vantage what a great idea 👍
 
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