Tell me more about the Vesuvius...

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
I was offered one of these for my ASP Baton, and while I found some images online, I don't know much about these knives.

I have searched, and so far have gathered that they are a Centofante knife, an early version of the Centofante 4 that Spyderco is currently selling.

Information I'm looking for:

Blade Steel
Grind options (pics all look hollow ground)
Years made
Any pictures you guys might have

Also, looking for opinions on the Compression lock. I've never even seen one in real life, so I have no idea what to expect. I'm EDC'ing an Axis locked BM right now (yeah yeah, I like both companies), how will the compression compare to that?

Thanks for the help guys, I like what I see in this knife so far, maybe I've found a new EDC.
 
Mine was ATS-34. I loved that knife, but I sold it to fund the purchase of my new Paramilitary. I LOVE the compression lock, personally. It feels very secure. It's like a stronger liner lock, plus it has the added benefit that you don't have to put your finger in the path of the blade to disengage the lock. I would trade an ASP baton for one in a heartbeat.
 
How easily is the compression lock used one handed? It seems a little goofy to me based on the pictures I've seen, but then again, I've never handled one.

Anyone have some detailed pics of the Vesuvius?
 
There is more than one version of the Vess out there. Some of them had a blue abolone shell insert in the handle that gave it a classier look, others were just plain, black handles. They were first made in 2001 IIRC, that's when I got mine (blue abolone version). Not sure when they were discontinued though.
 
Wasn't the Vesuvius the proto for the comp lock and some of them had issues? The refined compression lock in the Yojimbo and Paramilitary works flawlessly, and the older style ones in my Gunting and Lil' Temp work almost as well(the Temp is finicky with a loose stop pin.)
 
eojk said:
Wasn't the Vesuvius the proto for the comp lock and some of them had issues? The refined compression lock in the Yojimbo and Paramilitary works flawlessly, and the older style ones in my Gunting and Lil' Temp work almost as well(the Temp is finicky with a loose stop pin.)
Click to expand...


I don't know about if the Vesuvius was the rollout model for the Compression Lock, but yes, one of the two that I bought (and still have) had a small issue with the lock. When the knife is opened, there is a little knock of vertical blade play. I have to put pressure on the spine (I just use my thumb in the hole) and then back toward the open position and there is no more vertical wiggle.

I'm pretty sure that my other one (in a box in a trunk, held in reserve) does not have this issue, and it's why I made the wiggly one the user and kept the other one pristine.

I have a Paramilitary with no issues, and a Gunting with no issues. (I don't have a Li'l Temperance though I wouldn't mind having one.) One of the things I love about all three (Para, Gunting, Vesuvius) is that they use a milled tang instead of a ball-bearing detent. I have two black aluminum handled Salsas, and they unfortunately use the ball-bearing detent for their Compression Locks... :( Then again, those are made in Taiwan.

The Vesuvius is a good knife. More of a gentleman's folder than a hard-use bulldog, in my view. But a good knife.

-Jeffrey
 
Don't know if the Vesuvius was the first Spydie with the compresion lock, but it was one of the early ones.I must have lucked out, the lock on mine was perfect from the day I got it. They do have an eccentric pivot pin so you should be able to adjust some of the vertical play out of it. Mine has been used as a EDC for quite a while,I don't baby it at all and it has held up well.


Bruceter
 
I have a Vesuvius and it is a love/hate kind of relationship.

I love the blade design and the handle design, and the clip.
I love the pure genius of the Compression-lock--it is amazing how simple and strong it is.
IMHO, the Compression-lock blows all liner-locks, lock-backs, and frame-locks out of the water.
The only competition is the Axis-lock, Arc-lock, Ultra-lock, and Ball bearing-lock.

OTOH, I hate the sharp peak over the thumb-ramp.
In fact, I filed mine down somewhat.

I also hate one aspect of the Compression-lock:
It does not hold the blade closed very well.
This is the only knife that has ever opened inside my pocket.

Allen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top