The Sage 3 has landed!

yablanowitz

yablanowitz

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Apr 14, 2006
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Thank you Sal, and thanks for getting this out so quickly, Olive!

Good news and bad news, folks. If you were hoping for Navy blue G-10 on this one, you didn't get it. It looks like Yojimbo/Dodo blue to me.

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If you were hoping for something that couldn't be flicked open and therefor misclassified as a gravity knife, you didn't get it. The action is smoother and lighter than the Manix 2 CBL and is easily opened with a simple wrist snap. It Spydiedrops with almost no effort at all.

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The back is closed with a G-10 spacer that is fitted so well it looks like the handle is one piece.

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The durability of this lock is assured by a heavy steel stop pin and skeletonized nested liners.

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Fresh out of the box, I can release the lock with my thumb on one side with either hand, meaning it is a little easier than the Manix 2. For those offended by the "plastic" ball carrier on the CBL, there is nothing but steel visible on this one. The fit and finish show the same attention to detail that I've come to expect from this maker - phenomenal.

This one looks like a winner to me!

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I should have mentioned the texture of the G-10 is very similar to that of peel-ply carbon fiber. The handle is a bit wider on this one than on the first two, as is the closed width. It feels good in my large hands.

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You can see the exposed end of the carrier, the bolt and the stop pin in this picture.

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God the Sage line is so beautiful and they are perfect for me in every way but I can't get over that it is made in Taiwan and that it is stamped on the blade. It makes me sick to my stomach that I won't buy it just on that merit. Gorgeous blade.
 
Too bad. You're really missing out. This maker is as good as any production knife maker I've seen. That they've managed to retain their independence for this long while that close to China is enough to win my support, but to each his own.
 
The Sage line is fantastic. I'm a noob Spyderco collector / user. Got my first in May. Up to nearly 30 now. I've got the Sage 1 and Sage 2. I grab them the most often for EDC. The Sage 3 will be a high-priority must purchase.
 
I was really wishing for navy on this model.

Looks like another home run for the Taiwan manufacturer though.
 
It's actually more similar to the ball bearing lock than the Axis. The Axis lock uses a pair of thin "omega" shaped springs to wedge a tranverse bar across the blade tang and transfers load to the liners through the bar. The Bolt Action lock uses a coil spring to wedge an axial bar behind the tang and transfers load through the bar to a steel carrier nested inside the G-10 backspacer.
 
I should know this by now, but are the clips on the Sage series Titanium?
 
Love that Smurf bone! :D

yablanowitz said:
It's actually more similar to the ball bearing lock than the Axis. The Axis lock uses a pair of thin "omega" shaped springs to wedge a tranverse bar across the blade tang and transfers load to the liners through the bar. The Bolt Action lock uses a coil spring to wedge an axial bar behind the tang and transfers load through the bar to a steel carrier nested inside the G-10 backspacer.
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As far as opening/closing though, is it like the AXIS lock in that you can pull back the lock, easily flick it open with a wrist flip, and close it the same way?
 
Golddust said:
God the Sage line is so beautiful and they are perfect for me in every way but I can't get over that it is made in Taiwan and that it is stamped on the blade. It makes me sick to my stomach that I won't buy it just on that merit. Gorgeous blade.
Click to expand...

I really can't see how that's so much of a problem...I always try to buy goods that are made under ethical circumstances, but judging by Spyderco's other business practices, I really doubt that the Taiwan and China workers are getting anything less than fair compensation. The quality of the Taiwan manufacturer is probably the most consistent and best there is. But to each his own...that's too bad if you never try out a Sage.
Edit: I should also mention that Sal has said that most if not all the profits from the Chinese production plant go to expanding the US facility...meaning more jobs for americans. I'd assume that many of the taiwan profits go to similar use. Plus, the sales of some of the Taiwan knives (the Sages, Chokwe) go to benefit charities. I'm not trying to convince you to buy it, but I think it can't help to have more info


in response to the OP's photos: OOOOH SNAP! I got chills when I saw that beautiful blue...I am so pumped to finally hold it in my hand..

January is going to be an awesome month! Right at the beginning, there's the Sage 3, the new batch of s30v Para 2's, and then possibly the Para 2 Carpenter sprint by the end of the month!! w00t w00t!
 
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Great job on the photos Jack! The Sage III is definitely a good looking knife. And good on Sal for getting the first couple out to the two of you who helped with the project. :thumbup:

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
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yablanowitz said:
Too bad. You're really missing out. This maker is as good as any production knife maker I've seen. That they've managed to retain their independence for this long while that close to China is enough to win my support, but to each his own.
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Taiwan has great knife makers, they are not mainland China!!! I have three places I like knives from, U.S.A, Seki city Japan and Taiwan.
 
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