The Vrango Folder

[rtal]

Been looking at the Vrango for a while.
I had hesitated purchasing until now because of a couple of negative reviews online and the price. Well, I finally pulled the trigger at close out pricing and I am glad that I did.
The pros: Superb fit and finish. Blade shape surprisingly useful for most edc tasks such as opening packages, cutting string, rope and plastic ties, and very good at cutting up fruit and vegetables for a small knife. Easy and smooth opening. The clip isn’t bad, but I installed an aftermarket deep carry using the rearmost handle screw so I can carry tip up. Lots of blade and cutting ability in a knife smaller than the Techno.
The cons: Handles flush with liner lock making it less easy than most to disengage the lock.
Summary: Great little edc with the caveat that the blade shape is probably not appropriate for whittling, but, looks like it would be easy to reprofile into a recurve or even a non-recurve drop point. I am considering buying a second just to give that a try. No intentions with this one though. Like it as is just fine for edc. Great collaboration that I suspect failed to catch on due to price and unusual blade shape. At the clearance prices, it’s a steal. My two cents; get one while you can.

 

[Munchy]

Been looking at the Vrango for a while.
I had hesitated purchasing until now because of a couple of negative reviews online and the price. Well, I finally pulled the trigger at close out pricing and I am glad that I did.
The pros: Superb fit and finish. Blade shape surprisingly useful for most edc tasks such as opening packages, cutting string, rope and plastic ties, and very good at cutting up fruit and vegetables for a small knife. Easy and smooth opening. The clip isn’t bad, but I installed an aftermarket deep carry using the rearmost handle screw so I can carry tip up. Lots of blade and cutting ability in a knife smaller than the Techno.
The cons: Handles flush with liner lock making it less easy than most to disengage the lock.
Summary: Great little edc with the caveat that the blade shape is probably not appropriate for whittling, but, looks like it would be easy to reprofile into a recurve or even a non-recurve drop point. I am considering buying a second just to give that a try. No intentions with this one though. Like it as is just fine for edc. Great collaboration that I suspect failed to catch on due to price and unusual blade shape. At the clearance prices, it’s a steal. My two cents; get one while you can.

I pretty much agree with what you said! I'll post my "mini review" from the "Which Spydie are you carrying today" thread because it's relevant (and you didn't post pics )

The Vrango is a nice little knife.


Like you mentioned, the blade shape is what drew me to it. The hollow grind with the perpendicular ground flats is gorgeous.


A few things I dislike about it;

There's no cutout near the lock so it's not the easiest to unlock with the meat of your thumb. I've heard people complain about this on the GB1 but I never had a problem with that model. You can actually see a little skin on the lock in the next picture



The next thing I dislike is the clip. It has no business being on a knife this nice. It also doesn't match the design..



The size is a little awkward as well. It would make a great candidate for an XL version, or even a mini.

Overall I like the knife, even with the few things I listed that I think could be improved upon.

The fit and finish is on another level.

 

[willywall]

I love these knives Spyderco does that don't look like every other knife. I always thought this was a great looking knife and I love when they go with something other than black or naked TI scales. Very cool guys

 

[AF]

Very cool, unique design. Had to get one on closeout.

 

[Wolverine666]

I've always liked the looks of it. I should have grabbed one while they were around.

 

[AF]

Still around. Knifecenter.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

It's a great little knife. I agree with the OP's one con against the lack of a cut out, but as this is a small gentleman's folder, it is a small con.

Other than that, this is a knife to snag while you can.

 

[RipD]

Thanks for the great pics. I haven't looked at this one closely enough - I tend to shy away from recurve blades. Two things jump out at me immediately from these pics: the fit and finish on the handle looks great - just stunning looking.

The other things is the liner lock. I don't recall ever seeing a liner lock that was milled from the frame material this way. This is some really nice machining and seems very unique. (Pls correct me if this is more common.) EDIT: Tip down only carry.

 

[gotgoat]

I really like mine, removed the pocket clip and it's in my pocket every day. Starting to love the blade shape just wish the lanyard hole tab wasn't there.

 

[kniferelatedname]

The other things is the liner lock. I don't recall ever seeing a liner lock that was milled from the frame material this way. This is some really nice machining and seems very unique. (Pls correct me if this is more common.)

I believe that is simply very tight fit/finish that gives the appearance that the lock is split from the handle. In reality it is a separate piece, which is why the lock side is slightly thicker than the other side.

 

[RipD]

kniferelated, I now have one - it's exactly as you described. Not as interesting as I was thinking, but still very nice machining. Smaller and a little thicker in the handle than I expected. Scales aren't even thickness, as you mentioned, since the the lockbar thickness is added to one side. Handle is on the small side for my hands but still usable. (I generally generally wear a large glove - I'm either a large medium or a small large.)

The lockbar could use some texturing, jimping, or have been raised just slightly - you have to really dig to get it and I believe they left the right edge of it un-chamfered for that reason (to grab your thumb). Blade is stiffer than I expected for a liner lock - not sure why (liner lock pressure?)

Some interesting stuff: Not sure how the CF inlay was done, but it's done very well. Machining on the handle is just fantastic. Tip down only carry. I get why when I look at the geometry, but not my preference. Really dislike recurves - don't see the need for it and just causes me sharpening issues. Having said that, this blade is great. Very unique that is an interesting take on a Tanto that gives you two very usable points.

Don't think it's challenging my Chaparral for pocket time yet, but it will get some.

 

[kniferelatedname]

I'm waiting on the post office to get it together and deliver mine! The stuff you mention are exactly the things I'm concerned might make it a drawer knife for me, the uneven handle thickness, generally small handle, odd blade shape with a lot of recurve (though that odd look is appealing), etc. Tip down or up doesn't bother me though. I carry on my left side due to pocket convenience so I'm usually handing the knife over to my right hand before opening anyway. I don't trust knives in my pocket with my phone, and I use my phone a lot more often.

Anyway, I'm hoping either a) those things don't bother me in practice, or b) it's so good looking I don't care.

 

[kniferelatedname]

What a gorgeous little knife! It has about as much cutting edge as a Native 5, but closer in size to a Dragonfly. Of course it weighs more than either (my N5 is the fluted CF). The lock is really hard to get to, but I think in practice it won't be a big deal. It's mainly because I keep opening it to look at that blade that it's wearing on my thumb a bit... The blade looks like it would be good for hobby work, the forward edge is not unlike an X-acto blade.

The fit and finish is really impressive. Everything is flush and smooth. The only slightly sharp surface (aside from the edge) is at the top of the backspacer between the handles when the blade is closed. If you poke your fingertip in there, that bit is a little sharp. That's really it. Everything else looks and feels like work was done to soften the edges. The blade spine and hole aren't rounded but you can see and feel that the edge was lightly broken giving it a smooth feel.

I may take the clip off and carry it in my watch pocket. I'm on the fence about that. The clip doesn't quite match the style, but also it's a functional clip that seems fine. I'm not sure what would go better and still work well as a clip.