Tropen Thoughts/Reviews?

I appreciate everyone weighing in and sharing their thoughts. When someone makes a video cementing/debunking these hazards, I might pull the trigger.

As it stands right now, I keep a knife, wallet, and flashlight in my front pocket, so I am reaching past my knife into my pockets conetents several times a day. It looks like I would need to have it be tip-down to not brush up against this edge, but I fully admit I may be 1000%wrong because I have never put one in my pocket. it's such a nice knife I would have no problem dulling half an inch to keep my pockets blood free!
 
PeteyTwoPointOne said:
Part of the appeal of Comp. Lock for me is being able to depress the tab and "fling" the blade open...

Likewise, once open, I like to depress the blade and "fling" the blade closed-- employing a slight wrist flick + the blade's weight creates enough inertia to bring the blade back home to nest.
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Same. Plus, I like to fidget with my knives when I'm bored and finger the Comp lock quite often. As sharp as I keep my edges, there's no way in hell that I'd ever own or handle this model. Any exposed blade on my knives could potentially create thousands of dollars in medical bills.

To each their own.
 
Cypress said:
Same. Plus, I like to fidget with my knives when I'm bored and finger the Comp lock quite often. As sharp as I keep my edges, there's no way in hell that I'd ever own or handle this model. Any exposed blade on my knives could potentially create thousands of dollars in medical bills.

To each their own.
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The Shaman would occasionally pinch my finger when I would close it. I can live with that. I'm in agreement with those that are cautious with this model - that exposed edge is dangerous.
 
To the proponents of this knife: HYPOTHETICALLY, would you hand this knife to someone that knows nothing about knives without first warning them of the exposed edge? Imagine you were a store owner trying to sell this knife...would you not warn a potential customer about the edge?

What if somebody carries a PM2 and flips it open by compressing the lock, and they try the same with the Tropen?

It's like when Sig released the P320 and it failed drop tests from hip height. The solution Sig fanboys came up with to that issue was "don't drop your gun, and there wont be a problem."

Sounds kinda like "don't put your finger on the lockbar (where it's designed to go?) and you won't get cut."
 
Cypress said:
To the proponents of this knife: HYPOTHETICALLY, would you hand this knife to someone that knows nothing about knives without first warning them of the exposed edge? Imagine you were a store owner trying to sell this knife...would you not warn a potential customer about the edge?

What if somebody carries a PM2 and flips it open by compressing the lock, and they try the same with the Tropen?

It's like when Sig released the P320 and it failed drop tests from hip height. The solution Sig fanboys came up with to that issue was "don't drop your gun, and there wont be a problem."

Sounds kinda like "don't put your finger on the lockbar (where it's designed to go?) and you won't get cut."
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I would hand it to someone without warning them cuz safe. I really dont think you can cut yourself on it except on purpose really. Matter of fact, I DID hand it to my wife without warning her. Luckily shes not as scared of blades as everyone here seems.

But everyone who has held one has said that. It's like next people are gunna be like "but do you really really REALLY think its safe?" Yes, except for special snowflakes.

If what you see in the picture is a deal breaker, it's not for you. If you're worried about getting cut, you'll be fine.

Honestly, as someone who has carried it for a day now, I'm more concerned for.the edge than my fingers. THATS a real concern. I mean fingers heal, but knives dont just sharpen themselves folks.
 
I honestly don't know how anyone with half a micron of common sense can think that having a blade that lands exactly where your finger will be during closure will be a non issue. Especially since the comp lock PROMOTES this kind of free swinging closure as one of it's selling points. Are people just in denial because the knife is obviously very cool? Cmon, seriously...
 
I’ll offer this as an anecdote. When I first saw the Para 3, I was apalled. It was ugly, the blade was stubby, and the butt was all kinds of wrong. A catrastophe! Definitely not what I was expecting! Everyone extolling it had to be a whack job! However, when a retailer slapped one into my hand, suddenly it made sense and I understood the fanfare. It was a learning experience.

Obviously if Spyderco thought the Tropen was dangerous they wouldn’t have released it the way it is. Eric G addressed this a bit in one of the Blade Show vids. Spyderco has a history of sending things back to the drawing board until they think it’s right.

Is that enough for me to buy one without handling it first? Nope. But is IS enough for me to reserve judgement until then.

I’m surprised so many folks who’ve never held one have such strong (and seemingly finalized) opinions. {Damn! I’m still a noob I guess. ;)}

[I still don’t have a Para 3, btw, but the LW will change that]
 
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Cypress said:
Same. Plus, I like to fidget with my knives when I'm bored and finger the Comp lock quite often. As sharp as I keep my edges, there's no way in hell that I'd ever own or handle this model. Any exposed blade on my knives could potentially create thousands of dollars in medical bills.

To each their own.
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Thousands of dollars? I’ll sell you a box of bandaids for $500. With those savings how can you say no? :)
 
OK, the whole exposed blade thing had me worried, so I waited until I could actually handle one at the SFO. Detent was pretty darn nice and it flipped really well.

I was going to be in the area for a bit so I figured that if I got one and cut myself up with it, I could go back to the store and plead my case. So I went ahead and bought one. Played with it and played with it. I can be pretty ham fisted and I figured that if it was going to cut me, it would do it pretty quick.

I wasn't trying to get cut, don't misunderstand, but I flipped and waved and spyderholed and no matter what I did, I got no cuts and had no close calls.

I really like this knife. I would not carry anything else in my pocket with it tho. Could you cut yourself on the exposed edge if you tried? Yes. I would hesitate to carry it in situations where I might be having to go "full on ninja" or anything too crazy.
As has already been mentioned, if this thing was a liner lock, it would be perfect. I've been playing with it while composing this post as well. Still no injuries! :thumbsup:
 
4mer_FMF said:
I’ll offer this as an anecdote. When I first saw the Para 3, I was apalled. It was ugly, the blade was stubby, and the butt was all kinds of wrong. A catrastophe! Definitely not what I was expecting! Everyone extolling it had to be a whack job! However, when a retailer slapped one into my hand, suddenly it made sense and I understood the fanfare. It was a learning experience.

Obviously if Spyderco thought the Tropen was dangerous they wouldn’t have released it the way it is. Eric G addressed this a bit in one of the Blade Show vids. Spyderco has a history of sending things back to the drawing board until they think it’s right.

Is that enough for me to buy one without handling it first? Nope. But is IS enough for me to reserve judgement until then.

I’m surprised so many folks who’ve never held one have such strong (and seemingly finalized) opinions. {Damn! I’m still a noob I guess. ;)}

[I still don’t have a Para 3, btw, but the LW will change that]
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Oh, man, the Para 3 is a wonderful knife.

Now, Spyderco is my favorite regular production knifemaker, but recall also the first-generation Advocate, so sometimes things do slip through.

Even if this one requires a little more care than other knives, I am leaning towards getting one. I think its good points outweigh the bad.
 
4mer_FMF said:
I’ll offer this as an anecdote. When I first saw the Para 3, I was apalled. It was ugly, the blade was stubby, and the butt was all kinds of wrong. A catrastophe! Definitely not what I was expecting! Everyone extolling it had to be a whack job! However, when a retailer slapped one into my hand, suddenly it made sense and I understood the fanfare. It was a learning experience.
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You didn't like the P3 because of how it looked. I don't like the Tropen because I don't like to bleed. Bit of a difference ;)

Lapedog said:
Thousands of dollars? I’ll sell you a box of bandaids for $500. With those savings how can you say no? :)
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Make them Disney Princess Band-Aids and you've got yourself a deal :D
 
Lapedog said:
:rolleyes:

Sorry I hurt your knife’s feelings there buddy.

Running your finger along the gimping is not what will cut you. Try running your finger along the exposed edge.

People complain about unexposed edges being too close to the spine of the handle when a folder is closed as being dangerous. Having a section of the blade actually exposed is obviously far worse.

Anyway I know your position on it. You’re right, I hope some other Tropen owners will comment but I have a feeling many people who were going to buy this knife passed on it for the very fact of that exposed edge.

Infact I am one of those people who would have bought this knife if it weren’t an exposed edge sitting in my pocket. I don’t carry my folders with the blade part way open for the same reason.
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I don't feel "butt hurt" by what you've said.

I just don't see the point of trying to "convince" you of my point of view when it's obvious that you are wedded to your opposing position and aren't willing to accept mine, which is based on actual experience and not speculation and conjecture.

Better to let other people, who actually own and have carried the knife, comment on their experience and hopefully the data based on their cumulative experience will establish whether there is any risk of being cut by this design "feature" or not.

Some have already done that and they have not been the cut either. I'll just let my and their experience speak for itself.
 
sgt1372 said:
I don't feel "butt hurt" by what you've said.

I just don't see the point of trying to "convince" you of my point of view when it's obvious that you are wedded to your opposing position and aren't willing to accept mine, which is based on actual experience and not speculation and conjecture.

Better to let other people, who actually own and have carried the knife, comment on their experience and hopefully the data based on their cumulative experience will establish whether there is any risk of being cut by this design "feature" or not.

Some have already done that and they have not been the cut either. I'll just let my and their experience speak for itself.
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Again I’m not saying the knife will kill you in your sleep or remove your hand when you reach into your pocket.

I’m saying that folding knives that have exposed edge while closed is not ok in my book. Even if it is unlikely I would get cut by it; just the fact that it is a possibility is a grievous knife design sin.

Most of all I expect more from Spyderco which is one of my favourite brands.
 
Interesting topic. I like this knife a whole lot. The design and look of it speaks to me. I will likely order one soon if I find it available.

So odd to see the arguments from folks discrediting those that have it and have actual experience with it. If you don’t like the look and think it’s dangerous then don’t buy one. Life is all about choices.

One of this will be in my pocket soon enough.
 
I want everyone to rest assured that I am still running a "live test" on the Tropen by constantly fidgeting, waving and generally messing around with it.

I am intentionally showing no regard for getting cut. So far, so good! :thumbsup:

I have had to overcome my own concerns about the exposed blade, so I understand where folks that don't like it are coming from.
 
Lapedog said:
Again I’m not saying the knife will kill you in your sleep or remove your hand when you reach into your pocket.

I’m saying that folding knives that have exposed edge while closed is not ok in my book. Even if it is unlikely I would get cut by it; just the fact that it is a possibility is a grievous knife design sin.

Most of all I expect more from Spyderco which is one of my favourite brands.
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Ok, I was oddly entertained by "greivous knife design sin". Have you handled one before making such a harsh judgement? You might still feel the same, but how can you say that wi th out having handled one?

As I said, I love the knife, but still see the exposed edge as a design flaw, but after handling one I have absolutely no fear of it cutting my hand as I reach in my pocket. My concern is for the edge.

But if one hasn't held the knife, how can they even have a real opinion? At least go out and handle one, draw some blood, and THEN tell people it isn't safe.

And just being argumentative here: isn't every folder with open construction technically a closed edge? I mean, if I put my pinky in the channel, push and slide, im pretty sure I could manage to make some knives cut me closed. That's kinda like what would be necessary on the tropen. I WILL admit, it is a bit more possible. but still would need to be done purposely.
 
BenchCo Spydermade said:
Ok, I was oddly entertained by "greivous knife design sin". Have you handled one before making such a harsh judgement? You might still feel the same, but how can you say that wi th out having handled one?

As I said, I love the knife, but still see the exposed edge as a design flaw, but after handling one I have absolutely no fear of it cutting my hand as I reach in my pocket. My concern is for the edge.

But if one hasn't held the knife, how can they even have a real opinion? At least go out and handle one, draw some blood, and THEN tell people it isn't safe.

And just being argumentative here: isn't every folder with open construction technically a closed edge? I mean, if I put my pinky in the channel, push and slide, im pretty sure I could manage to make some knives cut me closed. That's kinda like what would be necessary on the tropen. I WILL admit, it is a bit more possible. but still would need to be done purposely.
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All it would take is some pretty simple design tweaks to prevent being able to cut yourself at all with a closed knife so yes it is a grievous design sin.
 
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