Vagabond Passaround

[johnniet]

I got the Vagabond this week in Frank K's Pacific Salt and Vagabond passaround.

The vagabond is described as a light fixed blade, able to take a lot of abuse, suitable for picnics or backpacking. The gimmick is the self-contained sheath that flips back into the handle when the blade is in use.

The sheath works. It even has a little spring action that brings it to the blade when you get it close enough. It also slides inconspicuously into the handle, which is very comfortable with the sheath tucked inside.

The Vagabond came extremely sharp, and made very clean cuts in chocolate and smoked salmon. The hollow grind means that it can get away with a thick spine (4mm) and still cut very well, as long as it doesn't have to cut very deep.

I very much appreciate the idea behind this. I like fixed blades. The handle is at a comfortable, ergonomic angle to the blade. And I certainly like the design of a short blade with a longer handle.

But I have a couple of quibbles that will probably keep it from being my picnic knife, at least in the current version. The sheath has two small flares on it that let you pull it out of the handle when you close the knife. These flares are pretty close to the pivot, so they don't provide a lot of leverage, and it's a little tricky to pull the sheath out of the handle. I'd rather have the flares close to the tip, so they would provide more leverage. This is nitpicky, since it isn't really a problem in use.
The more serious problem I have is with the thick spine and hollow grind. The Vagabond doesn't cut as well through bread or other things that are thicker than the width of the blade. So for now I prefer an Opinel, or a Spyderco kitchen knife with some kind of sheath.
On the other hand, if I had to pick a knife to pass around to a lot of non-knifers, expecting abuse, I might want to give out the Vagabond instead. It seems very robust, and should be easy to resharpen if needed.

I like this design, and I'm looking forward to seeing more models with a similar concept.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

How secure is the flip up protector. Can you put it in a bag and shake it around vigerously and not have it come free, can you drop the blade (on carpet and similar, grassy ground) and not have it pop open.

-Cliff

 

[frank k]

Thanks for another great review John.


My initial impressions of the Vagabond pretty much mirrors yours: I think that the blade should be longer and thinner ground for a food prep knife. As it is it is, think I would use the Vagabond more as a tool box utility knife than for picnicking.


I had no problem folding the sheath using the flares on the sheath, but I could not easily unfold the sheath from the handle to cover the blade with one hand. I think a bit of contouring to the handle to allow better access to the flares would cure this.


Cliff, I did not test the Vagabond very much, but I don’t think that shaking would be a problem. The blade cover could possibly be pushed open enough to expose the point and part of the edge if it where to snag in a pocket, which is why I would rule out pocket carry. If the blade cover was held closed a little tighter it would probably be OK.





- Frank

 

[johnniet]

How secure is the flip up protector. Can you put it in a bag and shake it around vigerously and not have it come free, can you drop the blade (on carpet and similar, grassy ground) and not have it pop open.
-Cliff

I'm sure we can send it to you when the passaround's done.
I didn't actually try shaking or dropping like that. But I did carry the Vagabond in my little black bag for a while, and the cover was always closed when I brought it out.
The force holding the cover to the blade is not huge, but you definitely feel it on opening and closing. If it were knocked open by 10 degrees or so, it would close again.

 

[frank k]

The while the force holding the blade cover in possition is not great, the cover itself is so light that it would probably take a temendous shake to get it to open. It is not difficult to lever it open should the point of the sheath snag on something.....



- Frank

 

[Sigifrith]

I have the knife in question. I just dropped it from a height of 3' to our carpeted floor. I dropped it from all angles, & it never came open.
Hope this helps.

I'm able to open & close it with one hand. I'm guessing that with extended use, it becomes easier to do.

I put the knife in my insulated lunch bag with another knife & fork. Whipped it around like a bolo, then sent it sailing thru the air several feet. It didn't open.

I think it has received as much abuse as I would care to give it.

I then used it to shape up a 1 X 2 piece of Pine that I'd used to test the
Anza Boddington. Nothing too severe, just cleaning up the point I put on the Pine.

Shaved a few hairs off my arm. Then a quick rinse, & cut up my Chicken Fried Steak dinner.

If I needed a knife for my lunch bag, I'd have no trouble with the Vagabond.

 

[diamdave]

Cliff, I also own one. To answer your question: yes and yes. It won't open. I find the handle a touch too long, but I like the shape and angle of the blade. I wish it had a better steel, but so far no complaints.

 

[HoB]

When I signed up for the passaround I really wasn't too excited about the Vagabond, what's the point I thought. Having had it for a week, I am a little disappointed but not for the reasons I thought I would. I think this could have been a very nice little camping knife:

I would never have thought but I really like the handle, just plain perfect, no complains there. Handle texture and shape and the solid feel of it, really rocked my world. Thinking I would be a flimsy knife, I stand corrected as well. Nothing flimsy here. Even the flipping sheath has a nice tight sping to it and holds in place well. The concept of this little fixed blade is well thought out and the craftsmanship is well executed. My complains concern the blade only. Even though I like the solid look of the faily thick blade (3 mm?) (which came as a surprise aswell), it is not very practical for a knife that I would use mostly as a substitute for a 4 in paring kitchen knife. Also the blade is too short to serve that purpose and I would wish for slightly more belly as well. The handle has plenty of extra space to accommodate a sheath for a substantially longer blade.

As the Vagabond is right now, I will definitely pass on this one. With a longer, thinner blade and a little more belly, it would move on my short list rather quickly.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes, as a paring knife its problematic as its a but thick, and too wide. Parnig knives work best when very narrow to allow them to be turned easily. However for general utility the cutting ability is overall high.

For example comparing one to a Dozier K-2, the Vagabond has similar cutting ability on 3/8" hemp and carving hardwoods. A thinner blade would be more suitable for cutting thicker cardboard, here you want them as thin as possible, so go 1/16" and under.

Overall I think this makes for a nice "toolbox" sort of knife, if you just limit it to very light cutting then something like the Deerhunter would be more optimal.

What is *really* nice about the blade guard is for use as a kitchen knife. Having an actual full sheath on kitchen knives is a bit bulky, but this guard is very slim and doesn't really increase the profile significantly, so it would be an interesting aspect to try out on longer and slimmer blades.

A lot of people still beat kitchen knives around in drawers, or leave them on counters etc., when can readily bang up the edges, having a veyr light weight guard to snap up around the blade would go a long way in protecting them.

I'd echo the comments about the handle, it is very thick and filling in the hand.

-Cliff

 

[fisherk]

Sorry this review took so long to get written. I used the Vagabond as my lunch time knife in work. I usually use a Global 3" Paring knife. My only complaint, like everyone elses so far, is the thick spine. It did great at splitting an apple into sections, but was less than functional at peeling those sections. I wouls also prefer a thinner spine and maybe just a little more length. The self enclosed sheath/blade cover is a great idea though. I think Spyderco should follow up with some thinner blades with this sheath idea.

Ken