The K390 Delica has always been a monster of pocket knife (click on the name to go to my old review of the Delica with buffed sprint alloy). The thin blade mixed with the super tool steel allow (K390) alloy has proven to be amazing for hardchore. From their Seki Japan plant, Spyderco is producing many different K390 model, folders and fixed blades. The Stretch 2 being highly regarded as one of their best design.
So here you got an incredibly tough, strong and wear resistant blade on scales produced by Lynch. A typical Sal Glesser design: performance first !
But Lynchnw has taken that game to another league with their scale:
“A few years ago Casey put out a very limited run of the LynchNW MOD 1 Delica 4 and some scale sets. This is our newest Delica MOD 2 Titanium Scale Kit, modifying your choice of Delica 4 Knife with a set of Custom Titanium scales, featuring a forward finger choil, blade profiled scale holes, smooth bellied profile, a custom titanium back-spacer, enlarged lanyard hole, and a custom designed deep carry titanium clip. ” To quote Lynchnw.com site.”
What bring these new scales apart of adding titanium for the pure neo industrial look of it ? It bring many things:
A finger choil. A real one.
A longer handle and your pinkie will thank you for that.
A slim package which is soft on your pocket trousers.
Seven holes which are showing the edge of your knife when it’s closed.
See how cute is it ?
So here we got a very friendly city pocket knife which is not screaming “I’m a sword from Hell !!” like my new beloved Hellboy Chief or this AFCK in M2.
It looks like a lady and gentleman knife. But beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
This one share the same core engine as a Police 4: K390 at 65HRC in a thin geometry ! It is a Metropolice knife.
This is my second Native Chief and this is a Factory Second bought in a Mystery Box of 2023: “This limited-edition Exclusive version of the Native Chief™ was specially manufactured for St. Nick’s Knife Factory (stnicksknives.com) and is only offered through their sales channels.… …Our Red & Black Holiday Sale starts December 1st at 9:00AM MST! This online-only event will feature deep discounts on select factory-second knives, two different Mystery Boxes containing seconds of special high-value models, Sprint Runs, and Exclusives.“ Red and Black ? This one was made to go in that Box ! 🙂
Which means it has some cosmetic flaw I was not able to spot. The action is rock solid. I mean it is much more solid than my previous Chief the Mighty Rex45 Orange Sprint Run: the Joker.
I have heard that CPM Magnacut could be a stainless CPM 4V. What I have heard through the years is how CPM 4V was tough and strong. The tougher used in Spyderco was CPM 3V used in the Tuff by Ed Schempp. 4V is used in cutting competition with CPM M4. It is tougher than A2 or D2 and tougher than M4. What is avantage in a folder like the Chief ? Simply look at the blade shape:
The Chief’s blade is more pointy than the PM2. To quote Spyderco: “This advanced alloy was specifically developed for demanding industrial applications requiring high degrees of both toughness and wear resistance. The PlainEdge™ blade is full-flat ground for a superior balance of strength, edge geometry, and point utility and features a stealthy black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating that also helps protect it from corrosion.”
Yes this is a good thing because with 5% of chromium, CPM 4V can rust. DLC is really clearing one issue for this folder. Actually there si some reminiscence of the Benchmade AFCK in M2HSS. It was 25 years ago that this co-designed with Chris Caracci and Sal Glesser folder propose a rusting tool steel on a modern “tactical” folder. And it also was protected under a black coating to prevent rust.
So ease in mind is a good point in a workhorse. In the signature theme of St. Nick’s Exclusives, the linerless handle of this knife is constructed with vibrant red peel-ply-textured G-10 scales. To complement the blade’s low-profile DLC coating, the four-position pocket clip, lock bar, and all other handle hardware also have durable black coatings.
So what do we got with this Hellboy’s blade of choice ? A long folder with no hump on its blade. Very slick ! A tough blade on a pointy design that you can use hard ! A very strong lock as Backlock are one of the stronger locks around. Quoting Sal in my previous Chief review: “Actually Eric and Tom went over this model with the engineers for quite a while before making the decision to make it liner-less. We’ve done a lot of experimenting lately and you can see a lot in the many different designs and options. It surprises me that some would think to make decisions on values without any experience. if we screwed it up, we’ll fix it, but we don’t screw up often considering the many envelopes we’re willing to push.”
Now that Spyderco is promoting a lightweight FRN version of the Chief in CPM Magnacut, this is good occasion to step back in time and enjoy this incredibly slick and tough piece of equipment of some years ago.
Now for my own adjustement, I have sand the G10 to a point my trouser will less suffer.
The edge is already deshouldered with diamond and now I will tune the edge to my suits as CPM 4V is not only tough it is also strong.
Also I have changed the classic clip for a deep carry cheap chinese clone. And hope we go !
Edit: I’m back on the OEM black matte clip which gives me less knife into the pocket. Deep carry is not mandatory on this one. The Chief needs to be proud to be red !
The Amphibian Milestone in CPM Magnacut iq PARA MILITARY® 2 SALT® BLACK G-10 CPM MAGNACUT® BLACK BLADE – C81GMCBK2 which is much too long to fit in a title.
This is not my first Paramillie 2, I usually wear the 52100 carbon fiber version but I have used many many version in S90V, CPM Cruwear and S30V. The 52100 is actually the exact opposite of this new version. Announced at the 2023 Amsterdam Minimeet, a Paramillie impervious to the element. Better: a nautical version ready to stand tall in frond of the salty waves of the ocean’s breakers. Then the wait began.
And here it is, in all its glory ! Delivered with Larrin Thomas dreamlike alloy: the CPM Magnacut ! A steel which hits a lot of sweet spots. Like some sort of totally rustfree CPM M4: strong, resilient and able to withstand thin edges without chipping. So why adding a DLC on that alloy ? Overkill can be fun, can’t it be ?
Here are 3 versions. The 52100, the CPM Cruwear and CPM Magnacut from right to left. Three excellences in their own way all designed by Sal and Eric Glesser. CPM Magnacut is a story of love. Quoting his metallurgist of designer: “The carbide structure of MagnaCut is much finer than the common powder metallurgy stainless steels such as CPM-154, M390, Elmax, S35VN, etc. The only stainless PM steel I have imaged which is competitive in terms of carbide/nitride size is Vanax. MagnaCut is even somewhat finer than CPM-4V and Vanadis 4 Extra, the non-stainless steels that MagnaCut was modeled after. This is an excellent result and should lead to excellent properties.”
Quoting Spyderco: “This tour-de-force expression of the Para Military 2 showcases a full-flat-ground blade crafted from CPM MagnaCut—a state-of-the-art particle metallurgy steel that offers an exceptional balance of edge retention, toughness, and superior corrosion resistance. Cloaked in a non-reflective Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating, the PlainEdge blade is housed in a handle featuring peel-ply-textured black G-10 scales machined with the signature Caribbean Bi-Directional Texture pattern of Spyderco’s US-made Salt Series knives. To complement its blade steel and finish, the knife’s nested stainless steel liners, four-position pocket clip, and all other hardware are also made from ultra- corrosion-resistant materials and black coated.”
That new Salty Paramillie is destined to be an amphibian workhorse, an hippocampus !! All hardware is black coated but the stop pin which is silver and made of “fearlessly corrosion-resistant marine-grade materials“. The handle (as efficient it is to be non slippery) is destined to be a pocket shredder as it is carved to be used with wet oily hands. Your trousers will suffer !! Unless, like myself you are a compulsive user of sandpaper. And even then, it will be hard on pocket’s lips.
The Diamond Like Coating is not only protecting a blade which doesn’t need any protection, it gives a strong Mall Ninja vibe also. Usually coating brings some king of lubrification to the matter separation. I’m not impressed so far, even on sausages. The geometry is perfect on my PM Salty. Thin as a razor though.
One thing I had to change was the clip. It was replaced by a Flytanium Universal Titanium Clip which is short and deep carry. Also I have moved the clip for a Tip Up carry which suit the Paramillie better in my book.
Of course de-shouldering the edge is the first step to convex that I do on new knives. Especially I have read that Magnacut loves leather stropping.
And this is true ! The edge turned quick into a über razor state.
It zipped through meat like a lightsaber into banta meat.
So now the game is on. The Salty Magnacut Paramillie is ready to kick all other knives from my pockets and be used on the long run. Let see what this cutlery apogee era knife has to propose on the long run !
As I was looking for a big not threatening folder, I was studying different wharncliff designs or sheepfoot blades for that matter. Ending my quest with that little Spyderco wonder in the previous review: the Dragonfly. But back to the QSP birdy pictured here with a Spydiechef:
But my need for a more longer blade (especially in the kitchen) was still on and then I have found that QS130XL-B – QSP Penguin Plus Titane. Same specs as my beloved D2 Blue Denim Micarta QSP but everything is different 😉 because this is the Penguin PLUS with: A longer blade. Blade length 8,6 cm.Blade thickness 3,5 mm. A flipper. A titanium handle A 20CV DLC longer blade. Length closed 11,4 cm. Ceramic ball bearing.. Lockbar insert. Titanium clip.
Weight 127g.
The price was 7 times the price of my first Penguin on thebestknives.eu in Vesoul, France. Great bargain and great service.
And here it is:
It is razor sharp right out of the box. Well balanced and all the contour are chanfered. It is a very nice tool knife. There is a serious heft in this blade. The action is not stellar because of the detent on the coating but the knife fires with ease thanks to a great detent and an heavy blade. The integral lock is a little on the sticky side but nothing dramatic. The whole package is a flat easy to carry medium folder.
But that thumb stumb as to go. Why ? Because there is no choil and if you miss your thumstud firing (instead of using the flipper) chance are high to get your thumb encountering the razor edge of the blade. So it has to go.
It was easily done with two torxes. Now I got a little hole but it suits me. I have done the same treatment 23 years ago with Benchmade BM710 this kind of treatment assures you to get a little longer working blade eventually as the studs loves to get in the way.
The tip looks like a sailor or electrician knife and seems strong enough for many knife tasks. In the wharncliffe blade design the point is in contact with cutting board or the plate and gthis one is pointy enough to draw my blood while writing that review… Well well now it is time for the real testing which will bring another review soon enough. This is a beautiful knife with a strong straight long blade which disappears in the pocket with its deep carry wired clip. That titanium clip retention is very good BTW. The handle is made of gorgeous bronze titanium which gives a nice patina look to it and eventually a very vintage toolish low profile look. This is destined to be a hard used folder used in middle of brass and copper. Its flipper is even providing a security guard preventing the hand to slip forward. Instinctively they are many grips and many usages to be considered for a solid folder. And in terms of edge retention, CPM-20CV is one of the best stainless steel to be found nowadays linked here. Not the strongest (like CPM-3V) but certainly one of the best balanced.
So this is really a nice knife to EDC to put to its paces.
Pictured here with a Ed Schempp Bowie.
And a Swayback.
And for the next step a de shouldering of the edge is mandatory. Diamonds work great.
Behind the code “SC28FP2WK390” is hidden one of the gem designed inhouse by Sal Glesser. The Dragonflies are legion. (All those green texts are actually links)
Quoting Spyderco: “The Dragonfly 2 is one of the most size-efficient folding knives ever created, especially when expressed with a straight-edged Wharncliffe-style blade. When that blade is crafted from tough, wear-resistant K390 tool steel, the result is a compact, powerhouse cutting tool that will take and hold an exceptional edge.
Like the standard Dragonfly 2, this knife also features a user-friendly back lock, and a reversible deep-pocket wire clip, but its linerless FRN handle is molded in the signature blue color of Spyderco’s K390 family of knives.”
The Dragonflies are very small locking knives which has been made in many many ways: stainless steel handle, Salt rustproof serie and many Sprint Run is now offered in Wharncliffe blade shape with one of the best super tool steel available K390. Such a strong steel on a small thin tool is a must try. Wharncliffe blades offers such a great performance. I have reviewed it many times. Backlocks or Lockbacks are known to be the strongest lock available and by design you are chocking the blade by the hum and the choil and you are applying your cutting force directly to it and not to the handle, preserving the mechanism for harder chores.
The handle despite being reduced is for 4 fingers grasp. This is a tour-de-force in term of design.
My Pingo’s blade is thicker and as a splint joint it has proven to be a really great companion. The Dragonfly is destined to propose a more aggressive solution in term of matter separator in a smaller package.
The Wharncliffe design is king in the plate as only the point get in contact and the edge is preserve from hard contact with ceramic. So this little knife can be used as a very small steak knife.
Actually my friend Jur told me: “The older you will get the smaller knives you will prefer. He was right.”
All in all the Dragonfly in K390 is a very nice combinaison. A very compact thin tool equipped with a strong blade ? This is a great Lady or Gentleman companion.
Article written by Nemo Sandman – Edited the 12th of December 2022. All rights (pictures and text) reserved.
Have you ever asked yourself why they are so many Spyderco Sprint Run released (out of the blue most of the time) with gorgeous carbon fibers handle and impressive CPM S90V blades ? Because Sal Glesser loves both materials.
CF is for him a reminiscence of love of motorsports and S90V is a stainless steel which has proven to be in another league in terms of high performance and reliability.
So, long story shorts: Full Flat Grind +Carbon Fibers+ S90V = Sal Glesser’s favorite combo !
And to quote my friend Spydercollector:
“When the Bushcraft fixed blade was first announced, Sal also planned to do a so-called NASA version; a version of the Bushcraft knife with all high-tech materials. I believe NASA is a protected name, but Endeavour still evokes the high-tech approach most people associate with the famous space agency. The Endeavour features a full flat grind S90V blade and full sculpted carbon fiber handles. It was a beautiful knife with a grip that had me looking around for stuff to cut.”
Here is the Proficient: it is designed by wilderness expert Chris Claycomb of Bushcraft UK, the Proficient functions perfectly with traditional bushcraft skills and cutting methods. Carefully contoured and polished to eliminate hot spots and ensure maximum comfort during prolonged use.
Bushcraft knives have specific parameters such as having blades between 4-6 inches. Spyderco’s is typical of the genre with a 4-inch blade (no handguard) that’s fully-tanged.
Bushcrafters don’t seek the characteristics of stainless over the performance of high-carbon edge retention and this is why traditional Bushcraft knives are produced using tool steel. O-1’s high carbon content offers long-term cutting retention but sharpens easily when laying on a new edge. The knife carries on a belt or strap encased in a leather sheath. Blueprinted for wilderness chores, it slices, chops, whittles and processes game in traditional Bushcraft style.
To quote Spyderco: “The Spyderco Proficient takes the concept of the traditional “do-all” bushcraft knife and elevates it to new levels of performance with state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing methods. Designed by wilderness expert Chris Claycomb of Bushcraft UK, the Proficient functions perfectly with traditional bushcraft skills and cutting methods while offering superior durability, edge retention, cutting performance, and corrosion resistance Instead of traditional carbon steel and an axe-like “Scandi” (Scandinavian) grind, the Proficient’s blade is crafted from vanadium-rich CPM®S90V particle-metallurgy stainless steel and boasts a full-flat grind for low-friction cutting performance.“
This concept of stainless steel with black polished handle is, ten years later, now endorsed by the excellent Casström No. 10 Swedish Forest Knife Black Micarta, 14C28N Flat Grind for example.
I had tried and discovered CPMS90V when it was called CPM420V thanks to Darrel Ralph (RIP) and his beautiful Apogee folder. Its blade was so wear resistant, without diamonds, only a back stand could turn it from dull to sharp. It was a bear to sharp. It still is but now we got as End Line User access to industrial diamonds.
I have written a lot about S90V. This alloy has proven it can be tough enough as a stainless steel to be used in any all terrain tools; especially since it is available on Manly folders which got the reputation of using a very fine thin geometry on their blades. Modern Bushcrafters (like the Benchmade Puukko) are focused on toughness with the use of the very tough CPM 3V.
What brings CPMS90V ? 1- It is stainless ! Even if you (and I) love the patina on a great carbon steel blade, to hold a reliable stainless steel blade is very easing the mind when working near water, rain, sea. 2- It is really hard to get dull even when used on tricky material like brown cardboard (full of silice).
Also the full flat grind is a must in a matter separator specialized in wood works. As much as I love Scandi Grind found on Woodlore clones (first designed by Ray Mears). I have found that especially in the wonderful Spyderco Sprig full flat ground knives can be really efficient on hard wood. (BTW when the writing appears in green: it is a link !! and I have tested them here.)
The Sprig was really an impressive tool in term of pure geometry. Designed as a hunting fishing knife, it was a wood eater, a real beaver of a knife, cutting deep and with ease. Guess what? It the same profile on the Proficient especially after some convexing which should be arriving sooner than later and will be in a second article. So far that contour handle is a charm to use and I will be using it for the second article. The old O1 Bushcrafter got enough heft for light chopping, the Proficient is made for powerful push cuts. This is going to be another experience. The Proficient is not a big knife, actually once in its sheath, it can disappear in the front pocket of my Denim. No need to have dangling at my belt.
So what do we got ? Imagine the plateforme of the Bushcrafter (link) a solid companion, a reliable 4×4 and you just turn it into some Urus from Lamborghini: stellar alloy and lighter tougher handle. What not to love ? The Proficient is Sal Glesser’s gambit, taking a risk because the Bushcraft community loves carbon steel and wooden/natural handle. Also that jewel got a price. And people in bushcraft are not wall street sharks. They use Opinel, Mora and at great max some 100 euros fixed blades. (Unless they want to afford an original Woodlore….) So the stealth wealth of that Nasa Bushcrafter was not for everyone. Like a Lambo actually. But real performance got a price.
Article written by Nemo Sandman – Edited the 12th of December 2022. All rights (pictures and text) reserved.
Here is a Spyderco Folder designed by a Massad Ayoob the famous gun instructor and destined to be a Self Defense folding knife. An ineptia as far as I am concern. Any screwdriver could be used the same way, the rest is just marketing in a country with a huge personal arm market. Not for me. But if I were wrong ?
Massad Ayoob is an established authority, LEO (Law Enforcement Officer… a Cop) and a writer on firearms and (sometimes) on knives. For more than four decades he has also taught defensive knife and firearm programs and appears frequently as an expert witness in trials involving edged weapons.
It’s not the same problem for professionals, those, in the line of duty, who are confronted to knife attacks, cops and soldiers to name a few. But lambda civilians learning to defend themselves with a short blade tool (not “from” a blade) ?…. well this would be a very last solution of a very messy situation which certainly could have been avoid in the first place. Better than any edge tools to cut in ribbon an threat are “awareness” and mobility.
As a design, I always loved the C60 especially the ergonomy. Certainly not as a edge weapon but as a cutting tool. It functioned so well as a kitchen and general work knife. In fact the C60 was ranked as one of the best baguette opener in my folder world. Especially with my serrated version. Even when knowing the C60’s blade was especially made to fit between the ribs and penetrate deep into the human chest cavity, lacerating lungs, heart and other vital organs… (Puncturing weapons are legion if you look at any tool from wood chisels to crowbars, thrusting weapons are all around us. So I was never impressed by those marketing quotes especially when a wider blade can be turned at 90° to pass between the ribs… Oh well, tools of violence are as old as Abel’s murder by Cain.) Spyderco is no stranger to that self defense niche: Canis, Matriarch, Carahawk, P’kal, Chinook, Civilian, Yojimbos…
Blast from the past. Back in the 90’s, I had the chance to be one of the first European reviewers of the Master of Defense’s knives back in the 90’s. Jim Watson, James Keating, Massad Ayoob, Graziela Casillas and Michael Keating were the five instructors being part of that venture. Massad Ayoob was the only one providing a fixed blade: the MoD Razorback. The quick draw from its kydex sheath in reverse grip was its main asset. Massad was also timing himself to show how quick he could draw his knife. I actually love that fixed blade concept but its was all marketed and designed as a thrusting weapon, not a cutting knife. This is something which is also found on the C60: more penetrating than slashing compared to a Yojimbo 2 which is as pointy as slashy, 50%/50%.
The Razorback prototype is pictured in the middle and Michael Janich’s Tempest is on the right bottom, featuring his Filipino Grip.
Back on the Sprint Run, Michael Janich has written about the C60: “From a utilitarian standpoint, the negative angle of the blade definitely increases cutting power and leverage, allowing the user to maintain a straighter, stronger wrist orientation. Similarly, for piercing, it does align the blade with the axis of the forearm, allowing for a direct transfer of energy. If those qualities allow it to work better for your individual needs, I understand and respect your appreciation of the design. While you’re waiting for a Sprint Run, I also strongly encourage you to invest in a Schempp Bowie, as it offers all the same qualities for all the same reasons.”
That odd pistol angle: of the C60 was explained by its designer Massad Ayoob in those terms: “With a typical knife, thrusting lifts the blade’s point above the line of the forearm, like a boat prow going through water. The faster, harder or more resistance encountered, the higher the prow rises deviating the blade off course from its original target which can mitigate the depth of the cut.”
Its grip angle that is more comfortable and familiar to handgun shooters. That design is trying to be as much of a push dagger as possible without being a push dagger. The “dropped” handle design which is also a signature feature of many Ed Schempp designs also added power to the cut. Let me tell you something: this pistol grip makes great steak knives ! 😉
Quoting Massad Ayoob:
“The C60’s radical angle brings the blade into line with the long bones of the forearm, channeling the body’s force directly behind the line of the cut resulting in minimized blade deviation and maximized accuracy. The blade is directly in line with the radius bone of the forearm when the average human wrist is in the “locked” position, which puts the middle knuckle of the hand directly in line with the axis of the forearm.
This is what gives the C60 its superior stabbing accuracy, and it also gives tremendously more penetration, because it aligns the skeleto-muscular support structure of the arm with the point (number one), and therefore with anyone who knows how to put his weight behind a punch, gets the entire body’s force going directly behind the point.“
In 2001, twenty one years ago, I had the chance to test the very first batch. The handle was made of aluminium coated in black and the blade got that short opening arc. It felt like some kind of sharp pistol and it balance made it very pleasant to use. That smooth thin handle curved handle was really pocket friendly. But… it has a serious but. Its vertical play was unbearable. I mean, I try to enjoy it with it but eventually, it was drawing me back to small fixed blades, no mechanism, no blade play. I hate to feel the blade moving when I cut on a board.
Long story short: thet 2022 C60 Sprint Run got also some vertical play. But you need to push quite hard on a cutting board to feel it. I first thought this “rocking lock” would ruin the experience but eventually it is not as dramatic as on the first batch in 2001.
As you can notice the 2001 version was a rivet construction with 3 rivets on the handle. It is not the case of the 2022 sprint run with an all screw construction on G10 slabs instead of aluminium.
How that almite coated handle has survived after 20 years of service ?
This is a picture from C60 #356 from my friend, Joyce Laituri, at Spyderco. Isn’t it a beauty in the patina departement ?I love well used tools and Joyce considers her C60 with serrated edge as her personal favorite Spyderco.
“…I‘m delighted to see the enthusiasm for the C60.Changes? I wouldn’t care to see it thicker: the comfortable ride in pocket or waistband was one of its signature features. I’m partial to G10. As others have noted, I think we got the overall design and blade configuration right the first time. Steel? I’ve been very happy with the VG-10 in every respect after carrying the C60 for about 18 years now and using it daily. However, Sal knows WAY more about blade steel than I do, and if he has a supersteel he thinks will work better, I’ll defer to him...”
It is an immense success and the serrated version is even selling faster than the plain edge version. Go figure !
A Japanese Story: The C60 is a knife all made in Japan (using now an American steel when the first batch was made in Japanese Steel VG10) Sal Glesser has also explain the story behind that whole C60 2022 project and the Japanese family in charge of it:
“We began working with this maker in 1988. At the time, they were considered by most experts, even in Japan to be THE premier quality knife maker in the world. It is/was a small family business consisting of the “Old Man”, who was the driving force. He had more than 80 patents on his designs and they produced a small number pieces. The “Old Man’s” wife handled the office. There were two sons. One handled sales (#2 son) and one handled the factory with his father (#1 son). His wife also helped with the office. Then one day, with no warning, the Father had a stroke and was no longer able to work. The Father’s wife had to stop working to take care of the Father. Now the sons are running the company with the Patriarch and the Patriarch’s Wife no longer involved. Very challenging, even devastating. They had one major lower quality customer (A Hardware chain) that carried the company. A few special customers like Spyderco and their normal consumer direct line. Then “The Rains came”. In one year, the Father passed away. The Mother passed away. #1 son had a stroke, and #1’s son’s wife passed away. Now the Grandson is running the factory and he really wasn’t ready. Then the main Hardware chain found a less expensive supplier. The family was devastated. We brought the Grandson to our factory in Golden to try to get him better trained and brought into the 21st Century manufacturing. Ir has been a long road and they are beginning to get back on track which pleases us and we’re helping…” https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?p=1647803#p1647803
This is what I always loved in Spyderco and the Glesser family: the way they take care of their friends and how faithful they are in friendship.
This new Sprint C60 got his blade made of CPM Cruwear. This is a wonderful steel. Just click on the link to see all my articles about it but, really, this is a steel which is hard to stain, very hard to chip and very toothy even when strop. It is a tough alloy.
CPM Cruwear has been a benediction on thin pointy thin models like the SpydercoMillie and Paramilitary bringing strength to their tapered blade. It also found on Benchmade Adamas and Shaman Sprint Runs both hard users with a lot of lateral strength.
Looking at the C60 new edition, we got a relatively thick blade. It sturdy. You feel it is a blade you could use to pry something without second thought. You would use that pointy blade to open a paint pot or pry letterbox. It is stepping on the Adamas hardcore class but in a thinner package.
That’s interesting because “Mas”, as a cop, has designed a tool with Law Enforcement Officers in his mind knowing how they use their knives on patrol for many more things than just cutting. They even use knives as screwdrivers, prybars or ID plate scrappers. It is the same reflection I had about the Tatanka: a thick folder destined to be used hard and dirty even when applying lateral forces.
Back to my 2022 C60: its factory edge was sharp out of the box but it could not cut through a plastic bottle but. This is a pure geometry issue: a thick saber ground blade cannot perform like an Opinel blade. For better performance, reprofiling is mandatory and diamond (Spyderco Stuff 2) was used because CPM Cruwear loves diamonds even if it takes a lot of time to do it right without any backstand.
BTW CPM Cruwear is not easy on the Patina in my book. (Link provided) I use this speciality alloy since the Military in Cruwear with zero pitting on the blade. To avoid that, my knives are often used in the kitchen and grease is always there to coat their blade.
Duck is a fat meat… So we got that thick edge tough narrow blade…. Not my cup of tea actually. I prefer leaf shape full flat grind or razor sharp hollow ground wharncliffe. So I need to reprofile it and it will take some patience.
Also that Massad Ayoob design proposes no choil. I love choils since Sal Glesser has explained he was inspired by boot knives: you hold your folding knife by the blade and it is a great security for your fingers. The absence of choil is not an absence of hot spots…
As you can notice the blade falls gently on the index finger when unlocked. The action is smooth but that guard with beveled G10 and sharp liners is problematic. More on this later. One thing which is remarquable is the choice of the lock. ” It has a notably strong lock-back with a David Boye style release lever that helps ensure safe lock-up. “ The lock-back allow also a very thin handle construction. Thinness means easy for a waistband carry. This is very thoughtful.
Smooth action thanks to bronze washers ? Nope. Who needs washers ? Actually there is no washer. No bronze, no nylon: nothing. The Moki factory is known for that washerless high tolerance constructions and the liners are providing some kind of “integrated washers”. Very impressive !
Without washers, well, there is no lateral play. The knife feels rock solid. And it is all screw construction with a steel backspace.
Quoting Massad Ayoob: “The handle-to-blade angle puts much more force behind a slash as well as a stab. Instead of the blade “skimming” over the target as it hits hard resistance such as bone, the 90 degree angle of the blade when held in reverse grip (and KEPT there by a handle shape that allows the thumb to lock it at that angle) the C60 is more likely to shear directly through whatever resistance it encounters. Because of the design features, something very similar happens with a slash from the conventional saber or pekal grasp.”
The handle got bevelled grey G10 slabs. G-10 has been used instead of the previous 2001 aluminium. Mas actually said on “Glocktalk” that he preferred the G-10 handles to the original handle. Personnaly I prefer the original handle better as it was providing a pocket friendly solution. A smooth handle suits me but I understand it won’t suit from a “tactical” point of view. To smooth it a bit, I have sanded mine (with 400 grit) especially under the clip to avoid any pocket destruction by filing them with such a coarse G-10. Oh, there is another visible improvement of that Sprint Run: the possibility to switch the position of the clip: left or right, tip up or tip down. Nice touch.
To quote Massad Ayoob: “As to the tip-down carry: I’m one of those early Spyderco fans whom Sal calls “Clipiteers,” who started their Spyderco experience with the original Police model, learned to open it with a pinch-snap, and discovered we could win bets beating guys with bali-songs and even “automatic knives” in opening speed. The pinch snap uses the gross motor movement of the closed hand instead of the more fine-motor skill of using the thumb to open the blade via the original design intent of the “Spyder-hole.
I’m one of Sal’s early “Clipiteers” who liked the speed of a momentum pinch-snap opening, and remain a big fan of tip-down carry for that reason. Wouldn’t hurt if Sal came up with a design offering the choice, it was already set up for ambi and more choices for the user is good. Plain edge, serrated edge, or a bit of each is entirely up to Sal. In the first production run, on my end the plain edge far outsold the serrated, but Sal of course has a better handle on sales nationwide than I do. Sal’s call, of course. I’m hoping the sprint run happens. Thanks to all who requested it from Sal!”
There I will be agree with Massad Ayoob. Actually it seems like back in 2000, Mas was turned into a “Spyderdrop” fan and a Clipiteer like advertised on the original Military C36. It’s a fast way to deploy a blade even quicker than a switchblade or automatic knife. You just grab your knife inside the pocket by the opening hole and by a gentle flick of the wrist, you open it. The spyderdrop just works great on the C36 as it was a liner lock with a big opening Hole. Once passed the detent ball nothing prevents the blade to open. Certainly Sal Glesser demo caught the eyes of Massad Ayoob who was much more a fan of a fiexed blade quick draw as on its previous design: the Razeoback. On a backlock folder, though, there is a constant pressure from the spring and no need of a detent ball per se. You need two things to get an easy spyderdrop: a heavier handle for the momentum and, a speciality of the C60 design: a short opening arc.
Something important to keep in mind, the 2001 version was a lower rider. Its clip was much higher on the handle making it disappearing in the pocket. this is less the case with the 2022 Sprint Run.
So, as the C36 is a game to open with just a flick of the major finger, thanks to its shorter opening arc and its negative angle. It is fast. The jimping on the blade needs a little filing as it could wear the pocket, but the opening hole and the big hump, the stainless steel spacer assing more momentum ease the spyderdrop. They are fast and reliable. The negative angle and its shorter opening arc could make it the queen of spyderdropping.
Handle wise, I have found the steel liners edges much too sharp. I have used some diamond file to smooth them but for a knife that price, it hurts… the fingers too. There is a real hot spot near the axis. In case of hard push cut the blade jimping is also another hot spot. It hurts that skin between the thumb and the pointer named the “first web space”. Again this is not a tool for bushcrafters. The C60 is a slick flat knife destined to LEO. It needs to get in action very fast. The Police 4 is in the same category of knife. Flat, easy to carry, a little on the heavy side and solid but not the best for long cutting chore unless personal customization involving a file and some sandpaper…
I have changed the spoon clip to a deep carry one and notice the screws are not torx but crosstip. Very old school ! Just for those who want a taste of that Golden Era at the turn of the Millenium. The mark on the handle came from me sanding under the clip in tip up carry, which was not the best way to carry it. Look at the shape of the C60:
There is Banana shape and a curve which is great when carried tip down inside my right front pocket. It leave a lot of place.
With a depp carry clip, you can notice only the “guard” is visible. It is very easy to reach the opening hole for a spyderdrop.
The mid lockback (with that wonderful old school Boye Dent) of the C60 is beefy even if thinner than a beefy liner lock, compression lock or beefy even integral lock, and is one of the sturdier locks ever designed. This one was ranked high on Spyderco’s standarts back in 2001. The original C60 lock was already rated as “hard use”. The 2022 Sprint Run should be rated as “Martial Blade Craft” level, the strongest in the Spyderco line thanks to their Constant Quality Improvement. Again even with some “rock lock” or “vertical play” only felt when cutting on a board, backlocks are really hard to beat in term of pure strength, often the handle will break before the lock as shown on some tests made by Blade HQ: https://youtu.be/ERxHUXAFVs4
Conclusion: this is a cutting tool oriented Self Defense, with fast deployment and sturdy blade and mechanism. It is not the best cutter, not the best ergos for long works without gloves even if it shine for quick response and tactical needs. I have read some users are using Massad Ayoob to filet some fish. In my book a filet knife is thin… Also I have found some hunters have used their C60 on games for skinning purpose. That knife is really not design for that but why not ? The hand is mightier than the tool.
For me the C60 is made to work hard anyway. It got a very sturdy penetrating blade which can find a lot of utility even for light prying. Also CPM Cruwear is tougher than VG10 (the 2001 version).
But more important, this Massad Ayoob folder reborn is also a nice symbol of trust between the Moki factory in Japan and the Golden factory in the USA. A trust which goes beyond continent, beyond civilisation. This “scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” involvement of the Glesser Family toward the Japan Family is a proof of their generosity toward fellow knifemakers and end line users. This is precious in those volatile times. Sal Glesser knows how to create “matter separators” but he is also able to build very solid bridges too.
It’s time to de-shoulder that Benchmade Adamas‘s edge and to convex it a little to my own taste. My tools are Spyderco Stuff 2 with diamonds, Fallkniven DC4 and leather strop.
First thing I will do is remove the stud which are in the way. I have found/learned that the hard way just by testing the angle, I have scratched them.
Two T6 torxs are necessary. One on each side.
Cerakote protection is found even inside the stub hole. In fact I was really tempted to remove it for good as the Adamas is so easy to open and close just by manipulating the Axis Lock button. But sometimes I need to be able to open it one hand and slowly too…
Next step is to protect each side of the blade, as I don’t want cerakote to be scratched… yet. I use white gaffer for that.
Slowly the edge is convexed and thinned. CPM Cruwear at 64 HRC is hard and diamonds are mandatory. It is a slow process all made by free hand.
Leather stropping is apply next. Again this is made slowly.
Soon this is a razorblade popping hairs just in one caress.
The Soda Bottle Butt Test was not passed in my previous test. This is the reason I have decided to thin the edge of the Adamas in the first place. Now it goes steady in like in butter.
The center of the butt is much thicker and harder to pass as the bottom can collapse. This is really my geometry test and many famous knives were not able to pass it.
The Adamas is now much better in terms of pushcutting and its steel (CPM Cruwear) is perfect for a thinner edge. The stud has been put back and the big folder is ready ! Easy peazy lemon squizzy. It took me 1 hour.
Here it is the Benchmade Adamas second generation with its CPM Cruwear heavy duty blade. It has been almost 20 years since I have reviewed one of Benchmade hardchore (made for the Military) folder. The last one was the AFCK Axis in D2 and I even think it was not upload even if it was my EDC for two years. I loved the AFCKs because, well, Sal Glesser was involved in its design with Chris Caracci and Les de Asis and Bob Terzuola and I simply appreciate Sal Glesser’s way to invent and design “matter separators”.
But here it is “Tabula Rasa” as far as I am concern ! Go figure: no hole in the blade, but holes in the handle, a gifted designer which I’m going to discover named Shane Sibert who has also designed the Bushcrafter for Benchmade… and Clive Owen’s knife in Sin City. His signature seems to be fuller on his blade. “I started making knives in 1994 with the idea of creating blade ware that is simple, practical and efficient. I have been a full-time knifemaker since 2004. Keeping with the theme of practicality, I avoid large metal guards, bolsters and heavy pommels to keep the knives balanced and agile in the hand. Materials have been carefully selected to ensure optimal edge retention and low maintenance. Although the knives incorporate slim handle slabs to decrease unwanted bulk and weight, the handles contour the hand for a synergistic fit. I strive to hold myself to high quality and design standards and produce a knife that will invoke pride of ownership and at the same time perform the task that it was designed for with exceptional ease.” (quoted from Arizona Customs Knives)
You can notice slabs and hole on the handle. Actually for such a big knife the Adamas is not that big. The first version was release in 2011 (you can see it here on Arizona Customs Knives) and was made of D2 the new version came ten years later and with its blade upgrade to CPM Cruwear. This steel is known to be tough ! Less than CPM3V but with a better edge retention. The Cpm Cruwear Shaman was a big hit ! Here Benchmade has heat treated the CPM Cruwear to 63-65 HRC ! This is something I need to test as it is much harder than Spyderco HRC (61-62HRC) on their CPM Cruwear blades. (Sal tested his own blade at 61.1 HRC).
At first touch, the Adamas oozes quality and delicate attention to details. The Olive Drab G10 slabs are wonderfully tappered on both ends and the jimping is done perfectly in my book, not as aggressive as G10 Manix for example. It is palm friendly even when closed. Well done. The holes in the handle help my thumb to index the tool.. There is no hot spots. The handle is totally open and easy to clean and check for debris. It is created as a workhorse which can get dirty but still reliable. Of course this is an expensive knife with a MRSP at $280.00 but you can see where your money has gone. It is manufactured with love. The blade is perfectly centered on mine and there is zero blade play in any direction. I love the Axis Lock concept since its very first Henry&Williams BM710 release. I have never had any issue with its Omega Spring. It is easy to use with one finger when the SPyderco Cage Ball Bearing needs two finger to work. The Axis Lock makes any knife as fast as automatics. I have never had any play on mine and I have been using them since their very very first release. I won’t do batonning with the lock engaged like some youtubers seems to do until lock failure. For record, you can do batoning with an opinel… But engaged lock (any lock) does not like to schoked and a beating can damage an disengaged any lock even a butterfly. Knowing how to use tools in the right situation should be mandatory before doing really stupid things on video and if anyone want to use a folder for batonning some wood (stupid millennial fashion as far as I am concern) just do it with no lock engaged or learn how to bring a better tool…
But once deployed, with just a gentle flick of the wrist — axis lock with heavy blade are just extraordinary easy to deplay— the blade is shown in all its power. I understand why some youtubers would like to shove it in concrete or in bricks…. I’m not certain they will be able to peel an apple in public with it but for that kind of task a Mini Adamas has been released with the same blade thickness…. Oooh well I’m not certain the thick Mini Adamas is made for fruits either. F<or that there is another tool too: the Kapara… The Adamas offering a 0.14″ | 3.556mm thick blade, it is designed hardcore for hard chores for folders. How will it behave, that will be in our next article but that blade surely offers a lot of lateral strength. For now it is just a very first glance. All specs of the Adamas can be found on Benchmade here. You can also notice on that picture its deep carry clip which can be a nice touch for such a big heavy folder. More on that later. The action is smooth at the pivot but needs a little breaking at the lock release; nothing some nano oil can not fix.
This is a very beautiful folder which is very well balanced, its sweet point being just under the index finger when hold in hammer grip. It is alive in my hands. The axis lock makes it ambidextrous and you can notice on that picture the 3 points for adapting that clip or another three screw clip (not deep carry) if needed on both sides of the handle.
The blade handle ratio is almost to 1 with the Adamas compared to the Military C36 which is known for its long handle. Of course the Adamas came very sharp out of the box, but not as sharp as I want. The blade is protected with cerakote coating Flat Earth colored which got excellent reputation in terms of tough protecting the CPM Cruwear from rusting. Cruwear can get a patina but it is not easy. Here Benchmade and Shane Sibert have chosen to propose a stealthy look for the soldiers which need no blade reflection under the sun too.
It is also sold with a very nice sheath offering many carry options for soldiers and hunters alike. The deep carry clip is perfect in term of retention and ease to retrieve the big and heavy knife. Oh it is 183 grams (5,45 oz) which is really heavy. The liners are stainless steel not titanium. This is Heavy Metal !
As you can notice the Adamas is much thicker than the C35 Military and much heavier too. Sal Glesser wanted his military to be as light as possible as a soldier got already many heavy things to carry. Benchmade has taken another direction. The Adamas is beefierand thicker. Actually it can also been more confortable for long usage. We will see…
Another beefy released was the Shaman which almost has the same handle length. The Adamas provides a lot of edge.
Here is my good old AFCK Axis. It was used with a lot of love as you can notice. Zero issue with the lock BTW.
Now it is time to give some work to that Adamas designed to “deliver unrivaled performance throughout hard-use applications”. The next step will involve certainly some sharpening and reprofiling… More to come soon…. But for now on, it is a knife which makes me grin when I open and close it. Kuddos to Benchmade and Shane Sibert for bringing this second gen of the mighty Adamas.
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