Serrations aren’t everyone’s favorite, but one thing is undeniable: Spyderco knows how to make them perform. I’ve tested serrated Chaparrals and even the semi-serrated CPM-M4 Tenacious, but the Salt Chief inMagnacut takes this to another level thanks to its relatively long blade. The “Salt Chief” … does it ring a bell to South Park’s fans ? (Ah, Isaac Hayes Salty Chocolate Balls...)
For the record, Magnacut behaves similarly to CPM-4V but is far more stainless, which explains why the Salt Series (like this Chief) thrives in humid and coastal conditions. (The LC200N version of the very same knife (with green FRN handle) would be even better in terms of corrosion resistance but Magnacut’s edge will last longer.)
My first Chief, a special edition in CPM-4V nicknamed Hellboy, was already a beast which I considered replacing my Spyderco C36 Military — and this lightweight Salt Chief has teeth that remind me of a Nine Inch Nails album : pointy, high tech, raw and aggressive.
This relatively long folder is remarkably light: 88 grams for a 102 mm blade — 21% lighter than the G10 version, according to Spyderco.
This is a serious tool for mariners, divers, explorers, military personnel, cooks, gardeners, and anyone who might let their knife get wet. Unlike my Salt Sage 5 (plain edge, monster in the woods), the Serrated Salt Chief is clearly aimed at humid/coastal environments. (There is also a plain edge Salt Chief C244PYL which could be more versatile.) The serrations concentrate force on small points along the edge, allowing fibers to be cut more effectively than a plain edge of the same thickness. Each tooth acts like a mini-chisel, making tasks like slicing rope, cord, seatbelts, fibrous fabrics, or vegetation far easier. But it will be harder to cut straight as the serrations are chisel ground on the left of the blade. So it will naturally be deviate to the right during a push cut.
The multiple points of contact make serrated edges actually longer than straight plain edge. Even if the points dull slightly, the valleys continue to cut, which is why serrated blades are preferred in emergency for cutting seat belts for example. And serrated edge are not difficult to resharpen. Do it like you would sharpen a chisel with a ceramic able to reach each valleys. Once you get a burr just one or two passes on the other side of the edge and it is back to razor. No big deal really. Magnacut love leather though; But it won’t be easy to strop it obviously, unless using the rims of a leather belt…
The ergos are just great. Same cockpit as the Native 5.
Out of the box, I noticed a slight tip imperfection — less than a millimeter — which I easily corrected on a diamond rod in under a minute. Even with Magnacut’s hard, corrosion-resistant steel, the tip can be fragile but repairable. This means one thing: use your sh*t ! This light amphibious folder is made to be a workhorse in the sea or earth because it is also easy to keep clean.
Those diamond corners are perfect to put a fresh edge on a serrated blade.
This time again, Spyderco uses a Full-Flat Grind withSpyderEdge. But this is a very very aggressive serrated edge, much more aggressive than the serrated Chaparral for example and, yes, so aggressive and pointy, it can snag and tear but it will do the job. It won’t be a clean cut but the job will be done very very quickly. (On the Chaparral, the serration are rounded to avoid snagging when cutting. Those same serrations can be found on another serrated folder made in Taichung for Spyderco: the LC200N made Caribbean.) So the Salt Chief serrated is also a potential emergency tool with a pointy blade! It will excel in marine scenarios like cutting wet cordage very quick. So this knife feels especially suited for maritime or humid environments. Those serrations also will cut in vegetation with minimal effort. Actually even a gardener or a farmer would appreciate that raw cutting power made to endure mud and rain. But keep it mind, this is raw cutting, fast and dirty. Perfect in emergency. But the cuts won’t be clean. You won’t slice raw meat into loafs like a chef knife would. Also keep it mind the the chisel edge blade will drift to the right.
As you can notice, the teeth of the Chief are more pointy and deep than, for example, the Tenacious CPM-M4 which is less agressive.
That lightweight Chief strong mid-backlock mechanism is impressive: no liners or spacers and… zero play (unlike my CPM-4V G10 Native Chief, which had slight vertical play.), and perfect action. The blade falls gently when unlocked, The drop-shut action is smooth, supported by a very strong spring, and the knife oozes quality from every angle. Ah ! Zero play, this what we often got from Golden made backlocks this lightweight long knife is no exception !
This long pointy folder feels lighter than expected for its size, yet solid and trustworthy. It should be perfect for fishermen, mariners, firemen, policemen, divers, gardeners, ranchmen, farmer, construction workers or anyone working in the outside or in corrosive/humid environments from the rainforest to the ocean. The combination of Magnacut steel, Spyderedge, and Yellow FRN handle makes it an emergency tool — especially for those who value edge retention, corrosion resistance, and very aggressive cutting performance in wet environments.
In short, the Serrated Salt Chief designed by Eric and Sal Glesser is a serious, reliable, and powerful folder — perfect for professionals in demanding conditions who need to cut deep and quickly.
My goal here isn’t to touch the edge itself, but to smooth the border between the flat of the blade and the edge angle. This allows me to maintain the edge primarily on leather while reducing drag when cutting hard materials like plastic or wood.
The equipment I used was again the Spyderco Double Stuff 2, focusing mainly on the diamond side. I experimented with gentle, round strokes on the flat diamond stone instead of always moving in the same direction — it seems to remove metal much faster.
For aesthetics, I plan to follow up with white ceramic or jade stones to approach a mirror finish, similar to the Sage 5. Magnacut responds beautifully to polishing, whereas CPM-15V doesn’t particularly care.
The use of gaffer helps preventing any deep scratches on the blade finish. It works great. The black dust is metal removed by the diamonds. I do that outside in the wind. I don’t want to breath that dust.
Eventually this second round has gone so smoothly (compared to the first one linked at the start of this review) that i was on the verge to work on the Military 2.
Remember Sal saying: “The Edge is a Ghost. Always changing. Dying (dulling) being reborn (sharpened) split personality (angles and geometry changing). Think of the edge as gas in a vehicle. It runs out of gas and you put in more gas. We provide the format, materials, design for use, variety to avoid boredom and create interest, but the edge is your creation. The result of your understanding, education, experience and practice.“
The comparison between the Sage 5 Salt and the Para 3 continues. In short: the Sage 5 has superior geometry thanks to its high 3 mm FFG blade, while the Para 3 features a sturdier blade, a thinner point, and is overall lighter (no steel liners).
It’s really your choice — both are highly capable and complement each other, coming from the same design mind. Shawn Houston even notes that the Para 3 carries “that Delica vibe.”
I’m impressed by the Sage 5’s exceptionally smooth action — one of the best among Spyderco’s compression lock knives. I love both knives. These days, the Sage Salt rides with me, but while both won’t let you down, the smooth Sage is more fidget-friendly. Both are great, but the Sage 5 is simply less popular… 😉
The Spyderco Military C36 entered my life before the turn of the millennium. Back then it was a CPM-440V (S60V) wonder, remarkable for its emphasis on lightness. With Fred Perrin, we called it a “quick reaction tool.” At the time, it was a genuinely innovative design: a folder with a nested liner and powder metallurgy steel, both cutting-edge features. It was a real breakthrough in the cutlery world, and a true Sal Glesser design — high performance on a light frame, or as Sal, a racing car enthusiast, would put it: a fast, efficient chassis built for speed and reliability. The idea was simple: “If your son were going into the military what folding knife would you send him with?” (“Do you think we were born in peaceful time ? Put out the lights on the Age of Reason.” Justin Sullivan.)
The very thin, pointy blade and the long handle of the Military were not understood at first. I often heard: “I can break the point!” or “I don’t like the blade-to-handle ratio!”
But Sal’s vision was deliberate. The elongated handle provided a secure grip and safe operation of the knife — even when wearing gloves in harsh conditions. And that needle-like point, when not abused as a pry bar, proved to be a reliable, precise all-terrain tool. What first looked fragile was in fact purpose-built: a cutting instrument optimized for performance, not for reassuring looks. I remember ESEE (the RAT) founder Jeff Randall having written a review of him bringing a CPM440V Military in the Peruvian Rain Forest. It was requested by Sal Glesser asking Jeff to use it hard in the equatorial zone. The review has been published in Tactical Knives and on Randall site before he started his knifemaking business. Eventually Jeff Randall prefer the SERE 2000 in VG10 but: “I have zero complaints against the Military, but for the role I use a folder in, the new SERE is absolutley perfect. Actually in a tactical role, the Military is a little faster to deploy for me. I think the Military is a perfect crossover between survival and tactical, but the SERE is the perfect survival folder.” The point is, the Military’s thin tip and liner lock were never an issue — even in the rainforest, where I pushed it hard.
Thanks to Spyderco’s CQI (Constant Quality Improvement) philosophy, the Military has been continuously refined over the decades. A titanium Reeve Integral Lock version was later released, giving a sturdier feeling but at the cost of the knife’s soul: it became heavy, losing that unique spirit of lightness and agility that made the original Millie so special. For the record, G10 is already a strong, proven material — it didn’t need titanium to inspire confidence. Also Eric made his own hardchore liner lock folder: the Tenacious. Spyderco will continue to promote well-made linerlocks especially those designed by Master Ed Schempp. His Bowie is a master piece.
The Military has always been a huge folder to carry casually, and even more so in the years after 9/11, when knives became heavily restricted and socially frowned upon. Yet, the C36 still managed to slip into pop culture: in Desperate Housewives, Season 2 Episode 8 (“The Sun Won’t Set”), Hector Ramos (played by Danny Trejo) nonchalantly peels an apple with a full-serrated C36 Military. A perfect Easter egg — a knife enthusiast immediately recognizes it, while most viewers just see “a big folding knife.”
It’s funny how pop culture sometimes normalizes what legislation and public opinion try to stigmatize: Trejo’s character wasn’t using it violently, but in the most domestic, innocent way possible — peeling fruit. That contrast says a lot about how the Military can be both a serious tactical tool and, at the same time, a simple everyday companion.
Then, the Market asked for a shorter version. Sal teamed up with Eric to design and produce the Paramilitary. A shorter version with a new strong lock developed for their Martial Blade Craft Line: the Compression Lock. Then came the Paramilitary V2 or PM2 which stillis a huge success. Then the Para3 (three inches blade) came for a more compact version and even a Lightweight version which is considered by Shawn Houston as a Compression Lock Delica.
It’s striking how pop culture can normalize what legislation and public opinion often stigmatize. After 9/11, carrying a large folder like the Military became suspect, even frowned upon. Yet in Desperate Housewives (Season 2, Episode 8: “The Sun Won’t Set”), Danny Trejo’s character Hector Ramos uses a fully serrated C36 not as a weapon, but in the most innocent domestic way imaginable — peeling an apple. That small scene perfectly captures the duality of the Military: a knife designed as a serious, high-performance tactical tool, yet just as capable of being a simple, everyday companion.
“More than 25 years after its original release, the eagerly anticipated Military 2 builds on that hard-earned reputation while incorporating several significant design improvements. Instead of a LinerLock, the Military 2’s full-flatground CPM® S30V® blade is supported by Spyderco’s signature Compression Lock® mechanism, which offers greater strength and even safer one-handed operation.”Quoting Spyderco.
To make it clear: the Military 2 is based on the Paramilitary 2 with a longer blade and handle. Is that simple ? It is a PM2 XL ! 😉
Designed in 1995, the first-generation Military (Mil1) came with a single clip option: tip-down carry. That choice wasn’t arbitrary — it was tied directly to Sal Glesser’s preferred opening method, the Spyderdrop. Pinch the hole between thumb and finger, give a flick, and let the weight of the handle swing the blade open. Faster than many switchblades, elegant, and utterly reliable. My Tenacious carries that same spirit: a knife built to be deployed quickly, smoothly, and without fuss — ready for work in an instant. That opening style is less common today, as most users gravitate toward the “Spyderco flick” or “thumb flick.” But those techniques depend on tip-up carry — the clip has to be mounted at the rear of the handle, not near the pivot. That’s why the Military 2 was so eagerly awaited with its new configuration… yet curiously, it’s still sold tip-down!
“The stainless steel liners that form the foundation of the lock are larger, giving the knife increased structural strength and anchoring its four-position pocket clip, which is configurable for left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry. “ OK but comparing the weight between the C36 (128g) and the C36-2 (124g) the Military 2 is 4 grams lighter. (114 grammes on my kitchen scale !)
“The skeletonized liners are nested within peel-ply-textured G-10 scales to maintain a slim profile and complement its open-backed construction to reduce the knife’s overall weight.”
I have been waiting for a Sprint Run before to jump into the M2 wagon. “C36GBN15V2″ ! (For the record, the first name of the Vanilla Military 2 is just C36G2, plain edge, and the new Mil 2 Salt is C36GMCBK2” and the Paramillie Salt is “C81GBKYLMC2” !…) My two previous Millie were Gandalf with a CPM-Cruwear blade and grey handle, Ghost with a CPM-M4 blade and jade handle. This one will bear the name of Gambit.
Now this one carries a CPM 15V blade — a state-of-the-art particle metallurgy tool steel with an extremely high vanadium content, heat treated according to Shawn Houston’s specifications. And 15V is nothing short of astonishing: its cutting ability and edge retention are absolutely breathtaking. Even Sal himself acknowledged it on the forums:
“The flesh is weak.” That’s the very sentence that made me pull the trigger on the Military 2, right after ordering the Para 3 in CPM-15V. If you want to learn about 15V, this is the review to read: it’s an ultra-high-vanadium steel, heat treated according to Shawn Houston’s recipe — a carefully refined protocol that pushes the alloy to around 65 HRC. The result? Performance that is nothing short of otherworldly. Everyone in the community praises Shawn for his mastery of this steel.
So when the chance came to experience the Military 2 platform powered by such an extraordinary steel, heat treated with this level of care and “love,” it felt like a now or never opportunity. Especially knowing that Crucible, the producer of CPM-15V, has since been acquired.
The Military 2 stands as the new flagship of the Spyderco family, a knife signed by both father and son. And this Sprint Run is truly a gem — a piece that simply oozes quality.
The action on this Golden-made Military 2 is simply wonderful: smooth as silk. Mine has zero lock stick and the blade is perfectly centered. Despite being heavier than a PM2 or Para 3, the blade’s momentum makes opening and locking effortless and confident — and the same goes for closing. In fact, this big folder is as easy to operate as a Para 3, making it instantly ready for use and safely closed just as quickly. The flat profile of the handle helps it disappear in the pocket, meaning you can carry a versatile 4-inch blade while keeping it unobtrusive.
There has been some discussion about the choil evolution between V1 and V2. The Military 2 has a slightly more pronounced choil, but it doesn’t bother me at all. The knife falls naturally into my hand, opening with a smooth middle-finger flick, and its generous ergonomics unfold like origami. The squarish, gritty G10 handle fills the hand securely and confidently.
How does it feel under hard use? The compression lock can be a hotspot without gloves — my friend Pascal even got a blister cutting quinces with his PM2. Gloves can be a good precaution. This sort of discomfort is less of an issue with a backlock or liner lock. I’ve also swapped the pocket clip for a rear flat deep-pocket clip, which gives me better control around the pivot while keeping the knife accessible.
The G10 could use a touch of sanding for my taste, but it’s beautifully executed — and this time, I won’t touch it. The Military 2 “Gambit” is a true quick-reaction tool: you need just enough traction to put the blade in motion and maintain precise control over your cuts.
(I’ve installed titanium slabs on a PM2 before, and while it changed the feel of the knife, it didn’t enhance the reactive, instantaneous handling you get naturally with Gambit.)
One thing I’ve always loved on the Maxamet Para 3 — and now notice on the 15V family — is how the hot spots and angles on the spine are gently rounded. It makes the knife comfortable in prolonged use. Add to that the stonewashed finish of the blade, which gives the Military 2 a satisfying, tool-like aesthetic, and it feels immediately ready for work.
If you add a deep carry clip you got plenty of low profile carrying options.
Tip down carry for Spyderdrops.
A true Heir to the Military first version has always been the Tenacious. It’s Eric’s answer to his father’s design, and what a brilliant evolution it is. The knife is a joy to Spyderdrop, and it feels incredible in hand during hard push cuts.
For the first time, the Gambit will be my Millie carried tip-up, and I can already tell it will change how I interact with the knife every day.
The clip doesn’t get in the way when I grip the knife firmly, thanks to the relatively long handle.
It also features a larger lanyard hole, similar to the Para 2, which adds versatility without compromising ergonomics.
The Gambit is designed as a worker, not a weapon — a reliable, high-performance 4-inch folder. While it’s not made for city carry, its design has always proven incredibly handy in the kitchen.
The Military 2 feels right at home in the woods, handling all chores during a hike or around the campfire — just as reliably as its father, the M1.
I’ve also noticed that the screws are now flat on this design, unlike the original Millie. (The Para 3 still has rounded screws.) I particularly love the large pivot screw on the Military 2 — bigger than many Spyderco pivots, including the Yojumbo and PM2 — giving the knife a solid, confident feel.
The Military 2 Sprint Run is the new flagship — the culmination of decades of evolution on an already classic big folder.
A few things to keep in mind: the original Military V1 isn’t a knife to leave by the roadside. As Brock O. Lee pointed out — and I agree — the M1 still has some subtle advantages:
The broad, curved clip melts into the hand.
Chamfering on the handle is excellent.
A smooth back with no compression-lock cutout hot spot.
The M2, however, is a strong evolution, built on the winning formula of the PM2. The compression lock is as strong as ever, though it can create hot spots between the thumb and index finger. Thankfully, the handle chamfering can be refined by hand, and the clip now allows for custom solutions.
This Sprint Run also introduces a steel that is extremely hard to beat in strength and edge retention. While I’m already enchanted by the PARA 3 in 15V, this “Mama Bear” folder brings massive cutting power in a light, flat, pocketable package. In terms of design and material, it’s an apex in modern cutlery.
Now the real testing begins — this review will be updated as I put it through its paces.
I don’t need a strong clip on such a long knife as it will rest gently in the pocket. Also a strong clip can ruin my pocket by shredding it. This copycat of Lynch is just perfect in term of retention.
Now I need to convex the edge a little. The blade cannot go through the plastic bottle’s butt.
it could not reach the middle of the butt where the plastic is at its thickest… when the convexed Para3 or the Zero Ground Nilakka went through it.
Diamonds are a Bear’s best friends! You can see the line where I carefully pass the diamonds to slowly convex the edge. But CPM-15V, in my experience and with my tools, demands patience and tenacity.
To be updated and continued!
There will be blood ! Now it is christen. That blade is a hair popping sharp razor right out of the box.
After deshouldering the edge, the geometry has improved dramatically — we’re really getting somewhere. On this long blade, the first third is incredibly precise, almost like carrying a scalpel from a smaller knife. With the Military 2, you truly have a highly versatile tool in your pocket.
I’ve loved the Military V1 for almost 30 years — it has long been one of my favorite workhorse folders. The CPM-15V blade, heat treated following Shawn Houston’s recipe, is just the icing on the bear. This Military 2 may well be the ultimate expression of the entire BBB 15V line.
Personally, I see this model as the pinnacle of an era: the most emblematic Spyderco design, paired with state-of-the-art heat-treated steel (Shawn wasn’t alone — big-name beta testers were involved), a proven geometry, and an incredibly versatile blade shape.
In short, I couldn’t miss it — especially since it’s a Sprint Run and, with the end of Crucible, everything about it feels historic.
So, “Gambit”, aka “C36GBN15V2” is really the “Mother Of All Bears” !
Jumping on the Para® 3 Lightweight Brown CPM® 15V® Sprint Run® wagon was an easy choice after a month of watching our American friends review this new CPM-15V batch.
Following the Manix 2 release two years ago, showcased in the Reveal 11, and a Paramilitary Brown version, here is the chance to test this remarkable steel on a lightweight platform: the Para 3 in brown FRN.
For record CPM 15V is “Boasting almost a 15 percent vanadium content, this remarkable material offers the highest wear resistance of any cold work tool steel available today. The full-flat-ground, satin-finished blade of this knife is further enhanced by a specialized heat-treating protocol developed by acclaimed custom knifemaker Shawn Houston. The result is a blade that offers extreme sharpness and unparalleled edge retention.”
Shawn Houston is known as Big Brown Bear on youtube and his skills in metallurgy and knifemaking as drawn the attention of the Glesser’s family.
In 2018, he has written on the Spyderco Forums that request: “Sal, Can we get CPM 15v? “I like this steel. It’s easier to work with then Maxamet and Rex121. Takes a killer edge and seems to be more stable then s110v.“
Larrin Thomas even answered: “You guys are crazy. But with Spyderco anything is possible.”
And in 2022 a first Spyderco knife designed by Shawn Houston in 15V with his own heat treat protocol was proposed. Eric’s Manix 2.
“The CPM 15V Sprint run was supposed to be a surprise treat. Eric wanted to share the CPM 15V with the custom heat treatment I worked on for my folder design. His idea was to use a standard model so people can get their hands on the steel. Which I thought was really, REALLY cool of him to do that. Working with Crucible and Niagara Specialty Metal we were able to select a specific melt of the CPM 15V that would respond best to this specially developed custom heat treatment. So, Eric and Sal really went all the way on this, no other production knife company on the planet would do something like this. Eric and Sal are one of a kind. You guys need to understand this is very unique having actual knife/steel/sharpening/edge people running a knife company that can cater to enthusiasts. Originally, I was given options for different handle scales for the Manix but the most important priority was to get the CPM 15V Manix out as soon as possible so it didn’t make any sense to use exotic scale materials. G10 is a great material to work with and brown g10 was selected because “Big Brown Bear” aka Triplebhandmade. (Me) I am aware as many others that brown g10 is not unique to this model. But the color of the handle scales and the handle scale material are irrelevant to edge performance and the most important priority was getting this out to you guys as soon as possible. Looks like the price is great too, if we used carbon fiber etc cost would have been higher. So, I hope you guys can respect that. The folder collaboration design was being pushed back due to production capacity being completely full at Golden. Please understand that I’ve been very persistent at wanting the knife made in Golden come **** or high water; I would wait until thestars burned out. Spyderco has been very busy increasing the size of their golden factory to meet the insane demand of the current knife industry after the global pandemic. Keep in mind, when a new product comes through the factory, they have to train the staff on how to make them, and what the best procedures are for creating that specific model in high volume with maximum efficiency. So, there is hidden effort when new designs come through at Spyderco. Folks need to remember if we want this folder made in Golden (my favorite factory) we have to be patient. My dream is to have a Golden folder we can all experience together.
I’ve gotten a chance to meet the people from the Golden factory I must say I’m even more excited about the idea of it being made in Golden. I’ve talked to the people that do grinding and heat treatment and there’s just something special about being able to talk to the folks that make your collaboration knife design. So, I keep pretty quiet about the folder because I don’t feel it’s necessary to see get people excited about something that doesn’t have a clearly set date of exactly when it can be expected and I don’t want to put any undue pressure on Spyderco because they’ve been working very very hard over the past couple years to get things that sometimes people take for granted and expect to magically appear on the shelves to buy. While I haven’t been posting in this thread everyday, I really appreciate you guys making sure to let Spyderco know this is something you want. So, thanks for always updating this thread and talking about it on social media.I really think you guys will like this knife and I can’t wait to get one in my pocket one day.
-Shawn“
Now this is new batch including Microjimbo, Yojumbo, Yojimbo2, Native, Military 2, Para3 G10 and Para3 Lightweight.
Like all its brothers and sisters it boast the BBB logo proving that the blade has followed Shawn Houston heat treatment.
In his excellent vidéo Shawn share his first impressions and also check the hardness of his Para3 and the result is 65.4 HRC ! Impressive !
Framed from his video: he performed five separate hardness tests just to be sure. It’s well known that Shawn Houston’s special heat treatment — refined over years and tested by renowned professionals — brings out the quintessence of CPM-15V, elevating its performance to exceptional levels.
“Well, most heat treatment protocols are for tooling, like the ones in datasheets — not really optimized for things like edge stability.” — Shawn Houston, on his own heat treatment
In practical tests, Pete from the Cedric and Ada Gear and Outdoors was able to cut through a rope 2,000 times without compromising the edge.
The action on my new Para 3 is perfectly smooth. I notice a little lock sticking but this is not an issue in my book.
And smooth enough that nothing unscrews on it — the blade closes like glass, effortlessly and precisely.
My Para 3 arrived perfectly centered, but with some burrs on the scales. (A burr is a raised edge or small piece of material that remains attached to a workpiece after a modification process.)
You can feel these tiny imperfections under your finger along the FRN edges.
I have “deburr” it with some diamonds rod. Nothing fancy but now the handle is fine. I don’t remember having that issue on my previous Para 3 review.
The edge is even.
I don’t see myself working on a convex edge on this one. Not for the moment.
The sharpness is high and that blade is a hair popping sharp razor right out of the box.
I have already cut my self with its very pointy point. My Para 3 is baptized !
Now it is truly mind.
It is said that CPM-15V loves leather for a crispy edge. (S90V or M398 for example don’t care about stropping…)
I’m curious how its 68 grams will compete with my Maxamet Para 3 G10 (98 grams) — sturdy yet smooth as velvet.
According to Spyderco:
“The term ‘lightweight,’ or the use of injection-molded handle components on a Spyderco folder, isn’t just about how the knife tips the scale. It’s about taking full advantage of the remarkable properties of FRN and FRCP, as well as our decades of experience as an industry leader in their use.”
So yes, this is a “light” saber.
The edge appears ground thinner than on the notoriously brittle Maxamet blade. Both blades receive special attention: the spine is smooth under the thumb, and the edges are expertly bevelled.
The chance to have such a steel on a lightweight folder would make it a great hunting knife like the Michael Walker ZDP-189 was in his days. The game’s fur is very abbrasive. CPM-15V could be even stronger than ZDP189 on the joints, more permissive.
Ericasedc has made a video about that:
She seems really happy with her Para 3 since she has received it. You can see all the videos she has made on her channel about the Para 3 15V.
Anyway, going in the woods equipped with a Tenacious CPM M4 and a Para 3 in 15V would be a great combo nowadays.
Now that I can carry the mighty CPM-15V steel in my pocket, I’m eager to test its performance over the long run. Stay tuned for updates on this page or in another chapter.
Having a featherweight folder equipped with such a formidable blade and steel is uncanny — it packs remarkable power in a pocket-sized package. I still remember fitting the Maxamet blade on my red FRN Para 3 just to experience that sensation of a powerful engine on a lightweight platform.
This Para 3 Sprint Run is already a triumph, offering the chance to experience a remarkable steel crafted by passionate knifeaholics.
As mentioned, I have no intention of convexing the edge for now — I’m trusting Shawn’s expertise. Unlike AEB-L, which can be thinned while remaining strong, CPM-15V is packed with carbides, so I’ll stick with the angle specified by Spyderco and Shawn, which is already thinner than Maxamet.
But now, the real fun begins: testing! Spoiler: the combination of geometry and steel makes it an excellent whittler — the blade cuts deep, and the wood feels incredibly smooth under the cut.
Final word of this review are from Shawn Houston who was quoting and answering to Todd from Scienceofsharp.com about 15V (as Todd’s goal is to increase our understanding of the role of carbides in cutting performance and how different sharpening techniques “interact” with the carbide): ““tremendous pleasure in using an extremely sharp knife or tool (and satisfaction when you have sharpened it yourself). Even though it is often a fleeting experience” That’s the “idée fixe” of it all. The little smile and feeling of elation when the edge lasers through material with zero effort. The stones, geometries, steels, heat treatments and the techniques. Chasing those fleeting moments of joy with high performance and riding the line between madness and clarity in trying to understand at the most intricate levels how it all really works. An insatiable quest.“
“The Edge is a Ghost. Always changing. Dying (dulling) being reborn (sharpened) split personality (angles and geometry changing).
Think of the edge as gas in a vehicle. It runs out of gas and you put in more gas. We provide the format, materials, design for use, variety to avoid boredom and create interest, but the edge is your creation. The result of your understanding, education, experience and practice.”
Sal
“CPM 15V is a very difficult steel to manufacturer, so it may not always be available in the future. Crucible Industries LLC went to great lengths to produce the steel, it puts a great amount of wear and tear on the ceramic refractory designed to hold the super heated liquid steel during melting. This is necessary to dissolve the vanadium carbides to the very fine sizes that we see in the finished product. It’s quite a marvel that’s not often appreciated. 15V is basically the commercial limit for how much carbon and vandium they can get in a steel for production sizes batches. The benefits of this to the end user combined with excellent heat treatment is a enjoyable, lasting cutting experience that also touches up at the edge nicely with proper abrasives and sharpening experience.”
I’ve been tenacious — truly tenacious — in resisting the C122 Tenacious, even though I’d had my eye on that folder since 2008. After 17 years of flirtation, I finally ordered one. Why the delay? Its main weakness was always the less-than-stellar steel compared to the high-end knives I already owned.
Now, the CPM-M4 version is here to quench that long-standing thirst.
I don’t have much memory of a CPM-M4 serrated edge, except with another Eric Glesser design: the Dodo Exclusivefrom Blade HQ (C80GM4S). The Dodo was a real wood slasher — its S-shaped blade trimmed vines deeper and faster than almost any other, and the comfortable handle was perfect for power cuts.
Opportunities to play with a serrated CPM-M4 edge have been rare — until now. Here it is.
Back in 2008, when the Tenacious have been released it was a success.
Eric Glesser’s design was appealing to many for a simple reason: it was a well-thought-out, tough workhorse knifeavailable for around €30 (or less). A true blue-collar tool — built to be used and abused, like a modern-day Buck 110 for the pocket.
The best thing about the Tenacious was that it offered a thick, sturdy, well-built liner lock at a time when liner locks were falling out of fashion. Easy to display, easy to use, this no-choil, long-edge, compact working folder from Eric Glesser was a hit — and one of the best ways to catch the Spydervirus.
Now there is a FRN version in CPM S35VN. But it is as heavy as the G10 version and I’m not really a fan of FRN… Even if I absolutely love the FRN scales of my Serrated Chaparral.
“I’ve thrown it, dropped it, batoned wood as thick as my wrist, chipped the edge multiple times (didn’t think 8cr13mov could chip, thought it was too soft but was wrong), I’ve left in outside ONCE in the rain overnight because I forgot I placed it on my front porch the previous day, I have spine whacked it (just don’t, I most likely have an impulse problem… lol … same problem that causes me to buy a lot of knives) I’ve dug holes, stabbed the ground to cut weed roots out, and much much more...
I think by now you get the point. I treated the tenacious as if I got it for free and had 1000 more to replace it if something happened. I treated this knife as if I hated it.
The result? 4 years later, the Tenacious opens smoother than it ever has, not a speck of rust since I purchased it, I have oiled the blade a couple times but I can guarantee it was less than 20 times total in the last 4 years, lockup is a bit less solid, BARELY any blade play from side to side, even less blade play from front to back, g10 scales look smoothed over and scarred, but to be honest there is still plenty of traction. All in all, this knife is much more than what most of you need from a folder.”
My Persistence experience was excellent as described in my 2012 review (green words lead to link) but eventually I was disappointed with their steel. 8Cr13MoV can get sharp but lose sharpness much too fast for my uses. It was frustratring. I still got 8Cr13MoV knives like the Clipitool which is a great oyster knife. 8Cr13MoV is tough for a stainless steel, no surprise it was chosen for the Tenacious line.
The Tenacious is a sturdy well made liner lock folder with a super tool steel blade.
“This remarkable expression of the Tenacious® elevates this best-selling design to all-new heights with a blade crafted from American-made CPM M4 tool steel. Produced by the particle metallurgy process, CPM M4’s sophisticated alloy composition, high vanadium content, and extremely fine grain structure give it exceptional wear resistance and toughness-properties that translate to outstanding edge retention and impact resistance in knife blades. This knife’s full-flat-ground blade is available in both PlainEdge™ and CombinationEdge™ formats and is housed in a handle featuring brown peel-ply-textured G-10 scales.“
I have written many reviews about that fabulous alloy CPM-M4 it has never disappointed me and since I have sold my CPM-M4 Military and kept my Yojimbo 2 and Mantra 2 (reviewed and sharpened by JD) and use them hard, I know it is reliable and get a nice patina.
A lil’oil will prevent rust. CPM M4 is not 52100 and the patina will come slowly after cutting some lemons… “CPM M4 has good edge holding, sharpening ease, toughness, strength, and is not a rust monster…” to quote Rangodash.
Now a blade is 1/3 steel, 1/3 Heat Treatment and 1/3 geometry.
The Coke butt bottle pushing cutting test has been done with the factory edge right out of the box. It is thin behind the edge. It’s a good blade thickness for more nuanced jobs, but there is added strength from the thicker spine.
The knife sliced right in the middle were the materiel is thicker. This is just outstanding !
There are a great geometry and a thin edge on that tough CPM-M4 blade. The result is a sturdy matter separator.
It is not an exploit to cut into some tin can but the same “shallow”, “non snaggy” kind of serrations as the Chaparral made it easy.
Again, this is a “performance oriented” knife. The blade is not too thick like some “tactical” toys. It is made to perform not to show off.
“For notching, serrated edges work great. Feathersticking, maybe, maybe not. Serrated edges are ground on the show side, so they actually work better when used left-handed for cuts like that. I carry a serrated K390 Police4 all the time for rough work. It goes through little volunteer elm trees like a chainsaw. A SharpMaker makes it a breeze to maintain the edge.” to quote Yablanowitz.
The liner lock is thick in the same spirit of Gayle Bradley’s folders. The knife opens with a loud KLAK! — no blade play in any direction. The detent is strong but slightly “elastic,” meaning the blade moves a little before the release/tipping point engages. This makes it very secure, with no risk of accidental opening. I’ve noticed the same elasticity on the titanium version of the Tenacious. It’s important to note: this is not a weak detent — the blade won’t open without a deliberate, serious force.
Using the knife in Spyderdrop mode, a flick of the wrist catches the blade in the Spyderhole with no issue. Closing remains perfectly secure. There’s a tiny squeak out of the box, but a few drops of nano oil should mute it. The action isn’t buttery smooth like a compression lock on ball bearings, but after a bit of breaking-in and running-in, it will be wonderful.
The solid clip is delivered mounted in Tip Down carry, which suits well this knife for the Spyderco Drop featured on the Military 1 which got the same kind of “around the pivot” clip.
I have no intention of using tip-up carry or a deep-carry clip. This knife is a tool, meant for easy access rather than a stealthy edge. The Tenacious is always noticeable in the pocket, but that sturdy clip guarantees quick availability — reminding me of Massad Ayoob’s teachings.
Spyderdropping is an extremely fast way to get the blade into action — faster than many switchblades. Sal Glesser was already demonstrating this skill almost 30 years ago: grab the knife by the Spyderhole and SCHLAK! — it’s open and ready to cut.
The Tenacious features full steel liners, unlike the nested liners on the Military line. There are no backspacers, making it easy to clean under running water. At 120 grams, it’s not a lightweight folder — I appreciate a bit of heft on a working tool. (For reference, the new titanium version is 93 grams.)
Notice how perfectly centered the blade is right out of the box. The quality control on this “made in China” folder is impressively high.
(Sal’s Titanium Catbird (only 200 were made) next to Eric’s Tenacious.)
Eric and Sal have taken their time with the Byrd Line and their budget line to get the best from a family of makers in China. The Glessers have moved slowly but steadily, developing a trustworthy and excellent relationship with the knifemakers there.
To quote JustinRose40 on the forums in 2011: “Yes, every time I show someone my Tenacious I have to say “well it’s made in China but it’s not a China Knife, it’s still a Spyderco”. To which they usually say something like, “yeah I could tell that as soon as you handed to me”.
Since 2011, China has made huge leaps in knife manufacturing quality, and this steady improvement is clearly noticeable in the “new” rendition of the venerable Tenacious.
On Eric’s designs, there’s sometimes no choil, but you can notice a clever feature: a “proto-flipper” that acts as a quillon or guard to protect your fingers in case the lock ever failed.
Since 2008, I haven’t heard of any critical lock failures on the Tenacious or the larger Resilience. The Tenacious has earned its legendary status for a reason.
Another Eric design with an excellent blade-to-handle ratio is the Mantra 2, which uses a flipper. (I’m not a fan of that little opening hole — dirt always collects there!) Still, it’s a great design. The Mantra 1, with an opening hole, feels like the Taichung-made “uncle” of the M4 Tenacious.
The peel-ply-textured G10 scales don’t need sanding; they’re well balanced and won’t shred pockets. The brown color makes it feel less threatening, in my book.
Let’s put it to use while the satin blade is still silver.
The knife bites into wood like no tomorrow. The serrated CPM-M4 edge is a joy to use — it goes deep and steady, putting a smile on my face every time.
Blast from the past: the last combo-edge/semi-serrated knife I used was over 20 years ago — a Pre-Production D2 AFCK. As you can see, it’s been heavily used, and its geometry, steel, and blade-to-handle ratio aren’t nearly as refined as the Tenacious.
That macro shot shows the very smooth way to go from chisel ground serrations to plain edge.
“Serrated edges aren’t for everyone, and you may not like them, but you’ve got to get at least one just to try! Keep it around for nasty work, wet abrasive rope, zip-ties, yardwork, or playtime like in the pool, or at the lake or beach. Not to mention fishing duties.”to quote Benben.
The difference in cutting efficiency between a saber grind and a full flat grind is obvious. I don’t need to tiptoe around it — the advantage is clear.
Now let’s compare the Tenacious with various folders and fixed blades.
The Tenacious got a better blade/handle ratio than the Paramilitary 2 and a longer blade for a shorter handle. This is one key of the success of that design.
Since I play with Bushcraft here a nice combo to go in the wood. The Proficient is a masterpiece.
And with the ultra solide Boker in Magnacut. The 8,6 centimeter long blade of the Tenacious is generous edge wise.
Of course, I’ll strop that partially serrated blade on leather — no fear at all. I have my method for serrations, using the corner of the leather pad.
Maintaining the combo edge won’t be an issue; I’ll keep it sharp with cornered ceramic and jade stones.
So what do you get for €139 — the price I paid at the Coutellerie Champenoise? I’m really happy with my purchase. I plan to use the Tenacious a lot and on anything, simply for the pleasure of testing it on various materials. This knife isn’t afraid of plastic, wood, food, bones, cardboard, or aluminum.
This CPM-M4 version is set to show the full potential of one of the beefier EDC knives, especially with its serrated half-edge carved from super tool steel. Over 17 years, the Tenacious has proven it can withstand a lot of abuse.
The CPM-M4 Tenacious is not only a workhorse but a warhorse, like the pictured Adamas. I can easily imagine any soldier being glad to have such a reliable knife at this budget.
It’s slightly larger than small pocket knives, but smaller than the oversized ones some carry just to show off. The Tenacious would make an excellent day-hiking knife — a folder ready for the great outdoors. I’d take it on a trip to Africa or on a photo safari in the natural parks of Tuscany.
(this will often dull the blade’s edge with a little shining spot. Not here… Thanks to the serrations again ! )
This CPM-M4 Tenacious is sold at roughly double the price of the standard version, but in my opinion, it’s a rare chance to have this alloy on that knife. CPM-M4 pushes the boundaries of reliability and is a real pleasure to keep razor-sharp.
CPM-M4 will not chip and stays sharp for long. It’s a steel that has been used in cutting competitions. While Tuff Glideand various oils can keep it spotless, I prefer the protection of a gentle natural patina.
For twice the price of the vanilla Tenacious, this upgraded version delivers another level of performance in terms of toughness and edge retention.
“Old school cool with the Walker lock and satin finish. Well done Eric Glesser!” to quote Clay H on the Forums. My brown Tenacious looks gorgeous in its “beautility”, practically begging to be used across all terrains — sand, rain, or more. All in all, this beater is a beefed-up workhorse, built to be used hard and carried proudly.
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 far as I know I have always noticed how blunt and scratched were my father, grandfather and father in law EDC folders. The old timers were using their knives hard and their blades were tools to be reliable in all situations. They were not expensive and used as screwdrivers and skinners and staples removers and whittlers and they were in contact with plates while eating with them…
Swapping the Maxamet blade on the Lightweight plateform was done for “Mule” testing on a steel I had always babied since Eric told me it was 70HRC and since I have been waiting 9 months for getting the Para3 Maxamet.
Anyway encouraged by the Cliptools great results on opening oysters…
Well the maxamet lost its blade tip at the first attempt. I was able to open 4 oysters but the blade was already a mess.
On the other side the Clipitool was able to open 32 oysters with almost no damage but light scratches and edge bending. This is the kind of knife my family fathers would have chosen: thin and strong blade was always their favorite.
So really kuddos to Eric for designing the clipitoolas a reliable workhorse.
So now time to fix the Maxamet blade. And with no pity !
It means using diamonds DC4 and Double Stuff 2 to repair that edge.
Actually when you got nothing to lose, you go hard on the fixing.
Also doing that by hand will repair any factory burnt edge syndrome…
It a matter of minutes it was already going back to part serrated to plain edge.
The tip is going to take a little more time but it will be reshaped slowly.
Anyway, it is back to razor and ready to be used harder than before.
I got two Para3: a M390 Lightweight and I got a Maxamet Copper handled.
The Lightweight is so good, I wanted to use the 70 HRC blade on that plateform.
Nothing wrong with M390 which is just a great EDC steel with stellar performances but staining steels are part of DNA.
After watching Nick Shabazz having the same idea and filming it, once the novelty of the M390 faded away, I have decided to step ahead. It was really easy to do it but for the stoppong pin of the lightweight (Torx 6) which was dismounted with two tools as it was turning inside the handle.
Easily disassembled copper scales.
Now mounted on the lightweight handle.
For more about disassembling a Para3 lightweight here is Eric Glesser’s Video.
Here we go: two excellent knives. As you can notice they are users.
I have been able to thin the edge of the M390 when the Maxamet refused to give away any particules…
The Spyder logo is golden on the M390 and black on the Maxamet.
Perfectly centered blades on both and smooth action with no lateral play.
Here my Little Red Hoodie ready for tonight 24 oysters opening.
Someone I used to know has posted this review on our Facebook group about that Alien kind of knife and his post is a gem:
“Whilst rather drunk it seems that I bought a Spyderco ClipiTool (TM) Standard. Because it was cheap in the Black Friday Sale. And I was drunk. Well, it has arrived and after a day of playing with it and using it I don’t really know what to make of it. In the past looking at it online I had assumed it was quite small, bigger than a Dragonfly but smaller than a Delica. But it isn’t small, it’s quite large, with a 3.50″ (89mm) liner locking full-flat ground blade in 8Cr13MoV. Which is……a steel. It’s adequate. G10 handles with a central steel liner which functions as the linerlock. It also weighs a substantial 4.2.oz (119g) which in context is really quite heavy for what this is. The blade is thin and nicely slicy, which is good. The tin can opener with screwdriver tool blade and opposing bottle cap opener with screwdriver tool blade are marvels of design, in that they look cool and work, but they don’t work any better than those on an SAK. It has a classic Spyderco three screw pocket clip. Obviously, as it’s a ClipiTool (TM). So in conclusion I don’t understand this knife. Or knife/tool combo. It’s quite large, quite heavy, doesn’t do anything differently to a host of other knives and multitools and has a steel that to us Knifeknuts is barely adequate. And when not on sale this is not a cheap knife, it costs around USD80. That’s a lot of money. What is this for? Who is it aimed at? Aside from drunk Spyderco collectors like me?“
This is not an hommage to Victorinox but a parody.
Pardon his French: “Seulement un hommage? Je comprends cela mais c’est plutôt une parodie.” “”Let’s put a couple of fancy design SAK style tools on a fairly crap Spyderco and try and sell it. Oh yeah, idiots will buy it when they are drunk.” was his conclusion.
Could he be right ? Could he be wrong ? Or at least could I disagree or agree with him ?
Fist I was wrong assuming it was Sal Glesser design with Eric huge signature on the blade. I remember Sal looking at SAKs with admiration. Sal is an inventor and so is Eric.
My first impression when opening the blade of that Standart Clipitool was WOW.
It is a long thin blade with a very nice geometry: it was razor factory sharpen.
There is a generous choil and the hump of the next tool is creating some kind of sub-guard ! The ergos are quite good actually.
But let’s compare that knife with other classic backpackers option: a Böker Plus Tech-Tool Carbon 4 and a good old SAK from the 70’s.
The Spyderco is less in the blocky side, which also means it offers less tools.
In fact it offers 3 blade/tools.
That’s all. But to quote Spyderco: “The star attraction of this design is a full-flat-ground leaf-shaped blade crafted from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. It locks securely open via a stout LinerLock mechanism
and is complemented by a folding can opener/small screwdriver and a bottle opener/large screwdriver with a wire-stripping notch.
Both screwdriver heads are hollow ground to ensure a secure fit in slotted screws. Although they do not lock, they are supported by sturdy slipjoint spring mechanisms to keep them open during use.
Like the primary blade, both tools are precision machined from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and feature generously sized Trademark Round Holes.”
I would add that both tools also got a generous choil which lacks on the SAKs.
The screwdriver is hold and secure by your grasp and cannot close on your fingers.
That choil is the same which can be founded on boots daggers as quillons and which was featured on the good old C36 Military. It is a clever way to avoid any forcing on the handle and the pivot.
Opening a jar with the screwdriver, waiting for the “Pop” to happen.
The main idea behind the Clipitool was to provide a One Handed Tool. When you are climbing a ladder or holding something with your other hand, opening your SAK with your teeth can be a problem. Here you can get access to your tools very easily.
This is also something which has been explored on Leatherman’s for two decades but Spyderco’s blade is really generous.
I have convexed the edge as the steel is not as hard as many other super steel. It was also a breeze to polish. It won’t have the same edge retention as many of my usual EDC but I know I can use it hard and easily bring it to sharp. After all the SAKs steel works the same. I can scratch the edge on rocks when gold digging (long story) and bring it back to sharpness after without diamonds.
“The handle of the ClipiTool Standard is built on a framework of nested stainless steel liners, textured black G-10 scales, and solid stainless steel backspacers and springs. Its screw-together construction ensures the precise alignment of all parts, and a two-position hourglass clip provides a choice of right-side tip-up or tip-down carry.” Spyderco’s card again.
So what do we got ? An honest tool which does not swear you to be the ultimate all around multitool but an easy partner which won’t be scared of dirty jobs. A proud blue collar’s solid companion, easy on budget and easy on the ride.
I really enjoy the fact to be able to get a screwdriver out of my pocket with one hand. I will use as a mini prybar, a scratching tool, a probe, a good reason to justify the fact I’m carrying a knife after all and keeping its generous blade sharp and pointy for more mondaine task.
All in all that pragmatic Clipitool can be escorted by my Para 3 and my Shaman with zero shame.
So thank you Eric !
Opening a jar with the screwdriver, waiting for the “Pop” to happen.
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