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Review

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight 15V Sprint Run – C223PBN15V – First glimpse at the Lil’Brown Bear !

4 Comments

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 the stars 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.”

Shawn Houston on Spyderco Forums

Review

Spyderco Tenacious C122GBNM4PS – CPM-M4 with Serrations – Pure Workhorse

6 Comments

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 remember Bushcrafters being the first to sing the praises of the Tenacious. An example:

“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.

Almost the same length as the Chief.

No choil on the Wolfspyder too.

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.



Review

Spyderco Chaparral Serrated C152SGY- The Lightweight With Teeth.

8 Comments

I’ve been an early adopter of the Chaparral. Nearly 13 years ago, I called it the “Extra Flat Companion” in my first review from 2012. Back then, the Chaparral was designed to serve as a platform to test different handle materials, while the Sage (another model “made in Taichung”) showcased various lock designs used in folders.

Twelve years later, Spyderco has introduced a major improvement to the Chap’s blade: their famous serrations. The brand is, of course, known for its Spyderhole, its clips, and… the performance of its serrated edges. Sal Glesser has long advocated the superior cutting performance of Spyderco’s sserrations. Scallops, moon quarters, and thin chisel geometry all work together to create the ultimate “matter separator,” making tough cutting tasks effortless.


Sal has refined his serrations into a recognized patterns and created the Spyderedge: “Spyderco’s two-step serration patterns consist of one large and two small serrations. The pattern increases the cutting edge’s surface area by up to 24%”.
On the Chaparral, the serration are even better as they are rounded to avoid snagging when cutting. Those same enhanced serrations can be found on another serrated folder made in Taichung for Spyderco: the LC200N made Caribbean.

I’am not a serration’s fan. I prefer a short convexed blade like my Roadie XL to EDC but this is the opportunity to pocket a serrated knife designed to be low profile folder easily displayed in the middle of the sheeples.

The Chaparral is another Lil’ Big Knife in disguise. Go figure, his lock is equipped with an hidden pin which gives a lot of strength and stability. This improved backlock is also found on the Sage 4 but do not worry about vertical play.


Also the Chaparral’s blade is only 2 mm thick. A razor blade with serrations ? It should be interesting !

It even has teeth on its handle. The FRN scales feel almost like shark skin, which can be tough on pockets. My first step was to temporarily remove the pocket clip, then sand the scales to smooth them out.

The FRN doesn’t react as quickly as G10 when sanded. I still ended up with a slightly toothy handle, but it’s much more acceptable to me. Of course, this is a matter of personal taste — many users will appreciate the aggressive grip the pattern provides. I, however, prefer not to carry a pocket shredder anymore.

Lately, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy knives I can carry in my denim watch pocket. The Roadie XL, which I can now flick open with a wrist, is the king of that pocket and I use it hard despite its small size.

But this little “Tooth Faerie”, the Serrated Chaparral, also demands heavy use — and beware of its cutting power! Its steel, CTS-XHP, is known for being extremely reliable, even on thin edges. I’ve used it in many knives, including some Cold Steel Voyager XLs, and it never disappoints.

It will be very interesting to see how the Chaparral Light platform, equipped with a top-performance factory edge and an improved backlock, performs as a true workhorse — pushing the envelope of what the Chap’ can do. Spyderco has also just released a Slipit (non-locking) Chaparral, sold at nearly double the price of the FRN serrated version. Clearly, this one isn’t marketed as a “precious” collectible but as a pure performance tool. Spyderco has supercharged the Chaparral to be a user’s knife.

To summarize:

  • 2 mm thick blade — this is thin !
  • Backlock enhanced with a hidden pin — zero vertical play !
  • Rounded, anti-snag SpyderEdge.
  • Sheeple-friendly design.
  • Made in Taiwan with attention to details.

Yes, the Chap is back… with teeth … in its next chapter:
“FOR THE FIERCE AND THE FURIOUS“

Review

Spyderco Roadie XL C267BK – Size matters

3 Comments

Six years ago, I reviewed the Working Poney, also known as the Roadie. Mine had been reprofiled by Jan Dirk, and even at its tiny scale, it proved to be an outstanding performer. For six years, it quietly stayed in my pocket, accompanying me across the UK, Vietnam, and countless places where knives were frowned upon.

Then, in 2024, I noticed the announcement of an XL version — the C267BK — featuring upgraded steel and a clip. Right away, I saw the new pointed blade, replacing the classic sheepfoot-style blade, now ground from Böhler-Uddeholm N690Co. Even more exciting, the XL uses M398, an exotic steel reserved for flash batches — a serious step up in performance and collector appeal.

And so, here it is: Ladies and gentlemen, the Roadie XL!

Back to the Roadie XL: it is made in Maniago, Italy, like my Nano and many other excellent modern knives. The Maniago factory remains one of the world leaders in precision and manufacturing quality.

Specifications:

  • Overall Length: 6.51″ (165mm)
  • Blade Length: 2.74″ (70mm)
  • Steel: M398
  • Closed Length: 3.76″ (95mm)
  • Edge Length: 2.31″ (59mm)
  • Weight: 1.5oz (43g)
  • Blade Thickness: 0.108″ (2.8mm)

Its shape and size make it extremely pocket-friendly, easily fitting into the watch pocket of jeans thanks to its deep-carry wire clip. You could remove the clip, but why? It keeps the knife perfectly secured at the pocket’s edge. The clip is also reversible, though that is not essential for a two-handed opening folder.

With its thin profile and light weight, combined with the clip, the Roadie XL can even be carried in a shirt pocket like a pen. In short, it is a knife designed to remain on you almost unnoticed.

The action is smooth, with two detents before the blade fully opens. In practice, it feels smoother than my Urban, which deploys with a single motion.

With a slightly longer blade than the Urban, the Roadie XL remains legal to carry in countries such as Denmark, the UK, or Germany. Mine arrived razor sharp straight out of the box, so I am not in any hurry to convex the edge.

Mine came razor sharp straight out of the box, so I’m not in any particular hurry to convex its edge.

You can immediately recognize Sal Glesser’s signature design — a clear mark of his inventive approach. Sal is an inventor at heart, and it is always impressive to see how he manages to create clever, practical tools. Quoting him directly:

“When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) briefly considered allowing the carry of knives on airplanes again, Spyderco designed the Roadie™ to fit their guidelines. We created an incredibly popular modern expression of the classic penknife. Since bigger can indeed be better, the Roadie now has a big brother: the Roadie XL. It faithfully offers all the defining features of its smaller counterpart — including a non-locking “notched-joint” mechanism, a textured index-finger choil, and contoured, injection-molded handle scales. Its full-flat-ground sheepfoot-style blade is crafted from M398 stainless steel and features our distinctive “Double Dent™” — a pair of symmetrical dimples in the blade that provide a solid purchase for fingernail-free, two-handed opening. In addition to its larger size, the Roadie XL also adds a deep-pocket wire clip for convenient top-of-the-pocket carry.”

Now, let’s talk about M398, one of Spyderco’s premium powder metallurgy steels, produced in limited flash batches in Maniago, Italy.

From what I understand, M398 is closer to CPM-90V than to M390. Quoting Darrin Thomas’s analysis:

“The original M390 has a reported carbide volume of 20.5%, and the new M398 has about 30%, so there has been an increase in carbide of almost 50%… [text unchanged] …”

When M398 was used in a previous flash batch for the SpyMyto, I was not particularly excited — it felt like overkill for a folder intended for hard use. The Myto is essentially the big brother of my Nano in CPM Magnacut, and a SpyNano in M398 is also on the bench. In comparison, Magnacut is far tougher than M398, making it better suited for wider, workhorse blades.

On the Roadie XL, however, it is a different story. Like with my Heinie Urban in S90V, these small blades are not intended for bushcraft — although skilled users can achieve remarkable results even with a 2-inch slipjoint, as shown in an inspiring video I recently watched.

Slipjoints are gentle companions for both ladies and gentlemen. For those with long nails, the Roadie XL features its distinctive “Double Dent™” — a pair of symmetrical dimples in the blade that provide a secure grip for fingernail-free, two-handed opening.

Its high wear resistance is useful, as these small blades often encounter cardboard, which can be surprisingly abrasive. I also recall Roger, my father-in-law, using his old Pradel slipjoint like a crowbar or screwdriver without hesitation. Older users often treated knives as true tools until they were worn down to almost nothing.

I am confident the Roadie XL, with its M398 blade, would make an excellent hare skinner — fur full of sand can destroy an edge very quickly. Tuscan hare hunters would likely appreciate its durability. The high wear-resistant alloy makes perfect sense here, and the blade is also relatively thick at 2.8 mm, reducing the risk of damage.

Ergonomically, the Roadie works beautifully for a slipjoint because you can use the choil for control — a feature rarely found in traditional designs. Even most Swiss Army Knives do not offer that level of security. As Spyderco notes:

“Unlike traditional penknives, the Roadie also features a subtle index-finger choil that increases control of the knife during use and acts as a safeguard against unintentional closure.”

There is no undue pressure on the pivot, often the most fragile part of folding knives. If you avoid twisting the tip in wood, the Roadie XL can handle direct cutting force on the blade. This makes it another “Lil Big Blade” — small, but highly capable.

It can serve as a steak knife, whittler, label remover, balloon popper, nail cleaner, or cardboard cutter. Cardboard is especially abrasive, but not for a steel like M398, rich in carbide content.

And in today’s world, one final advantage: it is extremely sheeple-friendly. It looks like a pocket knife, not a tactical weapon — discreet, elegant, and highly functional.

Roadie, K390 Pingo, S90V G10 Urban, and Roadie XL (all green links refer to full reviews).

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me, this blade — shaped like a scaled-down cutlass — is pure eye candy.

Interestingly, I can open it one-handed in two different ways:

  1. A quick wrist flick while holding the blade.
  2. By gripping the blade between thumb and index finger while pushing the handle away with the remaining fingers.

So even though it was not designed as a one-hand opener, the Roadie XL can still function surprisingly well as one.

Compared to a traditional sheepfoot slipjoint, the Roadie XL is incredibly light while offering a premium alloy blade. (Since August 2025, another M398 slipjoint has joined the lineup: the Metropolitan.)

At under 100 euros, the Roadie XL is an exceptional bargain for what it delivers.

This is one of Sal Glesser’s finest EDC designs — a perfect balance of elegance, utility, and performance. And for once, size really matters with a Roadie. No wonder it sold out so quickly on the Golden site!
Part II is here.

Review

Böker “Vigtig vs. Wild” in CPM Magnacut – The Bushcraft Supreme EDC designed by David Wenger.

4 Comments


I have a passion for short fixed-blade EDC knives. And they are hard to find.
I had been eyeing the new Pocket Tango with its magnetic sheath, but my original intention was to buy a Lulu from KNAFS — until I found out it was not a true Scandi grind because of the micro-bevel they added after discovering Magnacut was chipping with their original geometry.
At least they were honest enough to announce it, but for the price, I felt my Wolfspyder already covered the same territory in a folding package.

So I wanted a robust small fixed blade that would bring something new compared to a folding knife: lateral strength, for example. While looking around at all the new Magnacut fixed blades made in Italy, I found one that was instead made in Solingen… Germany!
And for less than half the price of the beautiful little Lulu.

I discovered it had originally been designed for a TV survival game and for German YouTubers filming themselves surviving in Canada.

Quoting Böker’s site:
“Two streamers in the wilderness? (…) Trymacs (29) from Hamburg and Rumathra (27) from Bonn will compete together as a team in the upcoming season of 7 vs. Wild and face the 14-day adventure in the wilderness of Canada. The two heavyweights from the German streaming/gaming scene together have over 4 million followers on Twitch (Trymacs 3.4 million, Rumathra 0.7 million) and also have a strong presence on YouTube and Instagram. As part of the intensive preparation for this borderline experience, the choice of the right equipment – especially because all items have to be stored together in a 1L Nalgene bottle – played an elementary role for the two.“
OK. Why not. But eventually, who was the designer?
He’s American, and his name is David Wenger. His interview can be found here on Böker’s site.

David clearly knows his craft, as he is both a bushcrafter and a former builder. Looking at his own knives, you can immediately see his passion for dependable tools meant to be used hard in the wilderness or in the garden. As far as I am concerned, he has created a truly excellent fixed blade for Böker.
Especially because simple designs are often the hardest to get right.

Remember how impressed I was by the Casström N°10 seven years ago? This “Vigtig” is following the same path in my opinion. Its design looks simple, but in reality it is highly refined. It is both a robust and very sharp knife!

The first thing to consider is the price of this knife: 135 euros shipped from Knives&Tools. Not bad at all considering that K&T is not usually the cheapest retailer on the web.
It is even sold cheaper than the Casström, which currently sits around 166 euros (June 2024). (The imported Lulu tops out at 295 euros!!)
And the Vigtig (“Important” in German) comes in CPM Magnacut, just like the Lulu — but with a true Scandi grind! Sharp as my mother-in-law’s tongue!
And this is simply one of the cheapest CPM Magnacut knives available today.
Also, with an 8.5 cm blade length, it is not designed as a “companion” knife but rather as a true main bushcraft and survival tool.

The moment I held the Vigtig, I immediately appreciated the ergonomics of its green Micarta handle. This knife feels good in the hand. It is well balanced. It feels alive! (Something I have been missing from Spyderco lately — and that comes from a French Spyderco fanboy who loves stropping Magnacut on leather, because CPM Magnacut is a pleasure to strop.)
The Micarta is smooth yet naturally grippy. Oh boy, when you hold the “Important,” you are gripping a real tool. Something built to be used hard in a very compact format. Let’s not forget that it is even shorter than a deployed Endura (22 cm against 19 cm for the Vigtig!).
The scales are not fully rounded, but this softly boxy shape helps you instantly know the angle and orientation of the edge. That is why I generally prefer boxy or flat-handled knives like the Native or the Wolfspyder pictured here.
The Vigtig is marketed as a “survival” knife, but in my opinion it is equally a bushcraft knife, both in dimensions and ergonomics.

The rounded handle of an Opinel has always been somewhat problematic for me. You gain comfort, but you lose precision during cuts. That is why I was always placing my thumb on the blade to know exactly at which angle it was positioned.
With the Vigtig, the knife feels completely at ease in your palm. It is extremely comfortable and radiates quality and strength. There are strong heavy-duty vibes here (just like David from KCI recently said about the new Manix XL Crucarta)!
This is mandatory for a compact tool you expect to use for hours (like the Proficient, for example, which remains hard to beat but feels more premium and less blue-collar than the Vigtig).
The Vigtig may not be “perfect” ergonomically, but it is at least very, very good — and it was even qualified as a “Super Knife” by the Dutch Bushcraft Knives boys.


There is a sharp section on the spine near the tip designed for use with a ferro rod. Since the stock is 4 mm thick, it does not create discomfort for my left thumb. Those sharp edges can also be used to scrape bark for various purposes.
Personally, I would have preferred a rounded spine because I often apply pressure cuts using my left thumb.

Now we have a true Scandi grind. No micro-bevel.
The Vigtig pops hairs right out of the box.
Magnacut is famous for its extremely fine grain structure, strength, and toughness.

It bites into wood like nothing else and keeps its crisp edge.
Böker announces an HRC of 62-63. Hard, yet still tough!

If there is one thing the Scandi grind struggles with, it is my Plastic Bottle Bottom test.
Where a Nilakka or an Opinel will glide through easily, the Scandi tends to get stuck. This is purely a geometry issue: the Scandi acts like a wedge.

CPM Magnacut also absolutely loves leather stropping. It delivers the behavior of a tool steel in an extremely stainless alloy. Frankly, this is a bushcrafter’s dream! The edge is highly resistant to the elements, and it is an easygoing tool that can even be used near saltwater without a second thought.

Especially because there is a hidden compartment inside the handle.
“A special highlight can be found inside the handle. Instead of hollow studs, the two large screws can be easily removed with the help of a coin, revealing an ample compartment with a depth of 14 mm compared to the outer dimensions of the handle, where tweezers, tinder, charcoal tablets, a fishing kit and safety pins, for example, can be easily accommodated.“

I personally will not use it, and I will probably secure the screws with some blue thread locker. But at least, if necessary, you can use the knife without its Micarta scales and still benefit from the hidden compartment.
Rambo is never far away whenever survival knives are discussed.

My previous hard-use EDC fixed blade was this 1095 multitool knife. It is now replaced by the Vigtig because it is much sharper and built from a far superior alloy. Notice how convex I had ground the old 1095 — I will not need that with the CPM Magnacut Scandi edge, as I experienced zero damage even when using it on hard dry bamboo.
These compact, robust fixed blades can do everything a large folder can do — and much more! The main difference is simply the need to clean the blade before resheathing it.

Another critical thing to evaluate on a fixed blade is the sheath!
The Vigtig sheath is also excellent in my book and comes with a clip for belt or pocket carry. The taco-style Kydex construction is my favorite because it is slimmer than pancake-style sheaths.

I carry the knife directly in my pocket, where it can easily be removed by pushing against the Kydex lip with the thumb and then returned to the sheath one-handed. The sheath opening is wide enough to guide the blade back in without difficulty.
The clip is a little too strong for my taste because I like being able to quickly move a sheathed knife into a bag. So I usually carry the sheath without any hardware. Its slim profile fits perfectly in my pocket against my wallet.
Inside the front pocket of my old denim jeans, the Vigtig stays perfectly in place and is immediately forgotten thanks to its ideal EDC dimensions.
Great sheath!

So yes, this knife was genuinely designed to be a fixed-blade EDC. It enters a territory forbidden to folding knives: being ultra-solid, robust, and forgiving under hard use without compromising carry comfort.
I am really looking forward to using it in the forest, and I would not even hesitate to use it by the sea! The Vigtig could almost be considered an amphibious bushcrafter.
For now, it will mostly be used around the house for mundane tasks, because that is the best way to truly get to know a knife.

For those who believe Scandi grinds are not kitchen-worthy… 😉
So far, I have been able to use it in the kitchen with ease despite its 4 mm blade stock. It sliced thin loaves effortlessly.
Frankly, after using it extensively in the kitchen, I can say it performs amazingly well for such a short and thick tool.

This is only a first glimpse. I will certainly update this little review with more observations, new pictures, and probably another chapter soon.
So, kudos to David Wenger for this robust knife design and to Böker for offering it at such a great price.
The Vigtig is not a tool designed to destroy, but a tool designed to build — by a builder!

One video reviewer I really enjoy is Floriano Bitturini with his vlog PDT Il Parchetto di Tagliagole — “The Cutthroat Park.”
Here is his video in Italian:

And here is a French video review I also really enjoyed:

Review

The Amphibian Milestone in CPM Magnacut : the Paramillie 2 Salt has landed !

5 Comments

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 versions 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 elements. Better: a nautical version ready to stand tall in front 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 that hits a lot of sweet spots. Like a sort of totally rust-free CPM M4: strong, resilient, and able to withstand thin edges without chipping.
So why add a DLC on that alloy? Overkill can be fun, can’t it?

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 its metallurgist and 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, a hippocampus!!
All hardware is black coated except the stop pin, which is silver and made of “fearlessly corrosion-resistant marine-grade materials“.
The handle (as efficient as it is in being non-slip) 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. Even then, it will be hard on pocket lips.

The Diamond-Like Coating is not only protecting a blade that doesn’t need any protection; it also gives a strong Mall Ninja vibe.
Usually, coatings bring some kind of lubrication to material 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 moved the clip for a tip-up carry, which suits the Paramillie better in my book.

Of course, de-shouldering the edge is the first step before convexing, which I do on new knives. Especially since I have read that Magnacut loves leather stropping.

And this is true! The edge turned quickly into a über-razor state.

It zipped through meat like a lightsaber into bantha meat.

So now the game is on. The Salty Magnacut Paramillie is ready to kick all other knives from my pockets and be used long term.
Let’s see what this cutlery apogee-era knife has to propose in the long run!