The Stretch! It is all the Deacon's Fault!

[zenheretic]

If you have been at least mildly conscious while reading these threads you will be aware that the Deacon, on many occasions, has extolled the virtues of the Stretch. Either through ossmosis, Jedi mind powers or perhaps even through old fashioned high praise, I finally heard his words and decided to take a look myself and see how good a Stretch could be.

I can't pretend to give as a good a review as the Deacon or many other :spyder: fans but I'll throw some impressions out. Right out of the box, I was amazed a how much blade you get with the Stretch (uh coincidence? :p ) The online catalog lists its overall length as 7 13/16" yet its cutting edge is 3.5" per the Deacon (online is still listed as 3 1/8", when will they correct it?). Since my EDC for 14 years was the Police I compare everything to it. A Police is 9 7/16" overall length and has 3 13/16" of cutting length per online catalog. That means of course that the Stretch is nearly 2 inches shorter yet has almost the same cutting edge as a Police! :eek:

Perhaps I don't understand the differences between blade grinds, but I believe the Stretch blade grind is the same as a Big Calypso? If that is true and you wish you had a Calpyso but can't snipe eBay for $200+ to get one here is a near modern version for flat blade grind...nearly as long?

For those who wish for a return of a Worker/Hunter. the Handle is very similar...just a bit bigger and modern ergos such as a grooved choil and thumb groves on the spyder hole. I like both sets of grooves very much. Neither cuts my tender white collar, thin skinned/uncalloused fingers, yet provides great traction.

It offers a four way clip, everyone should be satisfied in that regard.

This is my first experience with the rubber grippy inserts...looks like Spyderco has been making them since 1991. Doesn't bother me, but I'm excited with whatever change is around the corner for the inserts.

All in all it is thin as you would expect for the SS knives and rides in the pocket easier than a SS Police (due to overall closed length). I don't have to worry nearly as much about it jumping out of my pocket as I did with the Police due to the grippy inserts...which also aid in hand gripping as well.

It cut through a tomato as you would expect a Spyderco to cut. So in summary, I guess I'm saying the Stretch replaces the Worker/Hunter, Police and the Calypso. Why few others yell for the brilliance of this design is beyond me... :)

As far as insert changes, I think it would be groundbreaking to offer differing inserts the user could interchange. Many modern pistols offer different sized grips to fit the individual. I think this is something that was planned for the poliwog...maybe here too?
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/8163/imgp1368medium2wz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9907/imgp1369medium6lu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha zenheretic,

Great review. However, The Deacon uses no "mind tricks"...simply put, when The Deacon talks, Forumites listen! ;)

(He wasn't voted numero uno for nothing! ;) )

Personally, I don't care for Kraton inserts...a Stretch in "pure" SS would do it for me, or better yet: Straight FRN! :D

God bless you my friend :cool:

[zenheretic]

Aloha zenheretic,

Great review. However, The Deacon uses no "mind tricks"...simply put, when The Deacon talks, Forumites listen! ;)

(He wasn't voted numero uno for nothing! ;) )

Personally, I don't care for Kraton inserts...a Stretch in "pure" SS would do it for me, or better yet: Straight FRN! :D God bless you my friend :cool:
...and you wonder why you haven't been taught the secret Lil Temp handshake.... :p

[DAYWALKER]

...and you wonder why you haven't been taught the secret Lil Temp handshake.... :p

:D :D :D :D :confused: Waitaminute...that ain't funny! :p

God bless :cool:

[The Deacon]

Glad you like it zenheretic, as you noted it's one of my favorites and I'm always banging the drum for it.

Just one little bit of clarification, the total blade length on the Stretch is 3 1/2", cutting edge is 3 1/16" (online catalog shows 3 1/16" for both measuments). So the Police blade is a fair bit longer (4 1/8") and offers more "usable length" (almost 3/4") due to the combination of that extra actual length and the lack of a choil. What the two knives have in common is that they pack an almost amazing amount of blade into a given size handle.

As you observed grind (and steel) are the same as the C54 Calypso, and the grey and black Calypso Jrs as well. Sizewise, it lands right about in the middle between the two. As a "user" blade, it also offers the added security of traction grooves on the ramp and choil.

Enjoy your new Stretch!

[zenheretic]

...Just one little bit of clarification, the total blade length on the Stretch is 3 1/2", cutting edge is 3 1/16" (online catalog shows 3 1/16" for both measuments). So the Police blade is a fair bit longer (4 1/8") and offers more "usable length" (almost 3/4") due to the combination of that extra actual length and the lack of a choil. ...Enjoy your new Stretch!
Sorry I must have misunderstood your review the last time I read it. Still it is nearly two inches shorter yet offers only 3/4" less blade...quite an achievement...if it didn't have the forward choil...I think it would match the Police for cutting edge! :eek:

[greencobra]

That damn Deacon, along with Daywalker and JD are responsible for several of my purchases. I still swear they put subliminal messages in their posts. But I don't mind. :)

[Magic]

...and you wonder why you haven't been taught the secret Lil Temp handshake.... :p

I've seen this handshake, and it ain't nothing compared to the brotherhood of frn (bof) dance. :eek:

[zenheretic]

I've seen this handshake, and it ain't nothing compared to the brotherhood of frn (bof) dance. :eek:
From what I hear, it looks much like the Ewok dance at the End of Return of the Jedi... :D

[spydutch]

That damn Deacon, along with Daywalker and JD are responsible for several of my purchases. I still swear they put subliminal messages in their posts. But I don't mind. :)

Glad to know I'm not the only one who's influenced by those messages.

I wasn't planning on buying the Navigator 2 because I thought they were only in plain edge. And what do you know? Deacon posts a pic of a fully serrated one... Order made.(thanks Deacon ;) )

Wasn't planning on buying the Stretch either, but after seeing a pic of the CE Stretch(which has close enough serrations for me) and the reports of the Deacon, I'm thinking of this knife too all the time :confused: .

And of course, I must have a jigged bone Kiwi some day too.

But: I don't mind either. I love those reports and pics(they're only costing me so much money.. :( )

[sal]

Hi Zenheretic,

Thanx for the input. The Stretch is vary highly refined design. I spend many months refining.

I'm planning on changing the insert. Just haven't decided what yet.

sal

[chinook]

That damn Deacon, along with Daywalker and JD are responsible for several of my purchases. I still swear they put subliminal messages in their posts. But I don't mind. :)
You mean like a Sony root kit? :eek:

[VultureParade]

I'm planning on changing the insert. Just haven't decided what yet.

Canvas micarta would be nice.

A rough finish micarta isn't used on any other spyderco model.

It would help the Stretch "stick" in the hand when wet.

-Bryan

[zenheretic]

Canvas micarta would be nice.

A rough finish micarta isn't used on any other spyderco model.

It would help the Stretch "stick" in the hand when wet.

-Bryan
That would certainly work...also that idea about "wood" grained FRN or G-10 that the Deacon mentioned in a previous thread would look good as well. Provide an illusion of wood yet have the strength/longevity of those materials. 30 lpi grooving similar to the front strap of many custom/premium .45s would be great for increased grip.

[DAYWALKER]

That damn Deacon, along with Daywalker and JD are responsible for several of my purchases. I still swear they put subliminal messages in their posts. But I don't mind. :)

Aloha GC!

What Adventura are Adventura you Mini Persian talking Mini Persian about? Adventura Subliminal Tasman messages? Tasman Not Szabofly from Szabofly me! ;) :p

God bless ;)

[224477]

Daywalker - LMAO!!! :D

Sal - IMO micarta sounds great, what about that multi color one? (Cant find the right name for it right now..) Other options, maybe paka wood, or cocobolo (dark woods) would be excellent, but I cant judge the price issue. :confused:

[spydutch]

Aloha GC!

What Adventura are Adventura you Mini Persian talking Mini Persian about? Adventura Subliminal Tasman messages? Tasman Not Szabofly from Szabofly me! ;) :p

God bless ;)

STOP IT DAYWALKER!!!!! I have a hard time keeping to my budget as it is. :(

If you do that again I'll have to send my bills to you :D :D

Can't wait for the Tasman, can't wait for the Tasman, can't wait....

Darn Daywalker, there you have it. Satisfied now??? LOL

[The Deacon]

Hi Zenheretic,

Thanx for the input. The Stretch is vary highly refined design. I spend many months refining.

I'm planning on changing the insert. Just haven't decided what yet.

sal
Odd as it may sound coming from me, I'm wondering if Kydex might work. Did a bit of web surfing and it appears to be made in a number of thicknesses, including 1mm and 1.5mm, one of which should fit the recesses in the Stretch handle without protruding above the surface. It comes in a variety of colors, and is even available in wood grain patterns. Since it can be heat formed I am thinking it might be possible to emboss a pattern, such as checkering, into it with a heated die. That would seem to be a less expensive process than making a mold for FRN.

[Titus]

Odd as it may sound coming from me, I'm wondering if Kydex might work. Did a bit of web surfing and it appears to be made in a number of thicknesses, including 1mm and 1.5mm, one of which should fit the recesses in the Stretch handle without protruding above the surface. It comes in a variety of colors, and is even available in wood grain patterns. Since it can be heat formed I am thinking it might be possible to emboss a pattern, such as checkering, into it with a heated die. That would seem to be a less expensive process than making a mold for FRN.

Good idea! Kydex would be cool. :cool:

[CopilotATS-55]

thats very inovative imagine a worker in Seki or in Golden heating it and crushes fingers come on Deac' think of the side effects :D :D :D :rolleyes: :spyder:

[GarageBoy]

Remembered the colored inserts of the BM Ares? Something like that?

[DAYWALKER]

Remembered the colored inserts of the BM Ares? Something like that?

Aloha GarageBoy!

The wha..? :confused: :p

Just kidding. I like the stuff by Blackie Collins....


(Just checking if you are paying attention) :D :D :D i happen to like Elishewitz's designs. ;)

God bless! :cool:

[GarageBoy]

Sorry, typing late at night makes my grammar skills degrade..
And yes, I'm a sucker for that green/black swirl on the Benchmade Ares