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View Full Version : The Captain AKA the Champion


Vincent
08-01-2007, 02:12 PM
OK well dave wanted a review of the Captain and Ill give em one. As the title says the knife is the Captain but me and my brother call it the Champion. Why im not sure, but the knife is a beast. I think we got the name the Champion because it is a monster at cutting boxes. Nothing can compare if ya ask me.

The Knife Handle is made of G-10 but it is kinda different than G-10 on the para or Millie, it is a little slicker, or that is my brothers grease from his body. The Handle also has skeltonized steel liners that make it really sturdy. The handle does not flex and is really well engineered. The Pivot is a 1 sided screw just like on the Military, its not the one on the para. The G-10 wore down in some spots and is now a Gold color.


The Blade is a funny but practical shape. It is not really like a tanto, its different. Its second tip, does not come right down like a tanto, it almost has a curve or angle to it facing the handle. It acts like a hook that just crabs Tape or Cardboard. This is why this knife is so good for cutting cardboard. My brothers as a PC tech in Circuit city and Opens about 20 new Pc's a day, had to disassemble the boxes and he states this is the best knife he has ever used for his job.

The Blade is really easy to sharpen, we just hold it up at a 45 degree handle and then swipe it with that constant angle on the sharpmaker and it makes it really sharp. Only problem is it dulls really fast. Still itdoesnt chip, or ebnd at all which is great.

The Lock is pretty strong and the knife's pivot needs to be tightened one and a while. If you dont tend to the pivot and tighten it, the knife will get really loose and the lock will fail. Though if you keep it pretty tight, it wont fail.


Definatly a great knife, I just wish it were bigger

Here are some pics.
http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03262.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03264.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03265.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03266.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03267.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03268.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03270.JPG

http://vincentp.net/pics/knife/captain/DSC03271.JPG
David Lowry
08-01-2007, 02:49 PM
Vincent,

Thanks. Those are some good pics too.

I actually have been wanting one of these for a while too. I usually like sharp tips on my knives but I will eventually buy a Captain just to have because it's so unique.

Thanks for sharing. :)
scout
08-01-2007, 03:37 PM
The goldesh color on my G10 usually comes from abrasion on my keys.
markg
08-01-2007, 04:20 PM
I wish it was a bigger knife too. I would buy one then.

Dulling quickly might be fixed by stropping (if you are not doing that). However knives with a really pronounced recurve like this are a pain to strop.
bell
08-01-2007, 04:30 PM
Sorry, that knife is ugly. Glad it can cut some.
kwakster
08-02-2007, 03:36 AM
Use a litle piece of Teflon tape on the pivot screw, it will not loosen anymore but you still will be able to dismantle the knife or to change the tension once in awhile.
Works better than Locktite.
I use it on my Strider knives.

About the knife loosing it's sharpness quickly; that is to be expected on cardboard, as this is a real edge killer.
Try using only the brown stones for sharpening, your knife will stay sharper on cardboard for longer.
Vincent
08-02-2007, 07:22 AM
Use a litle piece of Teflon tape on the pivot screw, it will not loosen anymore but you still will be able to dismantle the knife or to change the tension once in awhile.
Works better than Locktite.
I use it on my Strider knives.

About the knife loosing it's sharpness quickly; that is to be expected on cardboard, as this is a real edge killer.
Try using only the brown stones for sharpening, your knife will stay sharper on cardboard for longer.

Yeah I have never used the white stones before.
spydutch
08-02-2007, 08:04 AM
Thanks for the great review Vincent:cool: :cool:

However, it's big enough for me(handled one at the 2006 A'dam show)

I only wish the curve was fully serrated:(
The General
08-02-2007, 07:25 PM
Crikey... what have you been sharpening that on? A brick?:D

Polished edge ALWAYS lasts longer.
dedguy
08-02-2007, 07:54 PM
Sorry, that knife is ugly. Glad it can cut some.
"ugly" is just another word for "unusual" if ya ask me, and I like unusual. This is one of my favorotes knives I own... but I gotta agree with spydutch, I wish the inside curve or even the whole blade was available in fully SE.
David Lowry
08-02-2007, 09:21 PM
"ugly" is just another word for "unusual" if ya ask me, and I like unusual. This is one of my favorotes knives I own... but I gotta agree with spydutch, I wish the inside curve or even the whole blade was available in fully SE.

I guess I'm an "unusual" dude then. :D
JD Spydo
08-03-2007, 06:50 AM
I know that none of us are all going to agree on what Spyderco models we all like but I wish most people would get past the "looks" aspect of a knife. Because what I discovered about the Captain when I first got it was that it was designed for function. That's also how I came to love the Dodo model.

But the Captain is functionally superb for many jobs. For SD purposes it is a sterling design. It is literally a "convex straight razor". It has the geometry of what I would call the absolute perfect slasher. Not to mention that the blade is suitable for many types of cutting chores.

It is one Spyder that they MUST eventually make in the fully serrated variety. Even the designer himself was quoted as saying that he even designed it with the intent of it being a serrated blade. Don't get me wrong because I think that the plain edged version is great too but both varieties would serve many purposes.

BOTTOM LINE: It is just one of many, many Spyders that absolutely has to be used to have full appreciation of what the designer had in mind. Forget the "LOOKS" aspect of it for a minute and just try a few cutting chores >> you will be pleasantly surprised as I was when I got my first one. LONG LIVE THE C-111 Captain :cool:
David Lowry
07-24-2008, 01:20 PM
I wanted to bump this thread because I think it's excellent. I am also considering getting a Captain just for the heck of it. Anyone else wanna chime in if they have a Captain?

Again, great review Vincent. :)
cobrajoe
07-24-2008, 03:31 PM
I'm surprised I haven't seen this review before, as I really want one of those captains.
TR Graham
07-24-2008, 09:10 PM
I've got one in my EDC rotation. The Captain IS a bit odd looking, but the unique blade design, comfortable handle and sturdy lock lends itself to a number of different uses.

It really is an excellent knife.

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
JT
07-25-2008, 03:50 PM
I wanted to bump this thread because I think it's excellent. I am also considering getting a Captain just for the heck of it. Anyone else wanna chime in if they have a Captain?

Again, great review Vincent. :)

David, just go for it! It's a great knife, and as stated above, you need to try it out to see it's qualities. Just see what JDspydo once said about it. It's all there.
:)
MountainMedic
07-26-2008, 07:30 PM
The Captain is a fantastic Medium Big Knife. Really great cutter w/excellent ergo's. I liked it so much I bought a spare, as I seem to do quite often.:rolleyes:
RIOT
07-27-2008, 01:21 AM
man you got some good use out of that knife thats for sure!!!
Vincent
07-27-2008, 09:47 PM
man you got some good use out of that knife thats for sure!!!

I use them all, i keep none safe.
amen74
07-29-2008, 02:02 AM
A Captain was my last Spydie purchase. I have not used it yet, and don't know if I will just yet. This one took me a while to get. It feels nice and solid in the hand.

The blade shape is just incredible. One of my favorites.:D