Salsa Gets Technical Review

[aero_student]

I have to write a technical review of a product in my English 149 techwriting for engineers class. So, I am doing a review of of my green salsa. I will post it here once I finish.

[Big-Target]

Go for it!!!!!!!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

BIG-TARGET>>>>>"Time is an illusion. Lunch time doubly so!!!"-Ford Prefect(The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy)

[Sword and Shield]

Unique idea. It'd be better to pass around salsa and chips during, though. You need to sustain the motivation to think! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Never underestimate the impossible.

[sam the man..]

simply AWES<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>ME dude! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[aero_student]

Date: October 23, 2002

To: Professor Joel Westwood

From: Brian Johnson

Subject: Technical Review of Spyderco Salsa, #C71AGPE


This is a technical and impartial review if the Spyderco Salsa pocket knife. The test product is the green aluminum handled and plain edged blade variation.


Introduction to Product and Manufacturer
Spyderco was founded in the early 1980’s by Sal Glesser and manufactures top quality knives. Spyderco has been a leader in the knife market ever since and has been a source of great advances in knife technology. Two of their trademark innovations are the pocket clip and round hole-opening device. The Salsa is one of their latest creations and is designed as a “big little knife,” a product that is becoming more and more necessary with the laws that have been put in place regarding blade limits. The purpose behind the shape of the blade is to get as much cutting power and edge length in a 2 7/16” blade. This is also their first knife manufactured in Taipei, Taiwan; most are produced in Seiki City, Japan or Golden, Colorado. There is a large market for high-end pocketknives, and two of the main competitors are Spyderco and Benchmade. I have been using Spyderco products for the last 2 years and started with a Delica that I used at work to open and cut boxes as well as regular everyday tasks. Spyderco produces many types of knives; some of which are very specialized. One of the more specialized knives is the rescue. The rescue has a rounded of tip, sheepsfoot, and is used by many e.m.t. and rescue personnel. Spyderco donated 300 of these knives to rescue workers at Ground Zero shortly after 9/11/01 to help aid them in their efforts. The manufacturer website is www.spyderco.com


General Design and Function
I purchased the Salsa for approximately $55 in March of this year; the MSRP is $89.95. The following are the specifications of the knife: AUS 8 blade 3mm thick, 14 mm hole diameter, plain edge, green anodized aluminum handle, 63 mm
blade, 152 mm long when open, uses a compression lock, weighs 75g. AUS 8 is a middle grade steel that takes a razor edge due to the fine grain structure, resists corrosion, takes a mirror polish, and holds an edge fairly well. The opening-hole is a relatively large one for this size knife and makes opening very easy. This is also the first knife in the product line to use the “cobra hood;” the cobra hood is an extra piece of metal placed above the opening-hole. This new feature has two purposes, to make it easier to open and to provide a better gripping surface for the thumb to rest against once the knife is open. The full flat grind of the blade allows for an extremely sharp and endurable edge. The green finish holds up extremely well and has yet to show any signs of wear. The handles are designed so that there are notches for your fingers, and the blade has a choil that is part of the finger groove for your index finger. This is
Westwood 2 10/24/02

important because the last thing you want is your hand to slide forward onto the blade or off the back causing you to lose the knife. The pocket clip is made of a heavy-duty wire and is positioned for tip up carry. The clip is well constructed and holds the knife securely in your pocket, and it is also reversible for left handed users. The Salsa uses a compression lock and is extremely strong. The lock is rated at heavy duty, meaning that it will hold over 200lbs per inch of blade. The only way for the lock to fail is for the knife to destroy itself; the lock would have to shear through a steel stop pin and tear apart the handle. I would recommend that you go to the Edge-U-Cation section of the manufacturer’s website for an exploded drawing of various types of locks, including the compression lock. There are also pictures of all current production knives in the catalogue on the page.


Characteristics and Performance
I have been using this knife for quite a while now and it has become the knife I most commonly carry while on campus. The cutting ability of the blade has been outstanding, and it came shaving sharp from the manufacturer. I have been maintaining the edge using the Spyderco Sharpmaker 204; this is a very simple and effective way to sharpen any knife including serrated ones. The hole is an extremely simple and effective way to open the knife. I am able to open it faster than an automatic. The lock took some getting used to but after a few minutes of playing with it I was easily able to close it one handed. There is no blade play because the fit and finish of the lock and blade are perfect. The handle feels as if it was made for my hand because my fingers perfectly align with the cutouts and the engraving provides an extra bit of grip. The pivot is adjustable with a torx driver, and this allows the user to make it easier or harder to open and close the blade. I think the green color of the handle and the stubby appearance of the blade make this knife very friendly in the public. I have had very few people complain about me using it and some even called it cute. The design is general enough to allow it to be used to cut everything from cardboard to sandwiches, you could even skin a deer or clean a fish. I have found this to be a well-made and efficient knife and I have yet to have a single problem with it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a small sized knife for every day carry and utility use.

well guys, thats that. what do you think of my review?

[boxer93]

marauder2002, not bad. You used many terms from the forum that I hope didn't confuse the prof. Keep it up and pretty soon you'll be carving up the journalistic (sp) airwaves with Samo <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.