Color -
I would describe it as a fairly dark brown, similar to the browns of the G-10 C54 Calypso Sprint and FRN KnifeCenter XHP Native, but slightly different from either of them. It has proven difficult to reproduce in a photo. Of the many pictures I've taken so far, the shot below is the only one that comes really close to it, at least on my monitor. Those of you who have one or both of the others can compare for yourselves.
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[/CENTER]Dimensions -
The knife weighs 4.625 oz. (130 grams) on my scale. The "official" weight may be a hair less, given that I show the FRN/VG-10 Stretch as weighing 3.5 oz. (98 grams) while Spyderco shows it at 3.4 oz. (95 grams). By Contrast the Nishijin GF Sprints weigh 4.0 oz. (116 grams) on my scale and the CF version weighs 3.875 oz. (112 grams). It is, however a bit lighter than the bolstered cocobolo version, which tips the scale at 4.875 oz. (138 grams).
The blade's thickness and length are identical to the FRN and CF versions, but the cutting edge is about 1/16" shorter. Its shape is similar, but still noticeably different in that it's wider and has a bit more belly and a higher thumb ramp. The handle is also similar, but different. It's about 3/16" longer and a hair deeper. The lock well has moved back by about 3/16" as well. I suspect those changes, rather than the scale material, account for most of the weight difference, although the liners may be slightly less skeletonized as well. Thickness is .392" according to my digital calipers. That compares with .367" for the Nishijin GF Sprints, .387" for the CF version, and .457" for the FRN Stretch. For whatever reason, the clip mounting holes for tip up carry are a bit further from the butt than on the current version, so a bit more of the knife is exposed if you carry that way. Clip mounting hole location for tip down carry, and thus exposure when carried that way, appears to be unchanged.
Some photos comparing it to earlier Stretch versions follow. Please keep in mind that the color of the brown G-10 in them is wrong, although much less so in the final picture than in the others.
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Shape:
Size:
[/CENTER]Initial impressions -
I will preface this by saying that I purchased my first Stretch over nine and a half years ago, have had one version or another in my pocket nine days out of ten ever since, and have done quite a bit of cutting with them. Perhaps because of that, I'm so totally accustomed to the feel of the original and current versions that, while changes look good and the deeper choil feels more secure, the knife feels less like an extension of my hand. The grip seems off, to me, especially when I choke up to use the choil. Beyond that, the relationship between the top of the handle and the Spyderhole, which was perfect for me on the earlier versions, has changed to the point that my thumb does not describe the same smooth, natural, arc when opening. Please, take all that with a grain of salt. I've sometimes chuckled when someone claimed that a 4 oz. folder felt great, but a 4.125 oz. one was too heavy, or that a .380" handle was comfortable in their pocket but a .400" one was uncomfortably thick and, for most folks, the differences that I'm describing on the Stretch are probably going to be equally insignificant. And, since Sal has mentioned that further "tweaking" is possible, perhaps even probable, there's a chance the production version will feel quite different.
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