Spyderco Ark - Reviews & Impressions thread

[vivi]

So I'm in the process of making a comprehensive video review for the Spyderco Ark. Gonna cut up all sorts of things, try a few different sharpening methods, see how it works for different applications etc.

In the meantime I made a quick unboxing / initial impressions video. Here it is:

https://youtu.be/M63u5D87Huc
(Turn up your volume, I mumble. Sorry)


If you don't feel like watching the video, here is a text summary of my initial impressions:

- Sheath works well, nice and secure. Knife isn't going anywhere unless you push the tab.
- Overall it is smaller than I expected. Sheathed, the entire package is shorter than a closed Military.
- Ergos are nice, but to be honest not quite what I had expected. If it were a touch longer in the handle it'd work better for me, but I do have very large hands.
- It is incredibly light. I'm talking feather weight. 26 grams!
- The blade is quite thin, about half the blade thickness of a Millie. Great for cutting, but during extended heavy cuts with my thumb on the spine ramp it got a bit uncomfortable.
- The curve forward of the Spyderco hole is well designed. During heavy cuts you can put your thumb there, and for precision cuts its the perfect spot for your index finger. Amazing tip control with my middle finger in the finger choil and my index finger on the spine.
- I have XL-XXL sized hands, and getting a 3 finger grip is a touch more difficult than expected with my thumb on the blade hump.
- Break-away chain is too small to fit over my head. Not a big deal to me since I will not be neck carrying this knife, but its a design choice that I don't understand.

Very pleased with it overall. I've tried carrying a few small fixed blades before (Street Beat, Izula, Swick, etc.) but I ended up selling them due to lack of use. Folders tend to be much more convenient. This thing is so small and light that I can see EDCing this for a long time. Plus I adore H1, might be my favorite steel even.

I welcome all forum members to share their experiences with the knife. I would also like to know if anyone has any questions I could answer in my upcoming posts and videos featuring the Ark.

Lastly I would like to thank Mr. Shirley, Mr. Owens and Spyderco for bringing this design to fruition. Its been in the works for years, and its great to see it finally hit the market.

[Jazz]

My favorite part was the unboxing. But seriously, it's a cool little knife, and I think if you put a short fob on the handle, it would lengthen the grip wonderfully, just like I do with my Dragonflies and Manbugs. It would give you a more secure grip when unsheathing and using. I look forward to your full vid. Please share it on here, bro.

[Doc Dan]

Thanks for the review. I liked it over all, but two things I would say.

1. It is pronounced AHRK not UHRK. I teach speech. Watch your accent.
2. Pairing it with the Military for a size comparison was not helpful. It would be more helpful to have used a Vic Cadet, Outdoor Edge Wedge (nearly identical design), a Spyderco Manbug or DF2, etc.

On the other hand,

1. I liked that you explained that you have XL or XXL hands and showed how it fits in your hand.
2. I liked that you showed a design problem with the reverse grip. Obviously the knife was not meant for that grip.
3. Cutting the stick and showing that the knife would bite into the wood was a good idea (not all knife designs do this task well).

[vivi]

Thanks for the friendly advice Doc.

I'll be doing a full review later, this was just a spur of the moment unboxing. In the full review I'll have a wider range of comparison knives, the Millie is just what I carry as an EDC which is why I had it. I'll also be cutting a variety of materials, and I might do a comparison between the factory edge and a reprofiled edge cutting objects on a scale to measure lbs of force needed.

I'm a terrible speaker. I'm aware of the Ark's pronunciation, I'm just terrible at talking :p

[cabfrank]

Thanks for the review. I could understand you just fine, very well in fact. I like that tiny little knife. I don't own any fixed blades yet, and that one is definitely worth considering. I'm looking forward to seeing it cut food, cardboard, etc. Like you, I don't even consider knives for self defense.

[zhyla]

I don't really understand the Ark aside from its intended purpose (a last ditch neck knife). Why test its cutting abilities? Why fuss about the grip? There are lots of good fixed blades out there that aren't meant for the shower.

[cabfrank]

Are you saying it's intended for last ditch self defense? Because, if so, the reverse grip would be important. Otherwise, cutting ability is always important. I hope none of us ever use our Spydies only for self defense though, maybe Civilian excluded. I think it would be a nice fixie for food prep, and then right into the dishwasher with it.

[zhyla]

Are you saying it's intended for last ditch self defense? Because, if so, the reverse grip would be important. Otherwise, cutting ability is always important. I hope none of us ever use our Spydies only for self defense though, maybe Civilian excluded. I think it would be a nice fixie for food prep, and then right into the dishwasher with it.

I believe the primary purpose for this knife is:

small, lightweight neck knife that could be worn constantly and effectively drawn and employed even with wet, soapy hands.

That's why it isn't optimized for various knife fighting grips and is no larger than it absolutely has to be.

Of course a knife can be used for more than just what it was designed for. But dragging that tiny little Ark into the kitchen is silly. The blade is too short to even make a good paring knife and the handle too short to give a safe, effective grip. It's probably the least kitchen friendly knives Spyderco makes (except for the H1 aspect).

But it's a great design for what it is. Is the SE version out yet? My shower is heavily fortified so I don't really need one but they are pretty nifty and I am a little nostalgic about them -- I used to hang out in a forum where JShirley pitched the idea initially years ago.

[dogrunner]

Thanks for the review. I like mine a lot.
To anyone who is not aware, the history and design intent of this knife are well documented here and on BF. Just search. I'm sure we would all have alternative design ideas, but that would be for a different knife. The most important mod that keeps it an ARK is the forthcoming SE version, which I will certainly buy.
The ARK is so easy to carry, in addition to whatever else you might be inclined to carry, I would keep it as is, but if I could request one other mod, it would be for a wharncliffe "mini-Ronin" version in PE LC200n (for rustproof with better edge retention).
It is my always with me running/workout knife - adds no noticeable weight, small enough to fit in lots of carry modes even when dressed for a high-intensity workout (or what passes for that for me these days). I never neck-carry anything for any reason but this is easy to fit in a waist belt, a key pocket, jacket or pants/shorts pocket, etc.
Another design I would like to see is a more compact version of the Ronin2 and Reverse (slightly shorter handles for more compact package, but with 3" blades) and in better grade steel. But that in no way detracts from the ARK - like I said, different designs.

I am very happy with the ARK concept as it is (just need that SE version, and maybe a Wharny ).

[spydorinox]

I just got one of these for Christmas and I like it. Sharpened it and made a short paracord fob to get my 4th finger on the grip.

[cabfrank]

Zyhla, I'm honestly not sure what you are talking about.

[vivi]

spydorinox - I like your lanyard! I'm not someone who typically uses them on knives but I am considering doing one for the Ark.

I don't really understand the Ark aside from its intended purpose (a last ditch neck knife). Why test its cutting abilities? Why fuss about the grip? There are lots of good fixed blades out there that aren't meant for the shower.

The booklet that shipped with my Ark has the following line:

The Ark is a truly unique knife that is ideal for both personal defense and a broad range of utilitarian cutting applications....

....And I agree :)

There are many Spyderco designs marketed as MBC that I have been attracted to, and they have all made excellent utility knives. Yojimbo is a perfect example.

My attraction to the Ark is primarily due to its H1 blade material, followed by the small size and feather weight.

My typical EDC is a Military. I'm currently pairing the two knives, and this is what I feel the Ark offers me over the Millie:

- Rust proof (Big deal to me, I'm unusually active and live in a warm climate)
- Less than 1/4 the weight (I do ultralight backpacking and bicycle tours - I bought this knife intending to carry it on those trips)
- Vastly superior tip control
- Much easier to clean and maintain (I've had to loc-tite my Millie's pivot twice in a few months, clean and oil the pivot, etc.)
- Tougher, both due to its fixed blade nature and the properties of H1

Will I ever need to cut food with it? I doubt it. I enjoy testing knives outside of their design intention to see how they perform though. In the kitchen I use a 10" Victorinox chef knife. If I'm out camping I might end up using the Ark to help build a fire, quarter an apple and slice some sausages for dinner.

The Ark is not so different from other small fixed blades marketed as EDC knives. Izula, Becker Necker, Outdoor Edge Wedge, Swicks etc. Still hoping Spyderco runs an H1 Swick someday :)

[vivi]

Hmm. Tried attaching a g-clip to the sheath. The holes in the sheath are too close together though. Shame. Gonna have to drill the g-clip to make it fit.

The stock screws are also too wide for the sheath holes so I grabbed some slimmer ones at the hardware store.

[vivi]

Making progress on the edge. Basically grinding it as close as I can to flat to the stone without grinding the top of the hollow grind. No reason to have a thick edge on such a small knife in my opinion, and H1 works great at low edge angles. Sails through cardboard now, and it shaves as well as my razor.



Once I'm happy with the edge I'll get to work on the full review video where I really go to town cutting everything I can think of.

Still debating what I want to do with the stock sheath. I'm either going to modify the sheath to accept the G-clip from one of my Aqua Salts, or epoxy a pocket clip to it. Going to get an after market sheath at some point but I want to see what I can do with the stock sheath first.

[SG89]

Nice vid Vivi. Disappointed to hear the g clip does not fit the sheath. Would be nice if it did without modding. A clip makes more sense than a chain when exercising but oh well. I really like the new push tab release for the sheath.

[Jazz]

Looking forward to your vid.

[cabfrank]

So am I. I like your videos too Jazz. You are responsible for my Manbug purchase.

[Jazz]

So am I. I like your videos too Jazz. You are responsible for my Manbug purchase.

Thank you, sir. How are you liking it? I think I need to do a Dfly vid. It's another highly capable knife.

[cabfrank]

I like it much more and carry it much more than I ever thought possible with such a small knife. It may be my current most frequent carry, and it cuts everything I need it to cut. Yes, do a Dfly vid!

[SG89]

Where is the other video at Vivi? :P
Also do you plan on giving the serrated Ark a try when its released?