C152RN Raffir Noble Chaparral Showcase...POST YOURS UP!!!

[Donut]

Show side blows, B side not so bad. I'd say this is the first dud I've had in a very long run, probably the last 20-30 :spyder:'s have been perfect so I guess I was due a dud, oh well, this one will be a user for sure, might roll the dice on a second one for the collection.

Wow, wth?...I'm surprised that even got thru QC <smh :confused: >...can you send it back in or get a refund altogether?

I wouldn't even accept that scale on the clip side...that's....just...sad...

I realize it's random, but geez loueeze, that's Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Depressing right there!

But you're right about the other-- that's a nice obverse side. :)

That one would work really well for a left hander.

[Donut]

Paul, no opinions?

[ABX2011]

It's a cool pattern. Something about it reminds me of the movie Avatar. Jungle/rainforest camo? The pattern looks out of place on a knife. Or maybe I just need to be a little more open minded.

[SG89]

They remind me of fall foliage how in the right light it looks like it's glowing

[Evil D]

This is what bothers me about random patterns, there's as much chance of getting a crappy pattern as there is getting a more desirable one.

[SF Native]

Paul, no opinions?

This one reminds me of a lightning strike.

[JRinFL]

What I think will happen is there will be a bunch of returns sitting around for months after people buy several and send the uglies back. Soon that is all we will be able to get are the pass around rejects.
Mine is OK to Good, but not great and a bit disappointing. Just like with stag, the maker needs to be mindful of patterns and of matching both scales. Too little pattern and the scale should be rejected, not used.
I would be in favor of another go with this scale material as long as the maker is better about rejecting scales that don't look very good to great. Likely will drive the price up, of course.

[The Deacon]

Paul, no opinions?

Wish both sides looked like the front scale, but know that's unrealistic. Only way it could be accomplished, assuming the Raffir Noble is originally thick enough, would be the same way it can be done with figured wood scales, by book matching Easy for a custom maker who's slices one block at a time and puts the two halves on a knife. Royal PITA in a production setting where they'd have to keep hundreds of pairs together. Have another due to arrive today, will see if it's better looking. Beyond that, I'll just say that, if Spyderco had to use this stuff, I wish they'd chosen this color instead...

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[Bugs]

How's the acrylic scales hold up to pocket time? Wondering how this will look after a little wear. Sitting on the fence as far as purchasing one. Like the "look" but wondering if the acrylic will get cloudy and louse it's luster from wear and scratches???

[this_is_nascar]

Oh, it's going to scratch and scuff. Just not sure how it will effect the looks.

[bearfacedkiller]

If I pick one of these up I will need to find a way to pick it out in person.

Paladin, can we see the other side?

[017]

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[abbazaba]

Out of curiosity, can you feel the mesh through the surface at all?

No. It's a glossy smooth finish.

[this_is_nascar]

Out of curiosity, can you feel the mesh through the surface at all?

There's one spot on mine that I can feel the copper or whatever it is. Very very slight, but present nonetheless.

[The Deacon]

Out of curiosity, can you feel the mesh through the surface at all?

There's one spot on mine that I can feel the copper or whatever it is. Very very slight, but present nonetheless.

Same on mine. It doesn't feel like a wire sticking out, just a spot that's not quite as slick to the touch as the acrylic.

[BrianD]

I think I'll wait to pick one up on the secondary market, so I can see pictures of what I'll be getting. Any online dealers you guys know of that would send pictures of the actual knife I would be getting? Thinking new Graham maybe cutlery shoppe because they seem like a smaller shop campared to a place like bladehq or knifecenter.

[017]

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[this_is_nascar]

Hope Amazon isn't going to carry these. I can see it now, people buying and returning, until they get a pattern they like.

[nicked.onaut]

Out of curiosity, can you feel the mesh through the surface at all?

There's one spot on mine that I can feel the copper or whatever it is. Very very slight, but present nonetheless.

Same on mine. It doesn't feel like a wire sticking out, just a spot that's not quite as slick to the touch as the acrylic.

I inadvertently wound up with two of these, having forgotten a pre-order back in November. Both have fine color patterns on the A/B sides, but one of them has several areas where the wire mesh protrudes just enough to snag on some fabrics.

As reference, not a problem on denim, cotton Ts, fabric of Propper SS 50/50 (on which it makes an audible scratching sound). It does snag some dress slacks/suit pants, and tech fabric shirts like Cloudveil, New Balance -- tested on inside hems. Grr.

I examined the areas with a 10x loupe, and the fix should be easy enough. You usually can't just sand down metal protruding proud of a softer base material (but you may be able to blunt the burr edge of the wire, if such there be). I'll first try a minute amount of gel cyanoacrylate applied with a modified 25 ga. needle tip, then possible 1000-2000 Silicon carbide paper. If need be, I'll take down just the wire with a hand-held micro-wheel, then fill with microdrops of CA gel. You could also spot sand the wire with the folded edge of e.g. 320-600 Silicon carbide paper.

No worries. Akin to softening the sharp edges of liners, blade spines, Spydie holes etc. to preference.

These scales have depth and vibrancy of light and color which is unlike any other Spydie, and is perfect for the Chappie, especially in office "NKP" environments.

kind regards,
nicked.onaut

PS For some reason, the scales remind me of African Wild Dogs/Painted Dogs

[The Deacon]

My second one arrived yesterday...

...will probably keep this one "as is" for the collection, carry the other for a while, then get someone to do up some nice wood scales for it.