Straight-spine Stretch

[JonLeBlanc]

Hello all, there has been some talk on various threads about the apparently "under-construction" straight spined Stretch model, but little formal discussion. So, as a Spyderling who is very interested in this idea, I'd thought I'd try to start a discussion around the concept. I admit I've had a little trouble visualizing what such a piece would look like, but at any rate the idea sounds awesome to me, since I love my Stretch2 and I love the Delica/Police/Military etc style blades.

So, what thoughts arise about this concept? What steels and scales combos would one like to see? Is there any way the Stretch2 (presuming that the 2 would serve as the foundation for a straight spined variant) could or should be modified for this piece? Personally, the first thing that occurs to me is that I'd love to see a solid SuperBlue sprint/exclusive, although that would of course be a thing for the future. Maybe G-10 scales would make the knife comfortingly substantial, or perhaps FRN would make it nice and light? So much to think about lol.

[JonLeBlanc]

Just realized I started this thread in the wrong sub-forum, bc I'm an idiot lol, does anyone know if threads can be moved? Sorry y'all

[TazKristi]

Just realized I started this thread in the wrong sub-forum, bc I'm an idiot lol, does anyone know if threads can be moved? Sorry y'all

Not an idiot at all, Jon. It happens to the best of us.

Moved to General.

Kristi

[abbazaba]

Here's a mod that Lance did in that general direction: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69863&start=80#p1071245

[sal]

I just received the 2nd prototype. Looking good. Will still be a while before production.

sal

[Wartstein]

Hello all, there has been some talk on various threads about the apparently "under-construction" straight spined Stretch model, but little formal discussion ..

Hi Jon, great you started this thread (actually I planned to do so too, but you "beat" me... )

In some other thread Sal already mentioned, that the "SSS" (straight spined Stretch) will probably have ivory colored (FRN? not 100 % sure) scales..

I'd assume that they'll take the molds for the regular Stretch 2 handle, if you keep the current blade shape on the "edge-side" and just straighten the spine, that should be no problem and would of course be wise economically speaking.
Furthermore, I think people who unbelievably did not care for the Stretch, had rather issues with the blade shape, not with the great and perfectly ergonomic handle.

I personally think the current Stretch blade shape is one of the most versatiles ever, I would not need a straight spined version (but still am excited for it).
And I sure hope that such a version will bring more people to experience this really great knife.

What I'd hope for, is that the SSS will have a blade length like the current G10 version (3.57"), and not the rather short 3.43 of the current FRN version. At least 3.50 would be nice, like on the discontinued Stretch 1...

Also I hope the "hump" or "drop" towards the tip will still be there (so more an Endura-, not a PM2 tip).

Steel: I'm fine with VG10... HAP40 would be a dream...

[JonLeBlanc]

Oh thanks for sharing; that's true he did mention ivory FRN, which is cool, because I don't think we've seen that before. If the current edge geometry was kept but the spine simply extended from the top of the finger ramp to the tip that would make a pretty wide blade wouldn't it? I kinda like that idea :cool:

Also thanks to Mrs Kristi for fixing my mistake.

[Wartstein]

Oh thanks for sharing; that's true he did mention ivory FRN, which is cool, because I don't think we've seen that before. If the current edge geometry was kept but the spine simply extended from the top of the finger ramp to the tip that would make a pretty wide blade wouldn't it? I kinda like that idea :cool:

Also thanks to Mrs Kristi for fixing my mistake.

Don't have a Stretch on me at the moment, so I can't really check. But do you think it would be really much wider than a Manix- or let alone Shaman-blade for example?

[JonLeBlanc]

Don't have a Stretch on me at the moment, so I can't really check. But do you think it would be really much wider than a Manix- or let alone Shaman-blade for example?

That's a good question, it may not be any wider than those, although I don't own a Manix or a Shaman so I couldn't compare. But yes, that could be. Like I said, I kinda like the idea; for ex the Para3 blade is just slightly wider than that of the PM2, just enough to be noticeable to the naked eye, and that's one thing I appreciate about that model. Also, the Stretch has a more pronounced belly than does, say, the PM2 or Police or Delica. I reckon this is due to it's origin as a hunters blade.

[Wartstein]

That's a good question, it may not be any wider than those, although I don't own a Manix or a Shaman so I couldn't compare. But yes, that could be. Like I said, I kinda like the idea; for ex the Para3 blade is just slightly wider than that of the PM2, just enough to be noticeable to the naked eye, and that's one thing I appreciate about that model. Also, the Stretch has a more pronounced belly than does, say, the PM2 or Police or Delica. I reckon this is due to it's origin as a hunters blade.

Don't know if you ever noticed it, but what's interesting in the Stretch blade: Yes, it somehow of course has a more pronounced belly than Delica, Endura and so on.
BUT: Other than most Spydies (that are not Wharnies) it has a very long, totally straight section of edge before the belly starts, so not a more continuous sweep or curve of the edge like Endura and so on...

Sometimes I think, that quite special shape (long, totally straight section, but then pronounced belly towards the tip) is exactly what makes the Stretch such a versatile cutter...

(All of the above is at least true for the Stretch 1, don't have a Stretch 2 currently)

[JonLeBlanc]

That's a good question, it may not be any wider than those, although I don't own a Manix or a Shaman so I couldn't compare. But yes, that could be. Like I said, I kinda like the idea; for ex the Para3 blade is just slightly wider than that of the PM2, just enough to be noticeable to the naked eye, and that's one thing I appreciate about that model. Also, the Stretch has a more pronounced belly than does, say, the PM2 or Police or Delica. I reckon this is due to it's origin as a hunters blade.

Yep, you sure are right about that, which would make it very useful for loooong draws through material. Also, one other thing that I wasn't really aware of that you pointed out that is that the G-10 Stretch is slightly longer than the others. I'm generally in favor of longer blades, so that might be nice. If you are so inclined, you might check out the V-Toku sprint; it's readily available and not terribly expensive, and wow is that steel ever nice lol. I don't recall off the top of my head what your steel preferences are, but if they tend toward the non-stainless/tool, you'd like that sprint!

[Dazen]

Excited to see the results. Are there any sketches of what it may look like, the blade hump is the only thing I personally didn’t like about this particular design.

[Wartstein]

Have been musing about what I´d like to see in a Straight Spine Stretch (SSS) some more, and would like to add to my recent post:

I strongly assume that the SSS will feature the exact same handle as the current Stretch 2, which is great, since it could be the most comfortable handle Spyderco has ever made. Only thing I don´t like: When you hold the knife in a regular grip behind the choil, your hand is rather far away from the edge, since the choil is quite wide (admittedly great for really thick fingers or when wearing thicker gloves!).

So what I´d like to see in a SSS: Make the choil a little less wide, but shorten it only on the blade side, not the handle side!

That would have two advantages for me personally:

- Hand closer to the edge when knife held behind the choil
- A longer actual edge!

As I already stated in my first post here: I hope the blade itself will be rather as long as in the current G10 version of the Stretch 2 (3.57 ), not short as in the current FRN version (3.43), but at least the 3.5 of the discontnínued Stretch 1...

[Bloke]

Bit hard to get exited about a Stretch that's no longer a Stretch. :confused:

Unless I'm missing something, the blade shape and particularly the hump is what made the Stretch and what made it unique. :cool:

First the Stretch 2. Now the Stetchura? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! :rolleyes:

[Wartstein]

Bit hard to get exited about a Stretch that's no longer a Stretch. :confused:

Unless I'm missing something, the blade shape and particularly the hump is what made the Stretch and what made it unique. :cool:

First the Stretch 2. Now the Stetchura? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! :rolleyes:

I am with you personally!! That particular blade shape (or better "spine shape" is one of the great things of the Stretch, even more pronounced on the Stretch 1 than on the Stretch 2. It´s also very practical, since it provides a perfect spot to put your index finger or thumb in certain grips

But, that being said: Presumably many people did not like the looks of that blade, and so missed out on a great knife. A straight spine Stretch will still have the perfect handle and that for Spyderco quite unique "edge shape"(very long, perfectly straight section, then quite some belly as opposed to a more countinous curve like PM2, Endura and most other Spydies have).

So, if I had to choose just one: Always the "traditional" shaped Stretch. But if the straight spine brings more people to experience at least handle and edge of the Stretch: Great.

[The Deacon]

Oh thanks for sharing; that's true he did mention ivory FRN, which is cool, because I don't think we've seen that before. If the current edge geometry was kept but the spine simply extended from the top of the finger ramp to the tip that would make a pretty wide blade wouldn't it? I kinda like that idea :cool:

Also thanks to Mrs Kristi for fixing my mistake.

The way I see it, if they keep the same edge profile, keep the tip in the same place, keep the "hump" over the Spyderhole the same height and location, and just run the spine straight from that tip to the top of the hump, the blade won't actually be any wider than it currently is. Like the topmost alternate blade shape pictured below....

[Robbob]

Oh thanks for sharing; that's true he did mention ivory FRN, which is cool, because I don't think we've seen that before. If the current edge geometry was kept but the spine simply extended from the top of the finger ramp to the tip that would make a pretty wide blade wouldn't it? I kinda like that idea :cool:

Also thanks to Mrs Kristi for fixing my mistake.

The way I see it, if they keep the same edge profile, keep the tip in the same place, keep the "hump" over the Spyderhole the same height and location, and just run the spine straight from that tip to the top of the hump, the blade won't actually be any wider than it currently is. Like the topmost alternate blade shape pictured below....


3 alternate blade shapes.png

The first and second are fantastic. What about something like the Worker?

[JonLeBlanc]

Oh thanks for sharing; that's true he did mention ivory FRN, which is cool, because I don't think we've seen that before. If the current edge geometry was kept but the spine simply extended from the top of the finger ramp to the tip that would make a pretty wide blade wouldn't it? I kinda like that idea :cool:

Also thanks to Mrs Kristi for fixing my mistake.

The way I see it, if they keep the same edge profile, keep the tip in the same place, keep the "hump" over the Spyderhole the same height and location, and just run the spine straight from that tip to the top of the hump, the blade won't actually be any wider than it currently is. Like the topmost alternate blade shape pictured below....


3 alternate blade shapes.png

Oh wow thanks that's exactly what I needed to visualize it! Pretty sweet :cool: And yeah, you're right, it wouldn't be any "wider" in sum, but there would be more real estate if that makes any sense.

[Bloke]

Bit hard to get exited about a Stretch that's no longer a Stretch. :confused:

Unless I'm missing something, the blade shape and particularly the hump is what made the Stretch and what made it unique. :cool:

First the Stretch 2. Now the Stetchura? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! :rolleyes:

I am with you personally!! That particular blade shape (or better "spine shape" is one of the great things of the Stretch, even more pronounced on the Stretch 1 than on the Stretch 2. It´s also very practical, since it provides a perfect spot to put your index finger or thumb in certain grips

But, that being said: Presumably many people did not like the looks of that blade, and so missed out on a great knife. A straight spine Stretch will still have the perfect handle and that for Spyderco quite unique "edge shape"(very long, perfectly straight section, then quite some belly as opposed to a more countinous curve like PM2, Endura and most other Spydies have).

So, if I had to choose just one: Always the "traditional" shaped Stretch. But if the straight spine brings more people to experience at least handle and edge of the Stretch: Great.

The Stretch appealed to me for a few reasons. The fact that it makes for a better than average folding skinner was a big draw for me personally. :cool:

The Stretch 2 made the folded knife longer and wider with less blade. :confused: The straight spine makes it just another knife with a bit of belly but hey, that's just one silly little Aussie's view, ay? :D

[zhyla]

I’m confused... why would anyone want to add material to the Stretch blade to make a straight line? What effect does that have on using the knife?