Astute First Impressions
Astute First Impressions
Just got the Astute delivered. Here's some pictures and first impressions.
The fit and finish is very nice for the price. It's on par with the Clipitool Standard and Rescue. No chips in the g10, blade is centered, no sharp edges on the liners, liners and g10 fitment is perfect. Lockup is 50 percent, and solid as can be. The factory clip has a lanyard hole in it but the lanyard hole in the scales is nowhere close to the clip. *I forgot this is for tip-up carry to allow for pivot screw access- thanks Pstone*
Upon disassembly, the Astute revealed PB washers. All of the screws had the perfect amount of loctite (blue for the pivot screw, orange for the clip screws). Super easy to disassemble thanks to that. The detent ball was a dark color... Perhaps ceramic? Not sure.
I love that a really nice design is available in the value line. I feel like this knife makes up for the original "value-priced" Rhino that never got to be released. Thank you Spyderco for continuing to create new designs in the value line that have great utility and in the case of the Astute- beauty as well.
The clip screw pattern is that of the Clipitool Standard and some older Seki designs. PM2 clips don't fit and neither do Lynch clips unless you want to rock 1 screw like I am lol. I tried several MXG 2 screw spyderco clips and even a benchmade compatible clip and they are not quite wide enough.
I took comparison pictures with the Victorinox Cadet as I figured someone would be more likely to carry a Cadet instead of a Pioneer with the Astute. I don't have a Delica and the Worker was the most comparable size wise to the Astute in my Spydie drawer.
Factory edge sliced paper well enough. I'll probably touch it up on the sharpmaker later today. Overall, I would recommend this knife to anyone, especially those looking for a slimmer value line alternative to the wider Tenacious or Efficient.
The fit and finish is very nice for the price. It's on par with the Clipitool Standard and Rescue. No chips in the g10, blade is centered, no sharp edges on the liners, liners and g10 fitment is perfect. Lockup is 50 percent, and solid as can be. The factory clip has a lanyard hole in it but the lanyard hole in the scales is nowhere close to the clip. *I forgot this is for tip-up carry to allow for pivot screw access- thanks Pstone*
Upon disassembly, the Astute revealed PB washers. All of the screws had the perfect amount of loctite (blue for the pivot screw, orange for the clip screws). Super easy to disassemble thanks to that. The detent ball was a dark color... Perhaps ceramic? Not sure.
I love that a really nice design is available in the value line. I feel like this knife makes up for the original "value-priced" Rhino that never got to be released. Thank you Spyderco for continuing to create new designs in the value line that have great utility and in the case of the Astute- beauty as well.
The clip screw pattern is that of the Clipitool Standard and some older Seki designs. PM2 clips don't fit and neither do Lynch clips unless you want to rock 1 screw like I am lol. I tried several MXG 2 screw spyderco clips and even a benchmade compatible clip and they are not quite wide enough.
I took comparison pictures with the Victorinox Cadet as I figured someone would be more likely to carry a Cadet instead of a Pioneer with the Astute. I don't have a Delica and the Worker was the most comparable size wise to the Astute in my Spydie drawer.
Factory edge sliced paper well enough. I'll probably touch it up on the sharpmaker later today. Overall, I would recommend this knife to anyone, especially those looking for a slimmer value line alternative to the wider Tenacious or Efficient.
Last edited by SG89 on Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
- cabfrank
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Re: Astute First Impressions
Thanks for your impressions. I really do like the looks of the Astute, and of course, it is a very nice price.
Re: Astute First Impressions
Great initial review Spidergirl88! And nice pics too! That looks like a whole lotta blade for its size. Definitely on my radar now. I bet the clip has a hole for pivot clearance in case of tip down carry, rather than lanyard acces though.
Re: Astute First Impressions
Thanks for the great review. I have been eyeing those.
I don’t trust people who don’t like dogs.
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Re: Astute First Impressions
That looks better than I expected. And the fact it's right around the same size as the Worker makes it even more attractive. Thanks for the review!
Chris
Haves: Lava, Delica 4 Sante Fe Stoneworks, Spy-DK x2,
Just say NO to lined FRN
Haves: Lava, Delica 4 Sante Fe Stoneworks, Spy-DK x2,
Just say NO to lined FRN
Re: Astute First Impressions
Good point. I always forget about tip-down peeps
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
Re: Astute First Impressions
I'm definitely getting one of these - the lines are so nice that I'll break my bkack g10 rule. Maybe eventually we'll see some color options.
- Julia
"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Re: Astute First Impressions
Good review. I appreciate the size comparison pics, it's nice to see new knives paired up.
- cabfrank
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Re: Astute First Impressions
The design and the blade really look great.
By the way, Spydergirl, you don't have a Delica? I'm astonished.
By the way, Spydergirl, you don't have a Delica? I'm astonished.
Re: Astute First Impressions
I've owned several, but not any currently.
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
Re: Astute First Impressions
Thanks for the impressions and pics! Still waiting for mine to ship and good to know about the clip.
- Liquid Cobra
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Re: Astute First Impressions
This is the first knife from the value line that I will likely purchase in a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Most recently acquired: Military 2, Paramilitary 2 Tanto x2, YoJUMBO, Swayback, Siren, DLC Yojimbo 2, Native Chief, Shaman S90V, Para 3 LW, Ikuchi, UKPK, Smock, SUBVERT, Amalgam, Para 3 CTS-XHP, Kapara, Paramilitary 2 M390
Grail Paramilitary 2 M390 X 2! ACHIEVED!!
For more of my pictures see my Instagram account.
@liquid_cobra
Grail Paramilitary 2 M390 X 2! ACHIEVED!!
For more of my pictures see my Instagram account.
@liquid_cobra
Re: Astute First Impressions
Man these edge-to-handle designs are amazing. I wish more designs like this came out of Golden.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
Re: Astute First Impressions
Perfect for a liner lock, no problem with one hand closing. I like the swell in the handle, I'm tempted too. Great beater knife!
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
Re: Astute First Impressions
this looks like an excellent second knife for my kids.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
- cabfrank
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Re: Astute First Impressions
I don't have one either. That puts us in the very small minority. I consider my Salt 1 very close though.
Re: Astute First Impressions
i had a delica for a couple days recently. it wasn't for me. the rock jumper looks like a perfect answer to what i didn't like about the delica though. i can't wait for it to be a salt.cabfrank wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:21 pmI don't have one either. That puts us in the very small minority. I consider my Salt 1 very close though.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
Re: Astute First Impressions
Right?
Tenacious, Persistence, Resilience and others really have all the blade that you can squeeze into the handle. The no finger choil designs are really nice.
I hope that one day we get similar knife from Golden as well.
In the pocket: Chaparral FRN, Native Chief, Police 4 K390, Pacific Salt SE, Manix 2 G10 REX45
Re: Astute First Impressions
I carry a few tip down. Resilience is one. That’s what made me think of it.