s35vn from china

[Wartstein]

i just realized this jimping is different than the previous 8cr13mov version. how does it feel? it looks even more aggressive. i don't really care for the way it looks compared to the older jimping, but it won't stop me from getting my resilience.

Hey ladybug,

I rarely use the thumbramp in any Spyderco, so I can´t tell right away. But what I seem to recall from the few times I put my thumb there, the jimping is fine - how is it different to the 8cr version ? (I never had that one)
l´ll try and compare some jimpings to the Tenacious ones, when I get home!

[Wartstein]

Just ordered from The fine folks at New Graham! Big thanks for letting us know.

Hope you´ll share your thoughts on this knife! My example is perfect as said, wonder if they are all THAT good!

Received mine today and thought I'd share my impressions per your request.

Pros:
- Fit & finish are outstanding
- Blade is well centered with zero play
- Jimping on the thumb ramp is well done
- Action is perfect w/firm detent and the liner lock leading edge engaging to just about halfway on the tang
- Blue FRN scales are very attractive with nicely chamfered edges
- The S35 was relatively easy to bring to a hair-popping edge and I could tell no discernible difference between it and the S35 on my Native 5 LW.

Question - Does anyone know if the S35 steel blanks were heat-treated in the US and then shipped to the plant in China? I ask because, so far, the S35 in this knife behaves pretty much like the S35 in my Golden-made Native 5 LW.

No real Cons, but here are my 'Could be better's:
- Clip came in tip down configuration. I changed it to tip up and noticed that the screws were barely snug. This was surprising to me since there was Blue Loctite on all of the screws. No worries, they're good and tight now. I don't particularly like this style of clip and will probably swap it out.
- All of the frame screws were pretty shy of snug. I snugged them up and will probably go through and loctite them all.
- Blade grind was very even but not very sharp.

Overall I am very pleased with this knife and glad to have a Tenacious back in my stable, especially one with S35 steel and handsome blue scales that really pop. I can't wait to add a new Resilience in S35 PE.

Thanks a lot for remembering and sharing! Appreciate it! :)

Seems to be just as good as mine (though I think on my even the screws are snug)
Makes me wonder once more if not only the steel, but perhaps also quality control and attention to detail might be more "premium" on the S35VN - than on the 8cr versions?! - Mine is really flawless as said.

[Wartstein]

First impressions?! :)

Should be here later this week, or next. Looking forward to seeing how it does. Really liked your photos and impressions. Wish you all the best with your hand/thumb healing up nicely.

Thanks for the well wishes! :)

/ Have the Tenacious in hand yet?

[ladybug93]

i just realized this jimping is different than the previous 8cr13mov version. how does it feel? it looks even more aggressive. i don't really care for the way it looks compared to the older jimping, but it won't stop me from getting my resilience.

Hey ladybug,

I rarely use the thumbramp in any Spyderco, so I can´t tell right away. But what I seem to recall from the few times I put my thumb there, the jimping is fine - how is it different to the 8cr version ? (I never had that one)
l´ll try and compare some jimpings to the Tenacious ones, when I get home!

my mistake. i just looked at my resilience again and the jimping looks the same as in your picture. i may have been confusing the jimping from another knife with that of my resilience. sorry, dude.

[Tgmr05]

Happy to get one. Feels very similar to others, and looks somewhat similar. There are different markings, interesting how small China is on the newest version. I also like Erics mark on the blade. Have not had a lot of time using it, yet. Here are a couple others to compare.

[Tgmr05]

And here are a couple comparisons to an endela and pac salt2.

[Wartstein]

And here are a couple comparisons to an endela and pac salt2.
....

Thanks for sharing! :)

The pics show very well one of the defining features of this model: A lot of cutting edge (similar to Pac Salt / Endura) in a very compact package - and now a more than decent steel!

/ How is the fit and finish on yours? As perfect as on Olywas and mine?

[Tgmr05]

The fit and finish were very good. Nothing loose, blade was sharp enough to remove hair from arm, and detent was firm/solid. Really like the open back and frame lock of the tenacious. The upgrade to s35vn is nice. The blade is large and useful for more than just opening packages and cutting up boxes. I have one somewhere that was used a lot outdoors. Easier to clean out dirt and debris than lockbacks, which I prefer for carry. I just like the open back design and frame lock for more outdoor/hard use, especially if gloves are used.

[Tgmr05]

I have never clipless pocket carried a tenacious, just a little large/heavy - plus I am not a fan of a liner lock for loose pocket carry. I prefer a bias to close for loose carry.

[Wartstein]

I have never clipless pocket carried a tenacious, just a little large/heavy - plus I am not a fan of a liner lock for loose pocket carry. I prefer a bias to close for loose carry.

Right, not having a bias to close like backlock and CBBL is perhaps the only possible con of a good (!) linerlock for me.
Other than that I think it is more than strong enough, extremely convenient and very safe to use (especially concerning how natural and firm the knife is in hand during operation).

Anyway, i am glad that with the S35VN versions of Tenacious and Resilience more higher end liner lock folders get introduced in Spydercos lineup!

[Wartstein]

The fit and finish were very good. Nothing loose, blade was sharp enough to remove hair from arm, and detent was firm/solid. Really like the open back and frame lock of the tenacious. The upgrade to s35vn is nice. The blade is large and useful for more than just opening packages and cutting up boxes. I have one somewhere that was used a lot outdoors. Easier to clean out dirt and debris than lockbacks, which I prefer for carry. I just like the open back design and frame lock for more outdoor/hard use, especially if gloves are used.

So so far they all seem to be made perfectly well!
And yes, the firm detent is one of the nicest features on mine: No way I could shake it open, no matter how hard I try, but still it operates smoothly enough. Just like a linerlock (and comp.lock) should be imho.

[JMM]

Soooo.... back to the OP, I skimmed through the thread & didn't actually see an answer, does anyone know if the blades are getting their HT in the US, and/or getting ground in the US, or is all of it in China? Perhaps a Q for Sal post... I'm definitely interested in the answer and in how these compare to US/Golden S35VN...

[Wartstein]

Soooo.... back to the OP, I skimmed through the thread & didn't actually see an answer, does anyone know if the blades are getting their HT in the US, and/or getting ground in the US, or is all of it in China? Perhaps a Q for Sal post... I'm definitely interested in the answer and in how these compare to US/Golden S35VN...

Well, Sal said in this very thread that "Eric worked years with the makers and heat treaters to make this a reality" (see here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=89754#p1526112) - I am pretty sure he meant the makers in China (I mean the guys in the US knew already how to do the heat treat rightly)

[Mzen]

I'm more worried about the kind of screws they're using, personally. I've been eyeing the Resilience In S35VN because it looks like it would do very nicely at my workplace, but I've seen quite a few examples online of Tenacious with butter-like screws.

Spyderco might have certain peculiarities that I'm not a fan of from certain factories, but the quality of the steel used has never been an issue for me. I'm sure they did their homework on that front, as usual.

[ladybug93]

Happy to get one. Feels very similar to others, and looks somewhat similar. There are different markings, interesting how small China is on the newest version. I also like Erics mark on the blade. Have not had a lot of time using it, yet. Here are a couple others to compare.

thank you for sharing! any chance you tried swapping blades? if you don't want to try, i understand... just curious.

[Tgmr05]

thank you for sharing! any chance you tried swapping blades? if you don't want to try, i understand... just curious.

It may be ever so slightly easier/simpler to just swap scales. Have not taken the s35vn apart yet. Thought about it, but I really like the color of the frn.

[skeeg11]

Seems to be a lot of interest in the upcoming Resilience in S35VN. Dunno if the S35VN Tenacious has hit the states yet. For me, heat treat is not as much a concern, but I am curious about the lock up of the liner lock and the detent of these models. Would appreciate it if any users of these models can comment on these aspects. Thanks.

[Tgmr05]

Seems to be a lot of interest in the upcoming Resilience in S35VN. Dunno if the S35VN Tenacious has hit the states yet. For me, heat treat is not as much a concern, but I am curious about the lock up of the liner lock and the detent of these models. Would appreciate it if any users of these models can comment on these aspects. Thanks.

It has hit the US sporadically, it appears you can currently get one from Edgeworks or New Graham Knives...Some of the online shops are still showing coming soon, though.

The detent is very nice and firm. The liner lock feels very good as well. Here is a photo of the s35vn on left and a couple other standard on the right.

[sal]

Soooo.... back to the OP, I skimmed through the thread & didn't actually see an answer, does anyone know if the blades are getting their HT in the US, and/or getting ground in the US, or is all of it in China? Perhaps a Q for Sal post... I'm definitely interested in the answer and in how these compare to US/Golden S35VN...

Hi JMM,

As Warstein mentioned, they are heat treated in China. One of the makers purchased a modern heat treating oven and he's heat treating our knives for his own and other makers. He makes out Polestar, Alcyone, Raven, etc. One of the makers in China that we work with that loves knives and steel.

sal

[skeeg11]

Seems to be a lot of interest in the upcoming Resilience in S35VN. Dunno if the S35VN Tenacious has hit the states yet. For me, heat treat is not as much a concern, but I am curious about the lock up of the liner lock and the detent of these models. Would appreciate it if any users of these models can comment on these aspects. Thanks.

It has hit the US sporadically, it appears you can currently get one from Edgeworks or New Graham Knives...Some of the online shops are still showing coming soon, though.

The detent is very nice and firm. The liner lock feels very good as well. Here is a photo of the s35vn on left and a couple other standard on the right.

Mucho thanks. It looks like a safe 50% lockup. I'm sure Spyderco wouldn't put out an unsafe lock, but your feedback is reassuring.