Vesuvious

fredswartz · #1

I have put off buying a Frank Centafante Vesuvious with the blue inlay for several years. Ordered one yesterday from John Jenson. Does anyone have any comments, pro or con, about this knife? Any pictures of the back strap etc. would be appreciated. Jerry.

Edited by - fredswartz on 8/28/2003 5:12:22 PM

dynaryder · #2

I've got a blue inlay CE and one of the burgandy forum PE's that see occational EDC rotation. My only complaint is the compression lock,which I'm just not keen on. I really like the blade shape,ergos,and I've always been kinda partial to ATS-34. If it was a liner lock it would prolly replace my Native for most EDC rotation.

BTW,prolly to late,but last I checked outdooramericastore.com had #'d blue inlays for like $42-43.

Alan2112 · #3

I have the inlay model. It was my favorite EDC for a while. The compression lock on ours locks up good, and tight, with no play locked, unlocked, or opened with the lock pushed over with the thumb holding it in place. The inlay to my eyes is very pretty. The ATS-34 as usual to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>co standards has a great heat treat! I don't have an image of the handle spine, but it's completely open, for ease of cleaning. I prefer more size, but if you like that size, you'll be crazy about it! RKBA!

Edited by - Alan2112 on 8/28/2003 11:24:20 PM

dialex · #4

My wife has a Blue inlay Vesuvius. If I think well, it's her first spydie. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> She was very fond of it, till she got that brute of a knife (Chinook, what else, he, he) <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
However, though not my style (I never carried it, but played with it now and then), I found the Vesuvius to be a good knife. The compression lock is rock solid, and pretty fair to operate ambidextrously. Note that some accused a "pinching" effect while opening the knife (hapened to me a few times too). The texturing on the blade spine improves the grip and the blade shape has enough belly and a strong tip. I'm not very fond of the ATS-34 but that's just me. The knife has drills for switching the clip for tip up / carry, but the only safe and decent way is tip down. The knife opens so smoothly that if you carry it tip up, it's most likely you'll get it open eventually.
The construction is an open type, with backspacers between the steel liners (yes, it has dual steel liners), so it ensures easy cleaning. Not to mention that you may also fit there one of those glowing rings <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
I guess you'll be satisfied of it, but you won't give up at the Standard for EDC. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

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sc_rebel1957 · #5

I just picked up the blue shell inlay model in a trade, overall I like the knife.
The ATS-34 is typical <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> quality and took a super sharp edge in just a few strokes on the whites.
The compression lock works fine on mine, some have reported problem with it closing unexpectedly but I can't make this 1 slip and belive me I've tried.
Alex I agree with you. I have come to prefer tip down in just about all my liner locks.
I did encounter 1 small problem while switching the clip, the end of 1 stuck out too far and was binding up the pivot, on closer inspection I found out why, 1 screw is longer than the other 2.
Simple 2 mins on a dremel tool and no more problem.
To me it's not a heavy duty type folder, with it's thin blade.
On the other hand it carries very well in dress slacks.
Overall a good utility folder. Ron

fredswartz · #6

Thanks for all the feedback. I am anxiously awaiting the Vesuvious. Jerry

Blades · #7

I've had my inlay Vesuvius for awhile now. I've been using it for EDC since I received it. I have had o problems with mine, locks up tight, and it has never bitten me on opening. I tried to make it do it, but I guess I open mine wrong. I carry mine tip-up in my RR pocket, but since I carry 2 knives in the pocket it has never come open. It rest against my kydex holder for my Endura.
IMHO, its a great knife for the price. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Blades

Clay Kesting · #8

I got a forum Vesuvius when they first came out. I think it's an excellent design but I'm not so keen on hollow ground or drop-point blades so I don't carry it very often. I'm looking forward to seeing the new lock-back version especially as Sal said on BFC that it might be possible to put a wharncliffe blade in it at a later date. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<hr height=1 noshade> The New Centofante III (the new lockback Vesuvius) might lend itself well to a Warncliffe, and Frank Centofante likes warncliffe blades, so he could do the design.

Ask me again after the new Centofante model is out, maybe another 3 months. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE> Now that's a knife I'd walk over hot coals to get <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

clay

Life's too short to waste on instant coffee.

Alan2112 · #9

Clay, Sal let me handle the new lock back Vesuvius at Blade, it is sweet. The action is light and smooth like the Native!

Stevie Ray · #10

You guys aren't gonna believe this. I called the outdooramericastore and landed one of the 2 that were left at 43.95. First the guy wasn't sure if they still had them, then he went to look and then ... he came back after 8 minutes .. (was I counting grinning .....) and told me that it was the last one and by the way did I mind if it had a number on the blade. It was one of the numbered collector knives .. Unbelievable ....
SR

dynaryder · #11

Of course I'll believe it,I posted it. :-P

BTW,I think thier Centofante Jr's are prolly all #'d as well. Bought 3 of them a couple months ago. Originally bought 2,and when they came I saw they had consecutive #'s on the boxes. But when I opened one I found it had the wrong #. Called them up and had them check to see if they had a box #a w/knife #b inside. They did,and I bought it,so now I've got a consecutive pair in the collection and a #'d for EDC rotaion.

sc_rebel1957 · #12

You guys sure got a better deal on yours than I did!
Oh well it aint whatca paid it's whatcha wanted that counts <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. Ron

Stevie Ray · #13

Not forgettin my manners here ... Thanks for the post Dynaryder .... Heck of a deal..
SR

mac_heath · #14

I have a plain black vesuvius as my PE EDC and I'm very happy with it. I prefer my blades tip up, and left it in this condition. But I don't keep it in my pocket, I have it IWB. It seems less likely to open tip up when I carry it. I'm very pleased with the compression lock, though I've heard some complain about it. In my opinion, it's a great edge design.

I prefer PE blades to be drop- or spear-point, which is one reason I like it so much.

<a href=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/Topic.asp ... Discussion

fredswartz · #15

Got my Vesuvious today and really am impressed. The scales seem to be molded over the metal liners. I like the lock system and mine seems to be perfect. I don't like the fact that upon opening the blade, I get all these half moon scratches on the tang(typical of Spyderco). Just wish that the company could put some thicker washers between the blade and the scales. It seems to me to be a shame to have a new knife turn into a used one just by opening the blade. Jerry

Edited by - fredswartz on 9/3/2003 8:31:07 PM

dynaryder · #16

I fixed an Ayoob that was scratching it's blade. I took the diamond file on one of my Leathermans and *very* gently slid it over the liner ends where it was making contact. Solved the prob,and you can't even tell it was filed. You only have to remove a tiny amount of material to prevent contact.

dialex · #17

Thanks for the tip Dynaryder.

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