Maddox - short review

[4 s ter]

I just received a Maddox FB10P from the SFO. I ordered this as a gift for a relative who has only very limited use of one hand. Of course, I couldn't pass it on without giving it a try to see if it really did provide a solution to his disability. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



I have to say that my first impression was that the Maddox was smaller than I anticipated. However the handle fit my hand well and should be quite adequate even for large hands. The shape will also allow small hands to get a good grip.



The Maddox has a full tang 440C blade with nice looking wood grain epoxy laminate scales. It came shaving sharp (more than you can say for most steak knives) and easily cut meat with only light pressure. The sharp tips penetrate easily and the curved blade allows a rocking motion which would provide additional cutting action on any tougher foods (not a comment on the wife's cooking <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> ).



The sheath can be easily removed and attached with one hand. The relatively small size and the sheath should should allow easy pocket carry so that the Maddox will be available when needed.



My only concern is that regular use pushing the edge vertically down on ceramic or similar plates could result in some edge turning. I'm sure this was something that Spyderco considered in the choice of blade steel. Still, I guess I'll take my Sharpmaker the next time I visit - just in case. Cutting boards shouldn't be a problem.



In conclusion, the Maddox seems like a great solution to the frustration someone who only has the use of one hand must feel when chasing that steak all over the table. It should also function well for food preparation! A great design by Joe Maddox and great delivery by Spyderco.



I'm not sure how the sales will be, but Spyderco must also be congratulated for taking a chance manufacturing a product that really addresses a user need, not just something that is a guarenteed commercial success.



David



"Not all who wander are lost"
<a href="/forums/attachmentarchive/9370-7-maddox-resized.jpg" target="_new">View Attachment...</a>

[spydercojoe]

Hello 4 ster,, Nice of you to take the time for a review of the knife I designed. And yes it is a great effort Spyderco has taken to be inovative and put out a tool that initially will help folks that have limited capabilities with their hand or hands. But there is more. James Keating just put out a 5 page raving positive review in the Knife forum.com mag. and there is a one page review in the new Knives Illustrated that is quite interesting. The implications are very strong that this isnt just a knife that a few will like and find indispensable but one that we all will use. Again. I am not gunning for a commercial. We here just flat out like knives, and especially Spyderco knives,, and no kidding this one is a keeper. Thanks again for your report. , Spyercojoe, Maddox.

[John Watson]

I just gave one to my daughter who is in her last class before going in the field to do her practicals as an occupational therapist. I also gave her a copy of the review from Knives Illustrated to share with her class. I asked her to let her class and professors take a look at the knife an evaluate it usefullness. I also was impressed with the solid feel of the knife and as U S Ter said, I was supprised that the edge wasn't bigger but after handling it, I found the size to be just right. I was also concerned with the edge holding up with continued use against ceramic plates. I would guess that most people who will need a knife like this will not be skilled in knife sharpening. Just look in most kitchen drawers and you will find $1 serrated steak knives. I would guess that the Maddox would sharpen well enough using one of those electric kitchen sharpeners. Having limited or no use of one hand/arm would pose problems with sharpening the convential way.

But as I have learned from my daughter, people with disabilities find ways to overcome difficulties. I will share her feelings on the knife when she has time to give me a report.

[4 s ter]

Spydercojoe

Mr. Maddox, congrats on a great design. I'm glad to see that it is getting the exposure you mention. It can only help to put this information out to wider audience. I hope it does really become a big success!

I hadn't considered until you mentioned that the knife does truly have lots of potential for use by those who aren't disabled. I guess it's just a cultural orientation that has us believing that a particular tool has to have a certain shape and method of use. Like Japanese style saws cutting on the pull stroke rather than the push stroke.

Thanks for the information. I'll let you know what my relative's impressions are when he gets a chance to try it out!

David

"Not all who wander are lost"

[spydercojoe]

Just couldnt resist jumping back in for a comment. John and 4 ster you both did something that makes my work in this really worthwhile,,, you did something nice for someone else. Your freind is going to find some independence that will help keep his selfrespect, and John, you are helping to teach a new crew of occupational therapists a new tool to help lots of other people,, great job folks, people helping others.. you make my "pay" well worth it , thanks, Spydercojoe Maddox

[dialex]

I wish this knife appeared a few years ago, when my aunt was still living. She had a disability at her right hand, so the Maddox would have been the perfect knife for her <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Anyway congratulations to mr. Maddox for his great idea and thanks for thinking at the less favorized of us.
I was wondering if a serrated edge wouldn't improve the knife a bit. The edge won't be so easily damaged by the plates and it will also prevent the stuff from running away (I'm thinking at an apple, or a tomato for that matter).

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

[spydercojoe]

Hello dialex, I by the way very much enjoy your designs! Nice thought about serrations. however it was already suggested (by Spyderco) and we had a prototype made and tested. What we found was since the majority of cuts involves a simple straight down cut, the serrations were not effective like in a sideways-slicing motion. so they were taken off.
We went through 3 or 4 final protos before we came up with the final product. It also went through some pretty tough field testing. One tester said the it cut wire real well in the shop. Now that is a real "tough" test. It also has involed 2 years and 7 months from my first meeting with Spyderco, and I think there hasnt been a dull moment yet. It sure took alot of work, patiience, time and love to come up with this final product and I am getting wonderfull reports back almost everyother day from folks who think it is finer then penutbutter. Hope you get to try one out, I would be happy to see what you thought of it.Take care and stay "sharp"

[spydercojoe]

Let me pose a question for you all, knife nuts (I am one also) I just tonight was showing my neighbor the Maddox, and cut up (very easily) a couple of American Chestnuts that just fell off one of my trees for us to munch on-- his eyes about fell out of his head, and I wonder, what other knife could do that easily? Head for the cutting boards folks. Nothing like a good challenge.

[4 s ter]

I gave the Maddox to my brother-in-law this past weekend and he thought it was great! His difficulty in using a regular knife meant that he would never order items such as steak in a restaurant.

He found it easy to use - it breezed through pork chops and turkey (Canadian Thanksgiving on Sunday) with virtually no effort. He's planning the steak dinner next.

The conclusion - the Spyderco Maddox is a must have for anyone who has the use of only one hand. Thanks again Joe and Sal!

David

"Not all who wander are lost"

[Zrexxer]

Marty Harnish has the Maddox Knife in stock now for $25... smokin deal. No affiliation, just a satisfied past customer.

(he's also got SS Harpys for $54, Almite Navigators for $29 and Calypso Jr.s for $28)
<a href="http://www.flash.net/~harnish/knivesspy ... tml"><font color=blue>(Marty's Knives)</font></a>

Z

[dialex]

Now I wonder how do you sharpen the knife, especialy if you have a disability. I guess it could be made on the flats of a 204, but not very sure about that...

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

[spydercojoe]

hello 4 s ter,, great job giving one to your brother in law. Us Scouts call that a good deed.
I also gave one to my brother in law this weekend and he cant wait to try it on a deer (skinning and caping )
dialex,, sharpening,, first my guess is that the fb10's edge will last 3 to 5 times longer due to the fact that you are cutting in a straight down motion with little or no sideways-rubbing (sorry i dont know the technical term) on the edge. Then to sharpen it , again it is very easy. Hold the knife at the proper angle over a flat sharpening stone and push forward 3 or 4 strokes , then with out changing the angle flip the knife over in the same hand and "push" stroke the other side the same number of times. I personally like about a 20 degree angle. Hope that helps you .
Take care,and keep the good deeds going!
Joe Maddox

[gadfly]

Last year I broke my arm and followed that with surgery on my wrist. My strength is still not quite right. The Maddox was just what I needed.

The performance was excellent, but I quickly learned to cut from the outside edge in. A couple of times, I figured I could cut a piece of steak in one shot, and found the blade buried in the meat - hopelessly buried. While my 15 year old daughter thought this was outragously funny, it was frustrating.

Interestingly enough, I was going through my grandfather's old leather working tools and found a very similarly looking tool to the Maddox. My grandfather became a harness maker in 1905

At this stage, my hands have healed to where I no longer require the Maddox, but for a time, it allowed me to eat with dignity.

One way or the other, you pay for your tools!

[John Watson]

My soon to be graduated Occupational Therapist daughter was finally able to bring the Maddox to class for her professor to review. Below are her comments on this great aid to those with disabilities.

Jenny,

"Here are my thoughts about the Maddox Knife.

Sometimes, one of most frustrating things for people with disabilities is cutting food by themselves. When food has to be cut for adults it often leads to feelings of helplessness and depression. Some people with disabilities end up not eating or preparing their favorite food due to the inability to cut their food or open packages!

So, I like this knife. It is easy to use and looks like a steak knife. I can see this being used by adults with a variety of disabilities and in a variety of situations. Some thoughts off the top of my head include: opening packages and cereal boxes. The only “red flag” I have is that it is very sharp…so adults with cognitive and perceptual problems (poor judgment, awareness of body parts, memory, etc) might hurt themselves."


Thanks for sharing this,
Gretchen MA, LOTR

I intentially withheld the professor's last name, although she was informed by my daughter that I was asking for imput for the forum.


Spydercojoe, You have done something really nice for the less fortunate. The one thing that, while I agree with Gretchen about clients with cognative problems, I would say that you wouldn't give a sharp implement to someone with that type of problem.

[samosaurus]

Awesome review dude! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

SAm

"have scars will travel.."

[spydercojoe]

Hello John, thanks so much for your imput. You must be very proud of your daughter. She has picked a profession that helps people. Tell her to keep up the good work. The really neat thing about my knife project is not only is it primarilly made to help people but, to get the word out, and to get the knives in peoples hands (hand) it takes people helping people, like yourself.
You know the first Spyderco prototype was "born" Sept 2001. Does that date ring bells? I know that Syderco logs in work production and I am afraid to ask them what day that month was it made. Makes you think. I feel the good Lord has had His hand in this all along and what more appropriate time to have a new "helper" knife to start then a time that our nation really needed help. Anyway thanks again to you and to Syderco, one of the first knife companies to as Sal puts it , commits to a "goodwill" knife project. You all keep up the good work, Joe Maddox, Spydercojoe.