Spyderco Forums

What do you all think of this? I think that 13C26/AEB-L would have been a better choice given the role of the knife. Still, I am glad to see it and that it is not coated. I will pick one up.

It is small and thick so S35VN should be plenty durable. It just won’t be as effortless to sharpen in the field as AEB-L.

If they do the 3HM in S35VN I will be interested.

It's a sure fire sales choice. I guess they're starting to understand that not all of their customers are using their knives in the jungle and sharpen them on rocks.

Aren't Diamond sharpeners little rock's?

when i saw this in the blade show video, i wanted it immediately. i've always loved the izula. i think i may just spring for the xancudo instead though. it's got a longer and thinner blade as well as a more full handle. i also love the zancudo folder. i just wish it came with a leather belt sheath.

edit: does anyone have experience with the xancudo and the izula?

Doc Dan wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:58 am

What do you all think of this? I think that 13C26/AEB-L would have been a better choice given the role of the knife. Still, I am glad to see it and that it is not coated. I will pick one up.

Huge fan of the Izula and s35vn. Definitely a must buy for me!

All who like an S35VN Izula: Go have a look at the White River Backpacker, Backpacker Pro or Caper!
Also in S35VN, also completely made in the US, and for me the "better Izulas". Just a bit longer blade, slicier, better sheath, otherwise pretty "izula-ish".
See here for example: https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-w ... sheath.htm

i know this is pretty much the epitome of first world problems, but i'm seriously having a hard time choosing between getting the izula in s35vn or the xancudo in s35vn. the zancudo is a great folder and is comfortable in hand, but the izula is one of my favorite knives ever. they're both small, but the izula feels more like a neck knife and is more compact, while still filling my hand well enough to be an edc fixed blade and backup to my main belt knife when camping. it looks like the izula will be cheaper too. the blade length difference is negligible, since the izula packs almost the same exact cutting edge around a deeper belly. the xancudo has a thinner edge, but the izula has a more robust blade, which might prove more useful for an additional carry beyond my pocket knives. i may have just answered the question for myself, but honestly i probably won't stop wanting whichever one i don't get. i really love both of them.

If they do an Izula 2 in S35VN, I might have to finally buy one. I've been looking for a 3" or so little fixed blade for EDC, but haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.

Warstein has a good point about the White Rivers, although I think I like the Izula better than the Backpacker. L.T. Wright has some great options as well in the Patriot and the Frontier series, although those are all tool steel at this point (they might have done some in AEB-L). Then there's the Bradfords, but those are quite a bit more expensive.

Decisions, decisions...

one other thing i like about the izula over the zancudo/xancudo is that your hand is a little closer to the work by about 1/2". when chocking up with a pinch grip on the blade, the taller izula blade has more surface area for my thumb to sit as well.

i just looked at the enuff again since it was another one of the knives i was considering in this mix. it's going to be hard for people to justify paying so much for the enuff when there are all these great designs in better steel for much less money. the izula will be less than $80 in s35vn compared to the enuff for over $130 in vg10. the izula is also made in america and has a no questions asked lifetime guarantee. not to put down spyderco, but there's really no contest unless you really just have to have an enuff. that might be the case if they bring out the longer and thinner version in lc200n.

Ordered it as soon as I saw it posted for pre order on the TKC site during Blade Show. Been waiting and waiting since Esee first announced it would be released so it was a easy decision. Already have a new set of TKC extended scales sitting here waiting for it to arrive. It's a perfect size all around knife.

the izula is available now at a few dealers. i'm about to order.

Yeah, I saw KW has them in stock.

Evil D wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:21 am

It's a sure fire sales choice. I guess they're starting to understand that not all of their customers are using their knives in the jungle and sharpen them on rocks.

I had to get a couple, always liked the Izula but not the steel choices. S35VN is a big move in the right direction. Now if they would grind to thinner than .030" behind the edge I'd be a real happy customer. Interestingly according to Larrin's testing S35VN at a bit over 60Rc is roughly similar in toughness to 1095 at like 59ish. So I don't think you're losing quite as much toughness as you might assume, even though ESEE does run their 1095 even softer yet.

Wandering_About wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:52 am

Evil D wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:21 am

It's a sure fire sales choice. I guess they're starting to understand that not all of their customers are using their knives in the jungle and sharpen them on rocks.

I had to get a couple, always liked the Izula but not the steel choices. S35VN is a big move in the right direction. Now if they would grind to thinner than .030" behind the edge I'd be a real happy customer. Interestingly according to Larrin's testing S35VN at a bit over 60Rc is roughly similar in toughness to 1095 at like 59ish. So I don't think you're losing quite as much toughness as you might assume, even though ESEE does run their 1095 even softer yet.

I said the same thing about grind thickness on an Instagram post and ESEE themselves liked it, I'm sure it's not the first time they've heard it.

I like the design of the Izula but the thickness has always bugged me. A knife that small does not need to be that overbuilt. Due to its poor cutting ability I have never carried mine much.

They boast about their no questions asked warranty and so do many of their fans. They have thick grinds, thick edges and use 1095 at 57-58 hrc. Considering that, the warranty isn’t as impressive.

They are designed to give up a lot of performance in exchange for durability. The issue is when you are trading performance for durability you will never need.

I do think that the fit and finish is great and Rowen does a good job for sure. They are well made, no nonsense tools.

Evil D wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 9:04 am

Wandering_About wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:52 am

Evil D wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:21 am

It's a sure fire sales choice. I guess they're starting to understand that not all of their customers are using their knives in the jungle and sharpen them on rocks.

I had to get a couple, always liked the Izula but not the steel choices. S35VN is a big move in the right direction. Now if they would grind to thinner than .030" behind the edge I'd be a real happy customer. Interestingly according to Larrin's testing S35VN at a bit over 60Rc is roughly similar in toughness to 1095 at like 59ish. So I don't think you're losing quite as much toughness as you might assume, even though ESEE does run their 1095 even softer yet.

I said the same thing about grind thickness on an Instagram post and ESEE themselves liked it, I'm sure it's not the first time they've heard it.

Would sure be nice. I would understand if they left their larger knives and maybe their 1095 knives thicker for the survival/bushcraft crowd. But especially the smaller stainless knives would be great if thinner. Their designs otherwise are excellent. I'm especially fond of the stainless 3 and would love that model with a thinner edge. As it is, they give the Atoma 140 plate a workout.

I'd be interested in seeing thinner Izulas too.

Nice seeing them offer more steel options, but it wasn't the 1095 that made me stop carrying my ESEE's. Thick grinds, heavy for their size, required modding to get them where I wanted etc.

I still have an Izula left but I can't remember the last time I reached for it over my Street Beat.

vivi wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 11:26 am

I'd be interested in seeing thinner Izulas too.

Nice seeing them offer more steel options, but it wasn't the 1095 that made me stop carrying my ESEE's. Thick grinds, heavy for their size, required modding to get them where I wanted etc.

I still have an Izula left but I can't remember the last time I reached for it over my Street Beat.

that's interesting because the street beat is much thicker blade stock. have you looked at the xancudo? it's a thinner blade.