Astute First Impressions

[The Meat man]

Nice write-up, SG. I appreciate the time you put into it.

It's an interesting model for sure. I like the blade shape.

[carrot]

Gives me Barong/Khukuri vibes, but with a more generalized shape. I'm excited to try one of these out! Super awesome review SG!

[ladybug93]

thanks for your review and pics.

how is the opening? the hole doesn't seem to line up the best with the contour and is obscured on the other side as well. can you still spydie flick it?

[SG89]

thanks for your review and pics.

how is the opening? the hole doesn't seem to line up the best with the contour and is obscured on the other side as well. can you still spydie flick it?

I tried a few times yesterday with my middle finger and I couldn't get enough purchase. I could flick it open with my thumb just fine.

[Sumdumguy]

This one as a Ti framelock out of Taichung, would be very nice.

Really great looking design.

[gull wing]

Thanks for the review.
I could like this knife with it's slim design (beautiful), thin handle is welcome (the other China knives are a bit thick and heavy).
Whenever they are in stock at my supplier :) .

[ladybug93]

thanks for your review and pics.

how is the opening? the hole doesn't seem to line up the best with the contour and is obscured on the other side as well. can you still spydie flick it?

I tried a few times yesterday with my middle finger and I couldn't get enough purchase. I could flick it open with my thumb just fine.

thanks. :)

[xceptnl]

this looks like an excellent second knife for my kids.

Precisely. It was with a bit of irony that I was scrolling the specs and images of the Astute when my son (11) asks when he can get another knife.

(He currently rotates between and FRN Native and a Dragonfly)

[araneae]

Mine is shipping from campsaver, had to ask them to ship without the Rockjumper I pre-ordered at the same time. Can't wait.

[JMM]

So I've been doing some clip work on this lovely new Spydie -- Here's option #1 (I'm working on two alternatives right now) It's an MXG Titanium Deep Carry Clip for the Shaman. It's a snug fit, but requires absolutely no changes to the knife, screws, or clip. The down side is that the clip clears the end of the knife by about a third of an inch, and while I love deep carry clips, it's a bit more than I care for...

[cabfrank]

That's really deep carry.

[araneae]

Still waiting on campsaver, they're really bad at communicating and apparently slow to act. I pre-ordered because they had a 20% off coupon, had to ask them to ship the astute without waiting on the rockjumper, 3 days later still waiting for it to ship...

[JuPaul]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!

[Wartstein]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!

Nice!

But since I recall you saying that you have rather small hands: In your pic it really looks more like a knife not suited for XL paws, or is it just the perspective (maybe you could post a pic of the Astute in the hand of your husband, if he does not mind... :) )?

[Mushroom]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!
https://i.imgur.com/AY5361o.jpg

I got mine today as well and I agree on all fronts! :) I really like the design and for the price, the fit and finish is excellent. Mine arrived razor sharp, perfectly centered, and the detent is nice and strong.

I found it interesting to learn that the design was presented to Spyderco as an "easy to carry knife, especially for women."

[Wartstein]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!
https://i.imgur.com/AY5361o.jpg

I got mine today as well and I agree on all fronts! :) I really like the design and for the price, the fit and finish is excellent. Mine arrived razor sharp, perfectly centered, and the detent is nice and strong.

I found it interesting to learn that the design was presented to Spyderco as an "easy to carry knife, especially for women."

If I may ask: What is your handsize and how does the handle fit in your hand?

[Mushroom]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!
https://i.imgur.com/AY5361o.jpg

I got mine today as well and I agree on all fronts! :) I really like the design and for the price, the fit and finish is excellent. Mine arrived razor sharp, perfectly centered, and the detent is nice and strong.

I found it interesting to learn that the design was presented to Spyderco as an "easy to carry knife, especially for women."

If I may ask: What is your handsize and how does the handle fit in your hand?

I wear size large gloves and the handle feels good in hand but it's noticeably slim by the Spydiehole when opening. I noticed that I need to move my thumb closer in towards my hand than other Spydies that I'm used to. The rounded shape of the rear of handle definitely helps to fill my hand though.

I can take a quick comparison photo between the Endura and Astute later if you'd like.

[Wartstein]

If I may ask: What is your handsize and how does the handle fit in your hand?

I wear size large gloves and the handle feels good in hand but it's noticeably slim by the Spydiehole when opening. I noticed that I need to move my thumb closer in towards my hand than other Spydies that I'm used to. The rounded shape of the rear of handle definitely helps to fill my hand though.

I can take a quick comparison photo between the Endura and Astute later if you'd like.

Thanks!

Yes, I´d appreciate if you post that comparison pic later!

[JuPaul]

Mine arrived this morning and I'm totally in love. I think this design looks so nice - all curves. It's a bit smaller than I expected, but I have no complaints about that, especially since there is so much edge on this little package. Of course fit and finish are excellent even on a budget spydie. Even the liner lock works for me. My fingers are crossed that it sells well enough to make other colors!

Nice!

But since I recall you saying that you have rather small hands: In your pic it really looks more like a knife not suited for XL paws, or is it just the perspective (maybe you could post a pic of the Astute in the hand of your husband, if he does not mind... :) )?

Yeah, my hands are small overall compared to my husband's hands, but they're on the long side for a woman's hands. Anyhow, here it is in my husband's hands. He had no idea what glove size he wears, but he can palm a basketball, so I'm guessing it'd be a large at least.

[Wartstein]

Nice!

But since I recall you saying that you have rather small hands: In your pic it really looks more like a knife not suited for XL paws, or is it just the perspective (maybe you could post a pic of the Astute in the hand of your husband, if he does not mind... :) )?

Yeah, my hands are small overall compared to my husband's hands, but they're on the long side for a woman's hands. Anyhow, here it is in my husband's hands. He had no idea what glove size he wears, but he can palm a basketball, so I'm guessing it'd be a large at least.

Thanks Julia, that´s really kind of you - and your husband of course (I guess his first appearance here? :) ) !

And actually a surprisingly good fit in his certainly not exactly small hands!