Stretch XL Observations

[vivi]

Got mine in today and it has some horrible uneven bevels. Edge is not very sharp either. Luckily I can fix all of that. Love everything else about the knife though and can’t wait to get some better steels.

Mine were pretty uneven too, you can see the difference in my photos easily.

[Revival]

I was sharpening the XL on my Hapstone R2 and a screw randomly fell out. Glad I didn’t lose it. Checked the rest and the ALL were super loose.

I know someone already mentioned it, but check the screws immediately.

[Wartstein]

I was sharpening the XL on my Hapstone R2 and a screw randomly fell out. Glad I didn’t lose it. Checked the rest and the ALL were super loose.

I know someone already mentioned it, but check the screws immediately.

Sorry to say, but this seems to be a potential issue with the newer Seki models, can recall several folks mentioning similar mishaps - I personally lost the pivot screw of my Endela pretty soon after getting it (but Spydercos customer service was great and sent me an replacement to Europe without any costs for me and pretty fast)

But still better than the other side of the spectrum in my book: Red-loctite - ed screws....

[cabfrank]

Better for us, for sure, but not great for someone who just buys a knife and wants to use it out of the box. Same with the fit/finish and bezels. I assume CQI will fix things.

[Hopsbreath]

Got mine in today and it has some horrible uneven bevels. Edge is not very sharp either. Luckily I can fix all of that. Love everything else about the knife though and can’t wait to get some better steels.

Mine were pretty uneven too, you can see the difference in my photos easily.

I’ll “third” this. Probably the most unevenly ground Spyderco I’ve ever handled. Not a problem I can’t fix myself, but definitely noticeable.

[Evil D]

I really liked this pic from the Spyderco Byte. It looks like the handle is just barely bigger yet it packs a decent amount more edge length.

[Manixguy@1994]

I really liked this pic from the Spyderco Byte. It looks like the handle is just barely bigger yet it packs a decent amount more edge length.

Screenshot_20220401-091746_Gmail.jpg

Yes that was one of the first things I noticed too , comparing both in hand . Personally I can easily carry both variations without complaining about ergonomics . Like you I like how they took advantage of the handle length on the XL to enhance the blade length to the maximum . Dan

[prndltech]

Don’t believe I’ve bought a Spyderco this year… so I caved and ordered one of these last night.

[wrdwrght]

I really liked this pic from the Spyderco Byte. It looks like the handle is just barely bigger yet it packs a decent amount more edge length.

Screenshot_20220401-091746_Gmail.jpg

It’s almost as if the blade got stretched.

And, I do like it, just as I do my PM2s and Millies.

But, has the “drop-point” (and its get-to-the-point intention) now replaced the Stretch’s “modified drop-point” (and its less hurried, more graceful line)? I’ve used quotes here to suggest inconsistent meaning; Spyderco has said the Military Model and PM2 have a “modified clip-point blade”…

The ”modified drop-point” of the Stretch is, of course, a smart way to transfer some strengthening thickness to the tip of a “drop-point” (or is it indeed just another kind of “modified drop-point”, like a “modified clip-point”?) without adding weight.

Might a longer blade not want such strengthening, even at the cost of some pointiness, as earlier Stretches evidently wanted?

I’ll return now to my cheap seat.

[Wartstein]

...

Might a longer blade not want such strengthening, even at the cost of some pointiness, as earlier Stretches evidently wanted?

I’ll return now to my cheap seat.

You are making a good point.

I can't really weigh in since I don't have the XL (yet...), but it could happen that I'd like to have an a bit stronger tip, especially in SE (again, tip more pointy and fragile due to the chisel grind than in PE).

And right, lengthening a blade normally makes the tip more acute, if it still starts from the same blade stock thickness due to the usually more acute "tapering angle".

And, if blade height at the heel of the blade, straight spine and belly remain the same, the longer blade will be more acute also when looking at the flat of the blade, just by geometry (can be seen for example also with PM2 cs Para 3)

But then: Tips are always a compromise between pointy (which is actually very useful) and robust...

[Manixguy@1994]

The straight spine has grown on me , but my original Stretch will always be the blade style preferred to me . I may be wrong but I don’t the the original style blade would properly fit into the liner less scales . MG2

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

The straight spine has grown on me , but my original Stretch will always be the blade style preferred to me . I may be wrong but I don’t the the original style blade would properly fit into the liner less scales . MG2

Hey MG,
The differences in preferences is quite interesting to me. I've had several Stretches with the original blade shape, and it never really grew on me. Not sure there was a specific reason why. Maybe I should find one again now that my tastes have evolved more, and it's definitely possible I'd appreciate the design choices in that blade style more? That being said, I definitely do like the lines of the straight spine model. All good, just different!

[Manixguy@1994]

The straight spine has grown on me , but my original Stretch will always be the blade style preferred to me . I may be wrong but I don’t the the original style blade would properly fit into the liner less scales . MG2

Hey MG,
The differences in preferences is quite interesting to me. I've had several Stretches with the original blade shape, and it never really grew on me. Not sure there was a specific reason why. Maybe I should find one again now that my tastes have evolved more, and it's definitely possible I'd appreciate the design choices in that blade style more? That being said, I definitely do like the lines of the straight spine model. All good, just different!

I was alway devoted to the original blade style . I had the very first Stretch in SS and loved the blade but the grabby inserts really turned me off and sold it . When the CF model came out I was one happy camper . When the straight spine came out I personally was turned off . I actually owe the Forum members comments about the design of the blade to give one a chance and very glade I bought the K390 . I have to agree they are similar to a Military and PM2 , lockback and in a favorite handle design . Eventually I may get get another original style in VG10 but it will be later this year . Dan

[wrdwrght]

Straight out of the box and into my hand for just five minutes, my Stretch2 XL has produced these thoughts.

Unlined. EXPECTED

Longish handle can be made to flex slightly with little effort. UNSURPRISED

Light as a feather, even lighter than the slightly shorter (overall) but lined Endura4 (XL 2.50 oz. vs E4 3.10 oz). UNEXPECTED

Grip uncramped back of finger-choil unlike same grip on regular Stretch2 (XL 2.50 oz. vs Stretch2 3.45 oz). EXPECTED

Grip is slightly thinner and slightly less tall (at the palm-swell) than on the regular Stretch2. UNEXPECTED (and very noticeable to me)

Blade not centered (but doesn’t rub). UNSURPRISED (I’ll fix it)

Bevel uneven side vs. side. UNSURPRISED (I’ll fix in future sharpenings)

Bevel uneven along non-presentation side. SURPRISED (I’ll fix in future sharpenings)

Slight burr on apex. SURPRISED (I took it off with an Arkansas stone)

Heli-Coils (or other threaded inserts) give purchase for clip’s screws in FRN. SORT OF EXPECTED (have them in my linerless G10 Manix2 BL, Chief, and Lil’Native)

This last discovery worries me because the pivot screw, lacking a steel liner’s D-hole to pass through, or an opposing screw-head, looks likely to spin (as have early Maniago Urbans) if too enthusiastically cranked down to control side-to-side blade-play. I say “looks like” because Vivi’s pics show a washerless D-hole in the FRN’s interior that is known to deform with enough torque, then cease to hold the pivot’s flat side in place. Flexing the XL’s linerless handle during muscular use may work the pivot loose, require tightening, and lead to deforming the FRN.

My original linerless Pacific Salt at least has washers just under the outside caps of its pivot to pull the liners together. Controlling against blade-play on the Pac Salt has presented no problems.

So, overall, I think the Stretch2 XL, though lightly built, falls well within the parameters needed for a knife that will be normally used. It certainly has lovely lines and proportions. Indeed, the shape of its cutting edge, like the other Stretches, is my favorite. It’s what got me thinking favorably about the Military Model (4.15 oz.).

But, I also think it’s not the “tough hombre” that Sal has said describes the regular Stretch.

Because the Stretch2 XL may wear more quickly than Sal’s similarly-sized but heavier designs, such as the Millie which I favor. I may rethink my need to own it.

But perhaps the M4 Shaman (4.9 oz.) I’ve been carrying has me thinking this way.

I’m certainly not very sensitive to a few extra ounces in a folder, but, then, I don’t run, climb, or backpack anymore, except in my memories (where I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee).

EDIT TO ADD: Extra data-points.

[Matus]

...
Grip is slightly thinner and slightly less tall (at the palm-swell) than on the regular Stretch2. UNEXPECTED (and very noticeable to me)
...

Is this good or bad?

[wrdwrght]

...
Grip is slightly thinner and slightly less tall (at the palm-swell) than on the regular Stretch2. UNEXPECTED (and very noticeable to me)
...

Is this good or bad?

Neither. But I’m more comfortable with the slightly thicker and taller regular’s handle even while preferring the XL’s lengthier one. YMMV.