I don't think the Stretch 2 is boring.

[Haunted House]

I think he meant “boring” in the same way a Glock is boring.
They’re kind of hard to review in that there’s no fancy bells or whistles or gadgetry- it’s just a simple, reliable tool that works incredibly well.

Personally I think of Seiki frn knives as the Glock of the knife world.
I’ve owned a bunch of fancy knives, just like I’ve owned a bunch of fancy pistols.
But when it comes to edc: 99% of the time I’m reaching for a Seiki frn, just like 99% of the time I’m carrying, I’m carrying a Glock.
Because they’re simple, durable tools that just work.
And to Pete’s point… it’s kind of boring.

[dan31]

For those interested, there may be a few drop point Stretch 2 in ZDP-189 still out at dealers. It’s my favorite of the recent Seki produced folders.

[kennethsime]

I think Pete was being somewhat tongue in cheek. I didn't take it that he literally thought Spydie backlocks are boring, just not the flashiest latest and greatest trendy fad design. Given his preferences I'd say he is definitely a fan of backlocks!
Pete has a sort of facetious sense of humor

To be totally fair, I totally could have missed that as a joke - I watched it after a long work day. Also, I might have been a little defensive of my favorite model.

[JSumm]

I love Pete's videos. He is hilarious and he doesn't take himself too seriously. He had a similar take on the Endela. It doesn't bother m, and I will keep watching his vids because he brings a lot of humor and that is good for the soul. I'll keep buying my beloved Seki Spydercos.

[Wartstein]

...

I personally just need to be better about regularly searching for a stretch 1 frn in decent shape to try out…I’m highly suspicious that the slightly shorter handle coupled with slightly longer blade would be a home run for me, even though I tend to prefer less belly. In the meantime, the harrier 2 is essentially that home run for me in a similar frn folder.

Well, BentoBoxShop still has it (Stretch 1) - both in VG10 and HAP40, though prices on those have really increased (about 50%) when i last looked (I think $ 145 / VG10 resp. $ 200 / HAP 40, plus shipping)

I´ve started whole threads about "Stretch 1 vs Stretch 2", and I think the differences are noticeable, depending on personal preferences in a positive or negative way:

- The difference in cutting edge length between Stretch 1 and "regular" Stretch 2 is actually as much as between a Para 3 and a Manix 2, absolutely seen: Not "nothing" anymore in my view

- The Stretch 1 is really compact, generally, but especially for the cutting edge one gets: The closed length is closer to a Delica than to a Stretch 2, and the "edge to closed length" ratio is amazing, for a knife that still has a finger choil!

- The Stretch 2 is roughly 15 % "heavier" - normally not a thing though imo.

- Imo the "1" has a pretty perfect tip: A bit pointier than on the "regular "2", but a bit more robust than on the SS "2"

- The "1" has that very pronounced "beak" at the handle end - as long as your hand still fully fits between that "beak" and the front guard (and my L too XL hand does), this really "brackets" your hand in a good way.

- The "1" has a shorter, shallower choil: For me a plus (shallower gives me more control, shorter places the hand closer to the edge when NOT choking up), but for many exactly the deeper, wider choil of the "2" will be a plus!

[Doc Dan]

The Stretch K390 is my favorite midsized Spyderco. it is the one knife I would take if I could only have one. It has replaced my backlock Manix 2 in that role. I want to see this straight spine Stretch in new steels. This knife is anything but boring. It has everything I want in a knife and it fits my hand without modification.

Hi Doc, you might remember I'm another one who favors the Manix mid-backlock. Can I ask what appeals about the Stretch relative to it? I've been on the fence about getting one.

Well, it's hard to define. I still love the M2BL, but I like the blade shape of the SSS better. I also like the handle slightly better and it has a little more room for my hand. That's an important quality.

I didn't like the old Stretch blade shape and the Stretch 1 feels cramped or something. The Straight Spine Stretch 2 hits all of the right buttons. I even like the steel, though it's not stainless. I'd say buy or borrow one and try it for a few days. I think you will like it a lot.

[bjz]

Well, BentoBoxShop still has it (Stretch 1) - both in VG10 and HAP40, though prices on those have really increased (about 50%) when i last looked (I think $ 145 / VG10 resp. $ 200 / HAP 40, plus shipping)

While I’ve never dealt with BBS, something about their business model doesn’t seem to sit right with me. I’d absolutely love to try the earlier model frn stretch but would prefer a different avenue at this point…or an XL

[Wartstein]

Well, BentoBoxShop still has it (Stretch 1) - both in VG10 and HAP40, though prices on those have really increased (about 50%) when i last looked (I think $ 145 / VG10 resp. $ 200 / HAP 40, plus shipping)

While I’ve never dealt with BBS, something about their business model doesn’t seem to sit right with me. I’d absolutely love to try the earlier model frn stretch but would prefer a different avenue at this point…or an XL

I know, people don't like their rather high shipping costs (REALLY high Internationally) and especially their no returns policy.

I understand that, but personally I had nothing really to complain about the one (or two??) time(s) I ordered from them - actually a Stretch 1 backup ...(to an US forwarding service though, not to my adress in Europe due to the as said crazy International shipping costs of BBS)

[Wartstein]

..

...
I didn't like the old Stretch blade shape and the Stretch 1 feels cramped or something. The Straight Spine Stretch 2 hits all of the right buttons. I even like the steel, though it's not stainless. I'd say buy or borrow one and try it for a few days. I think you will like it a lot.

Hi Doc,

It surprises me that the grip area the Manix 2 offers is enough for you, but the Stretch 1 feels cramped to you.
Actually those two have a pretty similar grips concerning the available length between fromt guard and rear "hook", the Stretch 1 offers even a tad more. I personally find the Manix 2 really fits my hand like a glove, while the Stretch 1 is a bit less "tight".

Anyway, for really big hands (I guess XXL and larger) the Stretch 2 just has to have better ergos behind the choil than both Manix 2 and Stretch 1.

[Doc Dan]

Yes, the SS Stretch 2 is better on the handle excluding the choil.

I don't know what it was about the S1. I messed around with it in the shop and just never could quite love it. It just didn't fit, somehow. The M2 is a bit tight, but I can make it work. The S2 is just right. It has more room and the hook on the end is far less than either of the other two.

[Blerv]

Our hands are fairly sensitive to non-boring things. The more “exciting” a tool the more uncomfortable it often is for work or the more specialized it becomes.

If I could only keep one knife or would probably be my Stretch 2 ZDP Southard regrind. Thank goodness that is a silly scenario. I like all the weird ones too.

[Brock O Lee]

I think he meant “boring” in the same way a Glock is boring.
They’re kind of hard to review in that there’s no fancy bells or whistles or gadgetry- it’s just a simple, reliable tool that works incredibly well.

Personally I think of Seiki frn knives as the Glock of the knife world.

I agree, I find most of the FRN backlocks to be boring. Like a super-reliable appliance, or a white Toyota sedan. They do their job quietly in the background without drawing any attention. They also do not elevate the heart-rate much.

But... that is not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your purpose.

For a reliable and affordable commuter vehicle that I have to maintain, I would choose a white Toyota Camry over yellow Lamborghini on any weeksday...

K390 makes this version of the Stretch it a little bit spicy though... I enjoy mine.

The OP's version with the pretty micarta scales is not boring...

[bjz]

You know what makes the stretch 2 much less boring…putting it up for sale on the market and having folks immediately lowball you. Within one day I pulled the add and decided that for now I can afford to keep it and shed the thinking that every knife has to be just right!

Plus, hopefully in time I’ll be able to afford a stretch 1 and the new XL and compare them all !

Side note, I came around to the same thinking with the para 3 I was going to sell…it’s not perfect in every respect, but it’s darned good!

[Scandi Grind]

Ah! Thanks for reminding me about the Stretch. It might be competition for buying a Delica for me. The design instantly appealed to me when I first saw it. Definitely not boring, but I like clean straight forward knives. The lines are easy to follow with the eyes but still "edgy" enough for me to look cool.

[kennethsime]

Ah! Thanks for reminding me about the Stretch. It might be competition for buying a Delica for me. The design instantly appealed to me when I first saw it. Definitely not boring, but I like clean straight forward knives. The lines are easy to follow with the eyes but still "edgy" enough for me to look cool.

If you have large or xl hands, go for the stretch. If you have smaller hands, the delica is pretty sweet!

[Gtscotty]

I think he meant “boring” in the same way a Glock is boring.
They’re kind of hard to review in that there’s no fancy bells or whistles or gadgetry- it’s just a simple, reliable tool that works incredibly well.

Personally I think of Seiki frn knives as the Glock of the knife world.
I’ve owned a bunch of fancy knives, just like I’ve owned a bunch of fancy pistols.
But when it comes to edc: 99% of the time I’m reaching for a Seiki frn, just like 99% of the time I’m carrying, I’m carrying a Glock.
Because they’re simple, durable tools that just work.
And to Pete’s point… it’s kind of boring.

^ My thoughts exactly.

[ACutAbove]

I have the zdp189 and k390 versions, and I get what he means they are kind of plain jane but I think that is almost the point with that particular design, it's really well suited to a workhorse user than pocket jewelry. It just works no matter how you hold it, back lock is solid but not "fun" like a other types to play with.
The steel is probably the most exotic aspect, though even the straight spine which is arguably the most vanilla style is probably the best version :)

I don't have a love of them like I do my stepped ti chapparal, but I probably grab them the most out of my lw folders to use when they are in reach on my desk.