Giant Roadie

[u.w.]

Nice

M398 steel, and a bit of a Nessmuk look to it too...
I may well pick one up and give it a go

u.w.

[Guts]

Got mine today. First Roadie for me, but I like it a lot. Very slim and lightweight. Gonna have to give it my own edge.

[Doc Dan]

So review it for us, please. How does it slice with that thick blade? How is the action?

[Guts]

So review it for us, please. How does it slice with that thick blade? How is the action?

Action is smooth on the open and close. I'd say it feels closer to UKPK than the Urban, the former being lighter to operate than the latter, at least on my examples. Slices fine, though I did give it my own edge already to around ~13-14dps, factory looked like 18-20dps. Edge held up fine after carving this mini try stick and doing a bit of twisting with the edge to remove the wood shavings. No chips or rolls on the edge that I could see. Can't complain, especially with it having M398 steel. Not the biggest slipjoint guy, and this would be strictly a backup or hand to someone else type of knife for me fwiw.

[dsvirsky]

Slices fine, though I did give it my own edge already to around ~13-14dps, factory looked like 18-20dps.

FWIW, with mine, I was able to hit the edge using the 15° slots on the Sharpmaker. It did take about 2 dozen passes on each side using the diamond triangles and a very light touch before I was satisfied with the edge.

[skeeg11]

Was hoping Spyderco would go all in on a giant
Roadie along the lines of a melon style or sampler style knife. 4" blade with a slender handle and clip so you could clip it in your shirt pocket. Choil for slipit safety would make for a cutting edge of around 3.75".

[ChrisinHove]

I absolutely love the look of this and constantly have to remind myself that I prefer OHO and let go my og Roadie and DKPK for that reason.

[Doc Dan]

I absolutely love the look of this and constantly have to remind myself that I prefer OHO and let go my og Roadie and DKPK for that reason.

The Roadie can be opened one handed. I have a video on these forum, somewhere. Just pinch the blade and catch the pommel/rear of the handle on your pocket or pants and it comes open nicely.

And you are right. This is a good looking knife and has about the same cutting edge as a Chaparral.

[naggalowmo]

I received mine today. The action and detent feels smooth like the original. I really like the new sharper tip. The new blade is more wharncliffe shaped now rather than sheepsfoot like the original. The clip is a nice addition with no hotspots and helps fill the hand a little.

[Razzy]

Any in-hand pictures?

[riclaw]

Can the Roadie XL be disassembled? The center pin doesn't appear to have a screw head like the pivot screw and clip screw.

[ChrisinHove]

Can the Roadie XL be disassembled? The center pin doesn't appear to have a screw head like the pivot screw and clip screw.

I wonder if (ie would hope) it has the upgraded D pivot from the Urban, with a lobed washer recessed into the scale to prevent the pivot spinning?

[Fastidiotus]

Can the Roadie XL be disassembled? The center pin doesn't appear to have a screw head like the pivot screw and clip screw.

I would imagine since it's screwed together that it's not a rivet and just a pin that's pressed into the back spring or has collars that keep it centered between the scales. Although if it is a rivet...



If the steel has a good heat treat I could see this being a great little knife. I've never felt compelled to get a roadie. Between the steel, change in blade shape/length, and the wire pocket clip though I think this could be a winner.

[ladybug93]

i knew i shouldn't look at this thread. i love my roadie and i wasn't super impressed with the stock photos of this larger version, but dang... i missed that it was m398 and these pics look great for a still small, interesting slippie for a fifth pocket backup blade.

eta: @Guts, it was your pics, dude. i've been wanting a small spyderco whittler for a while and i considered a handful of different options. i didn't even think about it when i saw this new design in the reveal, but your pics made me realize this is basically exactly what i was looking for.

[Wartstein]

i knew i shouldn't look at this thread.....

Well, same here...

Not exactly the type of knife that usually could even pique my interest, but after looking at this thread and closer at the Roadie XL, it actually does...

[Wartstein]

Two questions, perhaps someone can chime in on:

- One handed opening

Doc describes a method for that earlier in the thread, but can anyone open this knife "truly" one handed without using the pocket or whatever (I know it is specifically NOT intended to offer one handed opening, but still)?

- Handle material

While with the (smaller) Roadie the Spyderco Seite says FRN, with the XL it's just "plastic".
Is there a difference in handle Material between "regular" and XL?

And, @Doc Dan : Yes, I think I'd also like that narrow (like in "not tall") blade to be thinner, just for a slicier geometry.

[dsvirsky]

Two questions, perhaps someone can chime in on:

- One handed opening

Doc describes a method for that earlier in the thread, but can anyone open this knife "truly" one handed without using the pocket or whatever (I know it is specifically NOT intended to offer one handed opening, but still)?

Yes, it can be done: hold the blade in a pinch grip between thumb and forefinger and, using the ring and little fingers, push the handle away from the blade until it reaches the half-stop position. I have to shift my grip at this point and push the blade to the fully open position using my thumb against the ricasso, but someone with longer fingers could probably open the knife the whole way without shifting their grip. Needless to say, this is all much slower than just using two hands, while greatly increasing the chances of cutting yourself.

[Doc Dan]

Two questions, perhaps someone can chime in on:

- One handed opening

Doc describes a method for that earlier in the thread, but can anyone open this knife "truly" one handed without using the pocket or whatever (I know it is specifically NOT intended to offer one handed opening, but still)?

Yes, it can be done: hold the blade in a pinch grip between thumb and forefinger and, using the ring and little fingers, push the handle away from the blade until it reaches the half-stop position. I have to shift my grip at this point and push the blade to the fully open position using my thumb against the ricasso, but someone with longer fingers could probably open the knife the whole way without shifting their grip. Needless to say, this is all much slower than just using two hands, while greatly increasing the chances of cutting yourself.

That can be done and I've done it, but I don't recommend it. That is a good way to get cut.

A Roadie is one of my favorite pajama knives and I can just brush the rear of the handle on something and open the knife with one hand very quickly. I also keep an orange one by the door for opening packages.

[ladybug93]

i've opened my roadie with one hand as described about too. just when i was fidgeting with it though. i don't suggest it.

[Wartstein]

Thanx @dsvirsky , @Doc Dan , @Ladybug !
That's good enough for me.
Just wanted to know if one handed opening is possible at all, should the rare situation arise where this is absolutely needed.

/ Now can anyone tell already if there is a noticeable difference in handle material between Roadie and Roadie XL? (Cause Spyderco states "plastic" with the latter instead of "FRN").