Sage 6 first impressions

[JMM]

Greetings all, I wanted to get a thread going where new owners of the highly anticipated Sage 6 "Button Lock" model could come and compare notes & to also have somewhere that perspective buyers could get some insight into what they can expect when they join the Sage 6 owners club.

I've only had mine for a few hours and I'm going to spend at least another day (possibly two) before I submit anything significant other than to say it feels very much like the OG Sage5 CF in hand, and the button functions in a very 'Smock' like way, which I knew going in, but somehow in my mind I was half expecting it to feel or act more like a classic plunge lock, purely my own silliness. It's fit & finish are what I've seen in all the recent Sage models, which is to say: spot on.

Pictures & some real hands on thoughts coming soon... I hope we can make this post a useful resource.

Cheers,

John

[Bolster]

...functions in a very 'Smock' like way...[vs] a classic plunge lock...

For the uninformed (ie, me) can you explain what you mean by a difference in function and feel between a button comp lock and a classic plunge lock?

[8th_Note]

...functions in a very 'Smock' like way...[vs] a classic plunge lock...

For the uninformed (ie, me) can you explain what you mean by a difference in function and feel between a button comp lock and a classic plunge lock?

The biggest difference is that the button compression lock has an actual detent, whereas the plunge lock just uses a ramp on the tang to simulate a detent.

The comp lock action is very crisp and snappy. Most plunge locks feel a little mushy, as the breakaway is not as abrupt

[quasistellar]

...functions in a very 'Smock' like way...[vs] a classic plunge lock...

For the uninformed (ie, me) can you explain what you mean by a difference in function and feel between a button comp lock and a classic plunge lock?

The biggest difference is that the button compression lock has an actual detent, whereas the plunge lock just uses a ramp on the tang to simulate a detent.

The comp lock action is very crisp and snappy. Most plunge locks feel a little mushy, as the breakaway is not as abrupt

have you tried any Vosteed top liner locks?

[8th_Note]

.

[8th_Note]

...functions in a very 'Smock' like way...[vs] a classic plunge lock...

For the uninformed (ie, me) can you explain what you mean by a difference in function and feel between a button comp lock and a classic plunge lock?

The biggest difference is that the button compression lock has an actual detent, whereas the plunge lock just uses a ramp on the tang to simulate a detent.

The comp lock action is very crisp and snappy. Most plunge locks feel a little mushy, as the breakaway is not as abrupt

have you tried any Vosteed top liner locks?

Yes, I own a Raccoon. It's a great knife. I actually made a thread on here comparing it to a Para 3

viewtopic.php?p=1824808&hilit=Vosteed#p1824808

[quasistellar]

For the uninformed (ie, me) can you explain what you mean by a difference in function and feel between a button comp lock and a classic plunge lock?

The biggest difference is that the button compression lock has an actual detent, whereas the plunge lock just uses a ramp on the tang to simulate a detent.

The comp lock action is very crisp and snappy. Most plunge locks feel a little mushy, as the breakaway is not as abrupt

have you tried any Vosteed top liner locks?

Yes, I own a Raccoon. It's a great knife. I actually made a thread on here comparing it to a Para 3

viewtopic.php?p=1824808&hilit=Vosteed#p1824808

Awesome, thanks for the link -- was mostly interested as a point of comparison between what appears to be an almost identical lock (Vosteed TLL) to the compression lock. I, too own a Raccoon as what I would consider a "quality beater" knife that I'd feel comfortable losing. It's pretty great TBH. I'm champing at the bit to get my hands on a Sage 6 in S90V, though. Was pretty close to pulling the trigger on the S30V version but am holding out for the sprint run. It's gotta be getting close!

I love the Sage 5 (and Para 3 to a slightly lesser extent), but find the standard compression lock release just slightly awkward when compared to a convenient button.

[sal]

Hi Quasistellar,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Jimandchris2]

Having the Sage 6 was such a journey. I know I had no influence, but I got lucky to see Eric in the factory store, while yelling ,"Congrats on the MANIX 2! Please put on a button lock on a SAGE!" Eric continued to walk on and wave. No worries.
That was 4 years ago. LOL! Chamfered Edges: Rounded edges reduce discomfort during extended cutting tasks, enhancing comfort compared to sharper-edged handles. more ergonomic for quick closing, as it eliminates the need to reach for the lock bar. The handle shape is similar, but the Sage 6 feels slimmer due to the lock mechanism’s design. So, I bought 2. Love this blade and grateful for the forum.

[sal]

Hi JMM,

Thanx for the thread.

Hey JimandChris2,

Where did you get yours? Thanx much for the positive comments. We try. By the way. Everyone has an influence to some degree.

Gail and I are currently carrying and testing the S90V version. It really is a highly evolved design and very nicely made.

Looking forward to reading what folks think about it.

sal

[Sharp Guy]

it feels very much like the OG Sage5 CF in hand

Ever since I tuned the action and increased the detent on my OG Sage 5 CF it's become my most carried Sage. I'm tempted to get the S30V version but I think it's too close to the comp lock version I already have. I like having at least one example of each version of the Sage series. So I'm thinking the S90V Sprint makes more sense for me.

Looking forward to more reports on the S6

[Jimandchris2]

Hi JMM,

Thanx for the thread.

Hey JimandChris2,

Where did you get yours? Thanx much for the positive comments. We try. By the way. Everyone has an influence to some degree.

Gail and I are currently carrying and testing the S90V version. It really is a highly evolved design and very nicely made.

Looking forward to reading what folks think about it.

sal

Sal,
Sir, It is an honor to see your post. I received my sage 6 from the factory Store room. These groups of people there always seem very patient understanding and always find a reference to any knife question from their customers. I always take your catalogs and put them in a veterans affairs clinic in Golden.
Congratulations on your success.
Very respectfully,
Jimandchris2

[sal]

Thanx much for your kind words.

sal

[Jeb]

I'm just waiting on the opportunity to get my chance to review the Sage 6 with S90V... my reviews will be more on the ownership of one of these lol... I just have not found me one yet.

Spyderco needs to send my favorite dealer at Nationalknives.com a pallet of these and I will be sure to get mine though lol...hint...hint!!!

[Soban]

is sage 5 blade compatible?

[Wallach]

Is the second detent removable like on the Smock?

[Red Leader]

is sage 5 blade compatible?

No, because the lock face on the blade of the Sage 6 is ground reverse of the lock grind on the Sage 5 blade, since the Sage 6 is, in essence, a left-handed compression lock, made more ‘right-handed’ by the use of the button.

[Red Leader]

Is the second detent removable like on the Smock?

I believe so, after speaking with the guys at the SFO. They were particularly interested to see the first person to do it so that the blade could be made more drop shut.

Shoot, I’m left handed. Now you are making me want one of these.


It really is the ideal knife. Imagine a Sage 6 in Magnamax or Cruwear or something…whoa.

[JMM]

After spending a week with it as my EDC every day being able to remove the second detent would make it pretty much perfect, it feels (to me) almost identical to the original CF Sage5 which is one of my favorite of the entire line.

[Soban]

After spending a week with it as my EDC every day being able to remove the second detent would make it pretty much perfect, it feels (to me) almost identical to the original CF Sage5 which is one of my favorite of the entire line.

I haven't disassembled mine but I don't see a second detent making contact on the blade. I think 1. the pivot tolerances are very tight and 2. you have to fully depress the button lock to remove contact with the main detent ball. #2 could be fixed by flattening detent ball so theres no contact without fully depressing the button(you need to bottom out basically), #1 maybe with the right lube/break in? Personally I like that it isn't guillotine shut. Stock it swings shut from open and doesn't have the same bounce issues that smock has.

edit: still haven't disassembled but I definitely see the second detent now. If it isn't removable, you can likely file it down if you really want to.