The Stretch 2XL "Experiment"

[p_atrick]

The Stretch 2XL is the first knife (to my knowledge) that offers a linerless version first. I'm not including the Chief in this category since the Native 5 (both G10 and LW) ditched the liners a while back. The Stretch 2XL is in a family of knives (save for the Dragonfly) that has liners. This is why I refer to this knife as an "experiment".

So, for the Stretch 2XL owners out there, what are your thoughts? Do you miss the liners? Is the flex noticeable in day-to-day use? Would you like to see more knives released without liners?

Sal's comment in the this thread, got me thinking. Would it be better to have more linerless knives so that a Salt variant isn't so cost-prohibitive?

[Evil D]

I'll chime in even though I don't own a Stretch 2 XL, because I think the Chief Salt is most likely similar enough to warrant an opinion.

I don't miss the liners at all, and the flex hasn't been enough to even notice unless I look for it. The lockup on my Chief Salt and Native 5 Salt have been among the least blade play actions I've experienced with Spyderco's back locks. I think the only back lock model I have that beat them is my all stainless Police which has a crazy impressive action for a pinned construction knife, it's super tight with no play and drops shut like it's on bearings.

[Infinite Zero]

I’m carrying my Stretch 2 XL Salt today and carried my K390 Stretch 2 yesterday. I’ve used both to cut straps on shipments. There’s no real difference in flex that I’ve noticed.

I do notice the weight difference though.

[sal]

Hey Zero,

Do you prefer the greater or lesser weight?

sal

[bearfacedkiller]

The Stretch2XL is my most carried model and has been since it came out. I am not too sensitive to weight so I don’t think I would notice the weight either way. I also haven’t noticed any excessive flex.

The main benefit for me is ease of cleaning and less parts to corrode. This leads to the easy implementation of a salt variant which I have also carried extensively.

Big blade, great ergos, light weight and multiple steel options. I own quite a few of them but I mostly rotate between the vg10 (my beater), PD1 and H2.

[barnaclesonaboat]

Ringing in here as someone who owns the Stretch 2 XL in PD#1, but no other Stretch examples, XL or otherwise. I originally bought the S2XL PD#1 because I was entranced by the Military 2 and the idea of a lightweight knife with rather similar blade reach and shape was exciting.

Turns out I ended up liking it even more than I expected. I have since carried the Military 2 and S2XL a lot and while the blade reach and shape are satisfyingly related, that's about where the similarities stop and I'm grateful. The S2XL is indeed shockingly light for the blade length, yet I have not encountered a use-case where I thought I would prefer liners. The thinner stock on the S2XL helps with this a bit, as I'm just less likely to really go ballistic on something with it like I would with the Military 2 due to this reason, but not the handle or liners. I've liked it so much, particularly when wearing lightweight clothing/shorts this summer, that I recently ordered a K390 S2XL. The combination of blade length/XL glove ergonomics with such a light weight is incredible, and really quite unmatched in my quiver of knives. I still only have one (soon two with the K390), but if a Magnacut Salt S2XL came out I suspect it would instantly rocket to the front on my boat/beach carry lineup.

To summarize my position: I think the linerless construction of the S2XL is a boon to lightweight knife users and beyond wanting it to stay linerless, I would be interested in seeing more knives (especially salts) designed/built this way.

[Infinite Zero]

Hey Zero,

Do you prefer the greater or lesser weight?

sal

I prefer my FRN knives like the Stretch 2 XL Salt to be as lightweight as possible. The linerless design really gives it an unbelievable weight-to-size ratio. I’ll be double-dipping with the SPY27 version soon, I’m sure (and LC200N if it comes).

[SchoonerBum]

The Stretch 2XL is a pretty fantastic knife, and I love that it was built linerless from the beginning.

All other things being equal, I will pick a linerless knife over one with a liner every time. Lighter weight and easier cleaning is much more important to me than handle flex. Maybe I'm just not strong enough to really crush the linerless handles? ;-)

I love the idea to make future designs linerless in order to make Salts more accessible. I don't know if it's feasible but I occasional salts in sprint runs and dealer exclusives of knives that don't have enough demand to support a regular run of salts would be really great. The Police and the Jumpers are the ones that come most readily to mind (if they had been linerless from the beginning) but it would be really fantastic if Spyderco were able to offer small batches of salts for most FRN models without having to re-tool.

I'm still hoping we'll see a sprint of the Temp 1 salt in Magnacut - I bought the trainer but for practical use I really want one that's less likely than Cruwear to rust in salt water. Obviously liners aren't an issue here but it's an example of how occasional sprints or dealer exclusives of salt knives could go in the future if the tooling is made salt compatible from the beginning, even if the original design is intended for a different market.

[derp]

I'd prefer partial liners. I can feel the liners flex and it's annoying. I also think a little more weight would improve the balance. That said, I can see why linerless/Salt options make sense and help differentiate from the Endura 4, Police 4 etc.

[dsvirsky]

I own three of the Stretch 2XL: VG-10 SE, H2 SE, and K390 PE. Don't miss the liners, don't feel any flex, and would very much like to see more linerless models.

[pinchyfisher]

I have a VG-10 Stretch 2XL. Blade length is more than I need for EDC but it has been my go to hunting/hiking folder.

Don't miss the liners. The lack of weight for its size is remarkable. No noticeable lock rock. No complaints!

[Skywalker]

I don't miss the liners and I don't feel like the flex is particularly noticeable (what flex there is I feel like is also at least equally attributeable to the XL's longer blade and longer/thinner handle).

The XL is a fantastic design and it's on my shortlist to get another steel for as soon as I have enough 15V

[RustyIron]

So, for the Stretch 2XL owners out there, what are your thoughts?

I think the Stretch 2 XL is brilliant. I don't know if its creation is the result of sheer genius, or a natural evolution of previous designs. Just think about it: Squirt some juicy plastic in a mold, screw in the metal parts that are necessary, add the blade, et voilà!

I think it was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry who said, "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." The Stretch 2 XL is that.

Sadly... or happily... I no longer have the PD#1 Sprint that had become my favorite carry knife. I was having a snack with a friend high atop the mountain, and whipped out the Stretch for whatever reason. She commented that she needed a bigger knife. I wiped off the knife and handed it over. Since then, she's since commented about how the Stretch magically glides through whatever she's cutting. The Spydiejoy spreads. It's contagious.

[mikey177]

I have a VG10 Stretch 2 XL, and while the FRN has some flex, it isn't worrisome in actual use.

I don't have more Stretch 2 XL variants though as it doesn't fit my hand as well as other linerless models like the Pac Salt 2. That said, I wouldn't mind a linerless Endela in the future.

I also like the Manix 2 LW, which I also consider as essentially linerless.

[Snacktime]

Stretch XL was a down grade from the original. You don't need liners if you flat grind it to a toothpick. XL really is a light weight PM2, I don't feel it's homage to the stretch or stretch 2.

[spydergoat]

You truly don't need liners as Spyderco had proven years/decades ago. Have you heard of a Pacific Salt failing?

[horzuff]

I love the linerlessness of the stretch 2 XL. Somehow ended up with 3 of them :D, serrated VG10 and the PD#1 and K390 plains. I don't feel any lack of stiffness compared to other larger FRN knives (thinking of the endura and police) but I definitely feel the lower weight and like it a lot. Thanks to the thin bladestock the balance is good as well.

The only thing I'd like to change is add PB washers. I do this myself by just grinding down the frn protrusions and sticking in a set of washers and the action and stability improve noticeably

[aicolainen]

The linerless nature of salt knives is one of my favorite features with them, so with the announcement of the S2XL I was very pleased with expectations that we’ll get more steel choices in a linerless wrapping.

That said, there’s a very ironic twist to this story.
Being linerless from the outset, I expected a Salt to be revealed rather soon-ish. It took longer than expected, with even a rather surprising release of the linered G10 version in between.
And honestly, even the choice of hollow saber H1/H2 for the first salt release was a bit surprising, as IMO it doesn’t fully utilize the lightweight potential of the platform. Maybe the difference is insignificant, but not to the over thinkers out there.
So while the release of a linerless by default platform set me up with high expectations, I’m still waiting for a proper stainless FFG variant to come along. Preferably CE, but PE will suffice.
In the meantime I’ve done my best to confuse Spyderco’s planning department by acquiring the cruwear G10, my least needed (and initially least wanted) version, but it’s so well made I just had to add it to my knife drawer despite no obvious use case

[Brock O Lee]

I understand the strong preference for light weight, but I'm on the other side of the argument, for blades larger than 3.5 inches...

I don't like flex in the handles, and want a solid feeling and good balance over lightest possible weight. I want it to feel durable. In my view 4-5 ounces is the sweet spot to feel solid, balanced, inspire confidence, and not be a boat anchor.

I have nothing against linerless G10 and CF. I like these versions of the Native Chief, Siren etc. Linerless but solid.

The linerless FRN Wayne Goddard 4V on the other hand was a bit of a disappointment. Flexy, uncentered blade, with blade rub left or right depending on the load on the handle. Not my jam.

Not sure how the Stretch XL compare with the Goddard?

[Wdr65]

I prefer it without liners. My first Spyderco’s were a Delica and Endura III that I abused as much as my any knife I’ve ever owned. Not batoning or prying but cutting anything I ran into at work landscaping or in construction. Heck I even cut Sod one day when I didn’t have a spade with me and was patching a small area. They never skipped a beat and I expect the same out of my Stretch 2 XLs.