DLT Trading Smock Exclusive: Green Canvas Micarta w/ CPM20CV

[kennethsime]

I haven't bought a new knife in a long time but man this thing looks sweet.

[Manixguy@1994]

I haven't bought a new knife in a long time but man this thing looks sweet.

Looks great , scales look fantastic. Just not sure if I need another in stainless . MG2

[Jeb]

The green sounds really great to me, just wish the Smock was a 4" blade.

[jdw]

I really want to like this knife but I haven’t ever owned one. It seems a little gimmicky to me and I have never owned a Spyderco flipper that functions with the quality that you would expect from Spyderco. I need some of you enablers out there sell me on this model for EDC.

[vivi]

I hope we see more green canvas micarta sprints. This model isn't for me but the scales are gorgeous.

[Jeb]

I really want to like this knife but I haven’t ever owned one. It seems a little gimmicky to me and I have never owned a Spyderco flipper that functions with the quality that you would expect from Spyderco. I need some of you enablers out there sell me on this model for EDC.

Selling you on this to me comes down to two issues that only you control. The first one is this size if this little knife... if it works for you, I will say it's quite the blade. I love mine, but I never edc.

Then the other issue to me is the blade tension drag they put on it for a truly great Flipper. I removed my ball and spring from mine and then it was exactly what I want from a Flipper.

They just make one of these in a 4" or 5" even better. Then add on the green scales good grief I would be all over it. I am just a big to larger knife guy lol.

But if you get one of these and remove the small ball and spring that apply a little drag tension on the blade these are a killer little Flipper. This green one, even more so because of the green scales... least for me.

[Manixguy@1994]

I have on have the standard model switched to RGT scales and removed second detent and works great . I also have an Amalgam and is a great edc for me since I prefer larger knives most of the time . MG2

[Red Leader]

I really want to like this knife but I haven’t ever owned one. It seems a little gimmicky to me and I have never owned a Spyderco flipper that functions with the quality that you would expect from Spyderco. I need some of you enablers out there sell me on this model for EDC.

Selling you on this to me comes down to two issues that only you control. The first one is this size if this little knife... if it works for you, I will say it's quite the blade. I love mine, but I never edc.

Then the other issue to me is the blade tension drag they put on it for a truly great Flipper. I removed my ball and spring from mine and then it was exactly what I want from a Flipper.

They just make one of these in a 4" or 5" even better. Then add on the green scales good grief I would be all over it. I am just a big to larger knife guy lol.

But if you get one of these and remove the small ball and spring that apply a little drag tension on the blade these are a killer little Flipper. This green one, even more so because of the green scales... least for me.

Jeb I appreciate your thoughts on the knife. Very polarizing design, and I’m still on the fence about it. So much to like and also not like about it.


The large ‘knuckle’ in the middle of the knife looks like an ergonomic mess, and creates a lot of dead space in the handle, putting the users hand farther away from the blade, unless you choke up on it which then still seems awkward because it doesn’t offer the same protective shape that a traditional choil like on a PM2 or Manix would have, and even then choking up, you cannot really use the cutout in the blade for getting your hand as close to the blade as many other designs since the cut out was only made for the button lock relief and not shaped for a finger. From that aspect, the knife offers less control than other designs and edges it toward the ‘gimmicky’ side.


On the other hand, that hollow grind. Probably the best looking blade grind on any knife I have ever seen. Worth buying for that alone. Then, it is a viable Spyderco flipper, which Spyderco doesn’t do often. And the flipper tab is also, like the grind, the best example I have ever seen. Totally an enhancement of the knife, and completely unobtrusive to the rest of the design, keeping it from getting caught on pockets unlike nearly all other flipper designs. Plus the button lock…super lefty friendly. Plus Taichung quality…the execution has been consistently stellar.


Admittedly, there are more positive points than negatives. But what an enigma of a knife design. I would have thought that with how brilliant some aspects are to the design, that some of the glaring design faults (IMO) wouldn’t be there. Alas.

[Jeb]

Actually in the paw, since I have paws and not hands; this knife is way better than it looks. Least to me. The only reason I bought mine is I wanted a Spyderco flipper, plain and simple.

Once I got mine and messed with it for just a few minutes, I knew the detent friction drag on the blade had to go away... lol after that I just had to hone it and see if it was going to be the razor I thought it could be.

Once honed and the tension drag was removed this knife really woke up. Like I said it's way better in the paw than it looks design wise. It's a bad boy when it comes to razor sharp too and super easy to keep that way.

I cut in a few finger tabs on the Flipper of mine to help grab the finger, something not everyone wants or likes to do. It has really all added up on this knife of mine.

Now if we could ever get this on a larger platform, I would be all over it lol.

[Wallach]

I've always gone back and forth on the Smock, but I do love some micarta. May wind up copping this one, will have to think about it. The 15V Manix has somewhat killed my desire for new knives.

[raygixxer89]

I love the Smock. I lost my first one somewhere. I have no idea where. I just couldn't find it. I was wearing a new set of pants one day at work (last winter?) that were lined and maybe the knife clip slipped out. I don't know. But I missed it enough to buy another one. I don't carry it as much for fear of losing it as well, but this green one looks nice and may make me pull out my debit card.

[raygixxer89]

Is there an ETA on this?
ETA: Never mind, just noticed the banner timer on the website.

[Sterling454]

I have one of the CruWear & aluminum versions and I absolutely love it.

Like most, I removed the 2nd detent and spring, but I also swapped the factory bearings or for a set of Skiff bearings. The action is truly *chef's kiss*

The hollow grind is fantastic, although I back and forth over the thick blade stock. From what I understand, the original SK23 was even thicker so I'll take it for what it is.

The flipper works beautifully despite not having any jimping. If I make any permanent modifications, that would it be it.

My favorite thing about this knife is just how fidgety it is. With the 2nd detent removed, I can easily open it with the button lock. That's on top of the flipper and the Spydiehole. Reverse flicking is very satisfying too. I actually carry this knife every day just as my big boy fidget toy along with my MagnaMax Mule which does the actual EDC work.

If I was going to make any cosmetic changes, I think I might swap in a set of brass scales to add some weight and texture. A blue anodized titanium button lock would really set it of too. Maybe a LynchNW clip? Who am I kidding, I'm nowhere done needing with this thing. Such a cool knife to tinker with!

[hobbyist]

I have several Smocks. My one complaint is that the angle of the choice is just a little snaggy. If that part of the knife was a little less curved it would be perfect.