Question for Leafstorm users

[spydernewbie]

I was thinking of getting a leafstorm for edc.

I was seeing if those who are using their leafstorm can give their opinions on how the lack of a choil has performed.

Thanks!

[SmoothOne25]

i love spyderco for life but for a couple reasons that i dont want to go in to because it is not constructive but i just dont like it that way i feel about other spydercos. it looks cool though, i had it in my hand and it was ok but not for 150 and not without a combo edge with that blade. color is really cool though.

[SmoothOne25]

its in stock EVERYWHERE i look maybe it is not selling well. i also don't know many who actually bought it. people i know are talking about it but not buying it. also not many youtube leaf reviews. its relatively new but its in stock everywhere i look (for pricing if i do decide to get it) how many people picked this one up? you like it? it worth the price tag when 4 other spys are just as good?

[FastEddie]

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, I don't think the Leafstorm will be a hit for Spyderco.

best,
fe

[freeman7]

I think the Leafstorm is a very cool knife. Carried it a few times; now it spends most of its time in the knife cabinet. IMHO the only safe way to use this knife is to pinch the handle between the thumb and index finger. There are lots of Spydies I like better. If they go on closeout, you might buy and try. Maybe you will like it.

[Pneumothorax]

Im going to defend the Leafstorm a bit. I just got one and love it. Yes, it is not a traditional Spyderco - no choil, etc. But, c'mon - it's not meant to be. What it is meant to be is a Spyderco version of the popular Wilkins Leafstorm. It is a very close version of that knife, but made more for Spyderco fans. It would not be a very good Wilkins model if it had choil, etc. So, you just put your index finger behind the front part of the handle, thumb on top of jimping or pinch pivot area btwn finger and thumb - whatever you want to do. For what I use it for - no big deal. It's just a cool design collaboration with another maker who makes a popular folder using the Spyderco hole. Try getting a real Wilkins for $135...look at it for what is was meant to be and it is a nice knife - very unique, cool design. I like it, but to each his own.

[StangBang]

I have been following this model for a while now. I was thinking the other day, would it be possible to have the TI on the backside heat treated to get the flame look like on a Strider? I really would like to have that done and have been thinking of getting either a Sage 2 or a Leafstorm.
Does anyone know if that would be possible, as well as who would or how I would go about getting it done?

[nathan310]

I had one and sold it. I didn't like the Ergos on it. I got it for around 130 at your cornerstore.com. I much prefer the UKPK. Now if they made the UKPK with a ball lock I'd buy 10 of them! I know it would no longer be a UKPK if it had a lock but you know what I mean. I would get a Caly 3 but thelaws where I live only allow sub 3" folders.

[meng]

Could not agree more Pneumothorax. I love mine too.......it is different, it has a cool colour, build like a tank, small which I love and a adjustable lock up........I hear some people talking about the price tag, 150+ dollar, so let me tell you something.....I bought a Leafstorm in the USA, I live in the Netherlands....I paid 156 dollar for it.....I also paid 32 dollars for shipping and I paid 60 dollars for Customs (taxes) to get this knive!!!!!!........this baby cost me 248 dollars to be exactly, how is that??.........if I would buy this knive in Holland from a company I would pay 285 dollars which are ± 200 Euros.......I contacted a company here and I am going to order a second one for backup for ± 285 dollars........I know, I cannot help it, I am an addict too......this knive simply does it for me, love it.........I know the ergos are not 100% but I have very large hands and somehow I have an excellent grip......that is the only bad thing I can say about the Leafstorm.......I do not miss the choil........I also own a Navigator and because of the choil I cannot use the entire blade to cut, my finger is too close to the blade.....I hope this answers some questions guys....buy a Leafstorm and enjoy it, I know I do every day...........

[spydernewbie]

thanks for the replies!

[spydernewbie]

i was trying to decide on leafstorm or sage titanium.

[RazorSharp86]

Bought one, sold it, next.

[freeman7]

The Sage 2 is one heck-of-a-knife. But certainly very different from the Leafstorm. Consider carefully what you plan to do with the knife and then choose; or take the true addict's way out and buy both.

[The Deacon]

Between those two, the Leafstorm is arguably the more "collectible" and probably has more potential for increased value in the future. On the other hand, if you are looking for a "user" the RIL Sage would, IMHO, be a far better choice. Flat ground blade makes it the superior slicer, all titanium construction makes it stronger, wire clip makes it stay put in your pocket better, deep 50/50 choil makes it much less likely to nip you if you're using it with less than full concentration and shift your grip.

[FLYBYU44]

My Emerson knife has no choil as well, but the handle is as long as a Para-Military handle, so it isn't an issue. With the short handle on the Leafstorm I just don't see it working to well. I was going to purchase a Leafstorm when it came out, but when I seen some good pics and videos of it I decided not to. I'm actually disappointed in it, usually Spyderco makes excellent user knives without worrying about looks, it appears the Leafstorm follows the form over substance rule however.

[gull wing]

I haven't bought one yet. Not sure why? I was so looking forward to it because I like the looks of Kevin Wilkins' knives. Even held one once. It may be the length. I don't use my Dragonfly much and I think they are close in length. I may buy one, but not now.

[RSV2400]

I've had my Leafstorm for about 3 weeks (a quick Yahoo search should find at least a couple of sources at only ~$135). The first thing I did was to take a stone to the sharp back corner of the cutting edge (gave it about a 1/32 radius); with the edge knocked off, you run no risk of a nick if you come in contact. The knife grips well in the hand, in all positions (I'm 6'-1" and have large hands, so should work well for all). I really love the look and feel of the knife and it's already one of my favorites. I highly recommend you go ahead and buy one for addition to your EDC's. :D

[The Deacon]

My Emerson knife has no choil as well, but the handle is as long as a Para-Military handle, so it isn't an issue. With the short handle on the Leafstorm I just don't see it working to well. I was going to purchase a Leafstorm when it came out, but when I seen some good pics and videos of it I decided not to. I'm actually disappointed in it, usually Spyderco makes excellent user knives without worrying about looks, it appears the Leafstorm follows the form over substance rule however.

In fairness, collaboration models have always followed a different set of rules from "in house" designs. There are a number of them, going back as far as the C22 CF Walker, which offer little or nothing in the way of a hand stop. Spyderco's version of the Leafstorm is just that, a production version of a custom folder. Kevin Wilkens used the Spyderhole opener in his custom Leafstorms, so unlike some collaborations which required a fair amount of modification to incorporate the Spyderhole, the Spyderco Leafstorm is extremely faithful to his design.

[Sam Vimes]

If money were no object then I'd love a Leafstorm. However, back in the real world it currently sits some way down the list of Spydies to get. It is staying down the list as other new models are released. I very much doubt that I'll ever get round to getting one unless they are discontinued and sold off at a fraction of the current selling price. :o

[Pneumothorax]

i was trying to decide on leafstorm or sage titanium.

On that note, really depends what you want. IMO, since I own a Leafstorm and Sage 1 (not RIL), if you want pure functionality and are looking for the true Spyderco experience, get the Sage. If you want something different that will still function, just not exactly like a Spydie, get the Leafstorm. If this were one of my first Spydies, I would have gotten the Sage, but this my 12/13th or so Spydie and I wanted something different and cool, but still Spyderco.