I have been carrying around my FRN ZDP Stretch 2 for a couple of days now and I am more than impressed. This is the perfect size knife for EDC and the blade shape is perfect for my cutting tasks. The steel is ridiculously amazing and so sharp it split hairs out of the box. The ergos are so spot on it's scary. It feels as if my hand was molded with the FRN. I am extremely satisfied, I own a LOT of knives....and a lot of spydies, but this one might just be my favorite EDC knife I've had. Sal I'm not sure how you guys designed this knife to get so much blade in this handle but I am truly impressed. This kind of cutting performance for under 100.00 USD is insane. For those of you who do not have this knife, GET IT.
Now....with that said, I am going to be a little critical here. The choil (which was a great addition by the way) is too small for my liking. The up-swept blade shape is great for choking up on the blade and making precise cuts but my finger doesn't have much to grasp onto. Here's some pictures to illustrate.
It is a great knife, my favorite, all versions are spectacular. The choil doesn't really effect me as I have not had to choke up on the knife yet, and I'm not sure if I would need to. I do agree that the knife is scary accurate on ergos. Simply a great knife.
Canis
Dare. Risk. Dream.
"Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in.
In my head, in my heart, in my soul.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again.
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so."
- Modest Mouse "Ocean Breathes Salty"
Seconded! I have one of the original Stretch 2s in CF/ZDP, and the combination of the fantastic ergos, amazing blade steel, and super slim profile in pocket mean that practically nothing else gets pocket time at all.
Yep, I agree, It's a wonderful knife. From what I've seen everyone loves it.
On the other side, from logic and what I've read the ZDP can be a PITA to sharpen. I guess the key is not to let the edge go too far between touch ups.
Enjoy!!
Charlie
" Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."
[CENTER]"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"[/CENTER]
Sec, I was looking at your pics. My hand is small, but my fingers wide, I don't know about yours. I noticed you wrap your fingers around the choil.
Whenever I'm going for a purposeful cut I try to put more of my fingertip on the jimped choil. The wrap around grip you have could wind up cutting you. I'm no expert, but that's my perception.
Then again, none of my knives were purchased for tactical use.
Charlie
" Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."
[CENTER]"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"[/CENTER]
Hey Jim, The ZDP is absolutely amazing for edge holding and the stretch is a great design.
At the risk of hijacking I do have to say check out the Bradley. It's a really beautiful knife, reminiscent of the stretch but a lot beefier with a tougher steel.
Charlie
" Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."
[CENTER]"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"[/CENTER]
dbcad wrote:Sec, I was looking at your pics. My hand is small, but my fingers wide, I don't know about yours. I noticed you wrap your fingers around the choil.
Whenever I'm going for a purposeful cut I try to put more of my fingertip on the jimped choil. The wrap around grip you have could wind up cutting you. I'm no expert, but that's my perception.
Then again, none of my knives were purchased for tactical use.
Thanks for the idea, ill give that a shot. The only reason I wrapped the index finger around was to get my thumb on the top of the blade (think cutting apples). For different grip options, id prefer a bigger choil, maybe its just me. I am being critical after all :P
One of my observations when the original Stretch came out was that a deeper choil would have made it even better. Must admit I was really hoping that change had been implemented when I heard about the Stretch II.
On the other hand, have been using both the original Stretch and Stretch II pretty regularly for over five years, have developed enough familiarity with it to use it rather casually, make use of the choil quite frequently, and have yet to cut myself by having my finger slide forward onto the blade.
I'd still like to see a deeper choil, like those on the Sage and UKPK, if there's ever a "Stretch III". I think would enhance the knife's esthetics and know it would increase my peace of mind, but it's not going to keep me from using the ones I have.
I hear you THG. I've been ressurecting my sharpening skills over the last year or so. All of my vg-10 blades are as sharp or sharper than out of the box. We'll see when it comes time for the ZDP Stretch.
Agree with you Paul, a deeper choil on the Stretch would be nice. As is the Stretch is still a beauty though.
Sec you will love your Stretch for years.
Charlie
" Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."
[CENTER]"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"[/CENTER]
I was trying to sell a Kraton/SS Stretch for a friend and after handling the ugly little thing for days and turning down lowball offers, I just had to keep it. It REALLY grew on me. When the Stretch 2 variants came out, I got both ZDPs. To my surprise, I kept the FRN and have the CF up.
Great knife. It's second only to my CF Caly 3 in teh "if I had to sell all but one folder..." daydream. The only problem I have now is that it will be hard for me to justify a FFG FRN Endura.
