Pics and Thoughts: R (Sprint Run)

[smikesmith3]

Just received a few of the Spyderco 'R' knives this morning. I was pretty excited when I opened the package as I wasn't too sure what they were going to be. The glass fiber is the first thing that caught my eye, same stuff as the smaller Lum with glass fiber late last year. It is smooth which can be a downside for some, but I love the look of it. Where it lacks in handle grip it makes up in jimping and notching. It has a deep notch under the blade and on the top which gives it excellent control making up for the very smooth handle. Size wise your looking in between a Delica and Endura. This is a must have for any collection.

[PARATOM]

looks awesome!! i really am thinking about getting one! there is just so many i want.

thanks for the pics

[cinticyklist]

It's a little more subtle in person than the pics I've seen. Reflective, but not as mirroring as I expected.

EDIT: Knife does not actually defy gravity as it apparently seems to in one of the photos.

[The Deacon]

In an attempt to avoid future misunderstandings, it should be pointed out that the Nisijin material on the Lum Chinese Folder and the R3 is glass fiber, not carbon fiber.

[arty]

How does glass fiber compare to G10, CF and FRN in terms of strength, impact resistance and weight?
The only experience I have with glass fiber is with fishing rods and (I think) tennis rackets.
In my experience, CF is more rigid than G10 in similar thicknesses.
The knife looks good.

[Tdog]

In an attempt to avoid future misunderstandings, it should be pointed out that the Nisijin material on the Lum Chinese Folder and the R3 is glass fiber, not carbon fiber.

Thank you.

[MCM]

Happy to say, I have one in the mail. :D
Had a great feeling in the hand, the choil more than makes up for the smooth scales.

[Blerv]

How does glass fiber compare to G10, CF and FRN in terms of strength, impact resistance and weight?
The only experience I have with glass fiber is with fishing rods and (I think) tennis rackets.
In my experience, CF is more rigid than G10 in similar thicknesses.
The knife looks good.

When it's backed by a steel liner it doesn't matter much. Even with the amount used weight is relative. Most important is how it feels and looks to the user.

Sorry for the weak answer. I don't really know. Still, depending on the formula, processing, and use I don't know of CF can be quantified with a set value.

[The Deacon]

When it's backed by a steel liner it doesn't matter much. Even with the amount used weight is relative. Most important is how it feels and looks to the user.

Sorry for the weak answer. I don't really know. Still, depending on the formula, processing, and use I don't know of CF can be quantified with a set value.

True on all counts and, regarding strength, the same holds for G-10. Neither is a single source product, so the amount of "fiber" in either, and thus their strength, can vary considerably.

OTOH, I suspect the Nisijin glass fiber uses a resin more like that used in CF than like the resin used in G-10 and thus behaves more like glossy CF.

[araneae]

While the glass fiber is a beautiful material, I just can't get past the glossy finish. Looks great, but too slippery for my preferences.

[ChrisR]

I've looked at a lot of images of this but I just can't make myself like it ... the triangular blade shape keeps putting me off. Perhaps it's one of those things that you just have to hold before you love it :) I do love the weave pattern on the Nisijin but I'm also not a fan of smooth, slippery scales.

[gull wing]

Nice looking knife.
Wish they put a larger pivot pin on a 3 1/2" blade though.

[Shakyamuni]

Very tempting... if you look at the specs, it has a slightly longer edge than the Caly 3.5 with the same blade length (means the choil is shorter or less curvature at the end of the blade) and the handle is 6 mm longer. This is a sweet spot for me in terms of having a usable edge length without getting into the Endura territory.

[INFRNL]

I should have my collectors in a couple days. I will try to post some pics. I tried to hold off, but just couldn't resist. I want to see it next to my delica. It appears to be a slightly larger/similar version to the delica.

I do agree that the pattern is really nice, but I am also not a fan of glossy smooth scales. I am sure I can overlook it though. maybe try to make it like the buffed CF of the caly, if possible