Vallotton Surprise!

TheApostleP · #1

I recently received my long-anticipated Spyderco Vallotton folder. I had watched videos, read reviews, and gotten over my feeling of oddness about the thumb studs / blade stops. I finally decide I wanted one, waited for the right deal ($179 on ebay, shipped), and bought it. I have to say though, that I've really never been so disappointed upon receiving a new knife. The grind, although quite striking, was so obtuse and thick, especially at the tip, that I think my splitting axe might have actually cut better than this knife. Even the cutting edge was obtuse, toothy and dull. Although it's one of the most expensive knives I've ever bought, I couldn't live with it, and had an idea. I reprofiled the entire knife, thinning the tip back to the hollow grind, and finishing the tip and entire cutting edge in a polished convex edge. I think it's at least as cool looking as the original, but cuts beautifully. I also took about 2mm off the liner lock for comfort. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has had the same impressions of their Vallotton, and what other people have done to "improve" their's...

gbelleh · #2

My Vallotton was sharp out of the box.

I do want to have the lock bar trimmed down flush with the scales. But I don't trust myself to do it.

rycen · #3

Pics please

FarmerTed · #4

I have no issue with the liner lock on the Vallotton. When grasping the handle my knuckle is at the liner lock so that I don't even notice it. The blade on mine was shaving sharp out of the box. I really like grind on the blade and especially the tip as it makes it very stout, strengthening the weakest point of the blade.

mikerestivo · #5

I would very much like to handle a Valloton. It is a really great looking knife that stops me in my tracks every time I see a pic of one. Given my personal preferences, I am not sure it would be for me - that's why I would like to handle one - to see how it feels. This is not going to happen soon as we have no good Spyderco dealers in my area.

Azwaiian · #6

Pics please...

TheApostleP · #7

Sorry guys... I meant to include pics, but had to re-size them to upload. Here they are...[ATTACH]19935[/ATTACH][ATTACH]19936[/ATTACH][ATTACH]19937[/ATTACH][ATTACH]19938[/ATTACH][ATTACH]19939[/ATTACH]

Believe me, I get the concept of the knife -- that's why I bought it -- great slicing for a blade of thick stock due to a deeply hollow-ground blade, along with a super-strong tip for durability in piercing tasks. But it still has to be a knife, and in my humble opinion, the edge grind of the entire blade was too obtuse to be a great slicer, and the tip grind was much more "splitting axe" than "strong knife." I think you can see from the photo of the tip from spine view that the tip is still plenty robust.

TheApostleP · #8

I know it's a bit intimidating to start grinding away on your $200 knife, but the work on the liner lock is really not that hard. First, mark the liner with a pencil, following the arc of the choil to give yourself a guide for the curve you want, keeping in mind where you want to stop. Next, disassemble the knife. Then, using a Dremel tool with the barrel sander attachment, carefully remove the material you desire (I suggest about 2mm -- you don't want to compromise lock strength). Gently chamfer/radius the sides and end of the locking liner for comfort. Finish with 400 and 800 grit sandpaper and reassemble. Caution!!! I'm sure you will have voided your Spyderco factory warranty by now :)

bh49 · #9

TheApostleP wrote: Believe me, I get the concept of the knife -- that's why I bought it -- great slicing for a blade of thick stock due to a deeply hollow-ground blade, along with a super-strong tip for durability in piercing tasks. But it still has to be a knife, and in my humble opinion, the edge grind of the entire blade was too obtuse to be a great slicer, and the tip grind was much more "splitting axe" than "strong knife." I think you can see from the photo of the tip from spine view that the tip is still plenty robust.

I never owned this knife, but was able to handle. My buddy has one.
For some reason it didn't strike me as a slicer. :o It certainly has a great look and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for piercing, but not a slicer. I can be wrong so.

Heespharm · #10

U guys are crazy.. The vallotton is perfect