Tusk First Impression

[rodloos]

Thanks for the review. I too was thinking it would be larger.

I see that CS shows them available for order, first time in a long time that they have shown a new model in stock while everyone doesn't seem to have it yet. I'm tempted to cancel my preorder with KC and get it from CS (and save $25) :) .

I don't do any sailing, but I do go kayaking and camping, and use knots in ropes so I figure it could be handy.

[nccole]

Yessir! Pokagon's toboggan run is great fun! :) Just expect to wait in line 2-3 hours if you go on a Saturday. Sunday evenings seem to be about the best time (in terms of crowds). You can also rent cross-country skis and take a few trails around the park. I haven't gone skiing yet, but my wife says its a blast. :D As for fishing, do you ice fish?

Rarely, I am a fast paced bait-casting bass fishing kind of guy. Depending on where I am, I will Crappie and Bluegill fish, but still do a more active presentation. I also do some fly fishing in some local streams. I haven't been doing that too long, I went out to West Virginia and bought a fly rod and started figuring it out a few years ago. I am not good with just sitting and waiting.

[Donut]

Is the ball a sphere? It almost looks like the spring recesses into the ball.

Thank you for your review.

[nccole]

Is the ball a sphere? It almost looks like the spring recesses into the ball.

Thank you for your review.

It is a perfect sphere and rolls around such that the ball is not wearing in the same place. Not sure if this is how all non-caged Ball Locks are, this is my first.

Also, I didn't note before, but it has an integral stop pin on the R.I.L.

[Donut]

Yeah, that's how the uncaged ball is on my Dodo's and was on my Phoenix and that's how it is on the D'allara.

I don't know if I captured it very well in my picture thread: http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... Fiber-Dodo

I'll be interested to see how you like the ball lock after some use. When I frequently have to unlock mine, it causes discomfort in my thumb and forefinger joints.

[Donut]

Is there a "click" sound when you open the spike?

[nccole]

So far I am liking the Ball Lock. The spike rides on bronze washers and is very smooth. It falls closed, and has a nice click open. Like the Bolt Action Lock, i find a two finger pinch is pretty much required. When closed, the spike rests on the Ti frames, and will have witness marks become more pronounced.

[IG-88]

I wonder is what steel the spring is made off? How rust resistant is it?

[phillipsted]

I just received my Tusk. I'll give some more detailed impressions once I've handled it a bit more. But WOW - the quality is extraordinary! The tolerances are extremely tight, there is no wiggle or movement, everything is silky smooth, no rough edges. Just. Perfect.

This knife isn't for everyone... But it definitely earns its place in the Spyderco Pantheon.

TedP

[foldingknifehq]

That's really interesting to see the ball lock like that - what's the ball actually made of? Looks like ceramic or polyurethane from the pictures but I'd imagine it wouldn't be either of those!

[gbelleh]

Looks like the same type of ceramic ball that was used in the CF Dodo.

[nccole]

It is ceramic. I believe it was chosen for corrosion reasons.

[rodloos]

I just received my Tusk. I'll give some more detailed impressions once I've handled it a bit more. But WOW - the quality is extraordinary! The tolerances are extremely tight, there is no wiggle or movement, everything is silky smooth, no rough edges. Just. Perfect.

This knife isn't for everyone... But it definitely earns its place in the Spyderco Pantheon.

TedP

I just got mine in yesterday as well. I agree, top notch quality. Even the marlin spike is so very smooth opening and closing. Mine came shaving-sharp. I haven't tried to reprofile it or anything yet.

Of course I had to get out a rope and tie some knots to practice using the marlin spike :) . I've never had any sort of marlin spike tool before. Looks like a very useful tool around boats and ropes.

It's not a light-weight knife, but feels real solid. I might find myself carrying it alongside of a serrated hawkbill salt model when kayaking and camping. The short-ish blade probably won't be used much for food prep, but should be fine for typical cutting chores other than that.

[Pinetreebbs]

Mine arrived today, it's a real beauty.

I bought it, 'Just because.' About 44 years ago I would have loved to have this knife. I was a Dam Operator back then and used a lot of manilla rope. Most of the time in a boat dragging and securing debris. The rest of the time hanging over hillsides working or measuring leaks suspended by ropes we would, eye, 'y' and end splice ourselves. Back then all I could afford was a Kabar rope knife with rosewood scales. The steel in that old blade would make about two or three good cuts before needing to be sharpened. It was not a locking blade and lacked a spike.

[ugaarguy]

I'd also like to know how slick or textured that ball bearing is. I'm confounded as to why Spyderco didn't put the bearing in a cage with very aggressive outer texturing since this is a mariner's knife.

[phillipsted]

I'd also like to know how slick or textured that ball bearing is. I'm confounded as to why Spyderco didn't put the bearing in a cage with very aggressive outer texturing since this is a mariner's knife.

The ball is a very highly polished glass-like ceramic. It rotates free inside it's ramp - but feels extremely secure there. The spring pressure has been adjusted very carefully so that it is really easy to open with one hand. I haven't tested it yet with gloves, but I don't anticipate problems with neoprene gloves (thick woolens may be a different story).

The cool thing is that I can push the ball lock, flick the marlin spike out, pull the ball back and flick the spike closed - all with one hand. Similar to the way I've got my Para2 adjusted. Fantastic for rope work...

BTW, the blade is also very smooth. But like a lot of RIL locks, it takes some time to break in - the ball detent needs to "seat" properly. I'm working on it to get it broken in, but it feels really nice in hand.

TedP

[BDNX]

I also thought it would be a bit bigger....but that just makes me like it that much more as if that was possible. I can't wait to get my hands on this guy. Hopefully within the week I can order one!

[BDNX]

Just ordered a Tusk earlier today and I can't wait! Hope to have it in a few days!!