FRN Stretch Preview

[The Mastiff]

This is the one I've been waiting for. I couldn't afford a spare Stretch 2 CF, but I will eventually have a few spare ZDP FRN stretch 2's. The one knife capable of parking my endura at home.

I hope these do well and last a long, long time. Joe

[Jay_Ev]

Thanks for the preview pics, Deacon. I thought I read somewhere that this one will be available in all 3 edge types (PE, SE, CE) or maybe it was just 2 edge types. In any event, I know teeth aren't really your thing but maybe (just maybe :) ) you might make an exception if it's a Stretch?

[pjmaxm]

I am very excited for this one.

The CF/ZDP189 version has been just outside my budget but I have really wanted to have a Stretch. FRN is my favorate handle material for its lightweight, grippy, study, and cost effecient benefits so I am excited it is FRN and not G10.

[The Deacon]

I'm soooooooooooooo pumped for this....

Do you know when this lil' beauty will be released to the public?

No clue Spydiman, wish I did.

Wasn`t planning on buying another knife for awhile, until this. Thank you Deacon, may I send you the bill?

Sure, will treat it the same as my others. :D

soooo....have you carried it around Paul? :D

Well, up until today, the answer would have been no. Decided this morning the Manix 2 deserved a day off. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Anyway took the FRN Stretch shopping, then for a walk in the woods. Took a couple pics along the way, will post them below.

Paul, I share your love for the Stretch and was in pleasant anticipation for your 1st pictures. Seems to be another good knife and a good seller too.

When can we see some kitchen test of your FRN-Stretch, Sir?

Peter, I'll give the FRN Stretch a workout in the kitchen soon as I finish with the Manix 2. Am still trying to put enough mileage on it to be able to find out how 154CM is to sharpen.

Beautiful photos, Paul. And they make me love my CF Stretch 2 even more.

I'm not a fan of FRN in any form, or of molded logos, but I'm glad that the affordability of this model will put the Stretch in more hands. It's the best knife I've ever owned... and because I'm not a hard user, I don't worry about the additional comfort of the wider handle, but it was good of you to mention it. I'm sure that will be a factor for many people who want to put this knife to work.

Cheers,
Don

Agree with you 100% regarding getting it into more hands. Up till now the Stretch has been a fantastic design handicapped by the choices of materials. Not all that many people were willing to try the stainless/kraton version. Can't totally blame them, the Kraton inlays are a bit temperamental to say the least. The CF one is near perfection, but too pricy for a lot of folks.

You make the greatest pics Paul. You even made me almost buy a Kiwi a good while ago.

And you certainly do it again now.

I soooo want a Stretch/SE :)

Well Arend, unlike the Kiwi there will be SE versions of this one.

Very nice pics Paul! I use Stretch CF. It's great knife :)

Yes it is, I love mine too. But the FRN version has charms of its own. It is 30 grams lighter and has, IMHO, more attractive jimping on the thumb ramp.

This is the one I've been waiting for. I couldn't afford a spare Stretch 2 CF, but I will eventually have a few spare ZDP FRN stretch 2's. The one knife capable of parking my endura at home.

I hope these do well and last a long, long time. Joe

Hope so too Joe, if ever a knife deserved to be a best seller, it's the Stretch.

Thanks for the preview pics, Deacon. I thought I read somewhere that this one will be available in all 3 edge types (PE, SE, CE) or maybe it was just 2 edge types. In any event, I know teeth aren't really your thing but maybe (just maybe :) ) you might make an exception if it's a Stretch?

Just went back to the videos, think it will be just PE and SE. Can't see myself carrying an SE one, but I might just get one for the collection.

I am very excited for this one.

The CF/ZDP189 version has been just outside my budget but I have really wanted to have a Stretch. FRN is my favorate handle material for its lightweight, grippy, study, and cost effecient benefits so I am excited it is FRN and not G10.

I too am glad they're FRN. It keeps the price down where more can afford one.

As promised earlier, here are a couple more photos I took today...

[CENTER]



[/CENTER]

[jezabel]

Deacon, all your past commentaries on the Stretch's performance have built up to point where I am now craving for the ZDP Stretch. I know this knife wont disappoint.
I have to applaud the Spyderco team for packing some ZDP into a more economic package :D , myself like many others find that the "high end" versions are often out of our reach. Hopefully this release wont be too far away :rolleyes:
Oh and a Stretch sporting a full set of teeth would be simply irresistible.

[ChapmanPreferred]

I was hoping to see some blue frn in this thread. I will definately be on board when that little fella is available. Nice pics Paul as usual.

[noddy]

Cool pics Paul!

The new FRN Strech is awesome, but I would be tempted to buy the CF n ZDP steroids one :D

It's a beezer knife the steroids one, that's a fact. Brilliant user. I like the look of this one a lot too.

Can't wait for the littler version to appear :D

[Axlis]

Thanks for the great pics, Paul, I am SOOOOOOOO ready for this stretch to hit the streets!

You know, I always think to myself "how well would this work in the kitchen" when I consider a new knife. That's what excites me most about the stretch, I can see myself slicing up some veggies already!

[gull wing]

Thanks Deacon!
This was a great idea (a VG10/FRN) Stretch. I have the CF/ZDP but I must have this one as well. I think I like VG10 better than ZDP. Only because it's easier to sharpen and the cutting edge just has the feel I like.

[picobrain]

Thanks very much Deacon for the great photos and review :}

I request photos of the Stretch2 between the Delica4 and Endura4 frn.


peace

[Mr.Sparkitle]

Great pics and post Deacon, I always enjoy your posts and vast spydie knowledge. I was curious if you could give a size comparison to the FRN Endura 4. The handle looks very similar in shape and was just wondering if it actually was or not.

[The Deacon]

Thanks very much Deacon for the great photos and review :}

I request photos of the Stretch2 between the Delica4 and Endura4 frn.


peace

Great pics and post Deacon, I always enjoy your posts and vast spydie knowledge. I was curious if you could give a size comparison to the FRN Endura 4. The handle looks very similar in shape and was just wondering if it actually was or not.

Seeing as there are two requests for this, here it is...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

Bit less blade than the Endura, but quite a bit more compact in the pocket. While not an issue for those who carry clipped, for those of us who prefer to just drop a knife in our pocket, that's a major plus for the Stretch. As for the handles. When it comes to larger Spyderco's my two favorites, the Stretch and Persian, plus the Atlantic Salt which I like, all have very similar handles which resemble those on a well made piece of luggage. I think that's one of the major reasons I like them. It's a shape which offers a feeling of security without restricting the placement of individual fingers. Handles like the Endura's and Delica's which use "points" in the grip area to position the hand and restrict rearward motion never feel as comfortable to me.

While I'm at it, here's a shot of the FRN Stretch II taking a break from work in the kitchen...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[clovisc]

awesome -- i'm definitely getting one of these... :D

[The Deacon]

For anyone wondering about MSRP, I just located this, posted by Catamount a while back on Bladeforums...

MSRP $339.95 for the CF/ZDP-189 vs. $129.95 for the FRN/VG-10. The FRN/ZDP-189 is $169.95.

I've found that "average US street price" from reputable dealers is a bit less thany 2/3 of MSRP. Based on that, I'd estimate the VG-10 will be around $85 and the ZDP-189 around $110.

[greg.es]

Blue Stretch and Chokwe are on top on my list. There is nothing wrong with VG-10 model Stretch and I like that blade steel a lot, a little better than CPM S30V (though I have more knives in that steel). I would like to try ZDP steel and Stretch FRN is excellent knife and not too expensive... Chokwe will probably cost a bit more than ZDP FRN Stretch so... Which one to buy?! You would probably say to get both but sadly I must chose between those two

[jezabel]

Blue Stretch and Chokwe are on top on my list. There is nothing wrong with VG-10 model Stretch and I like that blade steel a lot, a little better than CPM S30V (though I have more knives in that steel). I would like to try ZDP steel and Stretch FRN is excellent knife and not too expensive... Chokwe will probably cost a bit more than ZDP FRN Stretch so... Which one to buy?! You would probably say to get both but sadly I must chose between those two

.... Which one to buy?? For now I'd say grab the Chokwe. As I'd bet this new stretch should be around for some time. Who know's how long the Chokwe will be available for?

[greg.es]

Perfect answer. My thoughts are the same; Stretch will probably be around for a wile, and Chokwe is too exclusive to miss. Thanks man! :D

[Sharptooth]

I will definitely be getting at least 2 vg-10 and a blue zdp. i am so excited!

[Sharptooth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfifF47nJFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1KRDEtCH4Q

[MLR]

Will the Blue ZDP Stretch be a limited edition, like the Blue ZDP Delica?