Stretch XL Observations

[Manixguy@1994]

Wandering About thanks for observation. I checked my screws and all were loose. After adjustment lock behavior is spot on and blade centering is also improved . Strange I never experienced this before , but happy getting help . MG2

[Wandering_About]

Have found loose screws on many Seki made knives. I now check them all on each knife as soon as I take one out of its box.

[Wandering_About]

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This pic really shows one of the strong points of the design: Looks like a Millie blade in a PM 2 sized handle, but with more actual grip area (in reality it is not quite like this, but still the Stretch XL is just 4mm longer when closed than a PM2 (and has that handle end that makes it easier to slide the hand by when the knife is in pocket), but offers 12 mm more blade and 11 mm more edge... and is a lot lighter plus has a backlock. winwinwinwin, for me...

Yeah there are a lot of good features packed in this design. Still love my PM2, and the regular Stretch 2 will probably get carried more just based on pure size. But the XL is impressing me already, as a design.

[Bloke]

I checked my screws and all were loose.

[Manixguy@1994]

I checked my screws and all were loose.

I feel honored ! Thank you Bloke ! Dan

[vivi]

Hi Vivi.

Very nice review. Thanx for the kind words. I designed the knife for me and it seems that you and I have similar tastes and preferences in knives. I'm expecting to get my "toothy" version soon.

sal

Sal,

Seems you and me have very similar sized hands. Your full sized models always fit me like a glove. Police, Military, Chief, Stretch XL, Calypso etc.

Will the SE and CE be coming out in VG10 first? Any idea which steel we'll be seeing next?

I'm sure this one won't be my last!

[brancron]

I took mine apart today to clean it out. Got rid of the factory oil and applied some fresh oil. It is smooth and clean now! And the centering on mine is pretty spot on.

It’s much easier to re-assemble lockbacks when there aren’t pesky washers to deal with.

My only dream is that this knife someday comes in CruWear or Magnacut (with some nice color FRN, I’m not picky).

[olywa]

So no washers after all? I was wonderin'.

[Diamondback]

Thanks for the review and everyone's random thoughts and observations...great stuff. I always admire Spyderco's relentless innovation and quality improvements.

[Manixguy@1994]

Here you go vivi . MG2

Hi Vivi.

Very nice review. Thanx for the kind words. I designed the knife for me and it seems that you and I have similar tastes and preferences in knives. I'm expecting to get my "toothy" version soon.

sal

Sal,

Seems you and me have very similar sized hands. Your full sized models always fit me like a glove. Police, Military, Chief, Stretch XL, Calypso etc.

Will the SE and CE be coming out in VG10 first? Any idea which steel we'll be seeing next?

I'm sure this one won't be my last!

[Catamount123]

Will be getting VG-10 SE when it is available. Can’t wait for the PE in Cruwear!

[Kevinim82]

I checked my screws and all were loose.

Hahahah!!! Dan you set yourself up for this one!

[Kevinim82]

What's hilarious to me about all this RPG stuff is that we literally are picking out stats with all this debate about steel characteristics and lock types. You can realistically look at this with an RPG mentality and it starts making a lot of (very funny) sense.

Thank you Evil D for playing along. I grew up with the advent of Hero Quest and D&D. Hero Quest was more my style, a less than 2 hour quest. This system/rating style (strength, dexterity, intelligence, magic) has some merit to it, but it’s also as fantastic/fantasy as my inner mall ninja. I feel in this hobby we can we take ourselves too seriously at times, and humor is a good way to bring us back to reality.

On a serious note, this summer I am going to make wooden goblin cutouts and buy some Spyder throwers. 1.Because I want to invite my friends over to throw knives and drink. 2. Because using knives is fun.

[PeanutButterFan]

Here are my observations:

The fit and finish on mine is comparable to the others that have been shared here. One interesting design choice on this knife that is unique to this model is that the lock bar is thicker than the blade stock. Because of this, your thumb has more surface area to contact when releasing the lock making it more comfortable than some others. The added thickness also means a more robust lock even though this is not a hard use knife.

Over all, this knife has 30 plus years of refinement into it and that shows in the design. However, the execution and build quality may be debatable for some.

[brancron]

Here you go vivi . MG2

That is awesome! Can't wait for the CruWear one.

Just to add a couple more thoughts about this knife: this may sound a little dramatic, but I've owned hundreds of knives (probably 50% of them Spydercos) over the years and I can't remember being this smitten with a knife before. For the longest time I thought I didn't like "big" knives, but I realized in the past couple years that I actually just don't like heavy knives. A big, super-light knife like this, with thin edge geometry to boot, is the best of all possible worlds in my opinion.

[Hopsbreath]

Got mine! Initial impressions — it feels like a whole new knife rather than an XL, that’s not a bad thing. Others have mentioned takes that are similar to mine, but the one thing I want to focus on is that lock — it’s solid. Probably the strongest thwack when locking into place of any Spydie I’ve handled. It “feels” strong and it’s instantly an inspiring package. Just checkout how high the lock bar sits before the lock engages. The blade doesn’t drop without a wrist flick after a firm thumb press to the Boye-Dent. Strong and light, this one’s a winner.

[z1r]

Yeah, mine has no blade play, is almost dead nuts centered and operates smoothly. Doesn't drop shut, by that I mean the balde doesn't droop when the lock is depressed but thumb flicks open easily. I don't mind one bit that it doesn't try to drop shut. The linerless contruction made this the first "big" knife I'm inclined to carry due to the weight savings. Much like my Pac Salt.

[Manixguy@1994]

I have mine in pocket again today and plan to carry with the Stretch K390 . For its size and price point and entry level it’s a winner . I do have a slight prejudice after doing the challenge with the Pacific Salt but that is not a diss compared the the SSXL . I do agree stated it is very different from other Stretch models but by no means in a negative way . My lock has improved today, centering is a tad off but no biggie. For me if I would buy another the sprint in Spy27 is appealing to me , mainly because I don’t have that steel yet .

[Cycletroll]

Received mine from Indiana Knives two days after ordering!
Initial impressions are great ergos and blade shape. Mine is well centered, no lock rock, with slightly uneven edge bevel from one side to the other. BTE measures a consistent .019 the length of the edge-sure to be an effective slicer
Screws were all loose.
This will prove to be a home run methinks!
(Especially in Cruwear, K390 possibly Magnacut?)

[olywa]

Echoing some of the above here. Perfectly centered, smooth action, strong detent and a nice solid 'thwak' on opening. Even, symmetrical grind and very sharp. Screws were snug but not tight and the lockbar sits just a scosche proud. I like the 2-piece FRN construction with no backspacer.

Overall I am well pleased and the hand-feel and ergos are outstanding. This is one nimble knife! Can't wait to see new steel and color variants.