Spyderco Forums

Over all the knife is very nice and well built. My only frustration is why wasnt the blade on this knife made about 3/4" longer? the handle has the room to comfortably accomodate a larger blade. In fact it looks like the handle design was meant for a larger blade when the knife is closed. Any thoughts on this?? Its my opinion from a funky standpoint this knife has it all but a small blade. It does not make sense to me, a larger blade would have made this knife perrrrfect.

Overall though great work guys



THanks



Pugger aka Ren

I agree with you, it would be nice to use the extra space available in the handle. But I suspect that Bram's design might have something to do with not running afoul of the many blade length restrictions in various municipalities.

Knifeknut
Dedicated ELU

from what i read, yes... a lot of states in the US (and airlines too!) are very restrictive. the smaller they are, the less questionable they are, from a legal standpoint. i think 3 inches is where airlines and authorities start questioning them, and isn't the gunting just under 3 inches?

Brams design?
not to step on any toes but I could have sworn James Keating designed the Chinook. Just wondering if I'd missed something.

oxxxxxx{------------------------

I believe you did Mr. Chambers. They are talking about the Gunting here, not the Chinook.

Regards,

~CK

This is just my impression, So I don't know if there was design intent here or not, but here goes:

When working-out withing the Gunting Drone, during Kinetic Openings, I've noted that good Kin-Ops are dependant on a few factors.

The 'Strike Thru' motion is important. If the blade was longer, the geometry required for solid, fast lock-up might be impaired.

I'll try and illustrate: The portion of the ramp that would contact the forearm during a kin-op imparts a force to swing open the blade. The blade has but a short arc to travel to achive lock-up. If the blade was longer, this strike-thru motion might impair the blade from locking out. The back of the long blade may bump againest the forearm, or require more contact and drag with the forearm to lock-out.

This of course, is just my opinion. Without a long blade 'G' to compare, I really can't be certain.

Note, however, The handle of the Gunting is long, When in gripped toward the back, effective lenght is similar to most "tactical folders". An extra .5" of actual cutting edge would offer minimal advantage in a "live situtaion". But, it might be handy for utility cutting chores.

More and more cities are enacting codes regarding blade lenght -- that may be the best reason for the citizen. If an LEO were to choose the Gunting (the design is ideal for aiding in arrest of violent offenders); blade lenght may be determined by dept. policy.

BTW- I'd like to see a mega Gunting, just to compare. And for use in the kitchen <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

PS. If the Gunting doesn't work out well for you, I'll buy it.

-Seth










Edited by - seth on 7/6/2001 1:30:44 PM

A mega Gunting! Now there is a mental pic for you! You could just threaten to drop it on their foot!!!
(insert smiley here)

Knifeknut
Dedicated ELU

Edited by - Brian Lavin on 7/6/2001 7:14:41 PM

Dear I Love Pugs:

Bram definitely intended that the Gunting's blade be 3 inches so that it can be carried legally just about anywhere. The long handle is necessary to allow the butt to protrude adequately for impact and pressure-point use. It also accomodates all sizes of hands very nicely.

Just as important to an MBC blade is the blade length/lock strength relationship. MBC blades are rated at 200 pounds per inch of blade length. The longer the blade, the fatter, heavier, and more cumbersome the handle and lock must be to meet that standard. For the folks out there clamoring for 5-inch and longer blades on their Spydercos, this is the reason it probably will not happen. In fact, Sal has admitted to me that it is very unlikely that Spyderco will ever produce an MBC knife with a blade over 4 inches.

Finally, once you develop proper cutting technique with a 3-inch blade, you'll find that there are very few anatomical targets you can't reach with it.

Stay safe,

mike j

sorry about that, must have been asleep at the keyboard.

oxxxxxx{------------------------

MJ,

Yes the lock is certainly the weak link in a folder (the pivot pin might be second). What if the liners where thicker, shouldn´t that take care of the lock problem?

Curious,
Colinz