Spyderco Forums

I would about die of happiness if this happened! Who else wants one!

more compression lock models wouldn't hurt either Spyderco

G10 STRETCH GIVE IT TO US! :spyder: :spyder: :spyder:

Think the most feasible compromise, assuming it would work, might be a Stretch type blade in the existing Superhawk handle. Know there's been at least some discussion here of alternate blades for that handle.

As for changing the Stretch itself, my question would be "Why downgrade the best folder in Spyderco's lineup by converting it to a handed lock?"

What do you mean by "handed" lock?

Scottie3000 wrote:What do you mean by "handed" lock?

Any lock which favors operation by one hand over operation by the other. Locks where the unlocking action is from side to side inherently do that. The compression lock is such a lock, as are conventional framelocks and liner locks. That is not to say they cannot be operated with the other hand, just that it will be more difficult, less convenient, or require a less safe hand position. There are those who will argue this but, if that were not the case, you would see more knives where those locks operate in the opposite direction. In the case of the compression lock, Spyderco did make one which worked that way, the Gunting. A common complaint from right handed users and perhaps one reason the Gunting failed in the marketplace, was that the lock was wrong handed.

The midlock on the Stretch is hand-neutral, which benefits everyone, since even right handed users may occasionally be forced by circumstances to operate a folder with their left hand. On the other hand, the marginally greater strength of the compression lock is something which would only be of benefit to the most abusive of users.

Good point Deacon

I'll take mine with a CBBL! :D

Paul

I'm partial to frn over g10 myself. The only model I'd like to see is a slipit kukhuri :D

I'd be happy to see a Stretch in G-10 (preferably orange) but have no desire whatsoever to have the locking mechanism changed.

I don't really want the strech to change either. People seem to love it! I like the CBBL over the backlock but that just MY opinion. I would like to see more models use the CBBL over time and the blade of the strech or the UKPK seems like a great place to start.

Paul

I was under the impression that the compression lock was Ambidextrous.

Right handers use their index finger, lefties use their thumbs?

Anways, G10 would still be nice. But you guys have raised some good points.

A stretch in the superhawk handle would be cool.

At one point Sal said it simply would not happen as it would take too much redesigning. Crudely paraphrased he said that it would make more sense to make a new knife than modify one in current production.

Personally, I think the Gunting is the only right-handed compression lock they've made. The commercial failure of the Gunting had more to do with being an over-specialized weapon than the handedness of the lock. It may have been great for what it was intended for, but that particular market is/was tiny in the grand scheme.

As for the Stretch II, G-10 would be okay, but leave the lock alone. If you must change something, take the hump off its nose.

yablanowitz wrote:Personally, I think the Gunting is the only right-handed compression lock they've made. The commercial failure of the Gunting had more to do with being an over-specialized weapon than the handedness of the lock. It may have been great for what it was intended for, but that particular market is/was tiny in the grand scheme.

As for the Stretch II, G-10 would be okay, but leave the lock alone. If you must change something, take the hump off its nose.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. To some extent, issues like this are mostly a matter of opinion. However, in rebuttal to your theory, I would only ask if that is true, then why has Spyderco very obviously chosen not to build another compression lock which operates that way? Right handers comprise between 85% and 90% of the population, yet every single compression lock before and since the Gunting has operated in the opposite direction from it. For those not familar with them, that's the Vesuvius, Lil Temp, both versions of the ATR, both versions of the Salsa, the compression lock prototype of the Ocelot, the ParaMilitary, Yojimbo, "S", and Superhawk. I'd be willing to bet that, when the compression lock version of the Sage comes out, it too will work as those do, not as the Gunting did. As much influence as Mrs. Glesser has, I don't really think that choice has been an effort to favor those of us who are among her fellow southpaws. :D

Edited to add: FWIW, I know you're not the only one who feels that way. Bram Frank obviously did, which is why the Gunting was built that way. Others too have shared your opinion. All I'm suggesting is that those who do are in the minority and the body of evidence favors the opposite view. Nor did I mean to imply the lock was the sole reason for the Gunting's demise, only that it may have been a factor and, perhaps more importantly, that the comments made about it may have influenced the orientation of the compression lock on subsequent models.

powderkid wrote:Right handers use their index finger, lefties use their thumbs?

Exactly, but, as a lefty, I find it much easier to use the thumb of my left hand than the index finger of my right hand. Because of this, I consider the compression lock (in the standard implementation) to be left-handed, and am still puzzled why some right-handers are so enamored of it :confused:

The index finger seems to just work I guess haha. Looks like everyone is happy! :spyder:

I like Compression locks, but leave the Stretch alone, put a comp lock on something else. :)

catamount wrote:Exactly, but, as a lefty, I find it much easier to use the thumb of my left hand than the index finger of my right hand. Because of this, I consider the compression lock (in the standard implementation) to be left-handed, and am still puzzled why some right-handers are so enamored of it :confused:

When I got my Para-Military I quickly realized that it would work better for a lefty then for a right handed person. In fact I would usually close it and open it with my left hand because it was easier.

The Deacon wrote:I would only ask if that is true, then why has Spyderco very obviously chosen not to build another compression lock which operates that way?

I know you're not the only one who feels that way. Bram Frank obviously did, which is why the Gunting was built that way.

I agree with Deacon on the handedness of the compression lock. It's easier for me to use the right side Gunting compression lock than it is to operate a left side liner lock, but both locks definitely favor one hand over the other. That's one reason I didn't care for the Gunting.

Wanted to add that I had read that Bram Frank insisted that the compression lock for the Gunting be on the right side because he saw it as a safety issue while employing it in knife fighting. I can't understand that, but then I don't do martial arts.

Also, I've wondered if the use of the ball lock is partly driven by it's handedness neutrality.

It was a super thin knife by design.
Why make it a fatty?

I like the idea of a stretch with a compression lock. I just don't like the verticle play that almost always comes with lockbacks. However I can see why some want the stretch left alone. I think the best compromise would be to put a stretch blade in the superhawk handle. That would be a must have Spyderco for me.

"I like Compression locks, but leave the Stretch alone, put a comp lock on something else"

Agree, like an M4 CF Military,,,,,, :)