The Salsa...

SpydieFan · #1

Why did this knife not make it!? I've been looking for a small knife with the compression lock forever! And I stumbled upon this. However I have not the slightest clue where to find it, eBay has one, but I'm not an eBay person...

BigBill5953 · #2

Look on bladeforums, I'm sure you can find one there.

razorsharp · #3

just keep an eye out, last time I looked on ebay, there was a PE and SE cranberry Salsa

Blerv · #4

I think the pepper that was on most of them seemed a bit too gimmicky for some. Then again, it was replaced by the "S" (for all intents and purposes) and that didn't last either sadly.

Hard to gauge what makes it and doesn't. The Barong was on the chopping block quickly too.

razorsharp · #5

Its a bummer seeing stuff go on the chopping block due to asthetics

The Deacon · #6

Between colors and edge types there were just too many versions, so dealers tended to pass on them. First Spyderco from Taiwan, so am sure there were even more mistaken perceptions about quality than today. Cobra hood got mixed reviews, both for function and esthetics. And, as Blerv mentioned, the rather silly looking pepper probably didn't help either.

As for finding one, since you don't like eBay, the simplest (but probably not cheapest) way would be Country Knives. They're 100% reliable and still seems to have a few in stock.

SpydieFan · #7

The Deacon wrote:Between colors and edge types there were just too many versions, so dealers tended to pass on them. First Spyderco from Taiwan, so am sure there were even more mistaken perceptions about quality than today. Cobra hood got mixed reviews, both for function and esthetics. And, as Blerv mentioned, the rather silly looking pepper probably didn't help either.

As for finding one, since you don't like eBay, the simplest (but probably not cheapest) way would be Country Knives. They're 100% reliable and still seems to have a few in stock.

Holy crap! Guess they must be rare at that price! Well that kinda makes me not want to buy one... the one on ebay started pretty slow still but maybe it will get higher? It's the Ti with the frame lock comp lock (if that makes sense...).

Yeah I wouldn't buy one with the big Salsa on it, that looks incredibly tacky lol. I like the Ti one best but it'll be the most expensive.

The Deacon · #8

SpydieFan wrote:Holy crap! Guess they must be rare at that price! Well that kinda makes me not want to buy one... the one on ebay started pretty slow still but maybe it will get higher? It's the Ti with the frame lock comp lock (if that makes sense...).

Yeah I wouldn't buy one with the big Salsa on it, that looks incredibly tacky lol. I like the Ti one best but it'll be the most expensive.

Funny how thing work. Places that charge higher prices tend to have thing in stock longer than those that discount heavily. But do keep in mind that the prices shown in the Spyderco online catalog for the Salsa, and a lot of other discontinued models, are not anywhere near being correct. Original MSRP was $90 for the aluminum ones and $150 for the titanium.

kbuzbee · #9

The Deacon wrote:But do keep in mind that the prices shown in the Spyderco online catalog for the Salsa, and a lot of other discontinued models, are not anywhere near being correct.

Very true, Paul. I can only assume those are discontinued sale prices. I ran into that one time offering to sell a knife. I offered it, NIB, below what I'd paid for it only to have the (potential) buyer inform me that my price was well above MSRP. According to the Spyderco site, he was correct but I still had the print catalog from that year showing it was as I recalled. We agreed to disagree but I felt kinda hurt that I was perceived as being an "opportunist".

Ken

Blerv · #10

You can't have your cake and eat it too in this world. Places who have old stock for up to 10 years past it's expiration does so for a reason. Paying big money for a grail knife that will last for years isn't the worst investment either.

The alternative is no nib supply at any price. Personally, I like the option.

phillipsted · #11

I didn't like the Salsa when I originally handled it. Seemed too "fat" for the length of blade you get. Looking back on it, I was probably reacting partially to the toxic green aluminum and little pepper engraving... If I'd seen the titanium framelock version back then, I would have picked it up immediately.

Has anyone tried removing the cobra hood? Does it leave any sharp or unsightly edges?

TedP

butch · #12

i too found it "chunky" and was not a fan of the pepper on it tho it i though witha slim down and a bit of profiling on the handle it woudl be a great knife. i am a huge fan of the comp. lock

The Deacon · #13

phillipsted wrote:I didn't like the Salsa when I originally handled it. Seemed too "fat" for the length of blade you get. Looking back on it, I was probably reacting partially to the toxic green aluminum and little pepper engraving... If I'd seen the titanium framelock version back then, I would have picked it up immediately.

Has anyone tried removing the cobra hood? Does it leave any sharp or unsightly edges?

TedP

IIRC, it leaves a single rectangular notch in the thumb ramp probably about twice as wide across as the jimping notches on an FRN C41 Native. Of course, since there's a threaded hole at the bottom of it, it should be feasible for someone with the tools and talent to fill it in.

Another reason the Salsa didn't last may have been the compression lock. The only model using it that's ever achieved any real popularity is the ParaMilitary. Some of the others have their fans and, yes, the Lil Temp may make a comeback, but none of them lasted too long in the lineup.

v8r · #14

I have the green one for the Novelty factor mostly. It waves open every time I pull it from my pocket (cobra hood catches on pocket) and I really don't care for that. I carry it on St. Patrick's day, and that's about it.

gull wing · #15

I have a Ti Salsa. Nice, but it IS a bit chunky.

Pinetreebbs · #16

I Like the Salsa and have several different colors with the aluminum scales and one with Titanium scales. I like the cobra hood and the wire clip. The Spyderco Leafstorm is about the same size and seemed to have many fans, but I would much prefer to use the Salsa. A Salsa Sprint made with the same materials as the Leafstorm would be great. :D

For me there are two minor Salsa negatives. I like the compression lock on other Spyderco knives not so much on the aluminum Salsa. When I open A Salsa and the lock snaps into the locked position it smacks the bottom of my index finger where it crosses the lock. My second problem; anodized aluminum scales, they get scratched easily. A plain, brushed or bead blasted finish would look better longer.

IG-88 · #17

Have a blue alu and a Ti version. I must say I like the Salsa.I like the fat compact look, the compression lock and the general look and feel. If you take of the Cobrahood, its a very usefull knife.

Knifewing · #18

I had a number of Salsas, with and without peppers on the handles, as well as the Ti version. I sold them one by one, holding onto the Ti the longest. I was a pretty sweet little knife, but never really worked for me. The Ti's lock was problematic and closed too easily, and the Cobra Hood kept scratching my hand when I'd reach in my pocket. I could have removed it but I didn't want the hole on the back of the blade. That said, I do occasionally miss it. In a way, the Techno kind of reminds me of it--just much better.

Spyharpy · #19

I really like the Salsa as they make nice little cutters. The blade is a little short but that's okay by me. Managed to find all the "clean" versions as the pepper ones just don't do it for me. Perhaps because I dislike and won't eat anything that irritates my mouth including onions and peppers.