Spyderco Forums

This knife has been around for a long time but my first purchase for this knife. I've come close to pulling the trigger several times, but was put off for another purchase. Also, I didn't care much for hollow grinds, the knives I had experience with didn't slice very well. Then came the Gayle Bradley which destroyed my former opnion of hollow grinds.
I've heard what a great slicer it is with it's very thin blade.(2mm, that's a hair under 3/32") :) I can always use a great slicer. The blade length is my normal user size, with plenty of handle for my hand, sounds like a winner.
I hear the Cento is much like the Delica, except for the different shape of blade and handle of course. I have two Delicas, but don't carry them much, something about the blade shape.
Well, here's waiting for you Centofante 3.

I will go down in history as maintaining the opinion that the Centofante 3/4 are vastly superior to the Delica. I appreciate the heritage that the Delica has, but the ergonomics kill it for me. The handle on the Centofante knives doesn't force your fingers into any particular grip. This does mean that it may not have as secure of a grip when doing hard pull or push cuts, but I've never had any experience cutting heavy cardboard with my Cento 4, but I also rarely use my knives wet or greasy so YMMV.

As for slicing, I'm with you on the hollow grind thing. I've never been crazy about it, but I understand the benefits for some knives, mainly due to their blade thickness. Hollow grinds serve two purposes; 1) to help thick blades by making them thin behind the edge, and 2) to retain thickness along a greater area of the spine to make the blade stronger. What happens when you hollow grind a blade that's already 2mm thick? You get a strong blade (for it's thickness) and a blade that's even thinner behind the edge, that slices like a demon. This is the one hollow grind that I haven't felt a hint of binding up when making really deep/long cuts through double wall corrugated. Most of them will start showing immediate signs of resistance the instant you hit the top of the grind, but this one being so thin pretty much sails through cardboard.

I plan on getting a Centofante 3 at some point, but IMO the Cento 4 is the rockstar of the two. It's a **** shame they were discontinued.

You gotta post pictures. Centofantes are great EDCs and they have a classy look too

I'm in the same boat, been looking at them for a year or so and I always went with something else. I know I would enjoy this knife but then my Para yells, Hey!....you don't need that, that's what you got me for.

deep6 wrote:I'm in the same boat, been looking at them for a year or so and I always went with something else. I know I would enjoy this knife but then my Para yells, Hey!....you don't need that, that's what you got me for.

I have the problem with a lot of knives too. Almost pulled the trigger a few times on the Centofantes, but them my M390 Black PM2 and Yojimbo 2 magically appear on the table in front of me.

Like David said 2 mm thick and hollow ground :D

Quite the slicer :D

Evil, that's mighty good looking knife.

I know David's picture of the Cento4 is much much nicer than what I could find on the 3 :o

You'll enjoy the Cento :) Beautiful feel, lightweight and capable :D

The Centofante 3 is one of the best general purpose light/medium EDC knives in the Spyderco catalog, IMO, and doesn't get anywhere near as much love as it should. It's in a sweet spot of sporting good looks, great cutting performance, and affordable price point. My only complaint is that the crest above the spyderhole is a bit too pointy -- I prefer rounded like on the very similar Stretch.

It's certainly a classic. Would love to see a G-10 version with partial liners.

The Centofante IV is my hands down all time favorite Spyderco. It's amazingly strong for how light it is. I have used mine thinking it may break because I was using so much force. It didn't even get loose or show any wear.

araneae wrote:It's certainly a classic. Would love to see a G-10 version with partial liners.

They do have one full nested liner.

Evil D wrote:They do have one full nested liner.

Yep. I have them both. I just said partial liners because I would want it as light as possible

Didn't know about the nested liner, good.
.......But, if I like mine enough, I may G10 w/full titanium liners?? :eek:

I didn't know for a long time after owning mine that it had a liner, until i started wondering what the clip screws tap into, then I shined a light into the handle and saw it. I think this knife would be amazing done up like the Caly 3 with CF/Ti bolsters and something like Super Blue steel.