Spyderco Siren CF/S90v Sprint…In The Wild!

[Surfingringo]

Sooo, I received an early sample of the S90v Sprint and thought I would share a few initial impressions and a photo. I’ll try to do my best to set aside any bias and offer some objective thoughts. First though, here’s a quick photo in the wild.



First thing I noticed when I removed it from the box was how light it was. I don’t have a proper digital scale but on a cheap letter scale it shows the original Siren at 3.8oz and the sprint at 3.4. Those weights certainly aren’t accurate but the approximate 10% difference is probably fairly accurate. At any rate, it’s definitely noticeable.

The next thing that jumped out was how different the texture feels after becoming so accustomed to the coarse g10 of the standard Siren. I definitely still prefer the coarse g10 for wet work but I actually like the feel of the smoother CF on this particular “EDC” version.

Fit and finish is excellent on my copy with grinds and plunge lines and bevels very even and lockup super solid.

I’ve been carrying this one for about a week and have done a fair bit of normal daily work and cutting and haven’t even thought of needing to sharpen. Still using the factory edge actually.

As far as appearance, I have mixed feelings. I love the CF and look of “refinement” that it gives the Siren, but if I’m honest I kind of miss the blue liners. It’s definitely a “dressier” looking knife though and I like the variety.

My overall thoughts? When I found out that the first Siren sprint was going to be the CF/s90v, I was happy, but not exactly overwhelmed. I like CF but I would have voted for orange/Magnacut if I were king of the world. I have to say though that I am pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying this combo. I always hoped that the Siren would be seen as “more than just a fishing knife”. I designed the knife for my own EDC use and have always thought some people might enjoy it in that capacity as well if they gave it a shot. Hopefully this sprint will help get a few Sirens into the hands of some folks who wouldn’t have normally ever tried the design. I’ll try to add a few more photos as I go but like all my knives, this is a user so future shots will get progressively less pristine.

[Wandering_About]

Very nice, thanks for sharing some initial impressions. The S90V/CF sprints are always cool.

[zuludelta]

Thanks for sharing your impressions, always great to read what designers think of variants of their designs. A MagnaCut version would definitely have been more in keeping with the original spirit of the Siren, but I do think that the knife being made available in a premium "non-Salt" stainless super steel like S90V might make people consider it as a knife that is more than just a specialty folder. I like "EDCing" the Siren myself, it's pretty low profile in the pocket for the amount of blade it has, and I just love the lines on it (along with the leaf-blade Caribbean & the serrated Dragonfly 2 Salt, it's my favourite Salt knife). A great general-purpose folder, not just a folding "fishing knife".

[kennethsime]

Very nice, thanks for sharing Lance!

Interesting to see this "premium salt" knife turn into a more-standard "edc" knife - speaks to the versatility of the design.

Incidentally, I'm currently carrying with S90V for the first time. I hope to discover why it seems to be Sal's favorite!

[skeeg11]

ETA?

[ABX2011]

I prefer the look of this Sprint. If it shows up in stock at Spyderco before the end of the month I might score one. Have to use a credit from a warranty claim by then.

[Surfingringo]

ETA?

Man, I have ZERO idea on that. I do know that this was an early sample so it could be awhile yet. Hopefully not months or anything or I might get in trouble for posting pics.

[phaust]

Good to know about the weight!

I love the Siren as my IWB running knife. The compact height and no hole hump make it nice for that. Shaving a bit more weight off is even better. I may get one to blade swap to keep the lc200n/cf combo.

[Brock O Lee]

Did you add the extra chamfer at the bottom of the scale?

[vivi]

I'd been carrying my LC200N Siren the past few days before the 4V Manix announcement gave me Manix fever.

It's a really nice knife for EDC. Very slim for the amount of blade you get. Cutting edge up to the handle, minimizing snag points choiled knives have. Pointy tip pierces with less effort than most knives. Much smoother action than any of my Pacific Salts.

It's a really nice knife for my line of work. I'm a chef at a high end, high volume restaurant. The Siren is quick and easy to deploy and re-pocket one handed during a dinner rush. The grippy scales make it easy to handle with wet, oily or bloody hands. Not too big or heavy, doesn't feel like it's taking up my entire right side pocket of my chef pants like my Manix XL's admittedly do. And being a salt is nice, because I spend most my evenings manning a wood fired grill situated next to a 550 degree oven, so sweat is unavoidable.

In fact I even appreciate the low profile wire clip, something I don't normally care about at all. When I was just a line cook I didn't give a rats *** about that, but being a chef in an upscale establishment where I'm sometimes checking on customers in the dining room and meeting with GM's of luxury brands, a little subtlety is good.

I could see this version being nice for folks that appreciate the design but don't have a need for a rust proof design. Someone like Wartstein comes to mind.

I'll most likely stick to the LC version, but it's exciting seeing a non salt sprint of a salt. Opens up new possibilities. I know I'd be in for an M4 Aqua Salt with foliage green scales, for example.

[vivi]

Did you add the extra chamfer at the bottom of the scale?

All Sirens have that to assist in finding the opening hole.

[JRinFL]

I like CF but I would have voted for orange/Magnacut if I were king of the world.

Sign me up for the Lance Signature Edition!

< I’m serious >

[sal]

Hey Lance, I guess you could buy some, sign them and sell them? Or have customers send them to you to sign, but being where you are, that could be problematic. I use an engraver that Tim Leatherman gave me to sign blades.

sal

[nerdlock]

In fact I even appreciate the low profile wire clip, something I don't normally care about at all. When I was just a line cook I didn't give a rats *** about that, but being a chef in an upscale establishment where I'm sometimes checking on customers in the dining room and meeting with GM's of luxury brands, a little subtlety is good.

A bit off tangent, but wouldn't it be cool if you ever chanced to meet a diner who's also a Spyderco nut? Like I can only imagine the conversation..."That pocket clip looks familiar, is that a Spydiechef or a Siren?"

[phaust]

In fact I even appreciate the low profile wire clip, something I don't normally care about at all. When I was just a line cook I didn't give a rats *** about that, but being a chef in an upscale establishment where I'm sometimes checking on customers in the dining room and meeting with GM's of luxury brands, a little subtlety is good.

A bit off tangent, but wouldn't it be cool if you ever chanced to meet a diner who's also a Spyderco nut? Like I can only imagine the conversation..."That pocket clip looks familiar, is that a Spydiechef or a Siren?"

That kind of happened to me in reverse. I met a sandwich artist at Subway with a Tenacious

[prndltech]

and I finally just got the OG version to beat on. I mean… test

[vivi]

I've met other cooks that carry them. One guy that was a temp in my last kitchen had an old beat up ffg orange endura. Haven't found out which model but our exec chef mentioned he owns some spydercos when he saw my spyderco fine bench stone I was using.

[Bdubs808]

It looks like Cutlery shoppe had some in stock earlier, gone now.

[Fireman]

Hmmmmm… Pocket paring knife? I already carry the Spydie chef for food.

[Manixguy@1994]

Thanks for sharing , my thoughts are exactly in line with yours . I’m glad they introduced this version so in the future there should be more demand in another saltwater variation . MG2