Stretch XL Salt Observations

[vivi]

Ongoing thread for the Stretch XL Salt.



Copied from another thread:

here's a look at the tip profile & a comparison with a pe pacific salt 2 tip. this pacific salt has a thinned out edge but the tip is otherwise stock, not one of my thinned out tips.




it's meaty but not quite as beefy as the pacific.

for comparison here is a chief on the left and the vg10 ffg stretch xl on the right



kinda sad seeing the inevitable dethroning of the pacific salt. been a favorite of mine for a very long time now. I wanna say I got my first pinned pacific 1 around 2008 or 2009.

the stretch ergos always worked better for me than the endura.

gonna hold off on buying 17 pre-need backups like I did with pacific salts until I handle the chief salt though. that one could still end up being the best out of the three for me. we'll see.

for reference here is the thread for the VG10 Stretch XL - viewtopic.php?t=92147

[vivi]

here's a quick video to give you guys a better look at the hollow grind

[Coastal]

I wonder if other steels will follow H2 in hollow grind.

To me, the best use of this knife is hunting, and I can't decide whether I'd rather have H2 for ease of touchup in the field, or MagnaCut so it wouldn't need touching up as often. Or Vanax, which Spyderco doesn't use. It doesn't really matter, since I no longer hunt, but still...

[vivi]

I wonder if other steels will follow H2 in hollow grind.

To me, the best use of this knife is hunting, and I can't decide whether I'd rather have H2 for ease of touchup in the field, or MagnaCut so it wouldn't need touching up as often. Or Vanax, which Spyderco doesn't use. It doesn't really matter, since I no longer hunt, but still...

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2018/06/18/ ... retention/

I've been talking about coarse vs fine edges elsewhere and just re-read this article. It reinforces how there's not much sense getting too hung up on the edge retention differences between steels, as geometry and edge finish will often play a larger role.

[vivi]

size is nearly identical to old faithful



tried to give a better look at the hollow grind








QC is better on this salt example than my vg10 version. Unlocking is smoother and the edge is much more even.

Edge is very smooth and polished feeling at the apex. Not how I plan to keep it. Might carry it as is for tomorrow, but I'll definitely be putting a coarser edge on it soon.




clip feels different than those two pacifics. feels kind of like dlc.

opening hole is very crisp on mine. if you prefer yours sharp you'll like it.

balance point is right on the point between the choil and the main grip. a little more blade heavy in the balance vs the vg10 ffg version as expected, but a hair less blade heavy vs a pacific salt 2 when I grip it how I normally do.

less handle flex than a pacific 2, which is nice. quick test - https://streamlala.com/k6Jmd/

out of box clip tension is light to medium. stronger retention than the pictured pacific 2, not as strong as the pacific 1. my preference is for a bit stronger retention. I will probably modify that at some point, but I'll try carrying it for a while first. strong clip retention isn't as important with lightweight knives.

much easier to clip to a pocket or waistband vs the knife I carried today, a cold steel recon 1




one of those little details spyderco tends to do better than others.

[JSumm]

Not fully sure why, but I think this was the salt in the reveal I was most excited to see.

[Coastal]

I wonder if other steels will follow H2 in hollow grind.

To me, the best use of this knife is hunting, and I can't decide whether I'd rather have H2 for ease of touchup in the field, or MagnaCut so it wouldn't need touching up as often. Or Vanax, which Spyderco doesn't use. It doesn't really matter, since I no longer hunt, but still...

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2018/06/18/ ... retention/

I've been talking about coarse vs fine edges elsewhere and just re-read this article. It reinforces how there's not much sense getting too hung up on the edge retention differences between steels, as geometry and edge finish will often play a larger role.

Pretty much all of my H1 knives end up reprofiled to 30 degrees inclusive, at 220 or 300 grit. My uses never require a steeper "sturdier" angle, and going to a higher grit takes longer and doesn't make the knife cut any better -- maybe worse -- as you've said before. This is the edge I'll put on the Stretch Salt when I've finished with the knife I'm working on now.

[vivi]

Not fully sure why, but I think this was the salt in the reveal I was most excited to see.

I was actually thinking about skipping it because I convinced myself I'd prefer the chief salt to this one, but Sal calling me out and this coming out before the Chief convinced me to order one. Even if I do end up preferring the chief, I'm happy to have some H2 to test.

Pretty much all of my H1 knives end up reprofiled to 30 degrees inclusive, at 220 or 300 grit. My uses never require a steeper "sturdier" angle, and going to a higher grit takes longer and doesn't make the knife cut any better -- maybe worse -- as you've said before. This is the edge I'll put on the Stretch Salt when I've finished with the knife I'm working on now.

Looks like you're going to have to reprofile to a thicker edge if you want 30 degrees inclusive

I measured the edge bevel to 25 degrees inclusive.



My low tech way of measuring this is to carefully push an edge straight into a bar of soap, then take a picture of the V notch, zoom in and measure it against a protractor.

Not the smartest way of doing things but it gives a reasonably accurate measurement.

Props to Spyderco. This is close to where I reprofile most my pocket knives. 12.5dps is rare to see on a factory knife.

I'll keep the factory angle for now, but I'm more than likely slapping a 200-300 grit bevel on it tonight.

[Coastal]

Hahaha! Wowza...

[vivi]

I'm tempted to try this.

[Mushroom]

Mardis Gras? Would be interested to see how the purple comes out.

[ladybug93]

Not fully sure why, but I think this was the salt in the reveal I was most excited to see.

if it weren't for the manix, i'd feel the same way. this is definitely one on my radar. i've been wanting to grab a 4" knife lately, so this and the chief are contending for that spot.

threads like this are making that decision difficult.

[Stas]

Subscribed, thanks!

And patiently waiting for them to become available in Europe. Need a stunt double for my Cruwear SXL :D

[petz462]

I wonder if other steels will follow H2 in hollow grind.

To me, the best use of this knife is hunting, and I can't decide whether I'd rather have H2 for ease of touchup in the field, or MagnaCut so it wouldn't need touching up as often. Or Vanax, which Spyderco doesn't use. It doesn't really matter, since I no longer hunt, but still...

Agree that this will likely be a great hunting knife. I have a fixed blade skinner in Nitro-V with hollow grind and it's been a pleasure to use. H2 will be more carefree and likely just need a touch up after every two deer.

[endura3]

My low tech way of measuring this is to carefully push an edge straight into a bar of soap, then take a picture of the V notch, zoom in and measure it against a protractor.

Not the smartest way of doing things but it gives a reasonably accurate measurement.

That's.... pretty darn smart honestly. A soap goniometer

[Tristan_david2001]

If you’ve tested it out much yet: how does it cut?


A hollow grind and that stretch blade shape I imagine pairs into a being cutting machine.

[u.w.]

12.5 degrees per side! That is good to hear for sure. Got me looking forward to getting mine (scheduled for this upcoming Wed. Jan 3rd) even more now.

I'll see what I see when I get mine of course, but tentatively planning on my "normal" thinning and coarse (200-300 grit) edge bevel. 12.5°per side! Love seeing that!

Thanks for posting up what you have so far vivi

u.w.

[Bolster]

My low tech way of measuring this is to carefully push an edge straight into a bar of soap, then take a picture of the V notch, zoom in and measure it against a protractor.

Now THAT is clever. Well done Vivi.

Ever had a chance to compare your soap goniometer to a real one?

[Mushroom]

EDIT - Post moved to “Random: General Spydie Chat” to avoid hijacking this thread.

[RamZar]

Stretch2 XL Lightweight Salt H-2