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What is the difference between the Stretch 2 and the Stretch 2 LW, both in K390? The Stretch 2 costs 42% more.

Welcome to the Forum.

As far as I know the only K390 Stretch 2 has a straight spine blade and is a LW with FRN handles.

The Stretch 2 has only had one version in Brown G10 ZDP 189 . All other Stretch 2 models regardless of blade shape,are FRN .The Stretch XL has two variants with scales and two variants so far in a lightweight VG10 and Salt in H2 which are linerless . MG2

EDIT: Sorry, I missed the point in my post below.. for whatever reason I thought this was about Stretch 2 vs Stretch 2 XL LW

(There is no Stretch 2 XL in K390 (yet?)

The Stretch XL LW only comes in VG10 (ffg) or as a Salt in H2 (sabre hollow grind).

The Stretch 2 has liners, the XL FRN = LW not, and so the "2" is heavier despite being smaller in size (the "2" has an a tad taller handle though as far as I know)
There is a G10 Cruwear version of the XL: Liners and clearly heavier

The XL has a really good blade and edge to handle ratio for a folder with choil, the "2" not so much (so with the XL you gain not that much more handle length, but a lot more blade/edge).)

When the stretch 2xl finally comes out in k390, the rest of my 4” stable is gonna be on vacation for a bit…

The stretch bd the 2xl are very similar as far as carry…the 2xl might even be a little lighter actually. Just has a bit more blade

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:30 pm

When the stretch 2xl finally comes out in k390...

i may have to go this route too. i've been wanting to try k390 and figured the leafjumper would be the one, but then i didn't have to adhere to smaller blade restrictions like i thought i would, so a 4" blade sounds really great. i also like the idea of having identical ergos between my iwb salt knife and my edc knife, so a k390 and an h2 stretch 2 xl would make a great pair.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:49 pm

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:30 pm

When the stretch 2xl finally comes out in k390...

i may have to go this route too. i've been wanting to try k390 and figured the leafjumper would be the one, but then i didn't have to adhere to smaller blade restrictions like i thought i would, so a 4" blade sounds really great. i also like the idea of having identical ergos between my iwb salt knife and my edc knife, so a k390 and an h2 stretch 2 xl would make a great pair.

Interesting, with the collection of steels you have in the sig, I’m surprised there was never any k390. It’s definitely a top three steel for me. The level of edge aggression and bite, fine edge retention, ease of sharpening and even the patina characteristics…all top notch. I have this “dream knife” scenario in my head where they start releasing golden factory models in k390 and blue denim micarta to match/complement the seki city family.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:49 pm

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:30 pm

When the stretch 2xl finally comes out in k390...

i may have to go this route too. i've been wanting to try k390 and figured the leafjumper would be the one, but then i didn't have to adhere to smaller blade restrictions like i thought i would, so a 4" blade sounds really great. i also like the idea of having identical ergos between my iwb salt knife and my edc knife, so a k390 and an h2 stretch 2 xl would make a great pair.

I am actually glad that they went with H2 and not MC or LC in the Stretch XL Salt - makes the pairing of that one and a potential K390 Stretch XL even better imo!

The ffg a K390 version would have makes for a very slicey, thin blade with an especially fine tip - really useful, but also to use with some care.

While the sabre hollow grind of the H2 with almost no tapering should make for a stronger blade and a more robust tip and so more of a beater.

Also for me this would be an almost natural PE (K390) and SE (H2) pairing.

clint229 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:51 am

What is the difference between the Stretch 2 and the Stretch 2 LW, both in K390? The Stretch 2 costs 42% more.

I am still a bit confused by your question (no critique, just want to make sure you get the answers you´re looking for) - as has been said already, there is no Stretch 2 that is not an LW (in case of this particular model = FRN WITH liners) in production right now.

I figure now that probably my answer in my previous post was actually on point "by accident" and that you DO mean "Stretch 2 LW" (in K390) vs "Stretch 2 XL LW" (but in VG10, not K390, there is no K390 version of that one yet).

Why do I think so?
Well, the K390 Stretch 2 actually does cost about the 42% more than the Stretch 2 XL in VG10, so is more expensive by the margin you mention (prices from the Spyderco page).

/ Another thing: Should you have replied here already, but your follow up posts don´t show up yet:
See here : viewtopic.php?f=11&t=88927

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:45 pm

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:49 pm

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:30 pm

When the stretch 2xl finally comes out in k390...

i may have to go this route too. i've been wanting to try k390 and figured the leafjumper would be the one, but then i didn't have to adhere to smaller blade restrictions like i thought i would, so a 4" blade sounds really great. i also like the idea of having identical ergos between my iwb salt knife and my edc knife, so a k390 and an h2 stretch 2 xl would make a great pair.

Interesting, with the collection of steels you have in the sig, I’m surprised there was never any k390. It’s definitely a top three steel for me. The level of edge aggression and bite, fine edge retention, ease of sharpening and even the patina characteristics…all top notch.

as you can see, i gravitate more toward stainless and salt steels. i prefer maintenance free steels over steels i have to worry about rusting. i do want to try it though. it seems like k390 patinas instead of just rusting.

I was just confused by the addition/non-addition of "lightweight" depending on where the description appeared (Spyderco/Knife Center), and the accompanying price difference, which was only a reflection of the 2024 price change. Oops, sorry for that. And thanks for helping out. No wonder the knives looked so identical.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:42 am

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:45 pm

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:49 pm

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:30 pm

....

as you can see, i gravitate more toward stainless and salt steels. i prefer maintenance free steels over steels i have to worry about rusting. i do want to try it though. it seems like k390 patinas instead of just rusting.

I am not a fan of most knife vids at all, but this one I liked and it could be interesting for you

https://youtu.be/2SzxNoON0Tg?si=c_ObZpSDs0d5VOeO

"Ranger Jon" was also active on that forum for a little while as far as I recall, obviously is one who really uses his knives and finds something along the lines of what you touch on above:
Yes, K390 can rust, but not as much and quick as some might think and it actually has more of a tendency to patina .
(Performancewise it must be amazing anyway, as the linked vid shows once more).

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:07 am

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:42 am

Manifestgtr wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:45 pm

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:49 pm

....

as you can see, i gravitate more toward stainless and salt steels. i prefer maintenance free steels over steels i have to worry about rusting. i do want to try it though. it seems like k390 patinas instead of just rusting.

I am not a fan of most knife vids at all, but this one I liked and it could be interesting for you

https://youtu.be/2SzxNoON0Tg?si=c_ObZpSDs0d5VOeO

"Ranger Jon" was also active on that forum for a little while as far as I recall, obviously is one who really uses his knives and finds something along the lines of what you touch on above:
Yes, K390 can rust, but not as much and quick as some might think and it actually has more of a tendency to patina .
(Performancewise it must be amazing anyway, as the linked vid shows once more).

I don't want to further derail this thread, but I've had opposing experiences with K390, versus "Ranger Jon". K390 absolutely can, and in my case, will rust, without a patina ever setting in. I actually had to force a patina before pocketing the steel to even get the steel to patina at all. I don't cut food with my pocket knives, which seems to be the only way to gain a real patina with K390, IME. That being said, K390 still had the tendency to rust post forced patina in my carry, so it got moved on. FWIW and IME, K390 has been one of the rustiest steels for a pocket knife.

clint229 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 6:17 am

I was just confused by the addition/non-addition of "lightweight" depending on where the description appeared (Spyderco/Knife Center), and the accompanying price difference, which was only a reflection of the 2024 price change. Oops, sorry for that. And thanks for helping out. No wonder the knives looked so identical.

Cool. I'm glad this was of some help to you since most responses were off topic.

@Wartstein...Gernot, explain the difference between the Stretch 1 and Stretch 2. The S2 has a larger and deeper choil and a longer actual grip area, if I am not mistaken.

Not to muddy the waters, but the LW Stretch 2 is not very "LW." It's about as heavy of a "LW" as I've owned. Nice knife, but not eligible for backpacking. Those liners weigh in.

Bolster wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:19 am

Not to muddy the waters, but the LW Stretch 2 is not very "LW." It's about as heavy of a "LW" as I've owned. Nice knife, but not eligible for backpacking. Those liners weigh in.

This is a problem with Spyderco nomenclature. The FRN knives with liners are not truly lightweight.

I think just calling the lined FRN knives FRN and the unlined FRN/ FRCP LWs makes the most sense. I somehow doubt it will be officially changed, given legacy issues and potential confusion.

I am not sure Spyderco refers to it as a LW model. That may just be some dealers labeling it that way.

JSumm wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:25 pm

I am not sure Spyderco refers to it as a LW model. That may just be some dealers labeling it that way.

Stretch 2 G10 weight was 4.4 Oz. and FRN models weigh in at 3.8 . Lightweight ? Depends on individual. Some like as much weight shaved as possible and others not concerned . Dan

Manixguy@1994 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2024 3:39 pm

Stretch 2 G10 weight was 4.4 Oz. and FRN models weigh in at 3.8 . Lightweight ? Depends on individual. Some like as much weight shaved as possible and others not concerned . Dan

I think there's a better way to categorize LW than just individual opinion. You could consider what's LW or not, to be just an idiosyncratic opinion call. Or you could consider what is LW or not, to be based on size/weight ratio comparisons, which I think is a reasonably objective measure, and gets around the juvenile "It ain't heavy to me because I'm a real man!" and "I'm a big man and I like a big knife!" arguments.

The Stretch 2 so-called LW (if it is indeed called that!...was surprised to see on Spyderco's website it's not...!) is a fairly heavy knife given its size. Blade:Weight ratio calcs to .92 on my spreadsheet which indicates it's heftier for its size than than most (lower ratio numbers = heftier knife, and the average on my SS is 1.1--so it's weightier than the norm--tho the Yojimbo 2 is a heavyweight contender at a ratio of .76). "Not that there's anything wrong with that," as George Costanza would say. Heft is nice. Light weight is nice. "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." But for the record, the FRN Stretch 2 isn't a lightweight knife, by comparisons to other knives of the same blade length. It's a little chonky...in a good way.