First Impressions Spyderco Stretch 2 - K390 Steel

[@ralphstrehlke7848]

Schönes Messerchen. Cool dass man dich jetzt wieder öfter sieht. Schöne Grüsse aus der Schweiz Ralph

[@SpartanJohns]

Danke! Ist gut wenn ich weiss das Leute mich oefter sehen moegen :) VG Denis

[@kao9379]

The Stretch 2 in K390 is amazing! It will surprise the crap out of you for how much it will cut. Mine was great out of the box as well.

[@SpartanJohns]

Yes...it has! Honestly....right now, if I had to chose a knife as a work knife...where cutting performance would be priority no1...it would be this one. Steel is great, grind is good, comfort in hand also good.

[@fiercebone825]

Definitely love these kind of videos

[@SpartanJohns]

glad you do! I like making them! For me these things aren't really problems since this is a hobby and I kinda know what to expect after so many years...these are more for new users

[@fiercebone825]

@@SpartanJohns I've been subscribed to you for a long time and I very much like your videos. Always thoughtful and your videos are great. We definitely share the interest in knives and I enjoy hearing your perspectives on them.

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you! I am glad you do! And I appreciate you saying this in the comments. Otherwise I really have no way of knowing. I don't care much about likes or dislikes. And honestly....I don't care how many subscribers I have. I make videos for the 20-30 people I see in the comments. This is the feedback i have and I am glad to hear when people like my videos

[@michaelc3416]

I think the QC is more of a Seki City issue than Spyderco in general. I own 6 Golden models and two Sekis. On my first K390 Lil Temperance, the right side of the blade had an uneven grind. Didn’t notice it until I sharpened it, then it became apparent that there was a “wave” in the grind near the ricasso. There’s one spot about 1/4” long and about 1/4” forward of the ricasso on the right side that the bevel grind got noticeably wider once I sharpened it. Once I saw that, and checked carefully under good lighting, it was apparent that the grind had a wave in it at that point. That knife also had one of the worst factory edges I’ve ever had on a new knife. Hence why I sharpened it right away. All of the Golden knives on the other hand have had perfect primary and bevel grinds out of the box.

[@SpartanJohns]

Unfortunately i have noticed the same issues. For the past fee years. Edge leaves a lot to be desired and grinds are asimetrycal. Recently i have had a few issues with golden models as well. The only ones which were ok were the Taichung ones. My latest endela k390 came with a visible burr. Once i removed it the edge was ok but the sharpening was uneven. Same issue you described. Since i sharpen/test it is not a real issue for me. But i can imagine how when someone pays 130+ for a folder it might not be the best experience

[@lindboknifeandtool]

I’ve only received probably 2 spydercos that actually had 15dps bevels. Usually one is 12-13, and the other 17-20~. Always requires reprofiling, making behind the edge thickness thicker just to get things even. Other issues are poor f&f on the hole, spine, and flashing around the perimeter of the handle scales. I’m happy with the value so it doesn’t really bother me. My endela and delica wharncliffe both flick out perfectly like you described. I reground my endela and it’s a joy to use and sharpen.

[@SpartanJohns]

I have 2 Delicas which i reground. VG10 and ZDP189...Delica is surely one of the best edc work knives. Most Spyderco's i received were way over 15 dps...somewhere about 20, 25....my main reason for still buying spyderco knives is the large variety of steel

[@sneakhyperion9297]

I dont really mind a slightly dull knife as long as the bevel isn't completely uneven im happy. I always sharpen my knives when i get them to straighten uneven bevels and to make sure it doesn't have any burned edges

[@SpartanJohns]

I agree with you. Personally I don't mind a knife which is not super sharp. I like it and appreciate the attention to detail but I do also sharpen my knives pretty quickly(within the first day/week of getting them). I am not sure that burned edges are a huge problem but I did always see increase in edge holding abilities after a few sharpenings...probably because i also gradually reduce the edge angles

[@seedeebun]

Thanks for the side by side comparisons. Subscribed

[@SpartanJohns]

Thanks for the sub! Let me know if you want to see something and if time permits i'll make the video

[@alinnimeni3789]

La Multi Ani fericiti si sanatosi ! Mie imi place manerul, pare destul de confortabil si mai ales culoarea e dementiala. Nici eu nus fan taisuri asimetrice, crezi ca e defect de fabricatie? Impreuna cu acel "chip" catre varf? Intradevar pt 140 $ e ceva, dar sunt sigur ca il poti remedia. Imi pare mai mare ca Paramilitary si mai solid....

[@SpartanJohns]

Merci. E de aceeasi marime ca PM2. Si forma lamei e foarte asemanatoare. Grind-ul asimetric e lipsa de interes din partea angajatilor care fac acest lucur si din partea celor care verifica...daca verifica...ciobitura si faptul ca nu e ascutit pt mine nu e o problema. L-am ascutit azi dimineata in cateva minute. Dar totusi ...la pretul asta...te astepti sa fie perfect.

[@alinnimeni3789]

@@SpartanJohns Mia placut comparatia cu CS. La acei bani, as alege CS. De fapt, la acei bani mias lua o lama fixa, mie teama sa investesc mai mult de 300 lei intrun briceag.... Ma gandeam ca poate acel grind asimetric e vreo chestie high tech dar am inteles... Totusi arata ff bine, arata mai bine ca PM2...

[@SpartanJohns]

Da...la banii astia iti poti cumpara ceva mult mai ok. Pt mine e vorba doar de otel. Voiam sa il incerc si voiam si sa vad un model nou...cele FRN....sunt ok...dar nimic chiar special care sa justifice acest pret. Dar daca te intereseaza otelul....platesti

[@alinnimeni3789]

@@SpartanJohns Apropo de oteluri,ma uitam la Elmax sau AEB-L insa am un pic retinere.... Am cateva cutite facute din otel de scule ( O2 sau cum naiba le mai zice) care tin un tais perfect si sunt si ff rezistente....si am unele din D2 "cu pretentii" care s-au cioblit la chopping sau taiat PPR ( da, stiu, am o boala cu plasticele), presupun ca e de la tratarea otelului... In plus, cred ca deja am destul de multe si primesc reprosuri- nu legat de bani, ci de loc ( am un dulapior plin de cutite, macete,bricege etc)...

[@SpartanJohns]

AEB-L e superb daca e tratat termic bine. Dar TT la AEB-L e foarte scump. Asa ca nu prea am incredere sa imi iau unul. M-am jucat cu unul dar nu am ramas impresionat si dupa aia am aflat ca TT pt acest otel e mai pretentios/scump. Elmax am! Si am testat. E fain...daca ai nevoie de asa ceva. Mie in continuare imi pace ZDP-189 si acum, dupa doar 2 zile pot sa spun ca imi cam placa K390. Inca nu pot spune cum isi tine taisul dar se ascute foarte usor(zic eu) si nu face o bavura f mare cand il ascuti. Initial am crezut ca poate nu am fost eu atent dar am mai testat o data si am vazut ca intr-adevar asa e. Elmax, in schimb, sau macar cele pe care le-am avut eu....sunt un pic mai greu de ascutit

[@marcelrenehallare8619]

Nice review! I appreciate your honesty

[@SpartanJohns]

I have no reason not to be honest! Sure sometimes it is hard to be objective because you like or dislike something. And like I said...for me most of the issues are not really a problem. but for the price...once could expect something better

[@matusknives]

I really appreciate your ability to perceive details many others would miss. I personally like Spyderco knives, but I am not going to make excuses for the downsides. I got a new Urban and it has also asymmetrical grind and I would indeed prefer it to edge bevel to done symmetrically. Anyhow. I am looking forward to your full review. Please do include some comparisons to PM2 if possible.

[@SpartanJohns]

I have certain things I look for. Like a symmetrical grind, no side blade play....aso. It wouldn't bother me on a 15$ knife...but on such an expensive knife...it kinda does! I will most likely include the PM2 in the comparison. Because o the blade shape of the Stretch. They are very similar but the stretch has a rounder belly.

[@stevewinter5965]

Mein Stretch (vorgestern angekommen, heute zurück geschickt) hatte ähnliche Probleme mit Druckerpapier. Ich war enttäuscht und ein wenig sauer: Für 142 Euro (tatsächlich ein grail knife für mich) darf das nicht passieren. Zumal ich großen Respekt vor dem Schärfen des K390 habe, einen derartigen high-end-Stahl hatte ich noch nie. Vielen Dank Dank für das realitätsbezogene Review!

[@SpartanJohns]

Dein kommentar habe ich bis jetzt verpasst. Irgendwie. Sorry dafuer. In der letzten zeit habe ich gemerkt das bein den seki modelle qc nicht mehr so gut ist. Bei den preisen…ja…nicht so toll. Allerdings ist der stahl wirklich was anderes

[@viktorm.5035]

Thanks , a great clip (as always)

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you. Glad you liked it

[@8thsinner]

That represents a significant drop in quality control with factory sharpness imo, When I get my xdp 189 stretch from seki, it was easily hht3/4, it was a bit toothy but paper like that would not have been a problem at all.

[@SpartanJohns]

I got several Spyderco's which were sharpened poorly or at ta very high edge angle(25-35 dps). The only one I got which was at the adverstized 17 dps was my Chaparral LW.

[@MartinLeschinski]

thank you for another great Video. The knife is quite underwhelming out of the box. Curious about your final thoughts

[@SpartanJohns]

I like the action and feel in hand. Some thought was put into this one. Including the thinner grind. However the finishing touches were neglected. I got this mainly for the steel. I sharpened it this morning. It was quite easy to sharpen. Much easier than I would have thought. I hope i get some chances/time to test it as soon as possible

[@garrettlosabia3818]

@@SpartanJohns did you sharpen it on the Sharpmaker by chance?

[@wodniku8333]

In these Spyderco Seki-City K390 with back lock there is a noticeable blade play up and down?

[@SpartanJohns]

I have not noticed any in mine. I am very particular about bladeplay so i did look.

[@sAx____]

Great and honest video. 👍 P. S. Im also modified the back on my Endura. 😀

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! Yeah...that mod did seem weird at first but the tip is so much more useful now

[@BladeWalker77]

Hi, I agree with you about Spyderco having sharpening issues, I had the same experience with my spydercos. I think that people who sharpen those quite expensive knives, should be very skilled, but it seems s they are not and I don't understand. Anyway, I'm interested on the pm2, I've never had this famous knife in my hands and I would like to try it.

[@SpartanJohns]

For me the fact that it is unsharpened is not a big deal. I sharpen them the first week i get them. but for new users...it might be. what bothers me is the asymmetrical grind. That is not so easy to correct The PM2 is a nice model. And that one you can get, even today, in different steels. If you like it...i'd say you should go for it. Now sure about the build quality these days. Mine is an old model 2011....and those were build very well

[@rickboz4494]

Proof-of-concept that the triad lock can perform heavy-duty bushcraft tasks

[@SpartanJohns]

I guess this comment was meant for the CS video ;)

[@rickboz4494]

@@SpartanJohns Sorry about that I wanted to make a comment on the qualities of the K390 Steel and for you to circle back and let us know how it performs

[@SpartanJohns]

@@rickboz4494 I have tested the knife for the past 2 months.....i will make a video on it if i can't find the one I already made. Stricly conclusions! Some tests are already on my Patreon page

[@rickboz4494]

@@SpartanJohns Thanks for all your time - really appreciate your authentic, honest viewpoints

[@hornsby5533]

Ich liebe meine Spinnen. Spyderco baut nicht die schönsten Messer, aber sie funktionieren einfach sehr gut. LG Bernd

[@SpartanJohns]

Ja! Gute arbeits/test Messer auf jeden fall. Leider ist es so das in der letzten Zeit ich solche sachen mehr und mehr sehe...und es stoert. Ich will einfach nicht dass wir alle akzeptieren dass dies der neue Standard sein soll!

[@BladeObssession]

I like it. That was so thoughtful of you lol

[@SpartanJohns]

Well...when it comes to my birthday...i might not always call or even write a message but i always know what to buy! ;)

[@BladeObssession]

@@SpartanJohns Don't feel guilty about it. I've bought myself a knife or two myself lol

[@Nebulax123]

I think irregardless of the price point the Stretch one and two and the Tenacious are the best Spyderco's period.

[@SpartanJohns]

I do not like the Tenacious. Not saying it is not a good knife. Not at all. I recently got a Tenacious LW. I like the FRN scales but that is about it. Bad action, bad screws. Now the Stretch, in particular this one....Is nice! I like it! Handle takes some getting used to after having the endura for so long but it is better. I like the knife! But for 140$ they really could have put in the extra effort! I am 100% sure that no employee picked up this knife and looked at it for even 1 minute before putting it in the box. I hate that we "just accept this new STANDARD". Some just say: oh yes, fit and finish is not ok for the k390 models but the steel is great. I think we should start talking about it! And maybe they will start caring a bit more. As it stands....2 days in: i like the steel and the knife as a whole!

[@danielsmit3524]

Can you start a petition to preasure Spyderco and CS to get even grinds. 🤣 Joking, but really it is so frustrating. Especially after receiving a $25 QSP this week with an even grind. The big brands should be ashamed. They must cater for all of us with O.C.D. For $100 plus there can't be an excuse. As a side note, I assume you will never buy an Alpha Romeo until they put the number plate in the middle.

[@SpartanJohns]

I have no issues with Alfa Romeo. They have great designs...very slick! And the offset plate does not bother me. Now if i bought a 2 door model and the left door was bigger than the right door...i might have a problem with that! Symmetrical grinds are important to me because I reduce edge angles very much sometimes...and when you get to 12-14dps....on one side you might have a narrow edge with not much of a shoulder and on the other you will have a wide edge where the shoulder still hinders the performance. Plus: it looks crappy! I would really want to "have a 1 to 1" with sal or eric or whoever is in charge and ask them to please "start giving a crap again!"

[@danielsmit3524]

@@SpartanJohns i don't know if it is a new thing with Spyderco. I have only bought 4 Spydercos in the past. All about 10 to 12 years ago. They all had very sharp symmetrical edges. Lately, at least where I live, Spydercos are very expensive. For example for the price of a Shaman or Military I could almost buy two Cold Steel Recons. I would still love to buy them and probably will in future, but when it comes to the purchase I mostly end up with something else.

[@SpartanJohns]

I also have a few models which I bought a long time ago. Most of them, except for 2 had symmetrical grinds and came sharper than this one. I think they cut down the cost of QC and this is the result As for their prices....yes...very steep. But all the ones I owned had good HT. So far....

[@isthebeeflol]

Their edges be 2nd most jaggy compared to cold steel lol but damn their sharp.

[@SpartanJohns]

When it comes to factory edges CS do tend to have the sharper ones.

[@cafeqc3793]

IMHO, spiderco is like a soap bubble, flying only thanks to legends and myths

[@SpartanJohns]

They have good stuff. They have models for very specific tasks. They CAN make great stuff. I feel like they just stopped caring about QC and the end-user.in my experience so far their HT is pretty good. But also, in my experience so far and most of it "lately" their attention to detail could really use some effort. But yeah...i get your point. they ride out the "good name" they build up over the years

[@grandriver3152]

I just ordered a T-shirt online with one word on it. That word was neither centered nor printed straight. It would seem nobody gives a shit anymore bro.

[@SpartanJohns]

Well...tbh i don't know if you're being sarcastic or not. However I do agree that people don't care about the quality they put out. For me, some things about this knife are not real problems. The only thing I do dislike very much is the asymmetrical grind. For a person who just got into the whole "knife thing" and expected that if he/she pays 140$ they would get a perfect tool....for them it may be disheartening. And this is why i like to point out the flaws. Because spyderco has been praised enough...by reviewers who...i don't want to say got something out of it...but we all kinda know...