Spyderco Stretch 2 K390 Long Term Full Review (2 Years)

These are my final thoughts on the k390 stretch 2! Simply astonishing is all I can say. Filmed vertical on accident in 1 take just because I expressed my thoughts and feelings from the heart and honestly and every take I did after just felt too scripted, so I'm posting the original. It was all on the fly so take some of the data points for what they are and enjoy!

[@Baps_]

This is by far one of my favorite knives. It has surprised me how attached I am to it. I feel very weird thinking about carrying another knife nowadays. It simply feels like home.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Couldn’t have said it better! It just grounded me back in what a trusty knife is supposed to be. Thanks for watching

[@user-zx5yd4cf3y]

How beautiful to see that knife is actually used.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Thanks! All mine are users, especially this one!

[@airwolf2001]

Appears to still be on the factory edge to me. K390 is definitely a beast but 2 years, factory edge, something is fishy

[@80808O]

Got a k390 endela a year ago and my knife purchases dropped 75 percent. Finally found the one

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

It’s done the same for me. Haven’t hardly even thought about buying another folder since!

[@folksurvival]

Welcome back. Always good to see a new upload from you.

[@jmunsamy]

Bought other knives and steels and keep coming back to the K390 Stretch as well. Now 6 months later.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Agreed! It finds its way into my pocket every single day these days somehow. It’s great. Rock on!

[@tboneitsallgood6757]

John, I watched all your reviews regarding the Spydercos from the PM2, to the Military, to the Stretch 2. Your mentioned the Endela K390 for your next potential pickup! Well I have all the knives you reviewed, recently picked up the Endela. I must say I hope you pull the Tigger on the Endela K390, you will love your purchase. I must say it's probably the my best pick since my Spyderco evolutionary trip. I don't miss the choil on the Stretch 2 like I thought I would, the Endela is definitely my go to EDC. That's a pretty bold statement because I really love them all. Endela K390 is the ticket, thanks John for your reviews & hope more to come!

[@Steelbluebrick]

Have you tried the LeafJumper?

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

Man, you have me wanting to swear off stainless... Something about non stainless steels is just so endearing. They take on so much character and just tell a story that is unique to the owner. You've absolutely sold me on a K390 Stretch.

[@bevinmodrak4997]

The Leaf Jumper in K390 is an awesome design as well. Great steel.

[@barkingspider2007]

Hey, update.. I picked up a Stretch 2 in K390 on Blade Forums for $110. I'm looking forward to "Beating the crap" out of it. It is great to see a long-term use video on a knife. Most channels publish volume instead of using the gear and forming a solid opinion. Thanks for the review. 😎👍

[@Whistler24]

This video really sold me on the stretch 2, I'm gonna go ahead and give it a shot. My main worry was the corrosion because I also live in a coastal environment - most reviews on it don't really address it to the extent of living right on the water. I don't mind a bit of patina, I think it gives it some character! Thanks for the update

[@jimmycricket7946]

Go for it I also live in a humid coastal area and the k390 has held up just fine simply by keeping it dry. The steel gives off a copper almost rainbow glow in the beginning then it eventually patinas in some areas. I would avoid cutting anything citrusy but if rust begins to form just use some bar keepers friend and lightly wipe off the rust with some brillo.

[@waltv6385]

Gotta say, this isn’t my favorite Spyderco. Something about the length and shape of the Endura blade just hits all the right notes for me. K390 is awesome, and I have 5 in that steel…the Endura and Endela warncliff style, the Police 4, the Stretch 2 straight spine and the regular Endura, but the Endura is the one I carry. Damn fine knives all. Thanks for the review.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Thanks for watching! All the K390 models are great. It’s an awesome thing spyderco have done making the options available they have. I think if they added the Native lw or manix lw there would be little reason to buy anything else!

[@georgespicer907]

I got the endura, two versions that I love. K390 and lc200n, obviously for opposite purposes. But I clean out all the time because of sweat and sawdust and grime. I got a little trick it's pretty easy to reassemble now. You almost reassemble the whole knife except let the back lock bar stick out and then you shove it in and push the threaded secondary pivot in at the same time

[@GerstBladeworks]

Man I applaud you for this. I have a leaf jumper in k390 and it is my favorite knife ever.

[@Hungrybird474]

It’s awesome 👏. Knives look good to me worn in , especially Spydercos and bm s . Wearing in some fat cf modded ones atm , about a year or so in and they re still looking the same

[@nico-lv2es]

Great long term review. I've an endela k390 for 2 years as work knife. K390 is amazing with FRN and back lock you have a knife for real life.

[@robertbarnum7541]

That's the big 3 for me: K390, FRN, back lock.

[@RorschachAtak]

So interesting to see how many feel the same way about this knife. I’m a big G10 fan so wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of FRN. But, as you say, it’s a work knife and a tool and the FRN suits that role. Had a Crucarta PM2 and sold it over this knife! I call this my poor man’s PM2. 😁The backspacer is my nemesis though. The nubbin doesn’t line up properly with the hole in the liner so there’s a very slight bowing of the scale when reassembled. Wish I could find a replacement backspacer. Other than that,I love this knife and carry it more than anything else. It really surprised me. Thanks for the great review.

[@SummitScene]

Great review!

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@dongustafson2304]

That's my favorite EDC, I've carried the Stretch 2 everyday for over a year. K390 takes an excellent edge and keeps it.😊

[@DuhYaThink]

Native Chief in magnacut will be a must have for me. Love the Native line.

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

Awesome knife and beautiful patina

[@brianabare7515]

Perfect ergonomics for me!

[@nolanh9659]

I heard through the grapevine that Bar Keepers Friend would clean that corrosion off your knife. I just got that knife. 1st k390 steel and Spyderco back lock for me. I took the edge down to 14 degrees per side (may not be practical). I was surprised by how easy the Spyderco back lock was to close (like you did in the video). The blade shape seems identical to the PM2, just thinner. I'm really enjoying this knife. My only con so far, which is also Spyderco in general, is that when you go to a deep pocket clip, the screws are in the way and scrape on your pants. Thanks for the video!

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Thanks! I don’t think I want to clean the blade up I reallly like how’s it’s patina’d. The barkeepers friend is actually exactly what I used to get the orange rust off though. I’ll be taking my edge down to 15dps next time it needs sharpening and I’m looking forward to the even higher level of performance !

[@meanderinoranges]

It's EDC perfection. Well, that is until Spyderco makes a K390 Stretch 2 XL lightweight.

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

It’s coming! Or so they say…lol. Thanks for watching, couldn’t agree more.

[@meanderinoranges]

@@rangerjonoutdoors6429 I know right? How long has it been, two years? I'm so beyond getting antsy in my pantsy.

[@robertbarnum7541]

I have the Stretch 2 in K390, and cannot stop carrying it. I have the Quietcarry Drift Large patiently waiting. It's still waiting. I also have the Ladybug in K390 on my keychain, the ultimate EDC location. These two are so perfect that I got back ups.

[@barkingspider2007]

I have to agree, K390 is tough to beat. Thank you for the update. : ) FYI They make the Para 3 and the PM2 in K390 (I have the PM2) easy to clean \ service. 😎👍

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Thanks! Yes I had the Pm2 but sold it in a moment of weakness lol. I wish I kept that one!

[@Greg_M308]

Nice review. I have the K390 in the Delica, Endela, and the Police. I wouldn't hesitate to get the Endela. It is perfect for an EDC that is not scary to the sheepeople.

[@Thomas-dz4eg]

That knife is on my list!

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Go for it! It’s really exceptional

[@hissingman]

Спасибо большое! Отличный обзор! Я боялся коррозии на k390, теперь не боюсь. Я думаю купить Endela.

[@XFS540]

I would have gotten this one if they offered it in VG-10 (which I know they released a sprint run of a few years ago). I got the XL version with Cruwear instead since I feel safer with that steel. Also got the sprint run version with the Nishijin scales (not really for carry or use though).

[@mrzotzot68]

Good buffing wheel n green compound will bring it right back

[@jimmycricket7946]

I also have the stretch 2 and my only con is the lock up has a little vertical blade. Seems to be a common complaint with saki city back locks. Funny thing is my standard VG10 delica has the same problem but for some reason my k390 delica wharncliffe ( possible misspelling) does not!!! Figure that one out??

[@StoneHands25]

Does the stretch 2 have a thinner grind then say the endura and endela? Been wanting some k390 since spyderco released it. Thanks!

[@gregoryblake3377]

So what do you think it looks like under the scales?

[@nrthpole5106]

Stretch 2 was my favorite until I got a hold of a Leaf Jumper in K390

[@LanningKann]

Have you tried flushing it out with WD40? I agree with you about taking it apart. I took my police 4 k390 apart to coat the inside with Axe Wax. It went together without much issue but my thumbs hated me for the moment of trying to line up the lock bar pin.

[@DuhYaThink]

You basically have to put the whole knife together without the backspacer screw. It is a pain for sure 😅

[@user-ix1jo2it1z]

Funny watching this. I too stopped buying when I got this one. Can't explain it. Once you find the ONE, you get it. Good luck to whatever brand, style you're looking for. You know when you find it.

[@Tony42Rivers]

Can confirm how much of a pain in the ass these lockbacks are to put back together

[@user-te4hv6dz8e]

If you file down the front plastic finger guard a lil bit...and sand it smooth, it makes this knife even more economic and comfortable. Not to worry ..your finger won't slip forward onto the cutting surface either

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

Very interesting I might try that one day. Thanks for watching!

[@kreed4]

Love the knife, but mine has a fair amount of vertical play, considerably more than the standard flex that comes with most frn back locks. Bummed as I’m a light user (Amazon boxes) and cleaning didn’t help.

[@noahstout1500]

How does the pivot look after the neglect?

[@MB-jg4tr]

I have a police4 serrated, and I'm having a hard time finding Fine/XtraFine diamond cylindrical rods for sharpening. I see some low/medium grit, but I'd like fine for such a premium blade steel. I found some red ruby cylindrical rods from 2mm to 10mm but I'm not sure they are hard enough to do a good job sharpening k390. Any suggestions for sharpening the serrated version?

[@MB-jg4tr]

Did the research, the diamond conical rod + Ruby rods will work

[@ozzysaritas8115]

What do you think about Para 3?

[@Whitepinoy]

do you oil the pivot ?

[@holiday_edc5696]

Leafjumper....get it

[@gregoryblake3377]

Wernklif is the way to go

[@thaknobodi]

Do you toghten the screws periodically? All my knives loosen up over the months especially my FRN knives.

[@MB-jg4tr]

Just use blue loktite

[@thaknobodi]

@@MB-jg4tr i use a shim of plastic water bottle between the pivot threads on all my knives. No wait time and works just as well

[@DuhYaThink]

Can’t keep my police 4 lw K390 serrated edge out of my pocket. It is awesome stuff 👍🏻

[@MB-jg4tr]

Just found one for $120 total shipped. Can't wait to get it into my pocket. The serrated edge Police4 k390 is being discontinued fyi

[@DuhYaThink]

@@MB-jg4tr Yes I saw that. Enjoy. 👍🏻

[@MB-jg4tr]

@@DuhYaThink thanks, I've been eyeing the Police4 for many years, but just couldn't pull the trigger. At this price, and learning the SE is being discontinued I couldn't resist. I hope I love it as much as I think I will. I like big work knives, and am someone who really uses them. K390 is some of the best knife steel I've ever used, I was hesitant because of the not-truely-stainless nature of the steel as I live in a very wet/humid area, but it has blown my expectations away regarding how corrosion resistant it actually is. And the edge retention, just wow. Cheers

[@DuhYaThink]

@@MB-jg4tr Agreed. I have both the plain and serrated edge models and a bunch of other K390 models that are great.

[@MB-jg4tr]

@@DuhYaThink what do you use to sharpen the serrations on k390?

[@tagwache88]

Where did you get the pocket clip?

[@rangerjonoutdoors6429]

It’s a Lynch Deep Carry Clip

[@tagwache88]

@@rangerjonoutdoors6429 Thank you! Mine is shrter so it doesn't sit on the logo, so a longer one like yours would be better.

[@kraftzion]

I don't like choils so I have the endura k390. I have a pm2 in rex 45, millie in cruwear among many other knives. I carry the endura the most.

[@SummitScene]

Perhaps a Leafjumper would suit you better than an Endela...

[@natedawggg97]

Sold me on one

[@thatoddfella]

That's a sexy patina, sounds weird to say haha but whatever it is!