Spyderco Ulize folder

[PLYSWKNVS]

I just ordered a Spyderco Ulize folding knife. I'm pretty new to Spyderco, it hasn't arrived yet and I wondered if anyone has any experience with it. I admit to wanting it for it's blade lines but it seems like many people like Spyderco knives. My experience is with Benchmade,Micro-tech manual folders and I'm not sure about the hole opening idea Any comparisons?

 

[Yo Mama]

First I'm very jealous of you. The Ulize is on my wish list.

In terms of user reviews, the model is new, and not very mass produced. It's more of a specialty knife.

It was created with input from German police. The maker is well known. Should be a solid purchase. Please let us know how you like it.

The Spydie hole is the only way to go IMO. So easy to use, I hate thumb studs so I only have folders with a hole.

 

[JShirley]

Welcome to THR.

Spydercos are great knives. Haven't really heard much feedback about this one. The "Spyder Hole" works great. Between that, superb ergonomics, and the clip holding the knife in place, almost everyone who handles a Spyderco wants to keep using it.

Look forward to hearing your impressions.

John

 

[waterhouse]

I got one as a gift a few months ago and I've carried it every day at work since.

It was hair popping sharp from the factory and seems to be maintaining the egde well. I like how thin it is and it is comfortable to hold. So far I like it a lot. I carry a waved emerson for weapon retention but the Ulize has been doing most cutting tasks and doing them well.

 

[JShirley]

Thanks for the feedback. Any chance of a pic? I've only seen official pictures, which are hard to put in context without scale.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Spyderco Ulize

Sorry about not having a pic but I'm in the process of learning a new camera and they just haven't turned out - but I did get the Ulize and it's everything I hoped for (maybe more!). I didn't think I'd ever replace my SOCOM but ...... I foresee carrying the Ulize about half the time. The SOCOM has the better steel, but that's not everything. It rides in my pocket as well as ANY knife I've had (my Micro-tech is just as big but wider and thicker so I can always feel it in my pocket) and the Ulize can't be felt, at all. I'm used to thumb studs and being able to flip the blade open which can't be done because it's a lock back(extra stiffness) but if I grasp it in my fingers, instead of in my palm, when I pull it out of my pocket, it increases the travel of my thumb and it opens effortlessly and easily right from my pocket. I carry in my watch pocket (with the bottom cut open to allow bigger knives) and the Ulize fits perfectly. A very comfortable knife and way cool looking. NOT a small knife ( a little over 4" blade) but it handles very well. Get one - you won't be sorry.

 

[JShirley]

VG-10 is excellent steel. I think you'll be happy.

John

 

[zhyla]

The thumbhole may ruin thumbstud openers for you. I like thumbstuds but when you're in a hurry the hole is so much easier for your thumb to catch onto.

The Ulize is one of the few recurve Spyderco models. I don't dislike recurve blades but man are they a pain to sharpen on flat surfaces like benchstones.

VG-10 may not be the latest and greatest but I'd be perfectly happy if all my Spyderco knives were made with that steel. It's a fantastic steel.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Spyderco Ulize

I'm sure VG-10 is a great steel and the hole opening is OK. I put a new edge on it when it arrived, as I like a greater angle than normally ground, and it sharpened perfectly. It was sharp out of the box but you know how we can get about perfection . VG-10 is OK but has anyone had S35VN or S30V ? It truly is super steel - I don't mind sharpening my knives, anyway. The SOCOM I have could go over a month without sharpening (and it will still pop hairs) and it opens like an auto (studs and all) but I still really like my new Ulize - a totally different knife. Heck, I have even carried a S & W $25 auto so cost and reputation aren't everything, to me. Cool is just cool.
zhyla - sharpening the recurve wasn't as bad as you might imagine. I usually use a Lansky Sharpener (I know, I know, but they really work good, especially on recurve blades because the stones are narrow) and I didn't have any problems. From my experience it seems like VG-10 will hold an edge pretty good, too. I'll see.

 

[Yo Mama]

VG-10 is OK but has anyone had S35VN or S30V ? It truly is super steel

Super......until you're in the field and need to sharpen it. I'll take vg10 for most practical applications.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Prefers VG-10

I've never sharpened anything in the field, let alone an expensive folder. That aspect of knife value has never entered my mind, and I don't expect that a blade of VG-10 would sharpen very well on a rock, either. Hunting knives are not what I was talking about. And, actually the S30V and S35VN steels aren't hard to sharpen. It always amazes me that a steel that was as easy to sharpen as they are can hold an edge for so long.

 

[JShirley]

To put it into perspective, most Japanese-made Spydercos use VG-10, while probably more US ("Golden") Spydies use S30V than perhaps anything else- but almost all of the Nipponese ones are VG-10.

 

[JVaughn]

Ulize is on my list too. I'm a big fan of Spyderco, have several in my collection; and the similar police model is my EDC. I'm sure you will be impressed.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Spyderco Ulize

I've carried the Ulize for about a week and I must say that it's one of my favs, now. First, it rides in my pocket like it wasn't even there. I use my watch pocket (with bottom cut out) for ease of drawing, discrete carry, and it doesn't scratch the knife with things in my pocket - it's perfect for the ease of carry. Second, the blade style is pretty good for most utility jobs, and holds an edge pretty well. I use a 25 degree edge and the steel held up well. Not great but good enough. It's not hard to sharpen, which concerned me because of the recurve, but the Lansky worked just fine. It takes a wicked edge. Third, it opens, with some practice, quickly and easily. The holes in the blade were as effective as studs - just different. I changed the pocket clip to tip down which suited me better. I recommend it anyone who likes big knives - of good quality. The only drawbacks I can think of is it's size and lack of a good penetrating tip. People freak out when you open it (like at the grocery store or any public place) so I began to carry a small knife in my left pocket for jobs in public. It does penetrate but not what I'm used to. All in all, it's a fun knife and great quality.

 

[JShirley]

Thanks for the feedback. I've frequently carried a small task knife (usually a Daily Kiri, these days), and a larger knife. I've carried a Spyderco Persian 2 as my larger knife most of the time since I've been back from my last deployment.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Super......until you're in the field and need to sharpen it. I'll take vg10 for most practical applications.

Really ? I have no issues re-sharpening S30v in the field.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Sharpening S30V

I think that S30V and S35VN are pretty easy to resharpen anywhere. They've gotten a bad rap because they hold an edge so long that some think it's because they are so hard. They are almost prohibitively expensive but I'll take either one of those, any day.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I wouldn't go as far as saying S30v is "prohibitively expensive".

I touch up my knives on a ceramic rod often, haven't needed much more than that.

Proper maintenance is the key to anything.

 

[PLYSWKNVS]

Spyderco Ulize

Good by. I won't be coming back as every time I post something some dumb ass picks it apart rather than talking about the subject. Like the last reply to my post - "I wouldn't call S30V prohibitively expensive" .... I didn't say that, I said ALMOST prohibitively expensive, and "I use a ceramic rod" .... so what? Chat with yourselves!

 

[Yo Mama]

That's pretty rude. I guess you only like to hear what you want to hear. Plus I think you didn't read the responses. It's called a discussion for a reason, it can be pretty fun if you try.

 

[xjsnake]

Put it this way. I have many knives, but whenever I have a knife clipped in my pocket it's a spyderco about 95% of the time.

 

[JShirley]

Guys, I have to say that you could've been a little more receptive and less combative.

 

[Yo Mama]

I don't see anyone who was less than polite?