VIDEO: Spyderco H-1 'Salt' Knives

[RX-178]

http://blip.tv/altac6/altac-armory-spyderco-h-1-steel-knives-6273447

In this vid, I go over my early Spyderhawk, Pacific Salt, and Spyderco Warrior.

I love all three of these, but I think the Spyderhawk is my least favorite because of how limited the blade shape is, and because the early Spyderhawk has the cheaper handle construction from the Byrd knives.

I don't know if I particularly recommend any of these three knives to most people, because the H1 steel is more expensive, and it takes a particular environment or intended use to take any kind of advantage of that. Especially when considering the Pacific Salt is just an H1 steel version of their Endura 4, which is more readily available.

But that's also their greatest advantage, being just a corrosion resistant version of existing designs, that you might already be familiar with if you find yourself looking for a knife to keep on your boat, or such.

 

[JShirley]

I can't view video links, but I'd appreciate hearing more about your take on the Warrior.

I have a Rock Salt, and it's a fine fighter.

 

[RX-178]

The Warrior is just straight up awesome. I was kinda bummed out that I missed out on the Rock Salt, when they discontinued it for the non H-1 Schempp Rock, but picking up the Spyderco Warrior made me just completely forget about that.

In the hand, it feels like a custom fighting knife, both in reverse or forward grip. It really does pull off the 'extension of your arm' feel, out of a factory produced blade, which really blows me away, since that almost NEVER happens in a factory knife.

It does have a few downsides though. The first is, H-1 steel just doesn't seem take as fine an edge as high carbon steel, or even a typical stainless steel like 440c.

The second, it comes with this ridiculously cheap feeling Spec Ops Brand 'universal' knife sheath, which is just nylon fabric with a plastic liner that isn't even molded to fit the blade, so you have to use the retention strap. For the nearly $300 price point, I really would expect to have at least a molded kydex sheath with the knife, but you don't get one out of the box.

 

[JShirley]

Sorry about the sheath.

The Rock Salt sheath is actually pretty good, and can be set for vertical or horizontal draw.

 

[RX-178]

Well, it's not a huge deal for me except for really not understanding why they'd pack a really cheap sheath with a really expensive knife.

I sent it out to get a kydex sheath made for it the day after I filmed the review.

 

[JShirley]

How do you like the kydex one? And who made it, if I may ask?

I might get the Pygmy Warrior, depending on price.

John

 

[RX-178]

I don't actually remember who made it, I just remember finding them on a google search for 'spyderco warrior kydex sheath'. Didn't actually find a place that offered them without sending your knife in to be fitted, but it was worth it.

It's about as good as any other kydex sheath or holster I have I guess.