leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
44 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
160 lb (73 kg)

Background:

        My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping.    Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Spyderco
Model: Vagabond Knife Model FB12
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer's URL: http://spyderco.com/
Advertised weight: 2.8 oz (79 g)

Advertised overall length: 7 7/8 in (200 mm)

Advertised blade length: 3 1/8 in (79 mm)
Actual Weight: 2.8 oz (79 g)
Actual overall length: 7 7/8 in (200 mm)
Actual blade length: 2.8 oz (79 g)

MSRP: $39.95 US

Product Description:
    The Spyderco Vagabond is a stainless steel, fixed blade knife. It features a straight edge, with pointed tip. It has been ground on both side to an extremely sharp edge. The handle is FRN plastic that has a textured finish that is designed to improve the grip. There is a blade cover that fits within the handle and pivots upward to cover the sharp edge of the blade. This cover is made from inflexible plastic, and covers the length of the blade and up and over the tip. There is a small hole in the end of the handle that could be used to attach the knife to a lanyard or metal ring.

Overall Impression:
    While testing the Vagabond, I developed quite the attachment to it. It has some very good qualities - sturdy, useful, easy to use and sharp. There are times I would have been lost without it.
    I reported in my field report, that the blade cover appeared to be out of alignment with the blade. I am happy to report that it is now aligned. Unfortunately, I don't know why. The knife was closed for a few days, and the next time I used it, the cover closed over the blade without being guided. I wish I had an explaination, but don't. No one else used the knife during that time. I am greatful that it is okay though.
    I have found the quality and workmanship to be very good for the Vagabond. The handle shows minimum wear - just a few small marks in the texture of the plastic. The blade has remained sharp, although I did sharpen it lightly last week - just to see how easily it would sharpen. Even though I felt that it had retained its edge, I found that after sharpening with a stone, it was even sharper. The edge doesn't show any nicks or gouges.
    I carried and used the Vagabond while camping, ice fishing, hiking, cooking, trimming dead branches, making kindling and butchering chickens.  It easily cuts food, filets fish, splinters wood for kindling and even butchering chickens.

    I am impressed with how well this knife performs. It fits my hand well, and doesn't slide around, even while cleaning fish caught in very cold temperatures. Its not easy to clean a fish when its 12 degrees F (-11 C). It cuts cleanly through a wide variety of materials - meats and vegetables, rope, wood, plastic and cardboard.
    I don't carry the Vagabond in my pocket usually. It is either in my backpack, or on an elastic loop attached to my belt loop with a caribiner. I find it a little large to put in my front pocket - it fits, but feels awkward and I feel like it might slide out.

Test Locations:
        During the fall and winter I hiked and snowshoed in western Maine, central New Hampshire and Vermont, with my children, scouts and with a group of friends. We set up camp and hike out from the base camp, or we backpack in to a camping area. We are fortunate to live in an area where we can drive just a short distance and take advantage of some great hiking.    We spend many weekend days ice fishing on the lakes along the western Maine border with New Hampshire.

Test Conditions:
    The majority of my testing was done in northern New England, where the current temperature is 18 degrees F (-8 C) and winter temperatures have been below the 0 to 32 F ( -14 to 0 C) range.
    Most of my hiking is done below 3000 ft (914 m), but some spring climbs go over 4000 ft (1219 m). There is a wide range of types of terrain on these hikes - everything from well maintained trails to hiking through heavily wooded areas. The Vagabond has been used in temperatures from 60 degrees F (16 C) / - 12F (- 24 C)

        I appreciate the opportunity to test the Spyderco Vagabond knife. It is a great, multi-use knife. I'd be lost without it!

Read more reviews of Spyderco gear
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