Initial Report

Spyderco Vagabond Knife
Initial Report by Ralph Ditton
26th September, 2005

Personal Information
Name: Ralph Ditton
Age: 54
Height: 1.76 m (5ft 9 in)
Weight: 79 kg (174 lb)
Email: rdassetts@optusnet.com.au
City: Perth, Western Australia.

Backpacking Background

I have been walking the Bibbulmun Track in sections over four years. My goal is to complete the 964 km (603 mi) and become an end to end walker. So far I have completed approximately two-thirds of the Track from North to South, and a quarter in the opposite direction. I have evolved from carrying a heavyweight load -- approximately 28 kg (62 lb) including food and water--to being a midweight backpacker, averaging 18 kg (38 lb) at the start of a trip. My trips are usually between three to five days duration.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Spyderco
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Manufacturer's Web Site: http://spyderco.com
Listed Weight: 79 g (2.8 oz)
Listed overall length: 200 mm (7 7/8 in)
Listed Blade length: 79 mm (3 1/8 in)
Listed top of Blade thickness: 4 mm (5/32 in)
MSRP: US$39.95

My Measurements

Weight: 79 g (2.8 oz)
Overall length: 200 mm (7 7/8 in)
Blade length: 79 mm (3 1/8 in)
Top of Blade thickness: 4 mm (5/32 in)
Actual cutting edge length: 70 mm (2 3/4 in)
Length of top of Handle: 130 mm (5 1/8 in)
Length of bottom of Handle: 110 mm (4 5/16 in)
Thickness of Handle at thickest part: 19 mm (6/8 in)
Length of Blade Cover: 80 mm (3 1/8 in)
Diameter of lanyard hole: 6 mm (1/4 in)

Product Description

The Spyderco Vagabond knife Model FB12 (hereinafter known as knife) is a lightweight fixed blade knife with a plain cutting edge. The blade is made of AUS-6 stainless steel and ground flat on both sides to create an extremely sharp edge.
On the base of the blade is stamped "Seki City - Japan" and on the other side "Spyderco AUS6"

The handle of the knife is made from FRN plastic that has been injection molded in such a manner that the handle feels good to wrap my fingers around. On the handle there is a textured pattern that is designed to be slip-free, however, initially it does feel rough on the palm of the hand but after a while I did not notice it.
The lanyard hole is positioned near the butt end of the handle.

The unique aspect of this knife is the plastic blade cover that is housed in the handle when being used and is out of the way. When not in use, the cover pivots out and up, snapping into place to cover the cutting edge and point, rendering the knife safe to carry in a pocket or in a backpack.

The centre of balance is 110 mm (4 3/8 in) from the tip with the blade cover in place giving a nice balanced feel in the hand when using.

Field Test

I carried the knife in the front pocket of my Macpac Backpack to the campsite where it was put to the test.
When I retrieved the knife from my backpack, the cover was still in place.
Upon receipt of the knife I did not have to sharpen the blade as the cutting edge was extremely sharp.
I proceeded to cut up carrots, celery, cheese and salami to have with a dip prior to the evening meal. The knife cut through the carrots easily just by putting downward pressure on the blade without drawing the knife backwards and forwards in a sawing motion. The same result for the celery and cheese. I had to use a sawing motion to cut the salami and the knife quickly cut through it.

For the evening meal I cut up some rump steak for cooking and the knife was drawn backwards towards me in one stroke to make the separation complete to make up two portions. This was again repeated for another two portions. I was most impressed that I could cut raw meat with one stroke.
To go with the meal I also cut up some onions and I had to use slight sawing motions to form rings.

When cutting up the cheese I did not experience any clogging up at the pivot point of the blade cover.

The next morning I cut up tomatoes and the knife went through them with ease.
In addition I had a packet of bacon in which the bacon strips were stacked on top of each other, six deep. In one backward stroke the knife cut through all six strips of bacon including the rind. Very impressive.
The only two times the knife was found short was once when I was cutting open bread rolls. Due to the short blade of the knife, I had to run the knife around the circumference of the rolls to open them up so as to place food in them. The good point was that the blade cut right through the bread by this action as I did not have to break the centre where the knife may not have reached, but it did.
The second time was when I was trying to separate eggs in the fry pan when they were nearly cooked. The crispy edge of the white part of the egg was difficult to cut in the pan as it has a non-stick coating and I did not want to damage it. In the end I lifted the egg up, placed a spoon under the edge and the put pressure on the knife point to cut through the crispy edge.
I also used the knife to remove the top off a packet of soup and the blade cut through the plastic and alfoil packaging with ease.
My walking friend also used the knife to whittle himself a toothpick and the knife performed admirably.

The knife was washed in hot water with detergent in my Kitchen Sink at the campsite and it cleaned easily. It let it air dry in the sun and it only took a matter of minutes to dry, then I wiped the blade with a piece of paper tissue to remove the few water marks left on it.

The cutting edge and point are still keen so I did not have to touch up the cutting edge when I got home.
One thing I did on a few occasions accidentally was to attempt to cut a food product and I had left the protective cover on. It took a conscious effort initially to ensure that I had removed the cover to expose the blade.

Test Plan

I will be evaluating the knife over the test period for the following aspects:

How well it cuts up vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, garlic cloves.
How well it cuts cheese, dry Italian sausage, Polish salami, Beef sausages, Bacon, Steak and Bread rolls.
Does the hinge of the protective blade cover become clogged up with food particles.
How often would I need to resharpen the blade.
How long does it take to put a keen edge on the blade.
Will the blade develop surface rust or pit.
Will the protective blade sheath stay in place when being carried in my backpack.
Will I find the textured pattern on the handle cause annoyance due to the rough feel.
How easy is it to clean the knife.
Will I need to apply oil to the pivot point.

Things I like

Protective cover over blade.
Lightweight.
Extremely sharp cutting edge.
Little effort needed to cut meat and vegetables.
Has not lost its sharp cutting edge after a lot of cutting over two days.

Things I dislike

Getting used to the rough feel of the pattern on the handle. (very minor).

Testing Conditions

It is now the start of our spring and we are still experiencing very cold nights and mornings with a low of 1.6 C (35 F) and a high of 7 C (46 F) till about 8am, then it gets progressively warmer to an average high of around 21 C (70 F) during the day.

Rain and high winds from westerly fronts originating in the Indian Ocean are still being experienced, but this weather will diminish around mid October, giving way to drier, warmer nights and days in November with very hot night and days in January and February, usually with a night time minimum of around 30 C (86 F). Easterly winds will commence in late November and continue until April and these winds originate in the desert regions and they are dry and hot with a daily wind speed of between 10 to 25 knots.

The campsites have hut shelters with tables and it will be in these locations that food preparation will take place using the knife.

Read more reviews of Spyderco gear
Read more gear reviews by Ralph Ditton

Reviews > Knives > Fixed Blade > Spyderco Vagabond > Ralph Ditton > Initial Report

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