R2 Question.

[bh49]

R2 attracted my attention a little while ago. 3.5” VG10 full flat ground blade, finger choil, traction grooves, lightweight, good grip thanks to laser cuts. Sound like an ultimate EDC, plus I didn’t have any knives with almite coated handles. One thing was kind of strange for me. R2 was mentioned on this forum extremely seldom. I saw just one thread started by jaislandboy in August 2005.
I understand it is only tip up carry and not lefty friendly knife, but many knives like this.
I bought used R2 on BF about a week ago. It is in very good condition, I just need to reprofile the knife, and it almost done. The only thing I am not crazy about is the tip. But this knife is growing on me.
I am wondering what do you think about R2?

[The Mastiff]

It's in my top 5 spydercos. The blade style, shape, good grip etc. combine to make it an excellent cutting knife. I was amazed when I bought mine that more people weren't fanatical about it like I was. Spyderco really has some sleeper knives that can really surprise someone. Stretch is another one like that for me. Joe

[gunmike1]

The R2 is probably my favorite Spyderco EDC. It cuts like hell with it's thin full flat grind, and is very lightweight and ergonomic. I didn't care for the tip and forum member STR flatenned it out for me to a nice pointy splinter picker tip for a very reasonable fee. It looks like it came from the factory that way. If you do a search in the Spyderco Forum over at Blade Forums I posted pics and a description. The only real problem with the skeletonized handles is that gunk can build up in there, but I haven't had any major issues with that, and they are very grippy. For me 3.5" is a very good length for EDC, and the R2 really fits the bill for comfortable, lightweight carry. I wish they would make a larger Caly 3 with a 3.5" blade like that, as I love the G-10 and wire clip on the Caly 3, but prefer a little more blade.

Mike

Edit to add pics:





The last pic is my R2 with my G-10 Cara Cara which has since been reprofiled, and my ZDP Jess Horn, which has been reprofiled flat to the stone (and thinned out even more since that picture). As you can see, STR put a great, pointy tip on it.

[zenheretic]

Hmmm your search terms must be off. I distinctly remember a Stretch VS. R2, Battle of the Century Knife match article by the Deacon. I'm sure Wouter did one of his his very complete reviews if he got a hold of one.

Like the Mastiff said, it was/is a sleeper. I remember some complaining about the pivot torx screw loosening on several, you try some carefully applied blue loctite to keep that from happening...

[bh49]

Gentlemen thank you very much for replies.
Gunmike1 thank you for your pictures, your R2’s tip looks great.

[Dr. Snubnose]

I have a fully serrated R2...it is way cool and scary sharp...for some reason I don't carry it, I feel it is a bit light for me but I do love they way it fits the contours of the hand and it's real pretty to look at....I guess it's just too good looking to use!!!..........Doc

[The Deacon]

Check out these two threads.

http://66.113.178.251/forums/showthread.php?t=17018

http://66.113.178.251/forums/showthread.php?t=17810

Still occasionally think about sending one of mine out to STR for a stablized wood over ti liners do-over. May very well have him reshape the tip if I do so.

[gunmike1]

Check out these two threads.

http://66.113.178.251/forums/showthread.php?t=17018

http://66.113.178.251/forums/showthread.php?t=17810

Still occasionally think about sending one of mine out to STR for a stablized wood over ti liners do-over. May very well have him reshape the tip if I do so.

That would be a beautiful handle, and after seeing what STR has done with wood handles in the past it would be tremendous. The slightly dropped tip bothered me to the point where before I even got the knife I set up with STR to have him "fix" it and it went out to him the day after I got it. He does great work. Deacon, I have a feeling you may be getting a CF/ZDP Stretch, or am I off base?

[The Deacon]

That would be a beautiful handle, and after seeing what STR has done with wood handles in the past it would be tremendous. The slightly dropped tip bothered me to the point where before I even got the knife I set up with STR to have him "fix" it and it went out to him the day after I got it. He does great work. Deacon, I have a feeling you may be getting a CF/ZDP Stretch, or am I off base?

Have not yet decided what to do regarding the CF/ZDP Stretch. One thought is to have STR do one like he did my Atlantic, and like I'm considering having him do an R - with "full slab" stablized wood scales - only, in the case of the Stretch, retaining the factory skeletonized steel liners. My other "wet dream" version, dependent on finding someone willing and able to do it, would be to go whole hog, and have someone replace the blade with damasteel, the lockbar with an undented one, and the CF scales with sambar stag nestled between double bolsters - retaining just the liners, backspacer, and spring.

Here's my Atlantic...

...I do carry it fairly often, but find I still prefer a full flat ground blade and a blade with a bit of belly in a large folder which gets used at times for food prep. The stabizied Birdseye Maple on it came from Chuck Bybee at Alpha Knife Supply, and right now he has some dynamite looking stablized Curly Koa which is sorely tempting me to "find a home" for it.

[bh49]

Paul, thank you very much for links.
Great reviews. Before I started this thread I did search, but it was not successful. Even Brian's thread I found on Google. Still a lot to learn. Now I think I have to get Stretch. I love your "Second version shows how it would look with spine straightened and clip screw holes filled or absent." But for now i probably will enjoy standard version, after I get it.
I am wondering when pictures of your dream Persian will be available on your site? I cannot wait to see them.
Once more thank you for links and review.

[Mr Blonde]

I got an R2 because -at the time- I was convinced I couldn't get the Ti ATR I was looking for in the first place. Since then, I did get a Ti ATR, but my R2 is still in my carry rotation. It is a striking knife; very light, large but compact, fluent ergos, and very sharp.

Wouter