Just recieved the Centofante3, impressions.........

[dbcad]

I knew how light it was just taking the padded envolope out of the mailbox. I went inside, changed my clothes, had a sip of Margerita, and thoroughly enjoyed using a ZDP Ladybug in it's role of slicing open the non glued side of the padded envelope. I opened the box inside and found a very sweet knife :D If you can't tell already I like it!!!!

Who can't like a 2mm VG-10 hollow ground blade :confused: Handles, typical of Spyderco it is ergonomic, action is great for a lockback, and did I say before? it's light, 2mm thick blade with a hollow grind.

I know it isn't a heavy duty blade, but on this rare occasion have recieved exactly what I expected from my research before purchase. This knife is in :D

Edges are all nicely softened a bit, there's only a very little bit of mismatch of the scale halves at the very butt. the blade is centered to within 1/4mm.

The edge was very sharp out of the box, but had a few small burrs which were quickly remedied with the 2u strop. If it keeps this edge for a while I'll keep it, if not, reprofile.

No blade play, up, down, or side. Feels very solidly and purposefully buit.

Did I say it was light :D For the price of a Delica you will get a lot of slicer here :)

One little nitpick :o The bug logo is in relief by a few thousandths. It'd be nicer for me of it were flush, also why did it come tip down carry?

[Clip]

I was extremely happy with my Cento4. I think the reason it came tip down is because that clip covers up the rivet on the opposite side. When I took it off to switch it to tip up, I was surprised to see how deep the hole was but got used to it quickly. My bug is the same way, and the bottom right leg is bent/kinked just a hair. Wouldn't be noticeable if it didn't want to reflect every bit of light that came near it.

Also, my blade doesn't have Centofante's mark ahead of the hole like yours does. I like it quite a bit, and am wondering if I should pick up a Cento3 while they're still plentiful and reasonably priced.

[dbcad]

Agree on the Clip placement :) The sunken rivet does stand out. However I have changed the Cento to tip up carry as it feels more comfortable.

What is really fun for me with this knife is the thin stock of a very good blade material coupled with the hollow grind :D The Cento3 will be my largest pocket scalpel

[bh49]

I bought Cento3 in 2006. Found that I do not like handle to blade ratio. Sold it right away. Still regret about it, but for some reason never bought it again :confused: . In addition to be a great slicer, IMHO this is the only FRN knife, which looks good.

[dbcad]

Hey bh49 :) handle/blade ratio is similar to a Delica. Can understand if it doesn't please in that respect :) I do respect your knowledge and experience :)

The blade thickness+hollow grind +VG-10 is what get's my edge obsessed brain going :D VG-10 was designed to take a very sharp edge and regain it easily. I genuinely appreciate the Japanese mindset of refinement that allowed that development to happen.

Now I find myself with a knife with a 3-9/16 blade, 3-7/16 cutting edge combined with a 2mm blade stock+hollow grind :eek: It screams happiness to my edge obsessed mind :eek: The edge out of the box was good, but is now even better after a bit of polishing on treated and untreated leather. I love this kind of sharp :D

Even if I find I have to get through the possibly compromised steel at the very edge in the future, it will be a pleasure to do so. The shear geometry of this blade works for me :D .

If you can't tell I'm delighted with the edge this knife has now :o It cuts very well :D It feels good in hand as well.

[bh49]

Enjoy the knife. It is much more capable than most of the people think. My friend WhyNot (he used to have quite a big collection)
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... t-s-corner
used cento3 when he was remodeling the house. And Cento hold the ground. Got few nicks, round the tip. But all was fixed and the knife still in use.

[dbcad]

Excellent thread bh49!! Gives me ideas.

I will appreciate and enjoy the Cento3 :) Looks kind of similar to the Vesuvius :)

Thanks :)

Still a lot of knowledge to be gleaned from that thread but it's way past my bedtime. Thanks again :)

[dbcad]

Figured I'd leave the thread with a nice hi res picture of the Cento3. The more I carry it and use it the more I like it. My prior opinion of pinned knives is obsolete.

I have a Centofante3 :D

[Jay_Ev]

I like the Cento 3. However I know next to nothing about the history of this knife. I own one, but the one I have has a compression lock, not a back lock like the one pictured above. I haven't carried it in a long time, but this thread has inspired me to do so. Perhaps I will carry it for a few days next week.

Enjoy your Centofante 3.

[Blerv]

Everytime this thread gets bumped it goes into the pocket! Oh how I hope for a ZDP-189 sprint someday.

[bh49]

I like the Cento 3. However I know next to nothing about the history of this knife. I own one, but the one I have has a compression lock, not a back lock like the one pictured above.

Jay,
This is not cento3, this is Vesuvius. Also it has thicker stock and different steel. IIRC ATS34

[Fred Sanford]

The Centofante III is one of the best knives Spyderco has made (IMHO). It is a master slicer. I have a Centofante 4 as well and it's a beast. It's like a light version of a Yojimbo. I prefer the Centofante III to the Delica as a $50 EDC knife. It's great and it does what it was designed for very well. It is one of the most well finished knives I've owned.

[Evil D]

I've said it many times, this knife is so many times better than a Delica, yet it doesn't get half the respect it deserves. I prefer the 4 but the 3 is awesome too. I keep begging Sal to bring out a ZDP/BRG version of both of them...they'd make such amazing knives especially a ZDP 4.

[Clip]

A ZDP Cento4 would suit me just fine.

[Donut]

I didn't know the Cento's were 2mm stock!

Thanks for bumping, I'll probably have to try it out. Also, the ZDP sprint sounds nice. :)

[Goeri]

Now the waiting gets even harder...

[bh49]

The Centofante III is one of the best knives Spyderco has made (IMHO). It is a master slicer.

+1
IMHO Cento3 is the best :spyder: in it's price range and considering how long it is in production, probably a good seller. If ZDP sprint will add only $20-30 to the price, probably it will be sold like hot pancakes, just keep the same black handle.

[vic]

centofante 3 is one of the spydercos i have always wanted, thin HG blade, very nice

nothing i don't like about this knife from what i've seen

[Wdr65]

The Centofante 3 is all of what got me into Spyderco from the very beginning, thin, lightweight and pointy. Much like the first Delica III that I ever bought. I just got mine last week and am really liking its slicing abilities, it made short work of my cucumbers for lunch today.

[dbcad]

I've been carrying and using the Cento for a few weeks now. This is one terrific slicing knife :D

The Delica is a time honored and proven design, A very tough and useful model, mine are both very sharp :) However the Cento breaks into new territory as a supreme slicer :D I reprofiled mine and sharpened to a delightfully "silly" edge. This model is the best slicer I now own :)

Encourage all who are contemplating another Delica to consider the Cento3 instead. For me at least the Cento is a very satisfying knife to use and carry :)

Enjoy and keep 'em sharp :)