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Post by randomnobody on Apr 15, 2011 1:51:29 GMT
Yep, saw that one. He and many others made me facepalm when addressing the ratchet. Always the same, "I don't know much about Spanish navajas, or why Spyderco incorporated this device, they call it the 'carraca', and while it does absolutely nothing, it sounds SO COOL." Geez, even I had the foresight to actually research, acquire, and study a real Spanish navaja, before even learning that Spyderco had a modern interpretation in its works, nevermind reviewing Spyderco's, but having to include a disclaimer that I don't know what I was looking at. Oh well, I like my knives just fine; they win both in aesthetics and modeling, and I'm not one for modern materials so much, but I can concede Spyderco used some high-end stuff, though I'd wager my knives are just as capable of filling knife-ly roles as the Spyderco. They also bear the advantage if being the real thing itself.  Nevertheless, Spyderco gets respect for introducing people to a design that they may find themselves actually learning more about by virtue of Spyderco's knife. Which, I will say again, is still a very nice knife. I just won't be buying one at retail, or singing praises of its fascinating and oh-so-cool "carraca mechanism" any time soon. :x |
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Post by Tendrax on Apr 15, 2011 3:56:15 GMT
The only real benefit to the spyderco design over your traditional ones would be that it's thinner and has a pocket clip. I know you are fine with carrying your knife, but I can promise you most knife guys wouldn't. I wouldn't, far to thick, and no pocket clip, it would drive me nuts personally. That said' once in actual use I would probably prefer yours to the spyderco.
Any knife I own without a pocket clip or good sheath(if it's a fixed blade) gets relegated to house duty. They get used, for all kinds of stuff, but only around the house because I'd rather have something easier to carry when I'm out and about.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 15, 2011 4:08:28 GMT
Oh, yeah, I'd definitely like a pocket clip on these guys, but I've been carrying regular pocket knives for years, some quite thick, so it's nothing out of the usual for me to have a full-sized knife riding the bottom of my pocket. The only issue is access. Then again, most of my clip knives have a tendency to be pushed out when I sit down, anyway. Besides, fast access is why I keep a fixed blade in a sheath on my belt, too. Looking at the Spyderco again, it looks like their greatest influence in design is the Capaora style of navaja. Here are two links to Aceros' and Filofiel's selection of Capaora style knives: www.aceros-de-hispania.com/infer ... car=Buscar www.filofiel.com/tienda/advanced ... ra&x=0&y=0 This is not my favorite style, personally, but I will likely acquire one just to have a representative. In fact, this is a rather nice set of the major types of navaja: www.aceros-de-hispania.com/navaj ... inox-01216 which I may just go with for ease of display. Not necessarily this one, there are cheaper, but they all feature the same styles. Only concern is, I don't know if they are all, or even if any of the featured knives, are the "carraca" type lock. Either way, still neat. |
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 15, 2011 5:55:50 GMT
Quick update: the Albacete knife has begun to fail at the final lock. The first four detents are all still good, but the last one is no longer holding with absolute security. It still takes some force, but it's possible to skip the lock. It looks like there has already been substantial wear on the top tooth of the blade, it's worn almost round; the locking bar isn't dropping in properly, either. I'll be looking into whether this is fixable, probably just a touch-up with a file, but I'm not exactly surprised. 15 Euro and all that. Still a nice display piece, but I won't be using it until I fix it.
The others are holding up fine; the J.J. Martinez is broken in nicely and holding firm, the Celaya is still a bit stubborn, but we're getting there. Only the Albacete has any problems, and it's purely the fault of excessive overuse; my overzealousness in trying to "wear it in" simply wore it out already. Oops. :oops:
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 21, 2011 9:11:25 GMT
Today will mark the 9th day since Aceros de Hispania confirmed my payment, and quoted 8-10 days for shipment. This time there is no taking number for me to constantly refresh, so the anticipation is killing me. I hope the knives arrive today, as I'm off work, but tomorrow is 10a-6p, so I'd miss them if they delivered tomorrow. Unless the delivery methods doesn't require a signature, that is, though I've not had a package left out in a long time...
Money is tight right now; scooter repairs were a big hot to the ol' pocket, but I'm hoping to have another go with Aceros soon; this time making sure to use the right payment method, so we can see how long a PROPER order takes. :oops:
I've already got three or four knives picked out when I do get my hands on some of that money stuff again.
Edit: Nothing today. :cry:
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 24, 2011 22:51:29 GMT
Hoping tomorrow will bring my Aceros order, unless the PO is closed, in which case Tuesday...but in the meantime, just in case anybody was still at all interested in these knives, here is a very interesting series of videos of one being made. If I'm not mistaken, this is the fellow at the head of Exposito. Here's part one: On the note of Exposito knives, I'm working my way toward getting one, but it seems like all the less-expensive models have only a single locking point. The only one I can confirm to have the multi-level, ratcheting "carraca" lock is their M106, seen here: www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=5100 There are two reasons I have not bought this knife yet, both of which I should be getting over soon. Reason one: it's too big. 14 centimeters, 5.5 inches. Two inches over my state's legal limit for carry, thus, a useless knife for me. Reason two: It's EXPENSIVE. 112 Euros is 163 US Dollars. For a knife. A SHOWPIECE knife.  Granted, I'm less and less bothered by these things, and more inclined to just pick one up, anyway. While I'm at it, I'll also be getting J.J. Martinez's model 1808 Anniversary knife, seen here: www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=3734 Granted, this one is also far too large for carry, but what the hell, it's pretty, and I'm very much in love with my little arabe from J.J. Martinez, so I figure I'll give them more money, why not? BUT...both knives will run me $350-ish, plus shipping. :x Oh well...our hobby, eh? :roll: wnydel, ever pick anything up? :geek: |
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Apr 25, 2011 4:15:18 GMT
I hope you'll soon get those blades from Aceros, that will end your ordeal  |
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 25, 2011 5:53:50 GMT
No kidding. :x I just went back to the second page to see when I actually placed the order at Aceros...March 12. Here it is April 25, and I MIGHT see them in the next day or so? Maybe? Sheesh...what a hassle. Again, all because I missed a tick box in their online order form. :roll: Next time, I swear I'll do it right. :oops: Updated my review, btw, with the video of my initial efforts at acquainting myself with the operation of the other three, for those interested. |
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 25, 2011 14:37:49 GMT
LIKCVMOIJSVIOS;MGOVJ ZUIHYCNI;  Review pending. Heading out now. |
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 26, 2011 0:59:32 GMT
Review postponed until further notice. The Joker has bled me no less than four times. I do not like this knife, not at all. I'll tame it, though. Then maybe review it.
The Albainox is good, though. Especially for less than 9 Euro. I'll cover it eventually.
...that is, if anybody even cares. Seems I'm the only one still posting here. >_>
Oh well. I has new toys, at least.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Apr 26, 2011 1:25:25 GMT
Nice knives man, congratulations for living through the waiting period lol. You say one of these blades has cut you 4 times ? Were you sampling too much Newcastle or is the knife that bloodthirsty ? If you want and have the time, feel free to make a short review of these two, to compare them to the other three that you've got. |
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 26, 2011 1:28:56 GMT
As soon as I got it, the first time I tried to close it, my hand slipped operating the lock (another note of displeasure to be addressed later) and the NEEDLE TIP went straight into the tip-knuckle of my left-hand little finger, cut me over 1/4". Put it away for a bit, then when I came back later I went for the ol' shaving test. Yeah...lots of hair popping off, no worries there...but it got skin, too. Three times.
It's in timeout. :evil:
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Apr 26, 2011 1:35:14 GMT
Ugh, that sucks ...At least we now know that the edge is sharp enough out of the box ...
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 26, 2011 2:01:31 GMT
Yep, no doubts there. Point is wicked, too, obviously.
The lock, though...the lock SUCKS. It holds fine and dandy, and opening is peachy, but closing that thing is just...no.
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Post by Tendrax on Apr 26, 2011 2:30:28 GMT
I would definitely be interested in a review and maybe some videos.
Also, your patience is amazing, I would have chalked them up as lost money like weeks ago. Lol.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 26, 2011 21:19:50 GMT
I think I'm starting to get the hang of the Joker; the lock is just really awkward, and very stiff still. I'll mess with it a bit more but I'll probably write something up on Thursday, when I'm off. Unless I can stay awake long enough after work tomorrow. I got called in to work tonight from 6-10:?? PM, but go back in tomorrow 6AM-2:30PM, so I'll probably just pass out when I get home. :oops:
The Albainox is turning out to be a very, very good knife. I quite like it. Not so much as the J.J. Martinez, but I like it better than the Celaya and the Albacete.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 27, 2011 23:53:22 GMT
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Post by Tendrax on Apr 28, 2011 0:34:38 GMT
Nice man. I'm really liking the Albainox. Might pick myself up one.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 28, 2011 0:47:13 GMT
Once I get some money again, I'll be trying out their other shapes. I'm particularly interested in seeing how their Arabes stand up to my J.J. Martinez. There's one with wood scales for about 1/4 the price, but I'm thinking of going for the buffalo horn version for almost double that one...
There are still three or four styles I'd like to try out.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 29, 2011 4:16:32 GMT
Resurrecting this thread for giggles because I've found myself wanting another one of these knives. These days I still carry my J.J. Martinez, Martinez Albainox, and Joker with me every time I go out "casual" anywhere. To work, I still take my J.J. Martinez and the Martinex Albainox. I use the former to cut any food I get on my breaks if needed and the latter in the event my normal boxcutter is on loan. I get looks for both. Oh, as to Martinez Albainox, while I feel it's a better overall knife than either the Celaya or the Albacete, the only reason I carry it everywhere is because it's my "throw-away" knife. You know, that knife you use when you don't want to risk damage to another, better knife, yet you don't trust another knife to hold up, either. It's a sturdy unit, lock is strong, blade is a bit thin and the extra grooves make it feel kinda flimsy, and edge retention is only good, nowhere near great, though currently it sits with a nice, working edge, with only a few "strops" a day. (I use the term "strop" but ultimately I jut run it over an old leather belt that I've worn down a bit by...well, running knives over it. It kinda works the same way, and it wipes off the edge without risking my fingers.) That said, it's not my best knife...but it's not my worst. I won't be buying another Martinez Albainox knife, but I won't be telling anybody else not to. For under 10 Euro (~12 USD) I figure I get far more than I paid for with it, but feel like I have better knives available, like my Joker and J.J. Martinez. Of course, this is hardly fair, as the former is triple the cost, the latter quadruple.  BUT, I do like it better than the Albacete, which was almost double the price, or the Celaya, which was more than double, and almost triple, the price. Never did spring for an Exposito, so I figure I might get around to that, but instead of spending the 40-50 Euro on a pocket-sized version that will likely spend its time on my desk doing nothing, much like the Albacete and Celaya currently do, I figure I'd at least get a showpiece. Still looking at their M106 for this. (See here: www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=5100 ) Of course, while I'm worried that the smaller models won't stand up to my expectations, the videos I linked before (I think?) of the gentleman actually making one of these specific knives has assured me that they, at least, are very well done. I'm kind off iffy on actually picking one up, though, as 112 Euros is a LOT of (lousy American) money. I've been so pleased, however, with my J.J. Martinez that I figured I'd give 'em more of my money and pick up one of their big-ticketers. Once upon a time, I'd decided I was definitely going to save up and buy their "Aniversario 1808 Combinada" ( www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=3734 ) because it just screamed "awesome huge knife" to me, but I've just been browsing about at ol' Filofiel Cuchilleria (obviously, hence the links and this post) and noticed a few models I don't recall seeing previously. Thus, my post. As much as I hate it when somebody pulls this same move... I don't know which one to get, so I'm probing opinions. :oops: I was sold, quite solidly, on this one: www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=6138 But then I found this one: www.filofiel.com/tienda/product_ ... ts_id=4951 These are both pretty much bigger versions of the kinfe I already have, which I can only see a a good thing, since my knife is amazing and I cannot stress that enough. What I'm debating is, do I want the "exact copy but bigger" or do I want the one with the fancy engravings and spiffy pull-ring? Or do I stick with the original idea and just get the beefy 1808? The price difference, while a range of something like $30+ between the three, is pretty much insignificant once the prices themselves are taken into consideration...I mean, come on, the "cheapest" is still 132 Euros. That's just over $175. The highest price of the three is "only" 23 Euro, or about $30 more. What's the difference, right? That said, the Siglo XVIII models are a bit longer, though more slender, than the anniversary model. Okay so 2cm longer. Just over 3/4-inch difference. But something about the proportions of the overall package just appeal to me more. Besides, the anniversary looks too much, in silhouette, like the Exposito, which I will also eventually be buying. Maybe? So I'd rather not have too many knives at that price point in the same overall shape... Especially since my current Albacete, Martinez Albainox, and Celaya are virtually indistinguishable from one another in shadow already. So I'm mostly leaning toward the engravings for their aesthetics (this is, after all, a pure showpiece) and the pull-ring for the sake of a different lock type. Well, ultimately, the lock itself is the very same; it's the release itself (not even the method) that is different. That said, I still need to get my old wak polished, and also want an 11-inch swedge bayonet swinguard stiletto from Frank Beltrame... ...and I need to pay off debt, maybe buy a new vehicle, and it's almost Christmas... ...  |
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BUT, I do like it better than the Albacete, which was almost double the price, or the Celaya, which was more than double, and almost triple, the price.
