Anyone Carrying the Spyderco Tusk? You liking it?

RayseM

RayseM

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Feb 18, 2010
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Time (long over due time) to replace this old salt -




The Tusk looks like a real fine upgrade but wonder how it carries and if it serves the intent.

Thanks for any feedback - good, bad or indifferent.
 
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I have carried mine a few times. I like a 3.5" blade personally, so it comes up short in that regard. My father in law does have a sail boat so it will be carried when we go out this summer, but for EDC, one of my many Spyderco's usually gets carried. That being said, it actually is easy to carry and totally functional as just a knife. The marlin spike could be used for other things I suppose. It is top notch in quality and ergonomic. Quite the engineering marvel imo, and that is why I wanted one so bad. The only minor complaint I have is the spine of the knife is quite sharp and when gripping the open spike it digs into your palm. I took one of my Sharp Maker stones and knocked the sharp edge. The spike with the ball bearing lock is very smooth and solid. A very well thought out tool, although a Tusk 2 with at least a 3" blade, maybe a hawk bill, and maybe a serrated edge would be cool.




 
Thanks nccole - great feedback. This would not be an EDC but an on and around the boat carrier. I wondered about the size but leaning to small is preferable in my mind for a boat knife (see the photo above :)) That you say it is "actually is easy to carry and totally functional as just a knife." is what I was really asking about. I can fix the spike too. It's got nice lines, to my eye. Thanks for the info.
 
The Tusk is too new - too use specific - too weird - or just not all that well liked?

Anyone else care to offer a brief review?
 
I'm curious to hear if anyone is actually using this thing on the ocean. I want to know how the new steel fares in comparison to h1.
 
RayseM said:
The Tusk is too new - too use specific - too weird - or just not all that well liked?

Anyone else care to offer a brief review?
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For the reasons you specified coupled with the price could be holding people back from enjoying this one.
I'd pick one up but it would be for the novelty, it would be a stretch for me to find a use for the spike.
 
I carried mine a bit during the past two weekends - doing nothing except chores around the house. I'm finding that the knife blade is a bit clumsy to use, it doesn't deploy as naturally as other Spydies, although the blade itself is good. However, I really really really like the marlinspike. It flips open with a flick of the wrist and closes one handed just as easily. I found that I was using the spike for a lot of stuff I'd typically use the blade or other tools for - like puncturing packaging to open something, popping zip ties (no dulling the knife edge!), and light duty prying. Oh, and by the way, I also used it during a Boy Scout knot tying lesson as well. As you might expect, it works wonderfully unknotting paracord and kernmantle rope.

Its a great tool that is made with a near-custom level of quality. I'll find myself reaching for it more and more. And I'm definitely taking it to Boy Scout summer camp this year.

TedP
 
No one is discouraging me and phillipsted I expected pretty much what you write. Not unlike my old Bosun's Mate - knife OK - marlin spike super useful. I know that the Spyderco blade on the Tusk will be farrrrr superior to the Matey cutter.

Pretty sure this will be the boat/shore knife - my next purchase later in the spring. If so, I'll give a report after some real world use. I'd like to hear more in the meantime. Next …
 
Barman1 said:
For the reasons you specified coupled with the price could be holding people back from enjoying this one.
I'd pick one up but it would be for the novelty, it would be a stretch for me to find a use for the spike.
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This from a guy who wrote in another thread when asked if he had any new Spydercos - "Hundreds since I joined SN less than a year ago. Maybe I'll make a collage. As soon as I figure out how to make a collage…"

Man you made me laugh.:D 100 + knives and you're wondering about the novelty of another. True its the picked end and not the sharp edge but still...:rolleyes:
 
RayseM said:
This from a guy who wrote in another thread when asked if he had any new Spydercos - "Hundreds since I joined SN less than a year ago. Maybe I'll make a collage. As soon as I figure out how to make a collage…"

Man you made me laugh.:D 100 + knives and you're wondering about the novelty of another. True its the picked end and not the sharp edge but still...:rolleyes:
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So what are you trying to tell me? :)

Yeah, I'll have one at some point. :rolleyes:
 
I'm considering buying one for an upcoming sailing trip in the US Virgin Islands. My only worry would be dropping a $200+ knife overboard, instead of a $40 H1 Salt.

I would like to see a "real use" version, as I feel this one is more for collectors. Maybe yellow FRN instead of Ti, full-SE H1, and a price around $60?
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
I'm considering buying one for an upcoming sailing trip in the US Virgin Islands. My only worry would be dropping a $200+ knife overboard, instead of a $40 H1 Salt.

I would like to see a "real use" version, as I feel this one is more for collectors. Maybe yellow FRN instead of Ti, full-SE H1, and a price around $60?
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That a realllll good point - the only thing is - speaking of points - is that none of the Salts have one. If I had to choose one over the other, that marlin spike, on and around boats, is way more useful to me than a serrated blade. You are right though, I would surely be sorely if I dropped a $ 200.00 + knife overboard.

A Salt with a marlin spike would be the perfect solution - and let's say - with a $90.00 price tag. :cool:
 
RayseM said:
That a realllll good point - the only thing is - speaking of points - is that none of the Salts have one. If I had to choose one over the other, that marlin spike, on and around boats, is way more useful to me than a serrated blade. You are right though, I would surely be sorely if I dropped a $ 200.00 + knife overboard.

A Salt with a marlin spike would be the perfect solution - and let's say - with a $90.00 price tag. :cool:
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I swear I looked at that one on the exchange this morning and almost bought it! Not yet though, picked up the new green PM2 from KnifeWorks instead. It was an agonizing decision.
Maybe next time.
 
Barman1 said:
I swear I looked at that one on the exchange this morning and almost bought it! Not yet though, picked up the new green PM2 from KnifeWorks instead. It was an agonizing decision.
Maybe next time.
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Good choice, I would make the same.
 
I wanted to get one, really. Frankly because I wanted an excuse to get that cue-ball lock which, in my opinion, looks awesome. But I am not a sailor, nor do I deal with lots of rope/cordage. Also, tip up is all but a deal-breaker for me for the most part.
 
I carry mine occasionally on weekends.

I really like this knife but almost for other reasons than cutting stuff. It cuts my day to day stuff fine and has been touched up easily. The joy of this knife is that it is so different. The spike is really fun to deploy and it has probably become my "fidget while watching TV knife" because playing with the spike (very, very smooth) is less likely to cut / stab me when I'm concentrating on the TV and not what my hands are doing. It also helps that I like titanium RILs a lot and this is a beautifully executed example of that. The ball lock on the spike is great bonus.

Would I take it kayaking (I don't sail) where there is no real requirement for the spike? Probably not, I'll take my serrated Atlantic Salt or Salt Saver before I went out with the Tusk.
Where I to sail, would I take it on a sailing trip to the USVI where I may need the spike for fiddling with wet rigging? Probably but it would be on a leash / lanyard clipped to my PFD for sure. In this instance I'd prefer serrated sheepfoot but I'd live with PE.
Do I regret buying it? Not for a moment.
Would I buy a back up spare? Probably

To me this is a classic user-collectable where the enjoyment I get from owning it exceeds the utility of it being a knife.
 
I am not a sailor or an ocean person by any means. What function does the spike of the tusk serve? I am genuinely curious.
 
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