Spyderco Roadie?

glocktenman

glocktenman

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What do you all know about the Spyderco Roadie? It's a slipjoint. Any reviews or opinions?
 
Cyrano said:
http://www.everydaycommentary.com/2016/03/spyderco-roadie-review.html
Click to expand...

I'm sure he can use Google. Pretty sure he's looking for an opinion of people on this forum and not just external links pasted in.

I used to have a Roadie. It was a cool little knife but I never could bring myself to carry it over other smaller Spydies. I believe it was originally made to be legal to carry on an airplane. The TSA was going to allow knives with blades of 1.7" or less to be carried on an airplane. They changed their mind and Spyderco had already had begun manufacture of the Roadie.
 
I have no experience with the Roadie , so I'm sorry I can't comment on the knife itself .

This thread was basically moved over from the Traditional forum because the Roadie doesn't fit with their rules as to what a Traditional knife is .
That in itself I think summarises the Roadie .
It doesn't quite fit anywhere in the different knife groups .
It's not a Traditional knife , but it's not a Modern folder either .
It blade shape , coloured synthetic handle and size put it into a " No mans land " .

I think it's an interesting knife , but will never buy one because I would never carry it .

Ken
 
Hi Glocktenman,

The Roadie is a "portable edge" that is politically correct just about anywhere where laws are tight. It does not lock, It cannot be opened with one hand. It is sized to fit the European standard for travel on a airplane. I usually carry one as a 2nd knife and can use it without raising eyebrows.

sal
 
I have one, great little knife. I use it often around the house, I have even shipped it to myself on vacations to have something lite to carry.
 
I like mine a lot, and I generally don't like pocket floating a knife (always clip). But this one goes great into a coin pocket as a secondary back up, like Sal mentioned above, or crowd friendly cutter if judgement calls for it.

Surprising ergos when opened. Choil really makes it, and separates it from some of the traditionals that I've carried and used.

Also, the only factory red Spyderco I own, a bit of a rarity.

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I'd like to see an alternative version with a Kiridashi style blade, if it could somehow be made to close far enough to cover a blade where the point would be much higher than this sheepsfoot.
 
Sorry Sal, with a little practice it can be opened and closed one handed. :)

As far as the knife itself, I carry mine on days when my knife needs to be a little more discreet. I find the design very easy to use and is a nice update to a traditional knife.

If I lost it, I'd replace it as it has a defined role in my rotation. A G10 version would a fantastic upgrade.
 
Thanks for the info and pics. The links were a good read too.

Sal, If I understood one of the reviews, this a design of yours?

I ordered a black one today. We'll see how it is when it's in my hand.


Harronek, I was writing in the traditional area that the Spyderco area may not accept it either. It is a very unique knife.

Kreyzhorse, Are you using your thumb to open it or the weight of the handle to sling it open? It's tough to fully imagine without holding one and realizing the weight of the knife and spring strength.
 
Hi SpeedHoles,

Great pics! Thanx Much.

Hey Glocktenman,

Yes, That's one of mine. Actually ended up putting a lot more time in it and more models that we would have expected. Continually refining until it was right. I've used it as an only EDC more than once and while it doesn't seem like much, it performed well....even cut my sushi ;) And we made it thick enough so you don't snap the blade if you make the mistake of prying. N690Co is a very nice steel.

sal
 
That's great to know. It must be a super feeling seeing people talk about and purchase a knife you designed.
 
It feels good that our customers appreciate my efforts and I can serve our company and our customers. Humbling really. It feels good that Eric can lead the company in the future.

sal
 
It's a design I've always admired -- classic but recognizably Spyderco -- but I have a huge mental block when it comes to FRN. If they made it in CF I'd jump at the chance to own one. Would be lovely to pull out in mixed company.
 
SpeedHoles said:
Choil really makes it, and separates it from some of the traditionals that I've carried and used.

Also, the only factory red Spyderco I own, a bit of a rarity.
Click to expand...

Kreyzhorse said:
Sorry Sal, with a little practice it can be opened and closed one handed. :)
Click to expand...

Sal Glesser said:
And we made it thick enough so you don't snap the blade if you make the mistake of prying. N690Co is a very nice steel.
Click to expand...

Roadie wasn't on my radar at all but thanks to these comments it is now - not just on my radar but in my shopping cart. :D

& I'll add my vote for a future version with G-10 (green, please) or CF. I think CF would make it an awesome classy gentleman's (or ladies) pen knife.
 
Man, talk about fast shipping....I got the Roadie today. This is a well made, solid feeling knife in a very useful size. The spring strength is good and the pull is about 4/10. The half stop and open is solid feeling. When it's open it almost seems like a lock blade but it's not. The choil with the jimping on the blade really make the knife feel larger in your hand when holding it. The grind is an excellent flat grind and it is precise and very clean. The double dimple on the blade works great. I'd like to see some traditional knife makers use it instead of a nail nick for the easy open models. Anyone know what the emblem on the blade is opposite of the Spyderco emblem? I like this knife a whole bunch. Time for some carry and use this week.
 
I have a roadie and will say it is a great little knife. It fits in the coin pocket or left hand pocket and totally replaced my little peanut. I would recommend to all. I liked it so much I gave the CV peanut away. I carry it as a second knife but have no doubt it would more than hold its own as the only knife.
 
I bought a Roadie for my wife to use around the house, but I think I am going to take it back from her. While somewhat counter-intuitive, she wanted a knife with a lock because it requires less hand / finger pressure for her to close (i.e. doesn't have to push against the slip joint spring). I ended up buying her a ZPD Ladybug, which I had never previously considered. The Ladybug is worth cross shopping if looking at the Roadie. The Ladybug is shorter, and has a thinner blade stock but is the same thickness overall. Because of the handle and blade shape, the Roadie is absolutely less intimidating in a very conservative environment, if that is a factor for you. My company has an ambiguous "no weapons" policy so I will probably carry the Roadie in addition to a Techno and / or small Inkosi. Which one gets used will depend on who is around... just to be cautious. The Roadie has great practicality, doesn't cost much and is often overlooked.
 
I had one when they first came out. It was a neat little knife but I felt the detent was weak and I actually felt like the blade might accidentally deploy in my pocket so I let it go.
 
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