Spyderco Techno mini review, comparison, extravaganza with lots of PICS.

[d0nut]

My attraction to the Techno has been a long one, dare I say for more than a year? I'd look at it and love it, look at it again the next week and think it was ugly. I'd look at the specs and speculate that something so short & stubby would surely be heavy and bulky in the pocket. It's such a unique knife and unlike anything I own that I knew it was either a 'love it or hate it' kind of tool. I searched high and low in knife and outdoor stores all over Ohio and could never find one in person to confirm my prejudices because I had to feel it in hand before considering it any further.

Rewind to about a week ago, I made a post somewhere mentioning my interest in the Techno and eschwebach graciously offered to send me his to try out. I couldn't pass the chance up, so we exchanged information and a few days later I had the year long object of my curiosity in hand! Sweet!

To keep things brief, I'll summarize a couple key points:

• Holding the knife feels like holding a box cutter because it's so thick and stout.
• It doesn't feel as heavy as pictures make it "look". The Techno is short and stubby but the weight is well balanced and feels "right".
• The blade length and shape is more practical than I gave it credit for. If I need a smaller tip for any reason, I typically have a smaller knife within arm's reach anyways.
• I'm able to get a 4-finger grip! I was sure it would be a 3-finger grip but with the thumb riding up on the blade on the jimping it fits and fills the hand nicely. If I only grip the handle and do not choke up, I get a three and a half finger grip.
• Speaking of jimping, it's basically non existent. It's too smooth to really get any bite into your thumb. You know it's there, you can see it there, but it serves minimal purpose.
• This is my first time holding a blade with CTS-XHP steel so I can't really comment on it's durability. I've only used it a handful of times to cut tape, cut open the plastic wrap on my kid's kites, tested it on paper edges, and cut off a fishing string snarl. Like I mentioned, this is a loner so I didn't want to rough it up too much. From what little I can tell it's perfectly fine. I did not sharpen it either.
• In the closed position it's much shorter than I pictured it. The specs list it as 3.4" closed, but to see it in my medium sized hands it is quite small.

Here are some comparisons and such.

On top of a BM Mini Ritter Griptilian

Side by side to Dragonfly 2

Dragonfly 2, Techno, BM Doug Ritter Mini Griptilian

Side by side with Ontario Rat I

Side by side with a Benchmade 940​

 

[d0nut]

The purpose of posting this thread was to really help those who are on the fence about the Techno. I was too for such a long time, but after fondling one for a few days I knew it was "for me" so I placed an order yesterday.

I should have my very own by Thursday, if anyone wants a long term update in a few weeks or months after I've had mine for a while, please let me know.


Big thanks again to eschwebach for being such a swell guy and letting me try before I buy. If you ever find yourself in central Ohio, I'll buy you a couple cold ones.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Nice review, d0nut. I have one, NIB, but have never cut with it. It is impressive, to me, due to its heavy-duty construction and fine blade-steel in such a small package. I am glad that you like it and can get a good grip on the knife. Enjoy your new knife. Oh yeah, I have dealt with eschweback, IIRC, in the past, and he is a #1 good guy.

 

[d0nut]

Nice review, d0nut. I have one, NIB, but have never cut with it. It is impressive, to me, due to its heavy-duty construction and fine blade-steel in such a small package. I am glad that you like it and can get a good grip on the knife. Enjoy your new knife. Oh yeah, I have dealt with eschweback, IIRC, in the past, and he is a #1 good guy.

Thanks for the kind words. Have you had to sharpen your Techno yet? Any experience?

 

[d0nut]

Techno owners - what is your experience with sharpening it?

 

[vvk]

The purpose of posting this thread was to really help those who are on the fence about the Techno. I was too for such a long time, but after fondling one for a few days I knew it was "for me" so I placed an order yesterday.

I should have my very own by Thursday, if anyone wants a long term update in a few weeks or months after I've had mine for a while, please let me know.


Big thanks again to eschwebach for being such a swell guy and letting me try before I buy. If you ever find yourself in central Ohio, I'll buy you a couple cold ones.

Bought Techno and returned it after 2 weeks as the knife had a couple of design specifics that made it not working well for my use.
1) the clip is not very functional - it is unfortunately preventing a good grip and hurts the palm in a prolonged use (I even removed the clip and the grip still does not feel right);
2) handle. Titanium gives a premium feel but when wet the feeling is as the knife is about to squeeze out of your hand. A better design solution would have been to have one ;side as titanium and one as G10 (like the special run of 4V Military )
3) weight - too much for the size at least for my use (trail running shorts or in a dress pants).

 

[d0nut]

Bought Techno and returned it after 2 weeks as the knife had a couple of design specifics that made it not working well for my use.
1) the clip is not very functional - it is unfortunately preventing a good grip and hurts the palm in a prolonged use (I even removed the clip and the grip still does not feel right);
2) handle. Titanium gives a premium feel but when wet the feeling is as the knife is about to squeeze out of your hand. A better design solution would have been to have one ;side as titanium and one as G10 (like the special run of 4V Military )
3) weight - too much for the size at least for my use (trail running shorts or in a dress pants).

Interesting notes.

I think the clip is very functional. I like Spyderco's paper clip style pocket clip. I like that it rides super low and it seems tight to me?

I haven't handled the titanium wet, so I can't speak to that.

I also think the weight is appropriate, it doesn't feel too hefty to me but YMMV.

 

[Sonnydaze]

For light use or office, I think a Caly3, Sage or Native series or Chaparral is fine.
For occasional heavy-duty use, the Techno is very hard to beat. Have not had to sharpen. Would not expect any difficulty with decent system.
I have EdgePro Apex which should easily and quickly sharpen it when necessary. The edge will last a long time, however, with casual EDC.
I have large hands but still can get a solid grip on this knife.

 

[Rare blade]

I was unsure about it as well but got a good deal on one so I purchased it knowing I could recoup my money if.I didn't like it. Needless to say it hasn't left my pocket since I got it going on 2 months, I use it daily for opening boxes and such not much hard use but I haven't had to sharpen it yet. I clip it in the small pocket within my Jean pockets which keeps it in place well. The only thing I didn't like about it was the back spacer so I replaced it with a smooth cf backspaced from cuscadi. I grip the knife with three fingers and lock my pinky behind the handle.

 

[flash900]

donut, thanks for the swell photos and review.

The Techno reminds me of a small but mighty Les George folder. The big difference is how much the folks at Spyderco can do at a more attractive price.

 

[vvk]

Interesting notes.

I think the clip is very functional. I like Spyderco's paper clip style pocket clip. I like that it rides super low and it seems tight to me?

I haven't handled the titanium wet, so I can't speak to that.

I also think the weight is appropriate, it doesn't feel too hefty to me but YMMV.

I guess we had somewhat different experience as we used the knife for different purposes. For example, my EDC is Dragonfly2 FRN in ZDP-189. It is very light and cuts like a razor. Techno is by design much beefier but after caring it for a while I could not justify the extra weight as the added strength was not necessary for my EDC purposes (boxes, paper cutting) and the short blade of techno still limits what you can use the knife for. I liked the steel (they say it is "stainless" D2) but the whole package, considering the price, did not make make much sense to me. However, i can see your point that under different philosophy of use techno may make sense. For the people on the fence I would recommend to try it before buying it to make sure it works for you.

 

[Ken44]

Great review !
The royal blue spacer with ridges is why I could never pull the trigger on one. Other than that I think I would love the knife.

good to look at but some design flaws


Bought Techno and returned it after 2 weeks as the knife had a couple of design specifics that made it not working well for my use.
1) the clip is not very functional - it is unfortunately preventing a good grip and hurts the palm in a prolonged use (I even removed the clip and the grip still does not feel right);
2) handle. Titanium gives a premium feel but when wet the feeling is as the knife is about to squeeze out of your hand. A better design solution would have been to have one ;side as titanium and one as G10 (like the special run of 4V Military )
3) weight - too much for the size at least for my use (trail running shorts or in a dress pants).

Those are not design flaws.

They are just some things you don't like about the knife. Nothing wrong with that, as we are all different in what we like.
For example...
1) The Spyderco wire clip is my favorite of any on the market. I place the Sebenza clip second.
2) I have used a wet/bloody Ti knife often when fishing/hunting. Never had one slip. And I hate the feel of Ti on one side and G10(or other material) on the other.
3) I never wear running shorts or dress pants.

 

[edgeobserver]

Techno owners - what is your experience with sharpening it?

I've sharpened my Techno a few times now. Pretty easy to bring back. I don't find the steel overly tough and would compare the experience to sharpening D2. I use 1000 and 8000 grit whet stones followed by a strop charged with 1 micron diamond spray.

 

[d0nut]

Just wanted to give a quick update now that I've had my own for a week now and really gotten a chance to use it hard.

I ran a bunch of ethernet cable last Friday and secured them with thick zip ties. I forgot my snippers in the car and only had the Techno on my so I used it to trim off the tag ends after I sinched up the ties. I cut probably 16-20 ties in total without looking at or feeling the edge. At the end of the day I figured the edge would be somewhat dulled but upon close inspection I can't even tell it was used! It's still razor sharp and zips right through paper with ease. Very impressed!

Over the weekend I spooled up new cord on my weed whacker and used the Techno to cut the cord - no problems.

I broke down 3 large cardboard boxes into small dinner plate size pieces for use in our fire pit - no problem, and no noticeable sign of wear on the blade yet.

So far, color me impressed. My Techno seems to flick open a little easier than the one I borrowed, but I did add 1 drop of Blue Lube to both sizes of the pivot so that's probably why. Overall, I'm enjoying the ergonomics and the robust blade design the most.

 

[knolan]

At the end of the day I figured the edge would be somewhat dulled but upon close inspection I can't even tell it was used! It's still razor sharp and zips right through paper with ease. Very impressed!

Over the weekend I spooled up new cord on my weed whacker and used the Techno to cut the cord - no problems.

I broke down 3 large cardboard boxes into small dinner plate size pieces for use in our fire pit - no problem, and no noticeable sign of wear on the blade yet.

So far, color me impressed. My Techno seems to flick open a little easier than the one I borrowed, but I did add 1 drop of Blue Lube to both sizes of the pivot so that's probably why. Overall, I'm enjoying the ergonomics and the robust blade design the most.

Glad you're enjoying your new Techno. I've said ad nauseam in many post it's my favorite EDC for a variety of reasons...not the least of which is that it is reminiscent, and holds it's own with many of my favorite Ti frame-lock customs, at a fraction of the cost and with generally better steel!

I've been amazed at it's edge holding properties too, after using it very hard for several weeks and finding it still shaves arm hair...I could certainly be wrong, but to me it seems up there with the ZDP189 knives I've had in terms of edge holding without the potential rust and brittleness issues and far easier to sharpen?! I have found no downside with this steel in approx. 1 year of almost constant carry and use.

I still debate spending the $$ to pick-up a back-up Techno in case I ever loose it and availability dries up...not sure I could ever find anything I like better, especially with current street prices. *Although I am anxiously awaiting release of the Spyderco collab/Slysz Bowie!

 

[d0nut]

Glad you're enjoying your new Techno. I've said ad nauseam in many post it's my favorite EDC for a variety of reasons...not the least of which is that it is reminiscent, and holds it's own with many of my favorite Ti frame-lock customs, at a fraction of the cost and with generally better steel!

I've been amazed at it's edge holding properties too, after using it very hard for several weeks and finding it still shaves arm hair...I could certainly be wrong, but to me it seems up there with the ZDP189 knives I've had in terms of edge holding without the potential rust and brittleness issues and far easier to sharpen?! I have found no downside with this steel in approx. 1 year of almost constant carry and use.

I still debate spending the $$ to pick-up a back-up Techno in case I ever loose it and availability dries up...not sure I could ever find anything I like better, especially with current street prices. *Although I am anxiously awaiting release of the Spyderco collab/Slysz Bowie!

Awesome! That's encouraging to hear. I'm looking forward to years of use.

 

[Michigan edge]

Looks good, my favorite size do the pocket!

 

[vic2367]

my next purchase