Victorinox one handed sentienal

C

ChrisFarms

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I was looking at getting one of them and i was wondering a few things about it.
What is the actual blade length?
What type of steel does victorinox use and is it hard to sharpen and how well does it hold an edge?
Is it good for being a user?
 
Victorinox uses Sandvic 12C27, basically. They actually don't reveal their secret formula, but people have found through tests that their steel has almost the same properties as that. It's a steel that takes a very sharp edge very easily, but doesn't hold it that long. It will work find for moderate use, and the thin blades on Vics will keep cutting for a while before needing resharpening.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Victorinox uses Sandvic 12C27, basically. They actually don't reveal their secret formula, but people have found through tests that their steel has almost the same properties as that. It's a steel that takes a very sharp edge very easily, but doesn't hold it that long. It will work find for moderate use, and the thin blades on Vics will keep cutting for a while before needing resharpening.
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sounds decent, i dont cut real hard, i cut alot of paper bags (potatoes come in them) and alot of tape. I was using my gerber fast draw today but the steel is so crap on it that it had small chips in it
 
Yeah, Gerber supposedly uses a Chinese version of 440A, but they don't heat treat it properly. The steel on Vics should perform better.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Yeah, Gerber supposedly uses a Chinese version of 440A, but they don't heat treat it properly. The steel on Vics should perform better.
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yea, gerber i mean its a great knife, but i get sick of running it on ceramic rods at the end of everyday to get a cutting egde back. i want to sharpen it like once a week not once a day
 
I edc an Electrician model and I sharpen it every few weeks for about 5 mins on a strop. The idea that it loses it's edge quick is coming from people comparing it to super steels and not actually using the thing IMO. Or are using it on something that dulls super steels quick too. I use it to cut random straps and such at work and do some fuzz stick making with it at home. I've even used it to split kindling. If you know what you're doing it's a good little knife.
 
ChrisFarms said:
yea, gerber i mean its a great knife
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Just wait til you get more into the hobby. My first knife was a Gerber, and now I hate that thing. I think you'll find that there are other knives out there that are better in every way for the same price or less. The one good thing I can say about Gerber is that they have good customer service, but their knives are really subpar IMO.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Just wait til you get more into the hobby. My first knife was a Gerber, and now I hate that thing. I think you'll find that there are other knives out there that are better in every way for the same price or less. The one good thing I can say about Gerber is that they have good customer service, but their knives are really subpar IMO.
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yea, i havent had alot of experence with other things, i have a gerber multitool that iv had for 5 years and thats been excellent for 30$, but the fast draw is nice but the steel is subpar, im looking for something to replace it, im open for suggestions, i got other threads on it, iv been considering this vic for a while tho
 
Cutting edge is about 3 1/8" long.

I like Vic steel very much. It's tempered for toughness and ease of maintenance more than edge holding.

I think it's a good user. However, it's somewhat unique in the world of modern one hand folding knives. It has a backspring like a slipjoint, the linerlock is "backwards", or lefty, compared with the way pretty much everyone else does it. The liner lock is also very old school, in that it does not wedge against the blade tang like modern liner/frame locks, but rather, simply blocks the tang from closing. The tip of the blade isn't terribly pointy, and relatively thin blade stock. They have few options regarding a pocket clip. The clip equipped model I find to be not all that great. The clip just seems an afterthought. And the serrated model is a combination edge that is opposite the way (and the better way, IMO) than almost everyone else does it.
 
shecky said:
Cutting edge is about 3 1/8" long.

I like Vic steel very much. It's tempered for toughness and ease of maintenance more than edge holding.

I think it's a good user. However, it's somewhat unique in the world of modern one hand folding knives. It has a backspring like a slipjoint, the linerlock is "backwards", or lefty, compared with the way pretty much everyone else does it. The tip of the blade isn't terribly pointy, and relatively thin blade stock. They have few options regarding a pocket clip. The clip equipped model I find to be not all that great. The clip just seems an afterthought. And the serrated model is a combination edge that is opposite the way (and the better way, IMO) than almost everyone else does it.
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i see, even tho its opposite liner lock is it still easily closed right handeD? and i will prob get the pocket clip just for convience if i decide to purchase it
 
I carry a one-handed sentinel all the time. It is one of my favorite and most oft-used EDC folders.

However, I tend to think that you (ChrisFarms) would not be happy with it, for its lack of defensive capabilities (you're the guy who spray-painted his Buck Bantam black, right?) Two issues with the Sentinel you might find unattractive:

1) It has a rounded tip. The tip is not sharp, or even pointy. Not a stabbing weapon at all. I know most younger guys or newer guys to the hobby like to know that their EDC knife could kill somebody if it had to, lol.

2) the handle shape is extremely ergonomic for EDC tasks, however the scale material, which is a plastic/nylon type material, is not grippy. So any icepick-style stabbling motions or forehand stabbing would be ill-advised at one's hand would not have extreme purchase on the blade.

As far as the steel, it's their proprietary recipe, but as a user above me pointed out it's edge retention is comparable to many other steels and that's been my experience. There's no question you can get it wicked sharp and it will come that way out of the box.

I know the name "sentinel" seems to indicate some defensive capabilities, but the name belies what it really is: a good, solid EDC user for the money and not much more.
 
I normally close liner locks with my thumb. The Vic gets closed with my index finger instead. It's unusual, and took a bit of getting used to, but it works fine.
 
The Vic Is Perfect For EDC. It'll Go Quite A While Without Needing Sharpened And It's A Great Knife.
The Spyderco Tenacious Is Also A Wonderful Knife For EDC. It's Great.
 
emperorwang said:
I carry a one-handed sentinel all the time. It is one of my favorite and most oft-used EDC folders.

However, I tend to think that you (ChrisFarms) would not be happy with it, for its lack of defensive capabilities (you're the guy who spray-painted his Buck Bantam black, right?) Two issues with the Sentinel you might find unattractive:

1) It has a rounded tip. The tip is not sharp, or even pointy. Not a stabbing weapon at all. I know most younger guys or newer guys to the hobby like to know that their EDC knife could kill somebody if it had to, lol.

2) the handle shape is extremely ergonomic for EDC tasks, however the scale material, which is a plastic/nylon type material, is not grippy. So any icepick-style stabbling motions or forehand stabbing would be ill-advised at one's hand would not have extreme purchase on the blade.

As far as the steel, it's their proprietary recipe, but as a user above me pointed out it's edge retention is comparable to many other steels and that's been my experience. There's no question you can get it wicked sharp and it will come that way out of the box.

I know the name "sentinel" seems to indicate some defensive capabilities, but the name belies what it really is: a good, solid EDC user for the money and not much more.
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lol i see where you get this assumption from but i actually dont care if it is self defence capable because im gonna use it for work, and i painted my bantam black just to see how the paint would come out and hold up, if it did some horrible things i only lost out on 12 bucks of knife, was more an experement lol

I actually dont ever really intend to use my knife for any type of selfdefence and if i ever had to ik that anything can be used when it comes down to it.
 
ChrisFarms said:
lol i see where you get this assumption from but i actually dont care if it is self defence capable because im gonna use it for work, and i painted my bantam black just to see how the paint would come out and hold up, if it did some horrible things i only lost out on 12 bucks of knife, was more an experement lol

I actually dont ever really intend to use my knife for any type of selfdefence and if i ever had to ik that anything can be used when it comes down to it.
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Oh well in that case I don't see how you could go wrong getting one. It's 20 bucks well spent, believe me mine's been put through the paces at work and still going strong.
 
I kinda have to disagree with a lot of the above posts. first: unless they've started using a different steel since my last swiss army knife i really don't think that highly of the steel. I can never get an edge i'm happy with on a SAK and they do dull noticeably faster than other cheap (read: gas station) knives i have. Also, i just don't like the design of that particular model. if you're looking for just a knife their are plenty of better design out there. where victorinox really shines is their awesome multi tool swiss army knives. get a one handed trekker or something and you'll use it for the rest of your life but after reading the seemingly dozens of other threads you've started asking for knife recommendations, this one seems like the least suitable one for you.

spend the money. get something like a dragonfly or a buck vantage pro and try it out. if you want something that will hold an edge for more than a day of cutting boxes these will do it. even a cheap kershaw with 14c28n will hold an edge far better than your gerber. it really does make a difference.
 
fatherhudson said:
I kinda have to disagree with a lot of the above posts. first: unless they've started using a different steel since my last swiss army knife i really don't think that highly of the steel. I can never get an edge i'm happy with on a SAK and they do dull noticeably faster than other cheap (read: gas station) knives i have. Also, i just don't like the design of that particular model. if you're looking for just a knife their are plenty of better design out there. where victorinox really shines is their awesome multi tool swiss army knives. get a one handed trekker or something and you'll use it for the rest of your life but after reading the seemingly dozens of other threads you've started asking for knife recommendations, this one seems like the least suitable one for you.

spend the money. get something like a dragonfly or a buck vantage pro and try it out. if you want something that will hold an edge for more than a day of cutting boxes these will do it. even a cheap kershaw with 14c28n will hold an edge far better than your gerber. it really does make a difference.
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okay, and im glade someone posted some negativity because you cant make a decision if no1 says anything bad, even the most expensive knives have there cons, so i def know something budget friendly is gonna have plenty of cons

And i know what you mean, 3-4 years ago i got a swiss tool from my aunt and uncle for xmas and its an amazing tool, i just never wear a belt so it doesnt get much use
 
I did find the reverse lock a nuisance, but not a deal breaker.

Victorinox knives have a reputation, well founded after decades of user reports, of the classic solid user. You can't go wrong.

I find the edge does not hold as well as a super steel (at a much, much higher price), and is incredibly easy to sharpen.

If you want to move a step up, I highly recommend the Buck Vantage. Great feel in the hand, and very sharp.
 
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