This is great! I've been looking all over for a video of this thing in action and I can't find a single one! I think you must have the only video in all of RUclips showcasing how it performs. Thanks a ton for posting this. Great camera work. Seems the edge holds up fairly well and isn't too weak when you twisted it somewhat during some of that notching and feathersticking. I wasn't sure how thin the edge was but it appears it must have good geometry, not too thin and weak, yet not too thick and unable to cut well. I may even like this better than the Fallkniven offerings. It appears that it may have better edge geometry and cutting performance than the Fallkniven F1 or S1 pro but I have yet to hold either in hand to say for sure.
Thank you for the comment, you rightly make you choose between this Spyderco and Falkniven. Hard choice. I have all F1 versions, I like these knives so much, but now I play with wood more often with Zoomer. Best regards.
Thanks for this info! Spyderco unfortunately does not post HT specs on their blades for some unknown reasons. Did you have a Rockwell test performed on your blade to find this out?
@@topfueljunkie100 I know this from a friend who is in the Dutch bushcraft group, there was also the exact specification on the Dutch knives and tools website. My experience with this knife also confirms this. I compared with knives in convex ,hardened to 59, 60 and 62 HRC. Spyderco did a great job of tempering this knife. It keeps the sharpness for a long time and at the same time there is no tendency to chipping the blade. The only thing you need to be careful about is the tip. The last millimeter is super thin. But I managed to resharpen it and now it's durable.
@@lemy650 Good info. I like that you've got some good experience to back this up through testing it against other similar blades with varying HTs. I find that more valuable and informative than an actual HT/Rockwell test. I'm guessing some of these convex blades you evaluated this against were the Fallkniven knives you own like F1 and F1 Pro. How do you like this as compared to them? Any better in carving/cutting ability, ergonomics, or edge retention? With the thinner blade stock the Zoomer has and the taller convex (thinner edge geometry) it appears to have, I imagine it cuts a bit better than the thicker, more obtuse edge on an F1 or especially the F1 Pro I'm guessing.
@@topfueljunkie100 The Spyderco Zoomer and falkniven F1 Pro are among my knives with the best cutting properties (top 3). Of course, the blade profile is a bit different and this is where the Zoomer has the advantage over F1. The Zoomer cuts more aggressively and allows you to work faster, especially in wood. As for the strength of the blade, the Zoomer keeps the sharpness longer, which in my opinion is the result of hardening and the steel used. But if we are talking about the resistance of the entire blade to critical loads, the math speaks for F1. With normal use, there's nothing to think about. In short, the Zoomer blade profile allows you to work more efficiently and the F1 you have more control over the material being processed (Don't take into account the difference in blade length) . The Zoomer bites much more into the material than the F1. Of course, a lot depends on the user. The longer I work with these knives, the easier it is for me to control them. You have to remember that everyone has a different physiology, manual skills and different experiences and what I think about these knives will not always be good advice for everyone. . Overall, the Zoomer has better cutting properties on a variety of materials, but the difference is small. The F1 has been my favorite belt knife for 15 years (whatever version) and the Zoomer has been my favorite forest knife for 2 years. In my top 3 knives I have 3 other brands, I am not a fan of specific brands but of specific knife designs and their quality values. I always use knives, and then I form my opinion about them, there is no better method. No tests or opinions of others will tell you whether this particular knife is better for you. They can only direct your interest. Best regards in the new year.
@@lemy650 I 100% agree with you on forming opinions based on personal experience. It's exactly how I do things. No brand favoritism, a knife stands or falls on its own merits. Your answers have been a great help as I evaluate these knives before purchase. I really appreciate your in depth responses. Thanks so much. Unfortunately this means I'm likely ending up with BOTH knives now! Then, of course, I need to get the TRC Mille Cuori as well (and a few other TRC knives) and probably an LT Wright to round out the smaller outdoor knife collection. Sigh..... It never ends, does it? :P My wallet's gonna hate me! Happy New Year friend!
If for 20 years you are looking for the perfect knife (which in fact does not exist) and spend a fortune on the search and finally find a knife close to the ideal and you are satisfied with it, spending such a sum of money does not seem silly then. Of course, my wife did not understand this. Like 90% of people.
@@lemy650 that’s awesome, I just started learning. So for this blade you have the entire side of the blade on the stone so you don’t create a secondary bevel right?
I sometimes use it for very precise work, for example carving using the axis of rotation. This additional part of the handle is useful, because then you do not hurt your thumb during such work. Unfortunately, this is not documented in this movie.
The wood looks like Quaking Aspen. I like the way the Zoomer performs. Thank you.
This is great! I've been looking all over for a video of this thing in action and I can't find a single one! I think you must have the only video in all of RUclips showcasing how it performs.
Thanks a ton for posting this. Great camera work.
Seems the edge holds up fairly well and isn't too weak when you twisted it somewhat during some of that notching and feathersticking. I wasn't sure how thin the edge was but it appears it must have good geometry, not too thin and weak, yet not too thick and unable to cut well.
I may even like this better than the Fallkniven offerings. It appears that it may have better edge geometry and cutting performance than the Fallkniven F1 or S1 pro but I have yet to hold either in hand to say for sure.
Thank you for the comment, you rightly make you choose between this Spyderco and Falkniven. Hard choice. I have all F1 versions, I like these knives so much, but now I play with wood more often with Zoomer. Best regards.
3 years later is this still in your top 3 ?
Definitely yes.
Thanks for the update, someones selling one for 270, sounds like a deal to me
@@michaelsherman931on sale now at BladeHQ. I want one but I’ve already spent way too much on knives. Lol
Want to see a darn dao used . I’m never using mine unless it’s the Apocalypse
If you are wondering what hardness the Zoomer blade has, I inform you that it is 61 HRC on the Rockwell scale.
Thanks for this info! Spyderco unfortunately does not post HT specs on their blades for some unknown reasons.
Did you have a Rockwell test performed on your blade to find this out?
@@topfueljunkie100
I know this from a friend who is in the Dutch bushcraft group, there was also the exact specification on the Dutch knives and tools website. My experience with this knife also confirms this. I compared with knives in convex ,hardened to 59, 60 and 62 HRC. Spyderco did a great job of tempering this knife. It keeps the sharpness for a long time and at the same time there is no tendency to chipping the blade. The only thing you need to be careful about is the tip. The last millimeter is super thin. But I managed to resharpen it and now it's durable.
@@lemy650 Good info. I like that you've got some good experience to back this up through testing it against other similar blades with varying HTs. I find that more valuable and informative than an actual HT/Rockwell test.
I'm guessing some of these convex blades you evaluated this against were the Fallkniven knives you own like F1 and F1 Pro.
How do you like this as compared to them? Any better in carving/cutting ability, ergonomics, or edge retention?
With the thinner blade stock the Zoomer has and the taller convex (thinner edge geometry) it appears to have, I imagine it cuts a bit better than the thicker, more obtuse edge on an F1 or especially the F1 Pro I'm guessing.
@@topfueljunkie100 The Spyderco Zoomer and falkniven F1 Pro are among my knives with the best cutting properties (top 3). Of course, the blade profile is a bit different and this is where the Zoomer has the advantage over F1. The Zoomer cuts more aggressively and allows you to work faster, especially in wood. As for the strength of the blade, the Zoomer keeps the sharpness longer, which in my opinion is the result of hardening and the steel used. But if we are talking about the resistance of the entire blade to critical loads, the math speaks for F1. With normal use, there's nothing to think about. In short, the Zoomer blade profile allows you to work more efficiently and the F1 you have more control over the material being processed
(Don't take into account the difference in blade length) . The Zoomer bites much more into the material than the F1. Of course, a lot depends on the user. The longer I work with these knives, the easier it is for me to control them. You have to remember that everyone has a different physiology, manual skills and different experiences and what I think about these knives will not always be good advice for everyone. . Overall, the Zoomer has better cutting properties on a variety of materials, but the difference is small. The F1 has been my favorite belt knife for 15 years (whatever version) and the Zoomer has been my favorite forest knife for 2 years. In my top 3 knives I have 3 other brands, I am not a fan of specific brands but of specific knife designs and their quality values. I always use knives, and then I form my opinion about them, there is no better method. No tests or opinions of others will tell you whether this particular knife is better for you. They can only direct your interest. Best regards in the new year.
@@lemy650 I 100% agree with you on forming opinions based on personal experience. It's exactly how I do things. No brand favoritism, a knife stands or falls on its own merits.
Your answers have been a great help as I evaluate these knives before purchase. I really appreciate your in depth responses. Thanks so much.
Unfortunately this means I'm likely ending up with BOTH knives now! Then, of course, I need to get the TRC Mille Cuori as well (and a few other TRC knives) and probably an LT Wright to round out the smaller outdoor knife collection.
Sigh..... It never ends, does it? :P My wallet's gonna hate me!
Happy New Year friend!
No question it holds an edge - and it better, at $400+!
If for 20 years you are looking for the perfect knife (which in fact does not exist) and spend a fortune on the search and finally find a knife close to the ideal and you are satisfied with it, spending such a sum of money does not seem silly then.
Of course, my wife did not understand this. Like 90% of people.
@@lemy650 You have a good point (no pun intended) ;-). Best of bushcrafting in the new year!
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Very nice video. Great knife, Can I ask you about your gloves? They look really useful. Who makes them? Are they leather or synthetic?
These are Helikon Woodcrafter gloves. They are made of high-quality lether.
Man of few word's 😁
Did you sharpen before cutting paper?
No
Being a zero grind, How would you go about sharpening something like this at home?
I sharpen by hand on stones, 10 years of trial and I have learned at last.
@@lemy650 that’s awesome, I just started learning. So for this blade you have the entire side of the blade on the stone so you don’t create a secondary bevel right?
@@Jmon808 Exactly, That's right, I'm sharpening about 30-40 percent of the blade height.
So you don't use the extra material to rest your thumb on?
I sometimes use it for very precise work, for example carving using the axis of rotation. This additional part of the handle is useful, because then you do not hurt your thumb during such work. Unfortunately, this is not documented in this movie.
This knife is a really well thought-out design, only the sheath is unacceptable.
That's one expensive piece of metal and G10 to batoning with.
For this, this knife was created and nothing bad happened to it.