There is a heft to the Spyderco Retract. Just by holding it, you know you have something substantial in your hand. That feeling intensifies the moment you flip open the blade, and it snaps back into place with the audible authority Spyderco is known for.
The Spyderco Retract
I’ll admit that I’ve always had a soft spot for unusually shaped knives. Provided, of course, that the design proves to be practical in everyday and tactical situations. The Spyderco Retract checked all those boxes.
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Designed by renowned knifemaker Ed Schempp, the Retract is nothing like your typical everyday carry knife. Shaped to somewhat resemble a Nepalese Kukri, the Retract’s recurved blade is designed to enhance its cutting strength, particularly on draw cuts. I’ve seen many variations of the Kukri. However, I can’t ever remember seeing one in a folder that is practical enough to use as an EDC option. So, I was especially intrigued to test out the Retract.
Cutting Through the Details
The knife features skeletonized stainless steel liners covered with a G-10 handle that combine to create the aforementioned heft. Its textured handles also provide a solid grip on the knife, even if your hands are wet.
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The 3.4-inch full-flat ground blade is made of 9Cr18MoV and features Spyderco’s signature thumbhole opening for quick deployment. Its thick-belly blade opens with a smooth ease and is held open with a liner lock that’s nearly flush to help prevent accidental closure.
The handle on the Retract is ergonomically designed to make it comfortable to hold in either a forward or reverse grip with equal confidence. The angle of the blade is designed to naturally align with the bones of the forearm. This allows it to cut deeper without as much effort. In addition, the concave shape of the blade allows you to take full advantage of the entire cutting edge of the blade against anything you’re slicing through.
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However, despite the knife’s substantial feel, the Retract weighs only 4.2 ounces, making it hardly noticeable in your pocket. The wire pocket clip is designed for deep-pocket carry and can easily be modified for right- or left-side carry. With an overall length of 7.8 inches, the Retract is a formidable weapon. But it doesn’t have enough length to make it impractical as an EDC option.
Using the Retract
Before testing the extent of the Retract’s heft, I decided to see how delicate it could be by using it to cut up a ripe tomato. The Retact sliced through the tomato with impressive ease. The slices weren’t exactly see-through-thin. However, they were definitely delicate enough to adorn any hamburger.
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Next, I tested the Retract’s true cutting mettle by seeing how it would slice through a mountain bike tire. The Retract didn’t cut through the tire with one smooth motion, but it did slice through with relative ease. It took just a few back-and-forth movements to make short work of the thick tire.
I further tested the draw cut of the Retract by using an underhand drawing motion to cut a section from a cardboard box. Then, I used the blade’s belly to slice through that section. The result was simple: the Retract shredded the cardboard with a few swift slices.
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After subjecting the blade to a mountain bike tire and cardboard, I decided to test its edge retention using two different rope tests.
I used a ½-inch climbing rope to test various sections of the blade. For the concave curve, I doubled the rope, and the Retract sliced through it in one smooth movement. Then, I tested the fat-belly and tip sections of the blade by using a push test with the same rope.
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It did cause some fraying of the outer rope and slight movement of the inner rope. However, the Retract was able to cut the climbing rope with nothing more than a substantial push.
The braided-rope test proved a little more difficult, but the results were the same. It simply took a couple of swipes with the curved section and a little back-and-forth with the tip to slice through the braided rope.
The Spyderco Retract is as Versatile as Its Kukri Inspiration
There’s a reason why the kukri has been around for more than 2,000 years. The design has proven to be effective in a wide range of situations. Designed as a machete-like blade for cutting through heavy bamboo brush, the kukri proved equally effective in martial applications and became the premier knife carried by Gurkha soldiers.
A testament to its versatility, the kukri can also be found in many Nepalese kitchens, used for a wide variety of cooking tasks.
Overall, the Retract proved to be every bit as versatile as the Kukri it was inspired by. And it proved as substantial as its heft promised, making it a great EDC option for both tactical and practical applications. With a $95 MSRP, the Retract is positioned to be a welcome addition to anyone’s arsenal.
Spyderco Retract Specs
| Blade Length | 3.4 inches |
| Cutting Edge | 3 inches |
| Handle Length | 4.39 inches |
| Overall Length | 7.79 inches |
| Blade Material | 9Cr18MoV |
| Blade Thickness | .116 inch |
| Blade Style | Nepalese Kukri |
| Blade Grind | Full-Flat |
| Lock Type | Liner Lock |
| Handle Material | G-10 |
| Carry | Tip-Up, Ambidextrous |
| Weight | 4.2 ounces |
| Designer | Ed Schempp |
| Made In | China |
| MSRP | $95.00 |
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