Folding Knife Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight C258PSBK

Folding Knife Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight C258PSBK

Spyderco's Stretch 2 XL Lightweight is another chapter in a story that began decades ago. Its long, rich history started with a focus on the needs of hunters and outdoorsmen, but its design continually evolved far beyond that scope to become one of the most capable all-purpose folding knives in our line.

The roots of this story began in 1983, when Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser created the C03 Hunter. It was the first CLIPIT knife with a dropped-point blade—a style preferred by many outdoorsmen for processing game. Like all early Spyderco models, the Hunter featured a GIN-1 stainless steel blade, a riveted stainless steel handle, a robust locking mechanism, and a single-position clip configured for tip-down carry. Right- and left-hand versions were made, and both were available with PlainEdge and SpyderEdge blades.

In 1991, the Hunter design was updated to give the blade a bit more belly and incorporate Kraton inserts into the handle and clip for a more secure grip in demanding field conditions. These changes originally created the C13 Pro-Hunter, but because that name was already in use by another company, it was later changed to ProVenator (venator means “hunter” in Latin). To reduce the knife’s weight and make it more affordable, in 1994 the ProVenator design was adapted with a lightweight fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle featuring a Kraton insert and an integral clip configured for tip-down carry. Initially, this model was called the ProVenator Lightweight, but because the term “venator” was not widely understood in the mainstream market, it was later renamed the C33 ProGrip.

In 1999, the C13 and C33 models were merged as the C13 ProGrip, which continued to be available with either a stainless steel or FRN handle. During the early 2000s, both versions were produced with several different blade steels and offered in PlainEdge and CombinationEdge configurations.

In 2004, the ProGrip was discontinued and the first Stretch model was introduced. As the name suggests, it was a “stretched” version of the ProGrip design. Overall 17 percent larger and with a blade 24 percent longer than the ProGrip, the Stretch was originally made with a stainless steel handle, mirrored Kraton inserts on both sides, a four-position pocket clip, and a VG-10 stainless steel blade. In 2006, that version was discontinued and replaced a year later by a Stretch with carbon fiber scales and an ultra-high-carbon ZDP-189 blade. Unlike the Hunter, Pro-Hunter, ProVenator, and ProGrip models, all of which had hollow-ground blades, the refined Stretch design also marked the transition to full-flat grinding.

Following the path of its predecessors, in 2009 the Stretch pattern was rendered in a more affordable lightweight version with an injection-molded FRN handle, high-traction Bi-Directional Texture pattern, skeletonized stainless steel liners, and a four-position pocket clip. Stretch Lightweight was originally offered with a VG-10 stainless steel blade, but it soon inspired additional variants, including one with an ultra-high-carbon ZDP-189 blade and a British Racing Green FRN handle.

In 2015, Sal Glesser returned to the drawing board once again and redesigned the Stretch to slightly lengthen its handle, improve ergonomics, and deepen the index-finger choil. Together, these subtle changes enhance the user’s control of the knife and make it even better suited for general use. This design, christened the Stretch 2, was originally offered with fully skeletonized stainless steel liners and peel-ply-textured G-10 scales, and it also inspired lightweight versions with blades made from both conventional stainless steel and high-performance tool steel. On some Stretch 2 versions, the signature drop-point blade was also replaced by a “straight spine” profile that reflects Spyderco’s classic design style and supports more advanced, multi-purpose performance by providing a sharper point.

Throughout this evolutionary process, in addition to the many main-line production versions described above, we have also made a wide range of variants, Exclusives, and Sprint Run expressions of these models with different blade steels, handle materials, and other unique features.

Stretch 2 XL Lightweight

What happens when you stretch something that has already been stretched once? In the case of the Stretch 2, you get an “extra-large” expression of the same proven design—and much more.

The Stretch 2 XL Lightweight increases the overall length of the Stretch 2 by eight percent while packing 13 percent more blade length into its full-flat-ground VG-10 stainless steel blade. The straight spine of the blade tapers to a sharp, utilitarian point, giving it the distinctive “modified clip point” profile of some of Spyderco’s most iconic models. The fully accessible Trademark Round Hole allows fast, reliable one-handed opening. To enable greater control during precise cutting tasks, the design includes a 50/50 choil (finger groove) that allows the user to choke up and grip the knife closer to the blade. Both the choil and its opposing thumb ramp feature strategically placed jimping (textured grooves) to ensure a secure purchase.

Despite its larger size, the Stretch 2 XL is actually 29 percent lighter than the Stretch 2 Lightweight—weighing in at just 2.7 ounces (77 grams). It achieves this remarkable quality by eliminating the stainless steel liners of its predecessor and using a linerless construction. Its injection-molded FRN handle scales have a network of reinforced ribs on their inner surfaces that give them increased structural strength. The outer surfaces are patterned with Bi-Directional Texture for a secure, non-slip grip even in the most demanding conditions. A robust lockback mechanism securely locks the blade during use, and the fully configurable four-position pocket clip offers left- or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry. These features, together with the knife’s completely symmetrical design

Offer extra-large cutting performance in an ultra-lightweight package. This remarkable folding knife, the culmination of an evolutionary process that lasted nearly four decades, is in a class of its own.

Specifications

Closed length: 12.6 cm

Blade style: Leaf shape

Blade grind: Full-flat

Blade finish: Satin

Blade Edge: Combo

Handle color: Black

Locking mechanism: Lockback

Pocket clip: Stainless steel (Tip-Up/Down, Right/Left carry)

Model number: C258PBK

Model name: Stretch 2XL Lightweight

Made in Japan