(Pros: Ease of Opening, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type
Cons: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight
Spyderco I,uchi
The opening and closing is a biton the sluggish side
Spyderco Paul Alexander Ikuchi Flipper Knife 3.26" S30V Satin Plain Blade, Carbon Fiber/G10 Laminate Handles, Compression Lock - C242CFP
Part #: SP242CFP | Spyderco Knives
Description
SP242CFP: C242CFP Ikuchi
Spyderco
Designed by Paul Alexander, a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and a lifelong knife enthusiast, the Ikuchi (pronounced ee-koo-chee; a mythical Japanese sea monster) is a thoroughly different approach to pocketknife form and function. Its elegantly curved handle is crafted with full, skeletonized stainless steel liners and carbon fiber/G10 laminate scales. In the closed position, the handle's slim, open-backed profile completely contains the knife's blade—except for a small textured section of the tang that serves as a flipper opener. With a stroke of an index finger or thumb, the full-flat-ground CPM-S30V stainless steel blade opens and locks securely via Spyderco's patented Compression Lock mechanism. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip completes the package, providing discreet, left or right-side tip-up carry.
Specifications
- Blade Length: 3.26"
- Closed Length: 4.35"
- Overall Length: 7.61"
- Cutting Edge: 3.18"
- Blade Thickness: 0.098"
- Blade Material: CPM-S30V Stainless Steel
- Blade Style: Upswept
- Blade Grind: Full Flat
- Blade Finish: Satin
- Blade Edge: Plain
- Handle Material: Carbon Fiber/G10 Laminate
- Handle Color: Black
- Locking Mechanism: Compression
- Pocket Clip: Tip-Up/Down, Left/Right Carry
- Model Number: C242CFP
- Model Name: Ikuchi
- Designer: Paul Alexander
- Weight: 2.4 oz.
- Made in Taiwan
UPC Code: 716104012978
Related Categories
Spyderco Knives, S30V Blade Steel, Carbon Handle Material, Folding Knives, Folding Knives Compression, Paul Alexander
Badges
Customer Reviews
Maged&Nbsp; &Nbsp;
CASep 29, 2025
Joe
11704Jan 07, 2023
Pros: None
Cons: None
Just right
EDC for me. Highly impressed when it arrived. Bought Dad one as a gift. He is a retired master rigger and mason. He uses it real hard. he uses a little stone for sharpening. Well after a year he handed me his knife and it is in great shape. Small scratches on the blade. Well I went to cut a strap thinking it was plastic with mine. Pulled hard on the knife. Surprisingly the blade only had 2 or 3 slightly noticeable chip. Took a little time to put the blade back to a razor edge(nice hard steel). Now this is the first thing I go to no matter what the task. Breakdown is super easy for cleaning. I have all types of flippers and assisted openings. This one is so comfortable in the hand. One handed operational hands down. Location of the release is spot on. When I hand it to someone they usually don't know how to open it. This is a lifetime knife.
Quick
Yonkers, NyDec 07, 2022
Pros: Blade Material
Cons: None
The Ikuchi, everyone deserves this sea monster
Just to get this out of the way, I am a collector. My assessment is made in the hand not the field. For most of the previous reviewers, I think there's a valid variety of various POVs about this elegant, slim, sharp enough, beautiful from-any-angle EDC. In fact, the collection of reviews with an exception or three, provide an excellent frame for a picture one might fill with this Sea Monster. I actually mindlessly passed over this Spyderco so many times not realizing, in my opinion, there's a group of EDCs with such similar attributes that I regard now as extra-special. I'll focus on the Ikuchi at this time. But I now own more than a few that match it in quality, materials, fabrication excellence and operational superbness (my word). I do appreciate the CQI Spyderco implemented, which supports my perception of this model's extra-specianessl. Once a friend, from the other side of Planet Earth a serious collector pointed to this EDC; and I gave it a look-see, that still did not prepare me for how marvelous the Ikuchi is when actually in hand. The reviewers who find the handle scales comfortable, the design sleek and elegant, the materials and fabrication excellent fit my expectations, however, with certain other preferences expressed not on my list. I've watched NS's review. It's the conclusion he reaches that sums it up or me and more than justifies mingling with a Mythical Sea Monster. I located a Mythical Japanese (sorta) Sea Monster bead and despite the absence of a lanyard hole which I am persuaded that it would have detracted from this charmer, ignoring my better judgment, I tethered the bead using the very easy pocket clip for both clip on and lanyard holder. This EDC really should be left as is without any additions save one's hand working the action of employing this superb EDC. The CQI accomplished what was needed. I did, as I do, drop a drop of Blue lube in the pivot areas, and Blue Cleaner for the arrives-pristine blade. The compression lock at first when released dropped the blade into its nest perfectly. But, thereafter, I have had to wrestled with it. I'll get it right, because it is so rightable. All that's left for me is to enjoy this sea monster, and I do in a special way along with several other additions that offer the same enjoyment. Thank you Spyderco and the designers they corral for us. The Ikuchi is highly recommended for all the Sea Monster lovers hunting for one. And I would be remiss if I didn't thank KCI for their get-it-to-me in quick time order delivery as they always do with my appreciation.
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
