Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight Salt Dive Knife Review

By
Andrew Goad
Staff writer at DIVEIN.com
Andy has been an avid diver for many years, honing his skills and passion for the underwater world. As an instructor, scientific diver, and technical diver,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

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Not many people immediately think of Spyderco when they think of diving, but everybody thinks of quality when they think about Spyderco. For over four decades, Spyderco has been a leader in the cutlery industry. Hunters, fishers, hikers, backpackers, and campers have known for years that Spyderco knives are sharp, strong, and dependable.

We recommend you check their line of knives out for diving as well. Made from stainless steel and a fiberglass reinforced nylon handle, the Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight can handle the toughest saltwater you can throw at it.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight dive knife.

About this review

To help you find a Dive Knife that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of Dive Knifes

Recommended in: Dive Knife

Things we like:

  • Sharp
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Good price point

Things we don't like:

  • Feels a little flimsy at times
  • May be expensive for some

Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight Salt Spec Breakdown & Features

The Spyderco Stretch 2XL is a folding dive knife made from H-2 stainless steel, which makes it impervious to rust. The blade length of 3.99 inches (10.1 cm) and a handle length of 4.97 inches (12.6 cm) makes the Stretch 2XL measure 8.96 inches (22.7 cm) in total.

The Stretch 2XL is available in either PlainEdge (straight) or SpyderEdge (serrated). Both designs are sharp out of the box. The handle is made from fiber-reinforced nylon (FRN), and is designed with bi-directional texture pattern for optimal grip.

Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight Salt Impressions

Like all the other Spyderco knives we tested, the Stretch 2XL performed admirably. It is a great folding knife that is made for the rigors of salt water. It is made from H-2 stainless steel, so it is very resistant to corrosion. I did have a small issue, which I’ll discuss below.

During our testing phase, the Stretch 2XL cut exceptionally, regardless of what we threw at it. Fishing line, 550 paracord, and even thick dock rope were no match. The SpyderEdge (serrated) is exceedingly sharp, and the material will hold up for a very long time.

Being a folding knife, when using the Stretch 2XL there is no need for a sheath. We wouldn’t recommend just clipping it on a belt though. You should have somewhere to tuck it in, whether that’s a pocket or a piece of rubber tubing.

The Stretch 2XL is easy to open and close in all but the thickest mittens. And even then it’s not that difficult. My one complaint about the Stretch 2XL is that it almost feels too long for how thin it is. Out of all the Spyderco knives we tested, the Stretch 2XL felt flimsy at times. Not that it’s weak, but it might not be the best choice for bigger jobs.

If you want a knife from Spyderco that we found to be nearly indestructible, check out our review of the Caribbean Sheepfoot. It’s the largest Spyderco knife we tested, and it also has the thickest blade.

Our favorite Spyderco knife is the Salt 2. It is a great all-around knife, and since it’s from Spyderco you know it’s high-quality. You honestly can’t go wrong with any knife from the Salt line manufactured by Spyderco.


Do we recommend the Spyderco Stretch 2XL Lightweight Salt dive knife?

We do recommend the Spyderco Stretch 2XL. It is a good all-around knife that is sharp out of the box and easy to handle. It is a little longer than some of the other Spyderco models we tested, and does feel weaker the closer you get to the point. We didn’t find this to be an overbearing problem, but do be aware of it if you intend to use the Stretch 2XL to pry or jab at anything while diving.

It’s Spyderco, so it’s high-quality. You can’t go wrong with the brand, and the Stretch 2XL is no different. To see how it stacks up against the other knives we tested, check out our knife roundup rundown.


Specs & Features

Fixed or foldable foldable
Blade length 3.99 in. (10.1 cm)
Handle length 4.97 in. (12.6 cm)
Weight 3 oz. (84 g)
Blade type PlainEdge (straight) or SpyderEdge (serrated)
Blade material H-2 stainless steel
Handle material FRN (fiber-reinforced nylon)
Blade tip drop point
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