1st Spyderco Suggestions?

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TheDudeAbides

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Mar 20, 2012
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I'm looking for suggestions on a first Spyderco knife for EDC. Since I'm new to the forum, here's a bit about me and my criteria.

I'm a social worker. My coworkers are great, but I won't do my career any favors by whipping out a large tactical blade.

My current EDC is a Kershaw Leek (plain blade, stainless, framelock), which has some good points: it's very comfortable to carry, fairly non-threatening looking, locks up securely, and, in my opinion, is kind of cool looking. What I don't like: with tip-up carry, I have over an inch of knife sticking out of my pocket. I want a much deeper, less conspicuous carry. The speedsafe was a drawback (too much like a switchblade), but it stopped working.

If I didn't care about other people's opinions, I'd buy a Paramilitary 2. It gets great reviews, and the compression lock looks brilliant. However, it carries a bit high, and I'd be uncomfortable pulling it out in the office. I'll probably get one (or two, or three, or...), but it can't be my office EDC.

So, right now I'm trying to choose between the Dragonfly with ZDP, the Sage 1, and the Sage 3. All three look good, although the blue on the Sage 3looks a little too eye-catching.

Unfortunately, I haven't found any stores that carry Spydercos in my area (Lehigh Valley, PA), so I cannot tell how the size of the knives I like compares to my Leek.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 
From the models you've listed, I'd opt for the Sage 1. The deep-carry clip is black, which is less conspicuous, and the carbon fiber is classy and definitely non-tactical.
 
Sage 1.
When I don't carry my Para2, the Sage 1 is in my pocket.
Carries great, nice steel, very ergonomic and useful. The CF is classy, and the black wire-clip is inconspicuous.
People comment on my bright blue Para all the time. Nobody notices the Sage - unless I show it to them.
 
My Sage1 disappears in my pocket and the CF and flow-through design is very classy, you might also think about the Sage2 too. Sometimes I'm hesitant to whip out a 3"+ knife when I'm out in public (work isn't a problem) so I use the SAK on my keychain so you might think about a 2-knife carry. Sage3 is nice but really stands out and because of it's width takes up more room in your pocket. The dragonfly is a nice size, you might also think about a Chaparral or an Urban.
 
Since it seems that you may be planning on getting more than one spyderco and you are looking for a first spyderco for work situations I would recommend the Chaparral. I was torn between the Chaparral and the Sage 1 for work and I decided on the Chaparral for its slightly smaller handle. The Sage has a similar blade size but looks bigger when you whip it out. I figure that the Chaparral can handle whatever cutting needs I have at work. Now after work I go to the Para 2
 
Thanks for the advice. One other question: do any of Spyderco's US made knives have wire clips? I'd prefer to buy American, but I think all of their locking knives with this type of clip (Sage, Dragonfly, Chaparral, Caly, and Superleaf come to mind) are made abroad.
 
the sage 1 or 2 would probably be hard to beat. I carry a foliage green g10 ukpk as a non-threatening edc. the current Urban or a foliage green dragonfly are nice blades under 3 inches as well. - hayes
edit- I should mention why these might be good for an office job. The pocket clip on my ukpk is the wire clip anodized brown and it just about dissapears in the pocket, shiny pocket clips draw attention, this one carries great and is discreet, the foliage green is in my opinion, a little less tactical than black (one could argue the opposite I suppose) and they make a very nice FG G10.
 
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TheDudeAbides said:
Thanks for the advice. One other question: do any of Spyderco's US made knives have wire clips? I'd prefer to buy American, but I think all of their locking knives with this type of clip (Sage, Dragonfly, Chaparral, Caly, and Superleaf come to mind) are made abroad.
Click to expand...

The only exception that comes to mind is the Manix Lightweight. It's a big blade (for your situation) but the see through handle makes it a bit more friendly.

Oh, and where does the Dude abide?
 
My recommendation is a Chaparral, Sage, or Dragonfly. All very good choices, but my favorite of the bunch would be the Sage series. It supports a great cause as a bonus.
 
I think you'd love a Sage 1 or Sage 2. The Delica is another great choice. Delicas come in "friendly" colors that don't shout "tactical."
 
Sage 1 all the way! I always have it on me when I'm at work and no one can notice it clipped to my pocket. My favorite EDC bar none
 
O f the one's you listed and since you worry about what others think (due to your line of work) I'd go with the Dragonfly. It handles 90% of what I need a knife for and is stil a great knife. If you want something a bit bigger, you can't go wrong with the Sage(1,2, or 3). The caly 3 is also an option along those same lines.
I did reviews on the Dragonfly2: http://peditocascabel.blogspot.com/2011/09/spyderco-dragonfly-2-frn-review.html
and the Caly 3: http://peditocascabel.blogspot.com/2012/03/spyderco-caly-3-c113cf-review.html
I'm working on the Sage 2 review right now...in short, I LOVE that knife...
 
watching a couple of youtubes, i'd take care of my lockbacks a little more. one delica failed to lock on opening due to lint. one closed in the locked position after a strong blow. now assuming the videos were honestly made, it shouldn't surprise anyone. lock backs have their limitations. keep them clean, don't wear the bearing parts too much, open and close with care.
 
The Sage 1 is a great discreet carry knife. The black wire clip seems to not stand out. The Sage 2 or Chapparal are nice too. Another one to consider is a Caly 3 or 3.5. They are nice and slim in the pocket and non-threatening.
 
Picture for size comparison between Leek, Sage series (they're all the same size) and Chaparral

The Sage 1 is awesome but the Sage 2 (in pic) is definitely worth the few extra dollars imho.
If the Sage looks too big the Chaparral is awesome too, nonthreatening and classy.

Picture009.jpg
 
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