Advice on American vs. Japanese Spyderco knives

J

joebowles06

Joined
Feb 12, 2013
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4
I'm currently looking for a new EDC knife, capable of light to medium tasks. My parents asked me for ideas for a birthday gift, and I figured I would get a lot of use out of a good knife. I will be mostly using it to open packages, but would like to be able to slice vegetables and fruits, cut rope, and perform other tasks. Above all, this is a knife I plan on keeping for a very long time, and I need something that's going to last. After looking through the spyderco line, I was drawn to the delica 4. The blade length and overall size of the knife seems perfect for what I want in my pocket every day. However, my dad is pretty old school and has a hard time buying knives that aren't made in the USA. I really like the para, native, and the manix2, but they all seem a bit on the larger side, and I dont think I need that big of a knife for an EDC. What I want to know is how the delica-4's VG-10 steel holds up against the American steel on the para, native, and manix2. Keep in mind, I want the knife to be light and easy to carry, but I wont mind something a bit heavier if its going to be a better knife in the long run.

Thanks,
JB
 
The native 5 is the closest in size. They arell good. VG-10 is fine steel. S30v and s35v are better, but for what you want to do its all relative. The PM2 and Manix are a lot larger and heavier. If its all equal just get the native 5, you wont be disappointed.
 
The VG-10 will be easier to put an edge back on than the S30V but the S30V is better in every other way in my opinion. I had a Delica 4 full flat ground blade that I bought because of all the positive reviews and it just wasn't for me. There wasn't much I liked about it other than the blade shape. I hate the lock compared to my Para 2, fit and finish is leaps and bounds better on my Para 2 but then again the Delica is half the price so that is to be expected. I gave the Delica away as a gift and my Para 2 is my most carried knife. The Para is to big for like dress pants or whipping out in an office but it is perfect for carrying in jeans as it is pretty thin and light for it's size. It is a real gem that you really can't go wrong with. As for your dad and the made in America thing I am the same exact way I refuse to buy China or Taiwan knives but some of the Japanese, German, Swiss knives are very good quality and I wouldn't be afraid of them. There are other countries but those are just some of the main ones.

As Richard said check out some of the Kershaw knives also. I love Kershaw and Zero Tolerance knives especially for the price you pay. Check out the Kershaw Knockout, R.A.M., Leek and Skyline. Those are all some thin, light and easy to carry but awesome knives and I listed them in my order of preference and they are all made right here in Oregon. :)
 
I havent really looked at kershaws line too closely. Honestly its pure aesthetic thats drawn me to spyderco. Lined up against other quality knife brands, spyderco stands out to me, and thats what drew me to want to purchase one.
 
Steel wise, I would take VG-10 over S30V. Close, but VG-10 is easier to sharpen, takes a keener edge in my experience, and they both hold that hair shaving edge about the same amount of time. The S30V holds a "working edge" longer from what I can tell, but it is close. I personally always want a hair shaving edge. VG-10 has also never rolled on me and S30V has more than once. Corrosion resistance is great on both, never had an issue with either. As was mentioned, the Native is close in size to the Delica. The Delica is a fine knife. The Native can also be had in S35 which is supposed to be tougher (less edge rolling I would presume), but I cannot personally attest to it. You did not mention price, but the Para 2 and Manix can all be had with some steel options. They are larger knives though. I would consider the Taiwan Spyderco's. My favorite designs come from that plant, and their quality is better than both the Japanese and Golden plants. The Taiwan plant uses a lot of American steel (actually can't think of a knife w/out and American steel). The Sage series is a great EDC series with different options. There are numerous discussions here at Blade Forums about Spyderco and where their knives are made, read it if you are interested.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I think I'm leaning towards the Native5 now. I want to get it with the FFG blade. Do any of you have a good suggestions on where to buy? There really isnt many retail stores near where I live that would carry this knife. I've ordered multi-tools and some other things before from knifecenter.com, and their prices always seem really inexpensive. They currently have the Native5 with a FFG blade for $127.95.
 
Native 5 or delica would both work for you. With the other info you should be able to pick which blade steel you want.
 
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I did find it for $112 but they are not a BF paying dealer, so I cannot mention them. Grand Prairie has them for $120 but they are out of stock.
 
I checked GP, and they have a Native with the FRN handle for $75. besides the S35 steel on the Native5, is there any other difference between the Native and Native5? I really dont need the G10 handle if i can almost cut the price in half by getting the original Native.
 
Native5 is not just G10 scales. It is also has improved lock, full flat grind blade, which is better for deep cuts, liners, full screw construction and four way clip position. It is build much stronger. It is different knife, four generations up. Worth every penny and like it was said, can be found for $112 shipped. e-mail or pm me.
 
You cant go wrong with any of them... But, im sure as alot of others on this forum can back me up on this when i say this... This wont be your last Spyderco. I started with the PM2 m390 but I also have the native5 and delica. Infact the PM2 and native5 are my 2 rotation EDC knives... I personally love the PM2. But, if your going to choose between the native5 and delica... id choose the native5... but, like i said..... you cant go wrong with any of them.
 
joebowles06 said:
I havent really looked at kershaws line too closely. Honestly its pure aesthetic thats drawn me to spyderco. Lined up against other quality knife brands, spyderco stands out to me, and thats what drew me to want to purchase one.
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I'm mostly a Kershaw guy. Out of 15 knives I have one Spyderco and one Columbia River Knife and Tool. The Spyderco is the Southard. It's made in Taiwan but the build quality is as good as my Zero Tolerance 0561. Out of all the Spyderco knives that would be my pick, and the blade steel is probably better than either S30V or S35VN. The other non-Kershaw I have is the CRKT Eros, which is designed by Ken Onion. It has a bearing pivot and all Ti scales, and only weighs a little over an ounce with a 3-inch blade. If you can wait you could get the ZT 566 which is another Hinderer design in a smaller knife. Won't be out for at least 6 months though. The Para2 is a great knife, and I also like the looks of the Manix2, and the Sage knives are incredible. You coudn't go wrong with a Sage 2 and it'd last a lifetime.

BTW, CRKT is an American company but the Eros is made in Taiwan I think.
 
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nccole said:
Steel wise, I would take VG-10 over S30V. Close, but VG-10 is easier to sharpen, takes a keener edge in my experience, and they both hold that hair shaving edge about the same amount of time. The S30V holds a "working edge" longer from what I can tell, but it is close. I personally always want a hair shaving edge. VG-10 has also never rolled on me and S30V has more than once. Corrosion resistance is great on both, never had an issue with either. As was mentioned, the Native is close in size to the Delica. The Delica is a fine knife. The Native can also be had in S35 which is supposed to be tougher (less edge rolling I would presume), but I cannot personally attest to it. You did not mention price, but the Para 2 and Manix can all be had with some steel options.
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As much as I adore, respect and deeply love the American made Spyders I have to admit that in my current user arsenal of Spyderco folders and fixed blades that I seem to be drawn to the Japanese Spyders for hard use more this past year. I'm just being honest and calling it the way I see it at this time. Just today I did some food prep with my older AUS-8 Catcherman and VG-10 Temperance 1 models. I'm also EDCing my C-60 Ayoob model that has VG-10 as well.

And as much as I love Crucible's and Carpenter's blade steels I must admit that I've been using VG-10 more than any other this past year or so. Albeit the number 1 fixed blade on my "GOTTA HAVE" list is the Southfork with S90V blade steel but I would never turn my nose up at any of the H-1 fixed blades at this point either.
 
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