Best Spyderco for my money?

B

BlueCollarOutdoors

Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
71
Hey guys I need a Spyderco knife that isn't completely blacktical, but can, if needed be used in an emergency defense situation, be used for light to heavy EDC chores, and is just overall reliable for anything and everything. I'd love some suggestions on other knives but here's some large options I'm looking at:

Police stainless steel
Endura 4 stainless steel
Military
Matriarch
Manix 2

Here are some of the smaller options:

Delica ZDP-189
Pingo
Dragonfly stainless steel
Ladybug hawkbill

I like S30V, CTS-BD1, H1, really most high-carbon steel, and I haven't had experience with VG-10, but it's got the characteristics I like in a good steel so I'm sure I'll like it. I like really any size option, but I lean towards bigger options. I'd appreciate any other options and opinions on the models I listed above as being interested in! Thanks so much!

-Blue
 
I'd go with either the Endura (my #1 folder under $100), the Paramilitary 2 (just freakin' awesome), or the Manix 2
 
The Matriarch isn't an EDC knife. It has one function, and that's the one you'd better be sure you're legally in the right to use it for. If I were carrying it for that purpose I'd buy an Emerson waved version and keep it tip up in my right rear pocket against the seam. Drawing it should open it and bring it up in a reverse grip. As I said, not an EDC knife though.

The Endura is a fine folding knife. VG-10 is very corrosion resistant, and takes a great edge. I'm carrying an orange one at the moment. Awesome knife and it's probably long enough to act for self defence, though I'd really rather not.

The Manix 2 looks like a fine knife with the Spyderco leaf blade similar to that in the Tenacious range. A lot of belly for slicing, sharp point. If you could swing the XL version that'd probably be ideal for your combined requirements.

The Police and Military look like upsized Enduras to me. Better steel, G10, but basically the same principle.

To be honest, I'd be inclined to buy a Matriarch and a Delica. Being small the Delica is great for EDC, and if you do need an SD knife the Matriarch looks brutally effective.
 
Thanks for the feedback man. I'm not new to knives I just wasted a lot of time and money on cheap crap. Why would you not suggest ZDP-189? Just because of the difficult sharpening nature? If that's all it is then I'm not worried, I have decent experience with sharpening and stropping. Is there any other reason I should stay away from it?
 
Back lock isn't the best for tactical use, I believe. I recommend the Paramilitary 2 as it has a combination of many great attributes. Ergos are great, size is within my acceptable range for an EDC folder, blade steel is good, lock is reliable, etc.
 
Thanks Freman, and yeah the matriarch wouldn't be an EDC knife for me, just a more affordable version of the civilian. Yeah the Manix 2 is awesome, I have the translucent blue version and love it. Thanks again.
 
BlueCollarOutdoors said:
Thanks Freman, and yeah the matriarch wouldn't be an EDC knife for me, just a more affordable version of the civilian. Yeah the Manix 2 is awesome, I have the translucent blue version and love it. Thanks again.
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No problem, I love the idea of the Matriarch 2, but decided the Cold Steel Vaquero Large (PE) was more my style (and budget :rolleyes:)
 
I believe that an Endura in Zdp 189 is one of the best values in the knife world. But the Paramilitary 2 at the normal price is a better value. And it costs more.
 
All-around folder? Light and Heavy-duty? The Spyderco Gayle Bradley in CPM M4. I'm also fond of the Spyderco SuperLeaf in VG-10, with its 4mm blade thickness. And it's cheaper than dirt these days...about $110 on the Exchange. BTW, it has the same compression lock as the PM2.
 
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I have the Manix 2 LW, Para 2 in S30V, Endura in G10 and they will all excel for your needs. Comes down to Ergos and what feels good in your hand. For me, if I had to pick one, Para 2 all the way. Para 2 opens easier than the Endura unless the Endura is waved which I have no experience with.
 
The FRN Enduras in VG10 come in very non tactical, almost pastel color grips yet have full flat ground VG10 blades that cut like lasers, sharpen easy, and are tough enough for self defense in an emergency. The Stainless would never be a choice of mine for self defense because the all steel grips are way too slick for nervous, clammy, hard impacting situations. It would help you not one bit to be able to defend yourself but maim your fingers severely while doing so. This happens more often that you might think in "stabbings" and is often evidence against the perpetrator. That's not you as you are only talking legal use but the idea is the same. FRN all the way over steel grips for this use. The liners make them tougher than you might think. I've carried Enduras since 92, in all versions and the current FFG, VG10, green or gray is my EDC. Plain edge, not serrated. Though I don't carry for self defense, I'm well aware of how deadly edges weapons can be.

Pretty much under the radar every day work knife looking that can do what you need in a pinch, yet seems almost invisible. I recommend against the waved model. Don't need it and I can get my Spyderhole Endura into action as fast or faster than waved or auto knives due to the muscle memory built up through years of use. FFG=Full flat ground blade sure slices well.

By the way I can carry or use anything I want or need within reason. The Endura still always finds it's way into my pocket even when I'm sporting 500$ knives.

Joe
 
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The endura is my first non-traditional knife and my sentimental favorite. I stay away from ZDP due to the threat of rust. I live on the Gulf coast. I have had good experiance with my Salt series Spydees. If I lived in a dry climate I would go with the ZDP. When I do hard cutting with a knife (not very often) I use my Cold Steel Voyager or some other triad lock value knife. You might say that I baby my knives. I do prefer machetes, hatchets, saws, boxcutters and scizzors for hard/repetitive cutting.
 
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