Calling all Spydie users. What's my next backpacking folder?

While I am a huge fan of Spyderco, I must say I am with Wowbagger here. Longer is better for food prep

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For a pocketable option is hard to beat an XL folder or small sheathed FB with thin stock

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I've been doing that for years and it works really nice, reducing weight and time (Fixed blades) and avoiding gunk, food and inability to cut large things if you chose an XL folder
 
Manix 2 s30v. Good size, very tough knife. Plenty big for the kind of food you cook camping. I take mine all the time.
 
I would rather have the length of the endura for food prep. You could also get the m2 and then just get an appropriate sized opinel for food. I like to have a designated food blade that I keep seperate from other chores.
 
Since you are happy with the Delica, I would go with the Endura for just a bit more blade. I often wonder just how much food prep there really is that the Delica isn't enough?
 
between Endura or Manix, I prefer Endura for utility - mostly foods use. I carried an Endura for a long time and FFG VG10 slices like crazy. as mentioned before, VG10 over BD1. If you want to buy manix, do buy the S110V Manix Lightweight folder. FYI it's around 100$.

But If you can wait... I prefer the military folder personally. longer blade, S30V (perfect all-round steel), great ergos...
or if you can get it under 100$, the discontinued Caly3.5, in ZDP or just nice old VG10 will serve you well.
 
SWCCy said:
As of now I'm a bit partial to the Manix 2 for its blade shape and fuller handle but am a little hesitant about the CTS BD1 steel. What are your thoughts on BD1 compared to VG10? Could one knife handle more abuse? Is there another spydie I'm overlooking (that's around the $100 mark)? Looking forward to the discussion!
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Depending on what you mean by abuse, I believe most would rank them BD1, VG10, then S110v for toughness and ease of sharpening, then reverse the order for edge retention.

If I went camping tomorrow I'd probably take my Para2, but it's sort of a toss up with the Manix2. The Sprints are a bit lighter than the regular g10 as they have skeletonized liners.

Here's a size comparison pic in case it helps:

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I've never had an Endura so can't help there. I like the Millie suggestions as well though.
 
Why not a fixed blade? For backpacking and camping I have this:

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Just seems like in an outdoors situation a fixed blade is worth considering. I don't use a knife for firewood preparation often, but if you do, a fixed blade is the way to go. If I were lost or stranded somewhere I would feel better knowing I had a solid fixed blade. It's easier to clean and keep clean as well.
 
Go with something with a strong tip.. maybe a LW Native 5. Or skip another folder and get an Izula or similar small minimalist fixed blade.
 
I do not want to contribute to thread dift but I join in those who advocate a fixed blade for your application.

Food prep benefits from a full flat grind and fixed blades just are stronger, lighter and do not get "stuff" in the pivot and locking mechanism like folders do. Moreover, they are stronger for their weight and, all other things being equal, much less prone to failure or complications.

Now, backpacking, compared to car or truck or camper camping introduces weight as a concern.

Sooooo, seeing as you are partial to Spyderco and seeing as you already are familiar with H1 and seeing how weight is a consideration, I would recommend the Aqua Salt plain edge.

That would not be my first choice, or perhaps not even my second, but it's a great knife that requires little attention, is light weight for its performance envelope and ... it's a Spyderco!
 
I would have to also recommend the Stretch. That's what I use in this role and it works great, light weight, carries well and is good for most applications including food prep. I have a BD1 Manix 2 LW, but I'm not a fan of that steel, it seems too soft and loses its edge quick. I don't have an Endura, but I've considered it for the same reasons, seems like the longer blade would come in handy for food prep.
 
How about a Spyderco Gayle Bradley? I have a Gen1 and it's an extremely well made / sturdy knife...thick liners / liner lock and CPM M4 blade.

If you're willing to look at other brands and want to stick with a folder, I would also suggest a ZT0550 or Benchmade 810 Contego.
 
AJR576 said:
How about a Spyderco Gayle Bradley? I have a Gen1 and it's an extremely well made / sturdy knife...thick liners / liner lock and CPM M4 blade.
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Great call. Agree with the Stretch too, it's an awesome design.
 
savage99 said:


Can I ask what your delica won't do I find it to be a fantastic backpacking blade.
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Of course, I love my Delica to be sure. And it is very effective as a backpacking knife and is usually my EDC of choice. I'm just looking to expand my Spyderco collection a bit and am interested in carrying a larger folder, yet is still fairly lightweight, for backpacking and as my EDC.

If I indugle myself on the trail I will carry a small block of parmesan and some smoked sausage of some sort. It's generally here I find the Delica to be a bit lacking. Ultimately this purchase is more of a want versus a need. The Delica certainly works but I'm looking at experimenting with a new folder.

To the few that recommended a fixed blade, thank you for the suggestions. To keep this thread on topic I won't go into detail about my backpacking kit but there is an Izula in there that I use frequently.

The Manix 2 in S110v is probably what I'll be adding to my collection next. Again thanks for the input guys!
 
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