Diehard Kershaw guy having affair

OregonEdge

OregonEdge

Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
1,283
I have to admit... I recently picked up a Calypso carbon fiber, ZDP189 and I'm starting to feel like I've missed something over here. NICE knife!
 
Welcome aboard.

Spyderco and Kershaw are two of the leading production knife manufactuers out there based on my limited experience with production folders. They both do many things very well.

Kershaw puts out some very good pieces considering their asking prices, has many innovative touches like hidden stop pins and their stud lock, has nice heat treatments for their steels and a very consistent AO system.

Spyderco, IMO, has the best heat treatment and ergonomics I've experienced in production folders, while having their share of innovative features ranging from now industry standards like the pocket clip to their own locks like the compression and ball locks. I really enjoy their material selections and design variety.

One thing that has influenced my view of each company is the direct company representation we're privelaged to have here at Bladeforums. I don't think enough positive things can be said about the presence of Sal, Thomas, Tim G. and the others that give us information straight from the source.

I think the biggest reason why I'm more of a Spyderco person than Kershaw though is ergonomics. Kershaw puts out some knives that feel like they should be wonderful in the hand, but a few things always feel a little off to me. Usually it's the lack of anywhere comfortable for my thumb to rest. If they changed that I'd be a huge Kershaw fan. As it is, I feel kind of like when I do get a Kershaw, it's more of a forced purchase for me. Like the Bump is an amazing knife loaded with innovative ideas and looks like it'd be very comfortable, but it just doesn't feel right in my hand. I don't know why, maybe it's how I hold knives, but the only Kershaw I've held so far that I had no ergonomic issues with is the Ener-G 2 (Large version). I might be getting a Lahar for my Speed Bump, which looks promising ergonomically. I also prefer the opening hole to flippers or studs. An added benefit of the hole vs. stud is when I reprofile a knife at the acute angles I prefer I don't have to be concerned with the thumbstud getting in the way. That's something I'll have to work around if I keep the Lahar.

Right now my Spyderco collection consists of a Manix, Military, G10 Cara Cara and UKPK, with a gray Salsa on its way. It's a modest collection that I've chosen based on handling and using somewhere around 30 different Spydercos. These are the ones that fit me best and I consider most essential. I still have a lot of small Spydercos to try out. The UKPK and Salsa are my first taste at anything smaller than an Endura, besides my Delica 4 which I traded.

Sorry for the long ramble :)
 
No problem with the ramble..... as far as the knife I purchased, I just like how it feels. and a lot of that is the steep thumb ramp. I also like the traditional lock back, as I like the closed spine, and solid lock up. The laminate blade is exceptional in performance and appearance. The carbon fiber has a nice soft feel as well. Fit and finish on this Japan model is similar to the Lahar which I also liked. I also like the Ener-g 2 as you do... although I dislike the tip-up clip position option which feels just horrible in the hand. It's like no one bothered to check how it felt. Along the lines of clips... I am in LOVE with this wire clip design. Not only is it deep carry, but it is low profile. I just still struggle with large clips. I think their primary purpose is functional, not design. Something with a large statement hanging out of your pocket isn't my bag. I also picked up a little Jester which has been a great conversation piece;)
 
I've always wanted a Jester. It looks like a great keychain knife or just something to drop into the watch pocket for times when you want to cut a string or open a box and don't want people asking questions. My keychain knife is a LM Micra and it's good for what it is, but the blade takes a long time to access and the chisel grind cuts funny (Been too lazy to reprofile it to V ground since I usually have 2 other knives on me at a given time).

Something that bothered me with the tip-up position on the Ener G was when opening the knife the flare at the end of the clip was exactly where I'd grip the knife. Felt horrible. Still one of the best knives Kershaw has put out though.

It's pretty amazing comparing the wire clip on my UKPK to the shiny silver clip of my Military. The amount of attention each would draw in theory is quite different. Kind of re-kindles my desire to get a D'allara between that and how ergonomic the wire clip is.

Too many Spydies I want, too little cash and need for a new knife. :)
 
Vivi said:
Something that bothered me with the tip-up position on the Ener G was when opening the knife the flare at the end of the clip was exactly where I'd grip the knife. Felt horrible. Still one of the best knives Kershaw has put out though.QUOTE]

exactly!!! also, about the too little money!
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Ok...Don't tell Thomas W that I'm also lurking around here, and I won't rat you off either...Deal?.:D.:D.
 
It's not a bad thing to look at the entire menu, is it?;)


Oh, and you're both busted!:D
 
My two blades trading EDC duty at the moment is my JYD and my Caly 3 ZDP....the Caly is the fav at the moment but I can't wait for the SG2 JYD2 to come out...shouldn't it have shipped yet?
 
ZJChaser said:
My two blades trading EDC duty at the moment is my JYD and my Caly 3 ZDP....the Caly is the fav at the moment but I can't wait for the SG2 JYD2 to come out...shouldn't it have shipped yet?
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nooo... not that I'm aware. let me know if they have though
 
The Caly 3 ZDP is a great knife. It's most likely my next blade. Kershaw has some great designs, but I consistently find Spyderco designs to be SOOO much more ergonomic than most other models from just about the rest of the knife companies.

I'm not faithful to a company "just because". Spyderco needs to maintain it's innovation and quality for me to stick with them, and I think they continue to earn that respect.
 
Hi Or-Edge,

Welcome to the world of Spyderco and thanx much for the kind words about our Caly3. Lotta years of evolution and refinement went into that "afi" piece. Not for everyone, not for beginners, it was designed and purpose built for a small group of knife/steel junkies.

Don't worry about Thomas, He used to work over here at Spyderco. We're on good terms. ;)

sal
 
Sal, or anyone else, can you give me any info on the type/angle of the factory edge on the Caly3? Also, is the blade a full ZDP189, or is it some type of composite? Just curious.......Thanks!
 
Sal Glesser said:
Don't worry about Thomas, He used to work over here at Spyderco. We're on good terms. ;)

sal
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Sal...do you have any "dirt" on Thomas that you'd like to share, for one of those "just in-case" moments?.:D.:D.
 
SPXTrader said:
Sal, or anyone else, can you give me any info on the type/angle of the factory edge on the Caly3? Also, is the blade a full ZDP189, or is it some type of composite? Just curious.......Thanks!
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can't help you on angle... the steel is zdp189 laminated between 420
 
ashtxsniper said:
Kershaw does not even come close to Spyderco IMHO.
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What the heck are you talking about sniper? You could flip that statement around on multiple fronts and be just as accurate.

I kinda expect a bit more from regular members around here, maybe that's expecting too much.:grumpy:

BTW I've been to the Cove, since when has your opinion been humble? :cool:

I'm back out, for a while no less.
 
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