Down and Dirty Spyderco Experiences

Handwrecker

Handwrecker

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,265
All this talk about collecting, NIB, and carbon fiber has me feeling a bit green. Seems like a shame to lose sleep over these things on "knives that were designed in the dark" to be ergonomic and useful. :barf: So post your most recent down and dirty Spyderco experiences. No manilla rope cut counts, no dissected hairs, only the gritty and grimy.

I spent the week at deer check stations, cutting back jaws full of half chewed acorns and poking holes through doe ears. Originally, I planned on using an Izula to avoid messy clean up with a folder, but decided I needed more blade and a finer point. So out comes the Military(about same length in pocket as Izula). Between my Military and my boss's Mora, Spyderco gets the nod by a land slide. The Mora is one hell of a knife for the price and cut out for the task, but had its shortcomings. The Clipper kept needing constant touch ups and would not stay in the sheath. Blood and carbon steel also don't seem to mix, as the Mora clearly had more than a patina by the end. But that S30V took it all in stride, with no noticeable change to the edge and absolutely no corrosion/stains. That fine point and generous belly on the Military melted through the flesh. Also, cleaning out the open construction Military was easier than just about any folder (and some fixed blades) I've ever cleaned. I did manage to snag the clip and bend it about 45* one night, but was easily able to bend it back. Luckily without any snapping. I'd post some pics, but my knife has a serious tan line where the clip covers and dirt does not. Don't want to be made fun of for posting a dirty knife. :D

So post your real deal, real world Spyderco experiences. What models shine during hard use for you? Any unpredicted setbacks to a favorite model, or a less liked model excelling at something unexpected? For the record, Ladybug gets my vote. Handle thickness is perfect for opening beers, and that little knife will do just about anything you'd need.
 
That's a great testimonial - thanks for sharing

Handwrecker said:
All this talk about collecting, NIB, and carbon fiber has me feeling a bit green. Seems like a shame to lose sleep over these things on "knives that were designed in the dark" to be ergonomic and useful. :barf: So post your most recent down and dirty Spyderco experiences. No manilla rope cut counts, no dissected hairs, only the gritty and grimy.

I spent the week at deer check stations, cutting back jaws full of half chewed acorns and poking holes through doe ears. Originally, I planned on using an Izula to avoid messy clean up with a folder, but decided I needed more blade and a finer point. So out comes the Military(about same length in pocket as Izula). Between my Military and my boss's Mora, Spyderco gets the nod by a land slide. The Mora is one hell of a knife for the price and cut out for the task, but had its shortcomings. The Clipper kept needing constant touch ups and would not stay in the sheath. Blood and carbon steel also don't seem to mix, as the Mora clearly had more than a patina by the end. But that S30V took it all in stride, with no noticeable change to the edge and absolutely no corrosion/stains. That fine point and generous belly on the Military melted through the flesh. Also, cleaning out the open construction Military was easier than just about any folder (and some fixed blades) I've ever cleaned. I did manage to snag the clip and bend it about 45* one night, but was easily able to bend it back. Luckily without any snapping. I'd post some pics, but my knife has a serious tan line where the clip covers and dirt does not. Don't want to be made fun of for posting a dirty knife. :D

So post your real deal, real world Spyderco experiences. What models shine during hard use for you? Any unpredicted setbacks to a favorite model, or a less liked model excelling at something unexpected? For the record, Ladybug gets my vote. Handle thickness is perfect for opening beers, and that little knife will do just about anything you'd need.
Click to expand...
 
What's wrong with carbon fiber? :confused: All the best Millies have it. ;)

DSCF0605.jpg


I was scraping down drywall with the bottom one again yesterday and chipping off lime deposits with it today. (We have really hard water here.)
 
Thanks for sharing. Cleaning animals is about the most useful function a tool can fill. I recently used my Delica 4 FFG to clean 14 squirrells. Worked great.
 
I have an Endura 4 fully serrated, that is getting a lot of nasty, hard, gunky duty cutting almost everything, but no animal gutting.

We're cleaning out the garage, and it's done everything over the last couple of weeks, from cutting up cardboard, cutting bait for rat traps, cutting up drywall, washed/sharpened/dipped in boiling water & then cut up chicken for the pot, cutting up screen material for a door repair, and a ton of other stuff. It'll probably go on our camping trip tomorrow, too. (I like having a serrated blade as a backup in the woods.)

Pics later if I can find the time, during our trip prep.

~Chris
 
i don't have any cool stories but its good to know the brand holds up with some real use (as would be expected).
 
My Waved Endura 4 with a plain edge has been with me since I bought the house I live in. I have used it to help hang doors and replace locks. I should of used a chisel but they were in a box somewhere at the time.

It has gone from convex via mousepad to a coarse DMT stone that I now free hand sharpen. The gritty texture of an edge does more of what I want than a 2000 micron polished edge.

It does everything from open 40 lbs of dog food to cutting out weeds from the garden.

Every time I look at another knife I decide to stick with this one.
Although I should probably buy a replacement in case Spyderco decides to discontinue their ambidextrous waved models.
 
My wife prefers serrations on her Delicas. I bought her a plain edge one but it didn't do the job one day. Turns out she had to cut down a whole city block median of fully grown sunflower stalks because they didn't have the right tool in the truck. She knows she can count on her partially serrated Delica to do this kind of work in a pinch.
 
yablanowitz said:
What's wrong with carbon fiber? :confused: All the best Millies have it. ;)

DSCF0605.jpg


I was scraping down drywall with the bottom one again yesterday and chipping off lime deposits with it today. (We have really hard water here.)
Click to expand...

Hey Yablanowitz, when you've use up all the s90v blade, do you have a plan for the Carbon fiber scales? I think I could find a use for them. :D Seriously.
 
hoopster said:
Hey Yablanowitz, when you've use up all the s90v blade, do you have a plan for the Carbon fiber scales? I think I could find a use for them. :D Seriously.
Click to expand...

When that blade is all gone, the CPM M4 blade out of my harlequin Millie is going in there. ;)
 
I used by Endura 4 PE to gut my turkey I shot this season. The endura cut like a dream and just let me say it was a little grimey afterwards:D
 
yablanowitz said:
What's wrong with carbon fiber? :confused: All the best Millies have it. ;)

DSCF0605.jpg


I was scraping down drywall with the bottom one again yesterday and chipping off lime deposits with it today. (We have really hard water here.)
Click to expand...

That Military on the bottom has earned it's carbon fiber :eek::thumbup:

And good to hear all the crap these Spydies are getting put through. Wouldn't want you guys to be getting soft on em!
 
I thought after reading this forum I could use a spyderco. I've seen the kiwi, I'm no hunter so i start small. Someone mentioned finding one on CS-- What is that?
 
Dissected 6 pigs (I'm a biologist) with my new M4 Military. Didn't notice any loss of sharpness (it started out hair popping sharp). It did get some stains (light gray), but no rust. Took about 3 hours from start to finish and the knife was covered in blood, bile, mucus and stomach fluids for most of that time.

Done similar things with several other Spydies with great results. M4 kept it's edge better than other steels I've used though :thumbup:

I do have a few dressier Spydies I try to keep cleaner :D
 
The first time I used my S90V Mule was to turn a 1/2" wide V-belt into a 3/8" wide one to make it fit an oddball self-propelled mower. Those fibers in drive belts are tough!

The second time I used it was to butcher a road killed whitetail that was sprawled at the end of my driveway one morning. It was partially frozen, but all the innards had been ruptured and lacerated by all the shattered ribs. That was the nastiest field dressing chore I think I've ever done!

EDIT: I do want to point out I was feeding it to my dogs, not grilling it up for dinner!
 
Last edited:
SamuraiDave said:
My Waved Endura 4 with a plain edge has been with me since I bought the house I live in. I have used it to help hang doors and replace locks. I should of used a chisel but they were in a box somewhere at the time.

It has gone from convex via mousepad to a coarse DMT stone that I now free hand sharpen. The gritty texture of an edge does more of what I want than a 2000 micron polished edge.

It does everything from open 40 lbs of dog food to cutting out weeds from the garden.

Every time I look at another knife I decide to stick with this one.
Although I should probably buy a replacement in case Spyderco decides to discontinue their ambidextrous waved models.
Click to expand...

2000 micron :eek: That's like the size of a boulder!! :D:thumbup:
 
I gave my Terzuola CPM 440V Starmate to someone who is a chef. They use it every day, all day, for anything non-food that needs cutting. The G10 gives a stable grip and holds up to all kinds of crap. The edge doesn't chip and only needs sharpening about once a year. Too bad CPM440V is dead :( Almost wish I had the knife back, but it's got a good home with a great person :)
 
NoFair said:
Dissected 6 pigs (I'm a biologist) with my new M4 Military.
Click to expand...

This is definitely the coolest thing I've heard anyone doing with the M4 Military. Way better than all of the threads dedicated to how the knife wasn't as smooth as a Sebenza. :thumbup: Even after 6 pigs, no real corrosion, just a little patina? That makes the M4 more and more appealing.

And to the person below me, I've always heard good things about 440V in everything except being brittle. Kind of interesting that the steel really did disappear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top