Favorite Spyderco Flippers

[sgt1372]

So SGT, in addition to being smaller and thin, what don't you like about the Mantra 3? I've had my eye on one since it was announced, but can't get excited about the black scales. Kinda shallow, I know, but I can't shake it.

Nothing "wrong" about the Mantra3. Just not my favorite among the ones mentioned. Really just comes down to personal preference.

The Mantra3 is light and very sharp but smaller than the kind of knives that I prefer to carry. Not sure what "black scales" your'e talking about; the one I have has CF lam scales which Spyderco has been using a lot recently. The scales are fine w/me; you can find them on the Smock, Ikuchi, Silverax and Amalgam which are all other flippers that I own.

To me, the Mantra3 is kind of a flipper version of the Para3 which I also own but think is too small too. I only own the Para3 because I wanted to have one of each of the knives in the Paramilitary family - 1, 2 & 3. I actually own 2 versions of the Paramilitary 1 because it is discontinued and more collectable.

The only reason I own a Mantra3 is basically for the same reason; I wanted to own at least 1 type of every Spyderco flipper available. However, I do not like the Mantra enough to also buy the Ti Mantra 1 or 2; in part, because I generally do not like plain Ti knives and also because the size/design of the Mantra family just doesn't appeal to me that much.

Hope this helps you understand my thinking about the Mantra 3.

 

[Jcsixx01]

Advocate on the way.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Hope this helps you understand my thinking about the Mantra 3.

Definitely does. The Mantra 3 checks a lot of boxes for me. I like the size and I like the internal frame (if that's the right term) like the PM series. I like the engineering improvements in the bearing too. My only hang up has been the CF scales. Seems pretty unlikely to come out in different colors, so I'm going to buy one and try it on, so to speak. Thanks.

 

[Lapedog]

I sold the Domino as I much prefer the Advocate. The Domino just doesn't feel as good in the pocket.

So are you advocating the advocate?

The Domino and the Southard are probably my fav. The Southard just cause it is a gorgeous (if abit awkward) knife and the Domino because it is a true Spyderco leaf blade slicy flipper.

Domino basically takes the Manix layout and turns it into a lightweight slim comfortable to carry framelock.

Only major drawback to these older Spyderco flippers is the damn paper thin support washers the bearings roll on. Good thing they work fine if you just take the support washers out.