First spiderco

M

morvlorv

Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
587
Hey guys, for some reason i have had a really bad itch to get a spiderco.
In the past ive never been a fan, and mainly due to the thumb hole, but it doesnt seem to bug me much anymore, or my tatses are just changing, hah.
Ive mainly stuck with emersons and have 9 of them, a CRK 25, a few BM's, DPX hest/f, and a buch of budget beaters.

Why im here now is i cant decide on which one for my first.
3.5" is my sweet spot for blade length, but 3 to 3.5 works out, and i dont like the looks of the handles on any of the budget models.

I think i have it narrowed down to a pm2, a manix 2, a lil lion spy, or a bradley folder.
It will go into my EDC rotation for daily cutting and slicing tasks.

What do you spyder pros suggest or like and why?
Are there some other models i should consider?
If anyone wants to work out a trade for an emerson, let me know, hah. My emerson fix has subsided.

Edit: changed native 2 to manix 2, i meant manix.
 
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Maybe check out the manix2, domino or Slysz Bowie. Can't go wrong.

Also I think the newest version of the native is 5... Could be wrong about that one. I have the fluted titanium version of it and I love it.
 
marcus52AR said:
Maybe check out the manix2, domino or Slysz Bowie. Can't go wrong.

Also I think the newest version of the native is 5... Could be wrong about that one. I have the fluted titanium version of it and I love it.
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Thanks for the reply, i changed my post, i meant manix 2, not native.
It looks like to me, the knives on my list all have different locks that im not too familar with, are any of the locking mechanisms better than others on the spyders?
 
Another vote for the manix 2, Have a 154 saber ground, one of my favorite blades
 
Out of the ones you mentioned I would suggest the lil lionspy. They are being discountined and are currently on sale at many retailers.
 
I would not get a manix2 for your first spyderco, great hard work knife tho. Pm2 yes. Slysz bowie if you can afford one is even better. Gail Bradley is also a great work horse. My favorite spyderco is the frame lock military (getting a liner lock military soon).
 
My two favorite Spyderco knives (in stock form) are the Mantra2 and the Advocate. I can get along with the Manix 2. The PM2, for me, requires a scale swap to be liked. The Military is okay, as is; but also benefits from a scale swap....it's just a little too long to sit properly & comfortably in my back pocket.
 
Ive always felt the manix2 was a cousin of emerson knives. But with a slicey blade. That might be a giod first spyderco for you to try.
 
The lil lion spy was on my list becasue I love my DPX made by lionsteel and I dont have anything in Elmax, which I would like to try out.
My only hesitation on it is that i have a fair number of 3" blades, and thats why im leaning towards 3.5 inches.
I did find it at a price that is absurdly low, so I might just have to go with it, but somehow I feel like since its a colab, I wouldnt really be getting my first Spyderco, haha.
I looked at the Slysz Bowie and i like everything about it other than that pocket clip, I really cant stand that clip at all.

Mo2 said:
I would not get a manix2 for your first spyderco, great hard work knife tho.............
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Any particular reason you suggest i shy away from Manix 2?

my eyes keep wandering back to the PM2, lol. But that lil lionspy is a pretty knife.

This is also why I dont ever go to baskin robbins 31 flavors...
 
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hhmoore said:
My two favorite Spyderco knives (in stock form) are the Mantra2 and the Advocate. I can get along with the Manix 2. The PM2, for me, requires a scale swap to be liked. The Military is okay, as is; but also benefits from a scale swap....it's just a little too long to sit properly & comfortably in my back pocket.
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I love the Mantra. I choose the Mantra 1 just because it's double action. Flip or manual.
 
I like the shorter blade profile of the Mantra2. I'm not big on dedicated flippers; but minimizing the hole improved it enough aesthetically that I didn't care.
Of course, not always content to leave well enough alone, I had mine acid etched, stonewashed, and Cerakoted, lol.
 
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hhmoore said:
I like the shorter blade profile of the Mantra2. I'm not big on dedicated flippers; but minimizing the hole improved it enough aesthetically that I doesn't care.
Of course, not always content to leave well enough alone, I had mine acid etched, stonewashed, and Cerakoted, lol.
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WoW. I thought I was doing to much with mustard patina. LOL
 
PM2, Manix 2, Bradley2, Lion Spy in that order.

1# Pm2 because it represents the most accurate representation of Spyderco's knife philosophy. Great ergo's, good steel, light weight,great action and lots of steel choices to fit your particular need.

2# Manix 2 because it is similar in traits to a PM2 except the lock is different and much harder to operate than the Axis lock. Much stiffer spring than on the Axis lock. It has a great blade shape but carries bigger than the other three.

3# Bradley 2 is a great knife and designed to stand up to hard use, in fact the best worker out of the 4. The biggest negative issue is the thumb choil, it is hard to close the knife due to the Spydie hole being too close to the choil, It makes it hard to play with. Bradley designed it that way on purpose and if that is a problem send it out to a knife Modder to increase the size of the hole, it will become a pleasure to play with which makes it one of my favorite knives to play with.

4#The Lion Spy would be my last choice for daily use. It is a copy of the Lionsteel SR2 which I have had. It is a beautiful design but is least representative of the Spyderco knife philosophy.

I would say that if you wanted to get a feeling of what makes Spyderco tick get the PM2. you can get it in many different steels. I have 6 but the S30V is in my permanent rotation. I don't really care that much if it gets scratched or dinged. You will either get hooked or decide that it is not for you. The first one is always most difficult to choose. I originally disliked Spyderco's tremendously but I got one by mistake and started carrying
it. 60 Spyderco's I am hopelessly hooked. I hope that this will help you choose.
 
E emjay4248 , thats some great info there and the type of input I was looking for.

Would the Gayle Bradley Liner Lock Knife in CF have the same issues you talked about as the Gayle Bradley 2?

I think ive eliminated the lionspy from my list. I can try elmax with another knife sometime.

I am going to add now that I would like the m4 steel, and looks like the PM2, the manix 2 and the Gayle Bradley liner lock all come in the m4 flavor.
Just need to make up my mind now. lol
 
PM2 is a grate knife in its size range!and just find some replacement scales,or the gayle
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[/IMG] bradley also a fine one in this size.
 
Well, I think ive decided.
I just keep coming back to the PM2. even that picture of them all together, the PM2 just jumps out at me as the one I need to try.
I will probably make some micarta scales for it as well.
Now to find one in M4. haha.

Chances are, once I get one, ill need to try the other models. lol
 
morvlorv said:
Well, I think ive decided.
I just keep coming back to the PM2. even that picture of them all together, the PM2 just jumps out at me as the one I need to try.
I will probably make some micarta scales for it as well.
Now to find one in M4. haha.

Chances are, once I get one, ill need to try the other models. lol
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Just be aware that if you are used to Emersons that the PM2 has a fairly fragile tip that is easily broken if you do any prying. It is still a great knife.
 
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