first spyderco reccomendations

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edged932

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Apr 17, 2014
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i am looking to get my first spyderco but there are a fair few of them. the 2 that have really caught my attention are the tenacious and the delica 4 so what do you people think? the most i'm looking to spend is under £80 bear in mind i don't want some super steel because i want to be able to sharpen it with relative ease and it needs to be of a decent size for easy carry. what are your thoughts? any advice would be appreciated
 
I carry a Delica frequently and find the size and overall quality to be good. The Native is another one that I really like.

My first Spyderco was an Endura and carried it a while. Have both the fully serrated and plain edge versions. I decided that I just didn't like the overall size for an EDC and went with the Delica which is a bit smaller. I keep the serrated Endura in my work bag for times when I might need a serrated blade, but I don't carry it on my person. I also got a Native when they were being sold at Walmart and feel it is a great knife and a good value. Now they seem to be a lot more expensive, but they are making them with higher end steel too.
 
Another suggestion would be a persitance more pocketable and little easier to edc. I just got one in blue g10 after my sage 1 and I love it.
 
Not sure on the currency conversion, but if you can get a FRN Native in your price range, I'd go that way. You get S30V over VG10 and I think the Native looks much nicer than the Delica. I still have my Native, but not my Delica. Also, if not too big, I like the Pacific Salt Full Serrated knives too. Lighter than the Endura and the serrated H1 rust resistant steel holds edge forever. You'd be amazed what the Spyderedge can do as far as fine work and slicing, to to mention cutting. About the only thing a Spyderedge doesn't do well is whittle, but that's what your traditional is for right ;-)
 
The Tenacious is probably a bit easier to sharpen, but it is also a fair bit larger than the Delica.

Another one you might want to consider is the UK Penknife. It is often dismissed b/c it doesn't have a lock, but I have a couple and really like them for EDC.
 
This is not to nudge you away from Spyderco at all. I like Spydie knives. Take a look at the Cold Steel Tuff Lite for an EDC. I don't know what attributes you're looking for in terms of a knife and your typical usage, but I find the Tuff Lite to be an excellent little knife and the price is certainly "right".
 
22-rimfire said:
This is not to nudge you away from Spyderco at all. I like Spydie knives. Take a look at the Cold Steel Tuff Lite for an EDC. I don't know what attributes you're looking for in terms of a knife and your typical usage, but I find the Tuff Lite to be an excellent little knife and the price is certainly "right".
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I can only agree strongly. A similar knife is the Kershaw Echelon, which can be de-assisted easily and becomes a fantastic manual utilitarian folder.

But, to stay on topic:
- Delicas are good options. Tried and true.
- Dragonfly: smaller, but very distinctive and ergonomic.
- Cat / Chicago: Small, non threatening, good steel, underappreciated.

These links might help:
All 8Cr13MoV Spyderco knives
All VG-10 Spyderco knives
All N690 Spyderco knives

Those are arguably the easiest steels to sharpen that will also hold a decent edge. Spyderco also makes knives in H-1, which is entirely impervious to corrosion. The tradeoff is that the edge holding is right there with AUS8, which is okay at best by comparison to VG10 and N690, and is very similar (in edge retention and edge retention alone) to 8Cr13MoV.

VG-10 is probably the best overall steel for your needs. It takes an incredibly fine edge, is very stain resistant, and can be stropped and sharpened relatively quickly.

Don't get too hot and bothered about steels, though, if that's what it comes down to between two choices. Just pick the one that looks the most comfortable and pleasant to use, as the edge retention properties of a blade are irrelevant if you don't use it. Feel is more important than materials - that's why the Tuff Lite knocked the Spyderco Yojimbo out of my pocket for my utility folder needs.

Addendum: However, the 110V Manix replaced the Tuff Lite. You may look into a Manix in S30V (harder steel, better edge retention, lower impact resistance) or 154CM (VERY easy to maintain, like VG-10, but slightly more robust than VG-10 in my personal experience), which are good steels that are still serviceable by hand sharpening, unlike 110V which basically requires diamond abrasives. The 154CM Manix was discontinued, but had a long enough run that you can likely pick one up without all too much looking around.
 
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I'd skip the Tenactious and the other Chinese Spydercos. The Taiwanese, Japanese, and American Spydercos have some of the best fit and finish I've seen on a production knife.

For $60, Spyderco Delica or Endura are made from great VG10 steel, steel frame under plastic handles, solid lock. Incredible value. If you can spend more, like $110, try the Paramilitary 2, Manix 2, Manix XL. They use S30V steel, great locks, steel frame under G10 handles. Incredible value.
 
Between the Delica and Tenacious, I'd pick the Delica by longshot. Better in just about every way measurable (unless you just really prefer a liner lock over back lock). If you're up for spending a little more, the Caly3 would be my top Spyderco recommendation. For the longest time, the Delica4 FFG remained at the top of my Spydies list. The Caly3 CF was the one that finally dethroned it.
 
Hard choice. I've got both. The Tenacious is serrated and it's what I grab for when I'm out in the yard. The Delica 4 is combo edge. Both are worth the money. The VG-10 steel is a huge upgrade over the Chinese steel but both are serviceable. Delicas are easier to find discounted in the classifieds.

If you like smaller knives: Delica or Ambitious

If you like something that fills out your hand: Tenacious, or Manix 2, etc.
 
I know it's a little more pricey but people swear by their Paramilitary 2s.

Dragonfly is also a great knife. Small but capable.
 
Delica or Endura in VG10 depending on what size is right for you. It's difficult to go wrong with these in VG10. It's a nicely balanced steel with good wear resistance, toughness ( for a stainless), and corrosion resistance. It takes great edges pretty easily and the knives are generally ready to go out of the box unless one is really picky about things. I mean Really, really picky!

Joe
 
"I know it's a little more pricey but people swear by their Paramilitary 2s."

i know i love the look of the para military and that compression lock is different and apparently very strong its just the price that separates me from it
 
Regarding the Delica and other back locks - do a search on vertical blade play, it might influence your decision. I have two Delicas and both have a small amount of up and down play when cutting on a chopping board. Nothing major but I find it irritating. Just something to be aware of.
 
I just posted this in the Spyderco sub forum but I'll post it here as well. My personal favorites are the Domino and the Manix line. I own about 4 Manix 2's and 2 Manix Xl's, all good choices.
 
rubberdog said:
Regarding the Delica and other back locks - do a search on vertical blade play, it might influence your decision. I have two Delicas and both have a small amount of up and down play when cutting on a chopping board. Nothing major but I find it irritating. Just something to be aware of.
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as far as blade play goes im not too fussed as long as its not moving too much with force applied or a safety concern its not such a worry to me so long as the knife is functional, thanks for your input though
 
I would go with a Manix 2 or Para2. Although I did just get my brother in law a Tenacious which is from China and I was a little worried when I bought it, but the one I got was pretty nice. No blade play, blade is perfectly centered and it was razor sharp. If you are just looking for a starter knife the Tenacious is not a bad choice.
 
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