First Time Spyderco User, Which One?

C

Carpdiem

Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
59
I'm a college student, and in a few days, I'll be getting a nice paycheck from my lab work.

The first thing it's heading towards is a new Spyderco.

I've had an S&W swat for a year and something now, and I'm fed up with it. From what I've read on this forum, and in no small part to Sal's clear dedication to his work (The company founder responding personally to problems/requests! Wow.), I've decided to go with a Spyderco.

Right now I'm planning on getting an Endura 4. I really like the large blade. I have fairly big hands, so the Endura would probably be a more comfortable fit than some of the smaller knives. I've heard about the waved Endura, but I haven't had any luck finding out when that will be available for the open market, much less where to order one.

I guess my general question is whether there are any other Spydies under $75 or so that are really worth the extra money above the Endura that I should consider.

So what do you all think?
 
I think an Endura is more than good enough to start you up on spyders.

For additional input you might want to read this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401163

You may also want to go to a knife store and handle some of the spyders they have to get an idea which fits your hand best, etc... internet pics can be misleading in not revealing some minor things that can put you off in a knife you otherwise think is cool, or the other way 'round, they can be misleading in concealing really cool details on a knife that you like more than you thought you would.

Anyway, I hope you find something you like.

Ookami

PS: keep on doing the lab work, you'll be needing the money to buy lots of other spyders soon - trust me :D
 
Wait for the Waved Spyderco Endura/Delica. It will be coming out in a few weeks. It will be worth the wait and it will cost well under $75.
 
The Salt series of knives are really good, especially if you work in wet environments. Not sure if your lab work entails using a knife, or working with water, but a Salt would be perfect. Otherwise, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value than the Endura. Wait up for the waved one though!
 
I take it you guys think the wave feature is really that useful? I've never handled a knife like that, but if opinion has it, I'll take the advice and wait.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any knife shops in the Pasadena, CA area, otherwise I'd definitely head over and try out various spydies before buying. California knife laws may be fairly decent, but I can't seem to find any decent knife shops nearby.

I spent some time in a wet lab, and quickly decided it wasn't for me. Now I do work in a particle physics lab, with plenty of chances to cut things. :-D I also carry a Vic Spirit Plus, and I just love all of the opportunities to play with my toys *ahem* I mean tools.
 
I find the Endura 3 fits my hands way better than the E4 in my big hand :thumbup:

So if you can, I would suggest handling both of them:)
 
One thing I would consider, at your college, are there any "rules" about blade length or what not?? Doesn't hurt to double check while you wait. Just to be on the safe side. Some colleges are strict, some don't care as long as you stay out of trouble.
But since you work in a lab, it could be your work knife, with a bottle cap remover built in.
:)



Blades
 
The Endura IS an excellent knife!! Any Spyderco you choose will be money well spent. You can not go wrong with a Spyderco.
 
I also like the Endura 3 a bit better than the 4. Hopefully, the Waved Endura will have the old 3-style handle (like the Salt series now has).
 
puukkoman said:
...Hopefully, the Waved Endura will have the old 3-style handle (like the Salt series now has).
Click to expand...
How to tell :jerkit: 100 % NO ! :rolleyes: (Handle ist the same like Endura 4).
 
Spydutch - I hear you, I just don't know where I can go to handle both. Do you or anyone else know of any knife shops in Pasadena, CA?

Peter - Interesting read. Seeing it in those pictures does make it look big, which is exciting because I've always liked the feel of big blades much better. A fair read in any case.

Blades - Thanks for the heads up on the college regs bit, but it's not something I'm going to have to worry about. I go to Caltech, and unlike a lot of the big state schools, here they couldn't really care less if I carried a machete or hatchet in open view. Now if it shot bullets... that'd be another matter. The school's a bit touchy about guns, but knives are no problem. :D

Peter - Do you mean that the handle on the waved endura 4 is the same as on the endura 4 or that the handle on the endura 4 is the same as on the salt?

To the rest - Yep, I've definitely been very impressed by what I've read about Spyderco and their knives, and I'm very much looking forward to finally getting a hold of one. Now I think the hardest part may just be the wait until the waved endura 4 comes out. :D
 
I am a big Spyderco fan and in general I like any Spyderco that is flat ground and has G-10. The Para comes to mind as does the Yojimbo. I can see the Yojimbo being very useful in a lab.

We have a lot in common, I worked in a lab in college and my first modern style folder was a S&W SWAT. I had the medium size one in combo edge and brushed aluminum. It was a decent knife but there are many that are better. It is really hard to pick a bad knife from Spyderco. You may pick a knife you don't like but I have found that most of them are good quality even if I don't care for the design.

The Para is a really good knife that is better than the Endura. The Mini-Manix seems like a winner as well but I have not owned one. I have owned a Manix and it is a big beefy knife. Too large for most people's needs. One of the best ones is the R-2. I love that knife and you can still buy them at good prices. They were a limited run of 1200 I think and didn't sell well. They are one of the most comfortable Spydercos I have owned. The Police is another great knife but for some reason Spyderco doesn't make the G-10 flat ground version anymore. That was the very best knife they ever made in my opinion but now it is gone.
 
To really accomodate your cutting needs I would recommend 2 different types of knives to encompass a myriad of cutting chores. First of all you really ought to try a good Hawkbill like the Harpy, Merlin or even the new Tasman. Now with blade length probably a factor in your college endeavors I would recommend either a Delica, Calypso Jr, or a Yojimbo like Kevin recommended. The best would be to get a Dyad Jr. that way you got one small fully serrated blade and one small plain edge.

But you will find as you get to know knives more that a good mid-sized Hawkbill like the Harpy or Tasman would be a great choice
 
Peter- Thanks for the clarification!

kriggs8- What is it about the Yojimbo that majes you see it as especially useful in a lab? The Para has a significantly smaller blade than the Endura, right? Does the S30V steel make that much of a difference that it's worth twice the price? What's the R-2? Could you provide a link?

Halfneck- Do you mean that you would suggest a regular Endura 4 above a waved Endura 4? Why do you say that?

JDSpydo- Interesting recommendation about the hawkbills. I take it you have one that you use a lot? Are there many other uses besides cutting rope and the like that you find it particularly suited for?
 
Here is a pic of the Yojimbo and R2.
Yojimbo:
sc-85gpbl.jpg




and the R2:
sc-67gys.jpg




Get the Endura first, there will always be another Spyderco to buy, but the Endura will always get the job done. At least mine has, I have been carrying an Endura since 1993. :) I think I might retire it when it is 15years old. :)


Blades
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top