good first spyderco

In general my fave of the current production is the Caly 3, it is in my opinion in a higher class than the Delica, for example because of the two sturdy steel liners. You'll easily find the VG10-blade version within your budget. The Centofantes are interesting as well, their thinner blade makes for a great slicing tool. I have the superb Centofante 4, but its Wharncliff blade is not for everyone. However I would still pick the Caly 3 if I had to choose. Actually I have never read a bad review/opinion on the Caly 3.

But, a more than interesting discontinued alternative within your $120 budget is available through careful shopping on ebay: the amazing Volpe is one of the prettiest Spydercos ever. It's -in my opinion- a stylish knife (as compared to the utilitarian look of most spydies) that suitable for EDC if a blade roughly the size of an Endura's is legal in your area. It is very well put together, it features a framelock and its olivewood scales even SMELL nice :-)

The Volpe. How can you resist this beauty:

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I have a Volpe and it's a great knife. But, I'd never recommend it for a first Spyderco, Why? Because it's a Spyderco made in another factory, by Fox of Italy. That doesn't make it a bad knife at all. But a person's very first Spyder should IMO (which is just that) be from a factory owned by Spyderco, that produces Spyderco's on a regular basis, not some contracted knife with merely the name applied. Just for the simple reason that it's his first. I wouldn't have wanted my first Spyderco to have been a contracted out one time deal, made by another company.
 
> ut, I'd never recommend it for a first Spyderco, Why? Because it's a Spyderco made in another factory, by Fox of Italy. That doesn't make it a bad knife at all.

That doesn't matter for me at all. I mean, looking through my small collection, this would mean that the popular delica, centofante 4, caly 3, dragonfly and kiwi are all excluded as a good choice for a first spyderco. I think this applies to the popular Endura and Centofante 3 as well. They are all made in Seki, Japan, and probably by the superb cutlery company Moki. Indeed not a one-time deal but another company nevertheless.
The Native is made in the USA but, when playing with it in the shop it didn't really convince me as the above mentioned ones did. There are other USA made spydercos but I don't have experience with them.
In short, not selecting any of these specific non-American spydercos just because production is outsourced, is in my opinion an exercise in tunnel vision.
 
I said for a first Spyderco IMO I'd want one from their own factory. Of course that's just my opinion which means it matters only to me. I also said I have a Volpe and it's a great knife not a bad one. It just wasn't the very first one I ever bought. Maybe the OP wouldn't care about the first Spyderco he buys coming from Fox of Italy. It's entirely his call.
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I suppose you are right Dagon about the Japanese Spyderco's. They are made in other factories. It just seemed normal to see the Japan on them and consider them Spyderco's. After all there's so many of them, compared to the one Spyderco from Italy. I stand corrected.
 
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It is true that the Volpe is a special model (in looks as well), compared to the consistent other spydercos. So, it depends if the OP prefers to start his collection with an odd Spyderco, or with a more generally available model.
Furthermore the Volpe, the Kopa, the Kiwi and a handful other Spydercos look more "dressed up" than the usual models, and this may or may not be appealing for the OP.
FYI a small anectode: it seems that under the olivewood scales of the volpe there is an picture of a fox engraved. Excellent eye for detail.
The one Spyderco I wouldn't start with is the Tenacious. Not really because this affordable model is the first Spyderco (not counting Byrd) made in China, but rather because it feels and operates less slick than the higher priced models.

ps
> Spydies so far Starmate PE, Military D2, G-10 ATS-55 Police, Cilvilian Tuff-Ram, 3 F/G Manix, Police PE Gin 1, Volpe, Large Persian, 2 Shabaria, 2 ATR SS, P'Kal, Ocelot, Blue Yojimbo, Manix PE 80mm, ATS-34 & 440v Military, SuperHawk, Two D-2 Paramilitary, Adventura, Citadel 92mm, 2 T-Mag, Kris-Dodo

Splendid, splendid... but... you don't have a Kiwi yet ???!!!??? It would complement your collection so nicely as it's really a case apart: a recommended buy !
 
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I recommend a G-10 Caly 3, or if you intend it for harder use maybe a FFG Delica or Endura. Enjoy your first Spydie:)
 
Vivi said:
Calypso 3 has a nice deep carry wire clip and overall is one of the best EDC designs IMO.
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+1
IMHO, out of current production Caly3 is the best EDC. I carry it everyday for two years, love it and didn't find anything better yet.
C105 Persian is also an excellent knife, but more suited for dress-up events or if you work in office.
UKPK and Sage also deserve attention. They have their advantages and disadvantages over Caly3, all depends on person preferences. For me Caly3 is the best.
All these knives are in your price range

ColonelX said:
i need something for EDC fast draw, tip up preferably
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all these knives are tip up.
 
Dagon said:
But, a more than interesting discontinued alternative within your $120 budget is available through careful shopping on ebay: the amazing Volpe is one of the prettiest Spydercos ever. It's -in my opinion- a stylish knife (as compared to the utilitarian look of most spydies) that suitable for EDC if a blade roughly the size of an Endura's is legal in your area. It is very well put together, it features a framelock and its olivewood scales even SMELL nice :-)
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with Dagon on Volpe. It is gorgeous knife with best fit and finish I saw. It is discontinued, you still can buy it fairly inexpensive on the bay, so it is a good time to buy, if you want it. It certainly will be more expensive in a year or two. But Volpe tip down only.
One of my friends carry Volpe and absolutely loves it.
 
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