Help Me Choose First Spyderco Folder

Kadelic

Kadelic

Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Messages
44
Hey there folks, I'm new to the forum and am gradually getting acclimated to all the new information, names, and the overriding sense of community around here. I bought what I would consider my first "quality" folder back in 2009, a Benchmade Barrage 580S. It's been my trusty EDC since, and it's never failed me, but I've been feeling a lot of Spyder love and want to try one. I figured I'd list the characteristics of my Barrage and compare & contrast what I'd like in my first Spyderco and see if y'all can hook me up with the perfect knife, if that even exists. Every time I start looking at all the different Spydercos online I end up getting overwhelmed and put if off for another day. Alas, I don't know of a brick and mortar dealer that I can go pour over for a couple hours. That's where you guys come in, if you will.

Here's a link to the Barrage in question for reference: http://www.benchmade.com/products/580-583

Price range: I'd like to keep it around $125-150 with some flexibility, but I know y'all will round up anyway. ;)

The Barrage is about the perfect size in over all length and blade length. So anything around a 3.6" blade and a 4.75" closed length. If anything err on the smaller side, or not too much bigger.

The Barrage has Axis Assisted opening. Not necessary, and frankly I'd rather avoid it in order to spend the money on other features.

I'm used to the thumb stud opening with the Benchmade but I really like the look of the Spyderco thumb hole.

One of the main changes I want from my Barrage is its .650" thickness. I'm not looking for super slim as I still want a relatively beefy blade for the length, but the Barrage has rounded contoured scales and I'd like something low profile and flat.

Another main change I'd like to make is from the combo blade of my Benchmade to a straight/plain edge. Let's stick with the drop point though, nothing fancy.

As far as the 154CM stainless of the Barrage, I'm not educated enough to be picky so I'm open to anything in the price range.

Looking forward to your responses!
 
125-150 will net you a pretty awesome Spyderco. I highly recommend the Paramilitary 2, it seems to be just about what you're looking for, size wise, is nice and thin while still being relatively tough, and has a plain edge in a very useful shape. Also, unless you're left handed, the Compression Lock is super strong. They can be found pretty easily for about 125 or so in S30V Steel.

Barring that, you could get a Delica or Endura with Super Blue or ZDP-189 steel for a lot less.
 
Are you sure your not open to a leaf shape blade? There arnt many drop point spydies, maybe the Stretch. Spyderco's thing is leaf shape blades. Also along the line of thin but hard user knives would be the Caly3.5 and the G10 endura.

Do you have any other requirements- size, lock type, handle material?
 
Paramilitary 2, Sage 1, Sage 2 are my top 3 picks for that budget. All are great knives and you should have not problem liking them. I like the Titanium framelock on the Sage 2 and the Sage 1 liner lock is nice plus it has the Carbon Fiber scale.
 
Close size-wise to your Benchmade Barrage would be the great Spyderco Gayle Bradley folder. An alternative would be the Para-Military2.
 
A fair similarity in blade size would be the Spyderco Manix 2. It has a lock that is similar to what you're comfortable with on the Barrage. I'm a big fan of the Manix 2.

Otherwise, I would wholly suggest the Paramilitary 2. It has the slim lines you're looking for, and the compression lock is very easy to manipulate.

I wish you luck! Spyderco is a great company, and they make great products.
 
GB, PARA 2, Manix 2 FFG. just cannot go wrong with any of these choices. BTW the barrage is a great knife love it myself.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Are you sure your not open to a leaf shape blade? There arnt many drop point spydies...

Do you have any other requirements- size, lock type, handle material?
Click to expand...

I'm open to different blade styles, sure. As far as size, something close to the Barrage, but I'm not too picky about lock type or handle material. I'm just trying to narrow down my choices so I can focus on a few models instead of getting swamped when I start looking at the vast variety out there. Once I narrow it down to 4 or 5 I'll be able to decide which one I like best.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, that should make my homework a little easier!
 
Well after looking up all the models suggested I've narrowed it down to two, the Gayle Bradley and the Paramilitary 2. The GB really speaks to me but from the reviews I've read it is on the thick side. My Google searches didn't turn up the specs for the thickness across the handles. Does anyone happen to know or have one they can measure? The same request goes for the Paramilitary 2 as well, for comparisons sake.

If I was going on looks alone I'd go with the GB hands down. There's something about the blade shape and the carbon fiber scales that have me leaning heavily toward it. I may have to let go of my desire for a slimmer knife...at least until I can afford to get both! I still have some time to make up my mind as I still have some Christmas shopping to do and I'd feel guilty buying myself a present with less than two weeks before Christmas.
 
For the most part just light duty stuff: opening boxes, removing zip-ties, para cord, household type stuff.

Edit: Nothing and standard SAK couldn't handle, but I want something than can handle some punishment if I ever need it to.
 
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Get the Endura with vg10 steel. Easy to sharpen. Durable but slim and lightweight. Good working knife. Good price and a good place to start with Spyderco.
 
Kadelic said:
Well after looking up all the models suggested I've narrowed it down to two, the Gayle Bradley and the Paramilitary 2. The GB really speaks to me but from the reviews I've read it is on the thick side. My Google searches didn't turn up the specs for the thickness across the handles. Does anyone happen to know or have one they can measure? The same request goes for the Paramilitary 2 as well, for comparisons sake.

If I was going on looks alone I'd go with the GB hands down. There's something about the blade shape and the carbon fiber scales that have me leaning heavily toward it. I may have to let go of my desire for a slimmer knife...at least until I can afford to get both! I still have some time to make up my mind as I still have some Christmas shopping to do and I'd feel guilty buying myself a present with less than two weeks before Christmas.
Click to expand...

Here's some specs on them :)

Para-Military 2:
Overall Length: 8.28"
Blade Length: 3.44"
Cutting Edge: 3.08"
Blade Thickness: 0.14"
Handle Thickness: 0.46"

Gayle Bradley:
Overall Length: 8.078"
Blade Length: 3.44"
Cutting Edge: 3.19"
Blade Thickness: 0.125"
(Could not find the handle thickness for this one, sorry)
 
You have got a good price range there. I would consider Stretch with zdp-189 (is cheaper and beats Gayle Bradley in my personal opinion), Paramilitary 2 or Caly 3.5 with laminated zdp-189 and carbon fiber handle (well, that probably will be 10-15 dollars above the top of your range, but well worth it!). Whatever you pick, you will not regret!
 
Kadelic said:
Well after looking up all the models suggested I've narrowed it down to two, the Gayle Bradley and the Paramilitary 2. The GB really speaks to me but from the reviews I've read it is on the thick side. My Google searches didn't turn up the specs for the thickness across the handles. Does anyone happen to know or have one they can measure? The same request goes for the Paramilitary 2 as well, for comparisons sake.

If I was going on looks alone I'd go with the GB hands down. There's something about the blade shape and the carbon fiber scales that have me leaning heavily toward it. I may have to let go of my desire for a slimmer knife...at least until I can afford to get both! I still have some time to make up my mind as I still have some Christmas shopping to do and I'd feel guilty buying myself a present with less than two weeks before Christmas.
Click to expand...

Just a heads up on the GB - it does have a CPM M4 blade. Non stainless tool steel, so it may develop a patina (some rustyness) over time.

The Paramilitary 2 has a bunch of different steel options out there, S30V being the starting point.

If you're really into the carbon fiber and want to pay a liiiitttle bit more, the Spyderco Domino maybe a good option for you.
 
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