Help me choose my first Spyderco

J

JDBraddy

Joined
Sep 20, 2002
Messages
217
Ok guys, have been thinking about getting my first Spyderco, and can't make up my mind. There's just too many choices, discontinued models etc...am leaning toward the Delica Wave, but thought I'd heard one was comming out in ZDP-189, but couldn't remember if it was a wave or what kind of handle etc.... I've looked at the Calypso CF/ZDP etc and a few others. I'd like to say I'm not into stuff like the steel of the week, or fancy handles, but it just ain't true. Heck, I was even looking for images of some of the ones that had been customized after market, with fancy wood handles and filework etc... Help me pick a winner!
 
I highly recommend the Military. This is such a fantastic knife, any words that I say about it really can't do it appropriate justice. I carry a CPM-440V version, just because I seem to like this blade steel better, but that is now hard to find. Nevertheless, the CPM-S30V blade is an excellent one and is a great all-around cutter for everything from work to camp chores. I carried one on my 10-day trek through northern New Mexico in the Carson National Forest and on the Philmont Scout Ranch; it worked beautifully and I've carried it every day since. While it costs approximately $40 to $50 more than the Delica, it is worth every penny. The grip is more ergonomic and I personally like S30V more than VG10. Another benefit is the fact that the Military is made in the United States of America, rather than in Japan such as the Endura or Delica lines. It is thin and has a good, tip-down clip, and rides anywhere---appendix, hip, etc.---well. The G10 is a perfect handle material, and the lock is strong and reliable. This was my second Spyderco after my Lil' Temperance (another good one, look for it on eBay, it's since been discontinued), and I have since fallen in love.

The Military! :thumbup: :D

God bless you, America, and our men and women overseas.

KATN,

Wade
619G6

Glesser for President in '08.
 
The Delica wave isn't in ZDP 189, it's VG-10- but I would recommend any of the Delica lineup. VG-10 is nothing to sneeze at. The Delica is one of Spyderco's flagship models and has many years of thoughtful incremental engineering behind it. If you like fancy handles etc., check out Santa Fe Stoneworks- they do all sorts of wonderful things with the Delica.

http://www.santafestoneworks.com/

Honestly, it's hard to make a wrong decision here. I've yet to meet a Spyder I didn't like, they're all good. If you're looking for a smaller, less expensive EDC to start out with, the Delica is the way to go. If you're looking for something bigger, the Endura is just the ticket. If you want small and super nice- a Caly 3 is the way to go. If you want a big beast, a mini-Manix or a Manix is the knife for you. Or a Military, or a Paramilitary, or a Chinook, or a Persian....etc. etc.- all nice knives. Then there's the Salt lineup. I haven't had any experience with these yet, but I have the Tasman and the Salt-1 on order. From what I've read, these are excellent knives as well.

Enjoy! Just be warned, once bitten by the bug, things can get expensive in a hurry.
 
JDBraddy said:
Ok guys, have been thinking about getting my first Spyderco, and can't make up my mind. There's just too many choices, .. Help me pick a winner!
Click to expand...

Can you tell something about your preferences like blade size, steel, handle material, intend of use, price range. It would help.
 
Either get the ZDP-189 Delica or the waved Delica are a great choice, but you can't get both in one knife.

Do you have any knife stores near you that might have a waved version? Try it out and decide for yourself.
 
Another :thumbup: for the Delica Wave.

Great knife for your first Spyderco, and chances are you will fall in love with the wave.
 
My intrest in knives comes in spurts. Every 5-10 years I go looking for one, wind up spending way too much and buying several, then usually settle on one of them and get interested in something else again. I lost my beloved custom EDC a couple weeks ago, started looking for a replacment, and got interested again. Went to a local store looking for a Para-military, realized it was larger than I wanted (I already have a large Sebenza and a MT-LLC) and wound up playing with a delica wave and a mini-griptillian that both seemed about the right size and weight. I also saw a calypso that was nice but I knew there where versions with better steel. I looked a few others, but they're not inexpensive knives. I came back home and went looking on the net, I bought a small used Sebenza, but am still waiting for it. I had a few bucks left, so was thinking what the heck, pick out a Spyderco I like too.
 
honestly it depends on how much you want to spend and the materials used

a waved delica with vg10 is in the 50-60 dollar range

a non-waved delica with zdp-189 is in the 70-80 dollar range

the military or manix (both with s30v) will be in the 110-120 dollar range

My recommendation like many others would be the manix however all are quality knives

If you can go to a local knife dealer (search the spyderco sight for dealers) and go in and handle all of your potential choices then make your decision which you like best.
 
I would suggest any of these six. All meet multiple needs. All within varying price ranges. All quality. All worth owning!

Pacific Salt

D'Allara Knife, Drop Point

REDESIGNED ENDURA WITH ZDP-189 PLAIN EDGE BLADE

CENTOFANTE 3

CAPTAIN

Native in S30V
 
Actually, I would suggest a G-10 Caly 3 if you think that you might have some aftermarket work done on it. The Caly 3 is a great knife for showing Spyderco's F&F in a product that is above entry level. It has full steel liners, so somebody like STR or Chase Axinn should be able to add some nice custom scales if you want. It's VG-10, which you may not have in the knives you've collected so far, and you'd be getting a great slicer that could be a comfortable and (usually) acceptable EDC for public use.

You already have a large Sebenza so a Manix or Military or Para-Military won't be giving you anything you don't already have in size, although they are some of Spyderco's best designs and steels.
 
I buy knives much as you do, and recently I've been on a Spyderco spree (watch out! as they say).
I'll put my 2 cents in for the Centofante 4. It's discreet. Not vey expensive, but unique, and what a wicked slicer! Like a little straight razor with a point.
I'll also second the Military–another unique and extremely utlitarian design. The concept's similar to a Sebenza, it's true, but it's accomplished very differently. Your also not out $400 dollars or whatever if it's lost. It is big, but it's flat, light and pleasant to carry. I found that to handle it is to appreciate it, like many Spydercos, I guess.
 
JDBraddy said:
wound up playing with a delica wave and a mini-griptillian that both seemed about the right size and weight. I also saw a calypso that was nice but I knew there where versions with better steel.
Click to expand...

Caly3. I think, it is the best Spyderco of this size. It is about $95. Upgraded version CF Caly3 with ZDP-189 is around $150. I have VG10/G10 Caly3 and carry it every day since I got it in September. I love it, great knife.
 
Well, which model fits your hand best for one-handed opening? Small hand, maybe the Delica. Big hand, maybe the Endura. I have fairly big hands and my old Endura is comfortable for me to use and easy for me to open with one hand. That's the bottom line.
 
The D4 wave is a good route to start. Its cheap, works great and well its an all around great knife. You will not be disappointed.
 
I guess it would be fair to ask just what type of knife you could use the most. Now the MILITARY model that the one brother recommended is a great knife but it is a little on the large side. I have had 2 of those myself and I loved them.

But if you live near a larger city where they are notorious for having knife laws that only allow short blades then I would highly recommend the Calypso Jr. Especially if you can find one with ZDP-189 blade steel. I have been carrying one of those everyday for the last 2 years and it has been a real reliable tool.

Some others to consider for a first knife are, The Harpy, The Native ( Golden Colorado made version), or even a Lil Temperance if you can find one. Good Luck and keep us posted. JD
 
steelscout30 said:
I highly recommend the Military. This is such a fantastic knife, any words that I say about it really can't do it appropriate justice. I carry a CPM-440V version, just because I seem to like this blade steel better, but that is now hard to find. Nevertheless, the CPM-S30V blade is an excellent one and is a great all-around cutter for everything from work to camp chores. I carried one on my 10-day trek through northern New Mexico in the Carson National Forest and on the Philmont Scout Ranch; it worked beautifully and I've carried it every day since. While it costs approximately $40 to $50 more than the Delica, it is worth every penny. The grip is more ergonomic and I personally like S30V more than VG10. Another benefit is the fact that the Military is made in the United States of America, rather than in Japan such as the Endura or Delica lines. It is thin and has a good, tip-down clip, and rides anywhere---appendix, hip, etc.---well. The G10 is a perfect handle material, and the lock is strong and reliable. This was my second Spyderco after my Lil' Temperance (another good one, look for it on eBay, it's since been discontinued), and I have since fallen in love.

The Military! :thumbup: :D

God bless you, America, and our men and women overseas.

KATN,

Wade
619G6

Glesser for President in '08.
Click to expand...

I'm headed out there in two weeks. Was rust an issue for you? I'm planning on taking my SE Dodo or my upcoming PE Pacific Salt :D . I think these will work REAL well! Which would you suggest?

I would suggest a Caly 3 in G-10 for your first Spyderco.
 
My first Spyderco was an Endura.I still EDC it after maybe 14 yrs. or so.The Delica is nice too but not for my hand shape/size.It is too small for me to manipulate easily.I say Endura.YMMV.tom.:cool:
 
I've decided, I now know exactly wich Spyderco model I want! Now if I can just find one.... that someone will part with. I want the C76 25th Anniversary Delica with honey jigged bone scales, and damascus bolsters!
 
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