Help me understand Spyderco knives

retzius

retzius

Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
1,102
Hello.

I don't have a Spyderco and was doing some research on a good first folder from them. After checking the catalog, other than a few obvious standouts, most of them all look alike to me other than subtle differences in length and steel type.

What am I missing? What defines a Endura vs a Delica vs a Tenacious vs a Paramilitary?

Any help is appreciated.
 
retzius said:
Hello.

I don't have a Spyderco and was doing some research on a good first folder from them. After checking the catalog, other than a few obvious standouts, most of them all look alike to me other than subtle differences in length and steel type.

What am I missing? What defines a Endura vs a Delica vs a Tenacious vs a Paramilitary?

Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

I think you answered your own question...
 
Endura is a lockback with 4" blade, Delica has 3" blade. Tenacious is one of their budget lines made in Taiwan and uses a liner lock. The Paramilitary is one of their flagship USA models with a very strong compression lock.
 
You've got to get them all in your hand to see which one fits best. Beyond that, you can tell some of the subtle differences in pictures.

Otherwise, buy them all... that's funnest way to find the difference.
 
I think like many new to spyderco's, you're focusing too much on the spyderhole, which because it takes up a large percentage of the blade and is on every blade makes them look all the same. Once you get more into them you'll notice the differences more, this doesn't happen as much with say benchmades because thumb studs are smaller and don't stand out as much and don't have to be added to the top of a blade therefor making the top of the blade look similar too a blade with the same opening. As for your examples spyderco does offer several lengths of basically the same knife for those people who like the model but prefer a large knife or small knife, or if only a 3in blade is legal in their area, and they like the endura they can carry a delica, which really are the same knife just different sizes. or for example a resilience, tenacious, ambitious, etc all the same thing just slightly different blade length, so you can carry the size you prefer. IMO one of the best things about spyderco really is their large choice in steels and lock types, the 2 sprint runs of para-military 2's being my favorite steels and lock (compression lock) as well as my overall preferred blade length (about 3.5in) though i sometimes carry a military or delica.
 
You have to hold a Spyderco to understand them. It's been said before, but I'll say it again: they may be ugly, but the beauty is really in the function.
 
Endura / Delica - Japanese made with plastic handles, VG10 steel and a back lock.
Tenacious - Chinese made with G10 handles, 8cr13alphabetsoup steel and a liner lock.
Paramilitary - American made with G10 handles, S30V steel and a compression lock.

Apples, oranges, and grapes.
 
You have to use them to begin to understand them, they are designed for pure performance and to be used.
 
Spyderco makes well-designed knives with excellent fit and finish and high-end steels. Unless you are already knowledgeable about what features you need, the Spyderco lineup will be a puzzle.

I like Spyderco's full flat grinds, which make excellent slicers and cutters. VG10 is probably Spyderco's signature steel, and it's a good one, but I prefer Spyderco's M4, which the company runs about HRc 62 with an excellent heat treat.

If you don't understand the unique features of all the Spyderco models and you're looking for an EDC, I'd start with the steel. Do you need a stainless steel? If not, go with M4. If you do, go with VG 10 or S30V.

Next look at blade length. I like EDCs at least 4 inches long, but many people prefer something shorter.

I prefer a full flat grind, so you could choose a Military in M4 or S30V if you like a bigger EDC or the Para Military in S30V if you like a smaller blade.

If you don't know what you need or like, experiment. Buy them both. But whatever you choose, invest in yourself and learn how to sharpen and maintain a quality knife.
 
I'd like to add that a good place to start would be a FFG Delica. I believe that it encompasses the whole goal of Spyderco at a very affordable price.
 
Do yourself a favor...I was in the same boat as you not too terribly long ago. I just never saw what the attraction to Spyderco was. They all looked alike, and I didn't really care too much for any of them.

I forced myself to buy a Tenacious...for a whopping $34 or something like that (which is about retail)...and quickly saw the light. Seriously, buy one. You won't regret it. If, for some unlikely reason, you just don't catch the bug (pun intended), you're only out $30 some dollars. I'll bet you end up out a WHOLE lot more than that when you start buying high end models, Sprint runs, etc. Oh yea, that low budget Tenacious is still one of my favorite knives.
 
I thought there knives were ugly as sin a couple months ago but they grew on me. Now I love the looks of most there knives. And like was said above they are designed for performance. I got a sage 1 as my first spyderco and it the best knife iv ever owned. I can't wait to buy some of their high end knives
 
I've had a couple weeks with my Endura and I like it, but still don't have the man crush over the knives that some on here do. It just doesn't feel as good in MY hands as my Griptilian or American Lawman. Good knife, I love the fact that it can be set lefty or righty, clip up or clip down, and it did come in shaving sharp. However, the ergos just don't do it for my hands like the other two.
 
My best advice is to try a low-cost one first. If you like it, you'll have opened the door to a brave new world. If you don't like it, you'll have saved yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars more on all the other Spydies you'd eventually 'need'... :D
 
retzius said:
After checking the catalog, other than a few obvious standouts, most of them all look alike to me other than subtle differences in length and steel type.
Click to expand...

Your right, A lot of the models are a lot alike. The subtle differences allow users to find their perfect knife in terms of steel, lock, size, and price. IMO thats the best part of spyderco knives. My 'perfect' knife happens to be the stretch. Browse a little longer and I bet you will fine one to suite your fancy. :thumbup:
 
Spyderco really makes their knives to fit most buyers budgets. Delicas and Enduras are their kinda every man knives. Reasonably priced with good EDC blades. As you start getting into the other models the materials become better and the craftsmanship goes up. Don't let the low price point on the Delicas and Enduras fool you though, the knives are light, reasonably strong and VG-10 is a great steel. My first Spyderco was a basic delica 4 with a VG-10 blade. I work in industrial and heavy commercial construction and it was my EDC on the job for like 3 years and I'll be honest.... I beat the piss out of it. Edge retention was good, even with the harsh chemical environments the knife was exposed to, the blade never blemished. I've finally retired that old bad boy as the blade play has become a little looser than I really feel comfortable with. I've gone out and replaced it with a brand new Paramilitary 2 with the full flat grind CPM S30V blade and the compression lock and am blown away by the quality of this knife. Embrace the spyder, you will be glad you did.
 
I've owned their Gayle Bradley, Para2, Manix 2, Endura, Delica, Tasman Salt, Aqua Salt, and Spyderhawk models. I can tell you that despite their supposed similarities, no 2 knives are the same(that I've held). The variety in the steel, handle materials, ergonomics, locks, and even appearances are nothing short of absurd.
 
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