help me understand spydercos!

J

jasonbroni

Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
325
Bash me if you will, but I just don't get them... I find them fairly ugly and somewhat cheap looking. Why the love affair with these weird knives?
 
Largely function over form. Heat treat is almost always spot on as well and they are great values, if you know where to buy.
 
jasonbroni said:
Bash me if you will, but I just don't get them... I find them fairly ugly and somewhat cheap looking. Why the love affair with these weird knives?
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I think 98% of spyderco's are fugly cheepo looking knives that I will truthfully never touch. However the para military 2 and
The Vallotton are great looking knives. Already have a para 2 and will try to get a Vallotton out of my taxes.
 
I personally do not like spydercos (more of a ZT/kershaw fan but they make a hell of a knife. where else can you get sprint runs with great steels for @ $150? I just wish they made more without the hole
 
They use great materials, great blade steels, and they have thin blades that cut great. They are knives. Do you want them to cut good or look pretty?
 
When I first started buying knives I avoided Spyderco. Now I regret it. If I had bought a Delica as my first knife I would have had a better feel of what I wanted out of a knife and I might not have bought some of the other knives I have. I don't have too many so its not that bad. I personally like the looks too. Just give one a try and i'm sure you will grow to like Spyderco.
 
To be a criminal, one must think like a criminal. To understand Spyderco, one must handle a Spyderco.
 
I understand what you mean Jason. I've been using collecting knives for 30+ years and until about 2-3 years ago never owned a Spyderco. However, I picked up a Delica on a whim just to try one out. I now own 6 different Spyderco knives. These knives are intended to be used. Until you pick one up and start using it daily you probably won't understand why they are so popular. The entry level knives like the Delica and Endura are just outstanding for what you pay. Give one a try and I would bet you'll change your mind.
 
Frozy said:
To be a criminal, one must think like a criminal. To understand Spyderco, one must handle a Spyderco.
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I think you mean, to be a criminal one must fondle a criminal. To understand a spyderco, one must fondle Sal?

One word, Dragonfly2. One of my all time favorite knives.

-Chris-
 
jasonbroni said:
Bash me if you will, but I just don't get them... I find them fairly ugly and somewhat cheap looking. Why the love affair with these weird knives?
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In no particular order...Spyderco is one of very few companies that dares to harden their steels above the "safe" (idiot-proof) levels that most companies stick with...Spyderco consistently leads the production industry in use of new and/or high performance steel...Spyderco listens to its customer base much harder than almost any other company, and responds with new products and materials...Spyderco consistently takes the high road on intellectual property issues and does not use others' IP with proper payment and/or acknowledgment...I could go on...but you get the drift. Try one, you might like it! The best test of a knife is in your hand.
 
Spyderco makes good knives for slicing. Most are thin, FFG or hollow grind, designed well, very ergonomic, and just work. The only problem with that is Spyderco won't replace a broken blade. From what I heard, it's because the lock face and the locking bar are mated for each other. Yet, I see people modding Spydercos with other blades all the time with no reported issue. I feel more "insured" with other companies since they offer blade replacement. But the Military and paramilitary 2 are great knives.
 
they are just another good brand that puts out good knives, period...they do have a signature style, a style i don't care for; but i know they are a good company that produces quality blades at all price ranges...
 
The continuous quality improvement is a great thing, but for me I respect the company a great deal for the intellectual property issues you mentioned. The Sage series is dedicated to other knife makers. The Sage II gives all respect and due diligence to Chris Reeve, one of Spyderco's main competitors. Other companies call the R.I.L a frame lock or by other names, not Spyderco, it is a Reeve Integral Lock. Not to mention many people put the Sage II on par with the more than twice the price of a Sebenza. I will say Spyderco's without finger choils are not my favorite knives (tenacious, delica, endura), but the ones that do have it along with a jimped thumb ramp feel better in my hand than any other knives I have held. Plus, there are so many options, and so many variations, and steel choices, I am just getting started.
 
matt1987 said:
Spyderco makes good knives for slicing. Most are thin, FFG or hollow grind, designed well, very ergonomic, and just work. The only problem with that is Spyderco won't replace a broken blade. From what I heard, it's because the lock face and the locking bar are mated for each other. Yet, I see people modding Spydercos with other blades all the time with no reported issue. I feel more "insured" with other companies since they offer blade replacement. But the Military and paramilitary 2 are great knives.
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Spyderco has a long-standing policy of constant quality improvement, which results in frequent incremental changes. The blade currently being produced may or may not fit in a knife made last year. To offer blade replacement would require them to either warehouse a stockpile of blades before every change and hold them until they are needed (or forever if they are not) or individually custom-make the replacement blade, thus taking one of their skilled makers off research and developement to do the job of making a $200 blade for a used $100 knife. If the blade breaks due to a defect in material or workmanship, they will replace the knife. If it breaks due to the user's misuse or abuse, then in my opinion, it is not their problem.
 
They sort of grow on you over time.

Sal makes so many collaboration knives with different knifemakers that you'll end up liking something sooner or later.
 
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