help me understand spydercos!

FWIW I think the OP should not disabuse himself of the belief that the knives are ugly and unbuyable. I felt the same way before getting (via a company gift) a Paramilitary 1 about 4 years ago. It's been steadily downhill financially ever since then. Since that seemingly innocent gift, I've bougth: 2 more para 1's, Manix 2, delica, g10 endura, 2 ocelots, PPT, 2 Para 2s, Sage 1, Manix 1 big & small, others I'm sure. There is a Superleaf on the way.
I'm dangerously on the precipice of buying a Valloton or a Navaja and ANOTHER para 2 b/c I absolutely need one essentially with a different color scheme.
Once they get their hooks in your, it's hard to not see the beauty in them. It was definitely not there at first, but man does it take hold.
 
Kru03 said:
It was definitely not there at first, but man does it take hold.
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so true. For me its the compression and ball bearing locks in upgraded steel sprint runs that does it. Fantastic knives and company.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
It means:

"I don't like the way they look so no one else should either."


It's the only argument that simple minds come up with when trying to belittle someone else for liking a knife that they find aesthetically unappealing.
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No it means I think they look cheap(plastic handles) you can use whatever knife you want and I will not fault you for it.
 
NightMare Silverado said:
No it means I think they look cheap(plastic handles) you can use whatever knife you want and I will not fault you for it.
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Zytel/FRN isn't plastic. It is fiberglass reinforced nylon. from benchmade's site : A lightweight glass filled nylon engineered for strength and durability. Widely used throughout the auto industry in engine related components. Molded to form.

G-10 is an extremely durable makeup of layers of fiberglass soaked in resin, then highly compressed and baked. Impervious to moisture or liquid and physically stable under climate change. Most commonly black, but is available in various colors, too.

found here:
http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/materials.asp
 
An interesting (maybe) fact about FRN is that although the materials are less expensive than G10, the cost of producing the molds for FRN is very high, whereas G10 can be shaped relatively economically with automated machinery.
 
JNewell said:
An interesting (maybe) fact about FRN is that although the materials are less expensive than G10, the cost of producing the molds for FRN is very high, whereas G10 can be shaped relatively economically with automated machinery.
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Yeah I've heard that the molds for the FRN scales can run upwards of 50k!
 
matt1987 said:
Spyderco makes good knives for slicing. Most are thin, FFG or hollow grind, designed well, very ergonomic, and just work.
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I own a bunch of Spydercos and my advice is that if you want a good slicer you better stick to the thinner blades (like the Centofante III) and if you go thicker, go with full flat grinds. Regular saber grind Delicas, Enduras and Natives don't slice that well... I find my Booker Trance (full flat grind, cheap steel) to be a wey better slicer.

Mikel
 
I used to think Strider SNG was ugly...but constant exposure got me fell in love with it. I used to hate Emerson's thumb disc and lack of coloration...but constant exposure got me liking their knives. I used to hate Spyderco's designs like you...but constant exposure got me fell in love with Paramilitary 2 so far. Who knows I'm gonna fall for Sage series or Manix and etc... A valuable lesson learned, do not ever judge a knife by its looks...you just never know.
 
The only Spyderco product I own is a Sharpmaker, and it's wonderful.

Spyderco knives are very high quality, and the ones I've tried open very nicely, despite no flipper. However, I just haven't found one that fits my most basic minimum requirements that fully appeals to me. Almost all of them have "inadequate" finger groove dimensions to function as a quillon/guard for my liking...that's only my personal opinion, of course, not a "fact" or criticism.

The Manix 2 with translucent handle is the one that got closest to coming home with me. :D

If Spyderco doesn't appeal to you, that's perfectly OK. And it's perfectly OK to be obsessed with them, as well.
 
jmsodpc said:
I also am not a spyderco fan....eventhough I never had one. I think the hole is unattractive and prefer kershaw and benchmade.
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I'm a Kershaw/ZT guy, and thought the Spyderhole was "stupid," until I tried it. Quite easy to use, actually. "Unattractive" is a matter of personal preference - I'm neutral towards it's looks.
 
Pete1977 said:
Zytel/FRN isn't plastic. It is fiberglass reinforced nylon.
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Not to nitpick, but Zytel / Nylon (the "n" - as noted - of FRN) is indeed plastic. Or, as gun companies usually say, "polymer." But "plastic" is, obviously, not all the same, as "metal" is not identical to every other "metal." Polystyrene, used in cheap toys, is no comparison to Zytel.

"Plastic" handles may appear to be less sturdy & resilient to a biased eye, but in reality, Zytel can easily take more abuse than some metals. Zytel v. Zamak? One will crack, one will not.
 
Dare to buy the Spyderco Gayle Bradley and/or the Sage 1. Compare the workmanship, quality control and the finish to ANY other folding knife and you too will understand. That's what I, a committed Benchmark and Protech buyer did and that's all that it took. I now only want Spyderco's from Taiwan! How's that? I want Taiwan. Make a list of their Taiwan made knives and that's the beginning of your knife collection.
 
These folks have it right, pick one up and use it and you will immediately understand. There is also beauty in something that is purely functional, at least to me.
 
It's been said already... It's hard to understand until you try it. I had some reservations too until I got my first Spyderco (Endura4). While I don't carry that one regularly anymore (it's a bit larger than I need for EDC), the Delica4 is currently one of my favorites in my EDC rotation.
 
I actually like that Spydercos are designed "in the dark". It's more important to me that the tool is going to do it's job well and feel good in the hand before the looks are considered. They do grow on you though, that's for sure. Plus, dollar for dollar, they have really good value, innovative design features, top of the line blade steels, and the company operates with top notch integrity.

I do own and use other brands too. Benchmade, Kershaw, Fallkniven, Victorinox, Kabar, Buck. Spyderco is definitely right up on top with my favorites.
 
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