Help Picking My 1st Spyderco.

[weech3]

I've never cared for the looks of spyderco knives, and hated "the hole". This winter however, I found myself having to take off my work gloves to get to my knife; and I realized that f'in hole would keep my hands warm, lol. So, I'm on the hunt for my new, first, and only spyderco. I've read/seen too much to take in, and so I'm here at your mercy. At least my wallet is anyway.

Made in USA
Full hand grip
3-4" blade
Tip Up Right Hand Carry
Liner/Frame lock, or Back lock. *no compression or ball or any of the other*
Solid Lockup
It Will Be Put To HARD USE
Price not to exceed $200

Does anything fit this bill? Please advise.

 

[bcknives]

I like the Salt series. They have a good H1 steel, that can take some beating. I do know that the Pacific Salt fits well in the hand, and comes in black or yellow, It has a back lock.

 

[stevewest]

Military or Endura

 

[nccole]

Military would probably be easier to close than a lock back with gloves on. It is not tip up, but most swear by it being tip down. If you neglected the made in the USA only, the Gayle Bradley is the perfect knife for what you want. M4 steel is awesome, and it has the thickest SS liner lock you may ever see. It was designed for hard use while wearing gloves. I don't know your reasons for wanting USA only, but if quality is your concern, the Spyderco's from Taiwan are the best.

 

[weech3]

The GB seemed perfect enough that I'd overlook the made in USA thing, but it looks like there's no hilt at all. Couldn't your grip slip onto the blade pretty easily on the GB?

I like the military, but have found that I much prefer tip up carry.

The endura looked and felt "cheap". I handled one already and it didn't feel like it would take much of a beating.

On the Salt series, how does the h1 hold an edge?

Please correct and advise me as you see fit.

Thanks guys.

 

[nccole]

I don't know about the GB and slipping into the blade. I have never heard anyone mention that, and the carbon fiber scales are textured on it. I will hopefully be getting a Gayle Bradley next week. H1 is pretty lousy in plain edge, but excels when serrated. It is not hardened like normal steels and actually work hardens with use. I beleive all models with H1 will also have FRN handles like the Endura, and you may not like that feel. Plus, the Endura does have SS liners, and IIRC Salts have no liners, so they may feel flimsier. I understand your concerns with the Endura, but the FRN is some really tough stuff, and with full liners, it is a solid knife. If you were to break a different criterion, the Manix XL is a solid one but it does have a caged ball bearing lock. You may be able to pick up a used Lion Spy for $200 although they are made in Italy.

 

[Indiana Joe]

Couldn't your grip slip onto the blade pretty easily on the GB?

I was REALLY concerned about this too but I took the plunge. In use, I've noticed that when applying thumb pressure on the jimping, the handle design of the knife has a unique way of causing the fingers to refrain from moving toward the cutting edge. Without going into all the other good things about this knife (which can be found with a quick search of BF), I would highly recommend the Gayle Bradley -- you will be very pleased.

 

[Jastab]

If your gonna keep your gloves on to close the knife, a Gayle Bradley might not be right for you. Some people bitch about how hard it is to disengage it. There's no cut out for access to either the spydie hole or the lock (its would be in the same place) I love the knife the way it is and wouldn't see any change being a good thing to it. Just my .02$

 

[ibute21]

If your gonna keep your gloves on to close the knife, a Gayle Bradley might not be right for you. Some people bitch about how hard it is to disengage it. There's no cut out for access to either the spydie hole or the lock (its would be in the same place) I love the knife the way it is and wouldn't see any change being a good thing to it. Just my .02$

I've owned two GBs, I first bought one over two years ago and recently traded for another. I work in construction and have used the GB with all sorts of gloves, ranging from the latex dipped cotton gloves to leather gloves and etc. The knife open and closes just fine with gloves on. YMMV.

 

[Mikel_24]

The endura looked and felt "cheap". I handled one already and it didn't feel like it would take much of a beating.

Cannot argue about the looks because, indeed, the plastic scales of the Endura don't look as cool as the G10 on the Military or any other knife for that matter. However, I can totally asure you that the Endura in their saber grind versions are much heavier duty than the Military (full flat ground). The point of the Military is much more delicate.

I am right now in Cairo for bussiness and instead of bringing my Military along, I took an Endura. Cheaper, so if it gets lost or stolen I won't cry that much. And tougher, so if I end up doing that kind of stuff we all know shouldn't be done with a knife... it will survive.

The only drawback is that you cannot get the Endura in fancy steels... Only VG10. But for me is more than enough.

Best of luck!

Mikel

 

[nccole]

Cannot argue about the looks because, indeed, the plastic scales of the Endura don't look as cool as the G10 on the Military or any other knife for that matter. However, I can totally asure you that the Endura in their saber grind versions are much heavier duty than the Military (full flat ground). The point of the Military is much more delicate.

I am right now in Cairo for bussiness and instead of bringing my Military along, I took an Endura. Cheaper, so if it gets lost or stolen I won't cry that much. And tougher, so if I end up doing that kind of stuff we all know shouldn't be done with a knife... it will survive.

The only drawback is that you cannot get the Endura in fancy steels... Only VG10. But for me is more than enough.

Best of luck!

Mikel

You can get ZDP-189 now and Super Blue soon. Not as many it has to be a Japanese steel.

 

[The-Stig]

You should seriously consider getting a Manix 2 or Manix 2 XL. They are incredible knives to use with gloves on. I used mine all winter and never had an issue opening or closing it with thick gloves on. If I had to go on some kind of winter expedition, I'd take a Manix 2 XL. That ball lock is so easy to close with gloves because you just pinch it between your index finger and thumb and pull back. I'd say it's easier than a liner lock and even many back locks. The thumb hole is also larger than most Spydercos. I think the Manix 2 is a great work knife.

 

[weech3]

So, does the manix have the same issue with spring breakage as the axis lock? That's my main turnoff; more parts to break. Otherwise, I had seriously considered the manix.

 

[Humint]

Get over the tip-up only carry and the Military matches you criteria to the T. Really I used to be tip-up only until I met the Military and it just works amazing! Plus it is the only knife that REALLY works when wearing gloves. It is hard to disengage the Gayle Bradley with gloves on.

 

[JSMcustoms]

MY first Spyderco was a brown Delica 4 FFG.

 

[TheSharpLife74]

So, does the manix have the same issue with spring breakage as the axis lock? That's my main turnoff; more parts to break. Otherwise, I had seriously considered the manix.

No, the spring in the Manix series is a much beefier spring than the benchmades and I never had a problem with mine

 

[NateReed]

I work in a freezer and wear double thick gloves. I have found that I can only work lockbacks, no liner locks, frame locks, ball bearing locks, etc. I have not tried a compression lock though, so you might want to look into that. What I carry everyday is an Endura and a Delica (lately with a wave). If they had a 14mm hole I would be able to open them with my gloves on, but for now I just two-hand it. I know you want USA made, but Endura is a heck of a blade, especially with a ~$60 price tag

 

[kniferbro]

Weech, if you're considering the Gayle Bradley check out this video of Mr Bradley him self explaining the concepts behind the knife. It was purpose built for what you have described.

[video=youtube;Qk0IxU-fuW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk0IxU-fuW4[/video]

 

[FTR-14c]

I have always overlooked spyderco and never really studied them until I decided to try the Southard. At the same time I ordered a Military. When they both arrived it only took moments to see what the attraction is all about. The southard is great but the military is just an awesome knife. Its been about two months and I have sold a few Busses to buy more Spydercos. I'm up to eleven and the Military is still one of my favorites. This is what I have: Military $117, Southard $242, Endura $55, Police $119, Brown Para $149, Camo Para $104, Manix 2 $82, Stretch $60, Dragonfly G-10 $79, Manbug $39 and Tuff $208. They are all great knives, I just can't get enough. I'm hooked on the hole, the way the thumb ramps and finger choils are blended with the handles is an incredible design.

Do yourself a favor, shop around and try a Military. A knife that size works well with tip down carry, its very natural.
You could always sell it and get your money back if its not for you.

 

[sams]

I had to switch to a tip down because as I sharpen my spyderco's it wears down the steel and exposes the tip. Right now the point on my ss Stretch is a strong 1/8 " sticking up. I kept cutting myself and pockets until I switched the clip to a point down carry. I use mine for work and it takes a beating.

I bought my 2nd Pacific H1 steel and had no problems putting a razor edge on the knife. I use it on the boat all the time, great knife and bought a H1 Rock Salt before they discontinued it.

I liked the old Persian with a fuller feel to the handle but lost it at work climbing pipe piling. I heard a splash and had that sinking feeling in my gut............oh no, not another Spyderco lost in the ocean! Makes about 6 knives went to visit Davey Jones.