How tough are Spyderco's fixed blades?

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wongKI

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How good are Spyderco's fixed blades at taking abuse as compared to, say, a Fallkniven? The Temperance II uses the same steel (VG10), the Hossoms use N690Co and the Rock Salt and Aqua use H1. I know H1 is pretty tough for a stainless, and VG10 by Fallkniven takes a lot of hard use to break.

Anyone who has owned Fallkniven or RAT Cutlery care to comment?

Thanks :D
 
I don't have any spyderco fixed blades or fallkniven just because my preference for a fixed blade is a carbon steel, I can tell you that RAT's are tough as nailes but i think spyderco fixed blades make excellent general use camp knives

My 0.02$
 
Spyderco make GREAT fixed blades, and knives overall!

The Temperance is VG-10, while Fallkniven uses VG-10 CORE, but an outter layer of some 440, or 420 steel (Can't remember). So basically the Fallkniven knife would be tougher overall, and yet keep a great edge while at it.

The H-1 series are great, Only thing for me is- I prefer full flat grind, especially in the outer doors. But overall a great maintenance free steel, very very tough.

Finally the Hossom series, made with N690 steel, are all great blades, available in various sizes and can be found for a decent price.
Now, even though I'm a huge Spyderco fan, I usually avoid using them hard, because they're pretty pricey.
I'd get a RAT for hard use. I've got several RAT knives, and they're GREAT knives to abuse. Also, cheaper than Spyderco and Fallkniven as well.

You also might want to look at Becker Knife and Tool, now produced by KABAR. These are even more affordable than RAT knives.

Mind yourself though, RATs and Beckers are made of 1095 and will rust easily.
If you need a knife that will be tough and stainless, get a Fallkniven with the layered VG-10 core steel, or one the H-1 fixed blades.

Either way, with those makers you can't go wrong.
 
First of all I have a great deal of respect for Fallkniven. Their "THOR" model big Bowie knife is on my list of "gotta have" outdoor knives.

I do highly encourage you to check out their newest Temperance 2. I have both variants of the Temperance 1 model and I can't wait to get the Temperance 2.

Now if you would like to give one of Spyderco's fixed blades a good try out without investing a lot of money I would recommend getting one of their "Moran" model fixed blades. They have VG-10 blade steel and they are still priced very modestly compared to the Temperance 2.

If you would be so lucky to find a Temperance 1 then I would highly recommend to give that one a try. It also has a VG-10 blade and the handle ergos are splendid. The first Perrin model would be a nice one to try out as well that is if you could locate a used one. Because any new ones are quite collectible and that' the same problem you will have with the Temperance 1 so you would definitely have to find either one of them used. That first Perin model has VG-10 blade steel as well. I see used Spyders show up in pawn shops and flea markets every now and then.

The Temperance 2 IMO is the best fixed blade Spyderco has made up till now.
 
I remember a video a while back of a guy using one of the Hossum's as a crowbar, bending it to almost 90 degrees, over and over as he removed plywood boards from his house. It was pretty impressive.
 
More recent Hossom knives are cheaper than RAT equivalents - my last Forager cost $115 versus my last RC-6 at $126.

To me, the issue is ease of maintenance. The Hossom recurve blade and convex grind takes more work...
 
I am not that much of a fan of Spyderco fixed blades.
The main reason being that they use stainless steels.
Also the Temperance 2 is ridiculously overpriced for a fairly simple VG10 blade.
 
Tough enough, out of all the manufacturers listed they all produce solid blades so buy the one you want and dont worry about the "toughness" .
 
Since the introduction of the Moran model a dozen years ago or so I've seen a very interesting evolution of Spyderco's fixed blade knives. With each new model they just keep getting better and better. I've yet to own one of the Hossom models but I've heard nothing but good about them. I've also heard that N690 steel can take a great deal of impact and that's what those Hossoms are designed for. And the small Street Beat model just keeps on winning new fans each passing day. It has become a darling in the MBC community as well.

The one brother sort of complained that the Temperance 2 is overpriced. I respectfully disagree with him from 2 different standpoints. First of all most people have no idea about the cost of bar stock for some of those premium cutlery steels. A piece of VG-10 bar stock that size would not be cheap I can assure you. VG-10 is a fantastic cutlery steel all the way around and most production knife companies would never use that great of a blade steel for a fixed blade. But Spyderco goes that extra mile and gives the user and/or collector something significant for their money.

Not to mention that the newer Temperance model has a full tang which is a vast improvement over the Temperance 1 model. Spyderco took a great blade and made it much better yet. I've been very, very pleased with both my Temperance 1 models and even without a full tang both of mine have been subjected to some mean usage and have held up well.

And VG-10 will hold an edge just as good as any competitive carbon steel or tool steel will. I think you could even make a good straight razor with VG-10.
 
They need to due another run of the Lum Fixed Blade Tanto FB03 !!! That was by far the best.
 
wongKI said:
How good are Spyderco's fixed blades at taking abuse as compared to, say, a Fallkniven? The Temperance II uses the same steel (VG10), the Hossoms use N690Co and the Rock Salt and Aqua use H1. I know H1 is pretty tough for a stainless, and VG10 by Fallkniven takes a lot of hard use to break.

Anyone who has owned Fallkniven or RAT Cutlery care to comment?

Thanks :D
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H1 isn't just "pretty tough," it's insanely tough. Dig up a picture Kristi posted of them testing a Pacific Salt blade. Something like a 60* bend with no snapping or cracking.
 
Josh K said:
H1 isn't just "pretty tough," it's insanely tough. Dig up a picture Kristi posted of them testing a Pacific Salt blade. Something like a 60* bend with no snapping or cracking.
Click to expand...

plus add the fact that the cutting edge will just keep getting harder over time .
 
jimnolimit said:
plus add the fact that the cutting edge will just keep getting harder over time .
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I want a Rock Salt.
:)
And a Street Beat
:):)
And a Para2, a Manix and a Stretch.
:):):)

Back on topic...Is a Rock Salt a good chopper? The angled blade reminds me a bit of a kukri.
 
run of the Lum Fixed Blade Tanto FB03 !!! That was by far the best.[/QUOTE]

Bimmer if I were chatting with you in person I would give you a big "high five" on that pick :cool: That fixed blade Lum Tanto has been a hidden favorite of mine for a long, long time. That's one Spyder that I traded and ended up deeply regreting it :(

I would shout and dance if Spyderco were to do a sprint run of those fixed blade LUM models. But if they do I wish that they would do them in a different blade steel than AUS-8. I like AUS-8 for certain types of blades but not for a tactical fixed blade. My older SE Catcherman in AUS-8 is a jewell of a working blade.

That fixed blade LUM with either a VG-10 or D-2 blade would cause me to put up some prized possessions to sell just to have 2 to use and 2 for the collection.

Thanks for bringing that one up Bimmer :thumbup:
 
wongKI said:
Back on topic...Is a Rock Salt a good chopper? The angled blade reminds me a bit of a kukri.
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depends on what your chopping ? the rock salt's blade is 6 3/4" and the knife weighs 9.2oz . for heavier chopping a forager or forester would be much better .

p.s. the warrior (H1) should be out soon :thumbup:
 
I am the proud owner of a Spyderco Dayhiker, and it is an amazing knife. It has a Busse-like quality and indestructibility feel to it. I love the steel, and it holds an edge better than most others I know. F&F is almost 100%, it comes absolutely razor sharp.
Full flat grind, beautifully curved, handles have a great ship. I am seriously considering getting the entire range, certainly the Forester (9" blade). Awesome value for money. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
How tough?
A friend of mine "tried" to destroy and old Delica. He couldn't break it.
Please, don't do this.
 
wongKI said:
How good are Spyderco's fixed blades at taking abuse as compared to, say, a Fallkniven? The Temperance II uses the same steel (VG10), the Hossoms use N690Co and the Rock Salt and Aqua use H1. I know H1 is pretty tough for a stainless, and VG10 by Fallkniven takes a lot of hard use to break.

Anyone who has owned Fallkniven or RAT Cutlery care to comment?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

This whole thing pivots on that work 'abuse'.

So, throwing that out, I will say this...

If you want a knife, for knife tasks. Then the Spyderco offerings will do the job.

Choose a knife from Spyderco that fits your needs, and it will perform.

Marion
 
After spending a couple of days looking over many of the production fixed blades I'm convinced that Spyderco truly has the best one going at this time. The Temperance 2 I believe is without a doubt the most ruggedly engineered fixed blade you can buy other than a custom made blade.

I'm even putting it up against those highly celebrated Busse models which I think may be the best overall line of fixed blades on the production market today. Now I've heard nothing but good about the RAT fixed blades too but I doubt if RAT is using a blade steel that will beat the massive VG-10 blade on the Temperance 2.

Oh I know some of you fans of those other knives would like to throw rocks at me but think about it for a spell and see if I'm not right in my assessment. As much as I respect the Fallkniven line of fixed blades I don't see any of them that would out perform the Temperance 2.

I think the Temperance 2 may have just raised the bar in the fixed blade market.
 
JD Spydo said:
After spending a couple of days looking over many of the production fixed blades I'm convinced that Spyderco truly has the best one going at this time. The Temperance 2 I believe is without a doubt the most ruggedly engineered fixed blade you can buy other than a custom made blade.

I'm even putting it up against those highly celebrated Busse models which I think may be the best overall line of fixed blades on the production market today. Now I've heard nothing but good about the RAT fixed blades too but I doubt if RAT is using a blade steel that will beat the massive VG-10 blade on the Temperance 2.

Oh I know some of you fans of those other knives would like to throw rocks at me but think about it for a spell and see if I'm not right in my assessment. As much as I respect the Fallkniven line of fixed blades I don't see any of them that would out perform the Temperance 2.

I think the Temperance 2 may have just raised the bar in the fixed blade market.
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I am really interested to hear exactly what you base this opinion on. Have you - or anyone else for that matter - used the knives you mention in a range of chores and compared?
You say you've spent 'a couple of days looking over many of the production fixed blades.' What does that mean?

I own Busse's, and other knives wellknown or even renowned for their toughness and general usability. I also own a Dayhiker, and a Rock Salt is on its way. I have great confidence in Spyderco fixed blades. So you understand I am really curious about the experiences that have led you to your conclusions.

As much as I respect the Fallkniven line of fixed blades I don't see any of them that would out perform the Temperance 2.
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Really? Not in any way? I wouldn't know, I haven't compared. Have you? Please share your experience.
 
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