I can say this only because I am blessed to be a right-hander...

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Feb 24, 2001
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I was looking at pics of the Endura 4 that someone had posted, and I realized that I am very very glad to be a right-handed person, because most knives are designed to cater to us (at the expense of convenience for left-handed people).

What I can say because I am lucky enough to be in the group that most manufacturers cater to is that I dislike designs that offer various pocket clip positions. I think that the holes in three "spare" positions (on knives such as the Endura 4) degrade the aesthetics. They draw the eye to something that is supposed to be incidental. To me, they end up looking gapingly apparent.

Please, please, understand that I know the knives are just as good. There is admittedly nothing wrong with the knives! In fact, they are more versatile. No argument there. All I'm saying is that to look at them, I don't care for their appearance. It's similar to looking at a car that has spaces in the front end for fog lights, but someone opted not to spring for them, so there are just depressions where there could be fog lights, but they're absent. It cheapens the appearance a bit, for me.

Am I alone in feeling this way? I think I should just count my blessings that I fall into the category of consumer who doesn't have to worry that if the knife doesn't have four sets of screw holes for the pocket clip, he's usually S.O.L. for a left-hand-friendly knife of that design...

-Jeffrey
 
I agree regarding "nicer" or more aesthetics-oriented designs. The Endura and knives like the Manix are designed to be workhorses, so having the versatility of multiple clip locations is very suitable. Considering that the majority of Spyderco's designs are work-oriented, it is feasible that they have multiple clip positions.

This is particularly important for SD knives. I'd probably have a Scorpius right now, except that it's right-only. My Yojimbo is at my "right hand" so to speak, so I want a good weak side knife. This is where the multiple clip mounts come in. And sometimes, I switch the Yoji's clip to the left side so I can still EDC it while carrying something else.
 
I must be weird: I don't equip my left side with a knife. So far, it has not caused me any problems...

Not saying there's something wrong with it; just that I have never felt it necessary. (And for me, that's surprising, since I usually double-up on all kinds of things because I believe in redundancy for reliability's sake.)

-Jeffrey
 
The thing that continues to make Spyderco the best hard use production knife company imho and the only one I edc is function over fashion period. What works best is what is best. While I see Spyderco knives as a work of art, it's secondary to me by a long shot.
Cheers,
Rob
 
OTOH, I appreciate the fact that they are now offered four-way. The holes at each end add a sense of aesthetic balance that's absent on models with the holes on just one side.

Here's a thought. How about Spydie offering a set of 9 screws with a shorter stem to fill-in all of those blind holes? There would be less points of intrusion for grit, and they may add a bit more tactile feel to the grip in your hand. Plus, that extra stainless 'bling' contrasting with the black handles would really look sharp.;)
 
I see your point, but I actually like the versatility that this offers. A knife is a tool to me, looks are way down the list. The way the tool performs is what matters most to me, and more options for clip carry are a beautiful thing in my mind. Spyderco's have always been ambidextriously friendly due to the Spyder Hole, and this is just more of that same usefullness IMHO. Heck, I think it would be cool to see a knife with small machined holes all over the handle for infinite carry variations.
 
VictorLouis,
Not a bad idea! I'm not sure if I like the idea of putting strictly-ornamental screws into a knife, but one could argue that there is a functional purpose to that...

-Jeffrey
 
wotanson said:
The thing that continues to make Spyderco the best hard use production knife company imho and the only one I edc is function over fashion period. What works best is what is best. While I see Spyderco knives as a work of art, it's secondary to me by a long shot.
Cheers,
Rob
:thumbup:

Agreed.
 
In a way, I partially agree with you Jeffrey. Although I am left handed, I don't like clipped carry, and so I would much prefer no clip at all and no clip holes to spoil the looks of my knives. I am, however, realistic enough not to expect Spyderco to accomodate me on this. So I've gone to "Plan B" and had several Spydercos customized to eliminate them. That is always an option if they truly offend you.

On the other hand, the day may come when you are unfortunate enough to break your right arm or lose the use of your right hand either temporarily or permanently. Knives like the Generation 4 Delica and Endura will allow you to adapt more easily to left handed carry. So you may just want to consider those extra clip holes as cheap insurance.
 
You can't please everyone. Spyderco went through the extra effort to make a four way clip and still people complain!

"There are tiny holes on the handle and now I don't feel good about the knife anymore, whahhaa."

Get real, are you really all that bothered by it or are you just looking for an excuse to complain? If you want form over function, Spyderco is not the right brand for you. Spyderco makes knives for people to use not to look at. Some of them have become rather good looking but most of the time that is pure accident because in Spyderco's world, form often follows function.

Sorry to be such a jerk but it seems that no matter what Spyderco does, someone complains about it. I want Sal to take our input seriously and not just ignore us because we act like the general public. We are supposed to be Sal's eyes and ears and offer advice and comments to help further the development of better knives. Instead of nit picking, we should stay the course and drive home the features we really want to see incororated more often on Spyderco knives. The key features that Spyderco needs to concentrate on are:
1. More full flat ground blades.
2. Stronger locks.
3. Easier to close locks.
4. Usefull blade designs not gimmicks. Blades like the large Calypso are what we need along with modified Wharncliffs like on the Benchmade 921 Switchback.
 
Hey, man, I wasn't whining. In fact, I talked about the fact that the additional holes make the knives more versatile, and I even counted my blessings by saying that I am glad I don't have to worry when a knife has only one clip setup because it's generally a right-handed setup which suits me just fine.

I agree with the notion that Spyderco should make some more conventional blades; flat grinds would be good; please no more recurves; I am happy with the milled-tang compression lock and the ball bearing lock.

-Jeffrey
 
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