Off Topic I used to not like Spyderco......

[darth_cholo]

As a young buck in my mid-20's I remember getting into carrying pocket knives and liking SOG and Benchmade(H&K) for their tactical styling and assisted opening options seemly available in every other knife they produced. I didn't know about carbon steel, super steel, and the cheaper Chinese steels that the knives I liked were made from. I remember reading online that Spyderco was always at the top of recommended lists, but they looked weird to me. They weren't all black, aerodynamic and didn't have assisted openings. They looked a little too "simple", and for me being so young, they were pretty much too expensive for me.

About 10 years ago I saw the light. The weird contouring, the finger choils, and the lack of assisted options started to make sense to me. You become a home owner, have kids, you start to value tools more for how they perform rather than how they look. Now these days I even think Spyderco's look better than other tactical style knives.

How have everybody elses' tastes in knives changed over the years? Are there other levels of Knife Enlightenment i have yet to reach?

 

[Mick_1KRR]

Enlightenment? Looks like you’ve just attained it

 

[sharkattacksw]

How have everybody elses' tastes in knives changed over the years?

Mine have changed in that I now prefer slimmer folders, i.e. ZT0450/0450CF, ZT0460, and 0462. I still have a few Spydies, but I've found over the last few years that I ended up carrying the 0450's A LOT more than any of my PM2's. For my edc tasks (which are the same as about 90% of you guys: opening mail, backages, light food cutting at lunchtime, fidget toy, etc.) these knives do it oh so well. If you work as someone whose job it is to break down cardboard boxes all day long, there are better choices. But like I say, for those who are honest with their actual edc needs, knives like the 0450/0460, BM940/943, Spyderco Delica, Dragonfly will do just fine.

 

[DJC72]

I learned to appreciate Spyderco more over the past couple years. Spyderco uses so many steels, which is cool but I enjoy their knives for another reason. In the world of “hard use” folders, Spyderco’s do what a folder should do, cut efficiently!

 

[jstn]

I started out with ZTs because I thought they looked cool (nothing wrong with ZTs. I still have and carry a few). The more I used my knives the more I appreciated functionality, ergonomics, and innovation. Spyderco has all three in spades, in addition to a wide variety of steels. for me, Spyderco represents the apex of the knife industry. They are incredibly divers and dynamic, never rest of their laurels, constantly innovate, and are not afraid to take risks. I quickly grow bored with the offerings from other companies, but not Spyderco, and when I want to carry a folder I feel I can rely on, it is either a PM2 or Manix2. I have a feeling the Amalgam will be the closest thing to a perfect folder for me when it comes out.

 

[sharp_edge]

In the beginning I did not pay much attention to Spyderco as just like the OP I thought the looking is weird. Now in my collection I have more spydies than any other brands. I have to say that I am still interested in Hinderer, ZT, and Benchmade. I think one can like more than one brand.

 

[RipD]

I have less than a year of Spyderco ownership. Tried a couple in local stores and didn't love them. FRN didn't feel great and I couldn't see the difference between many of them. But they were everywhere and reviewers generally loved them, so I had to be missing something. I asked how to approach Spydero with my preferences here several months ago and got some great advice on what to try. I typically like to EDC smaller knives (work in an office) and the Chaparral hooked me hard. The Raffir Noble specifically. I have 3 Chaparrals now.

I prefer thinner blades, flat grind, smaller in the pocket, and I dislike lower quality steel. I just hadn't looked at the specs closely enough - a bunch of Spydercos meet those requirements perfectly. Dragonfly, Chaparral, Delica, Sage, Native... the list goes on. Then I learned about sprint runs. Then I started looking at steel options and got a Maxamet Native. They appear to constantly be innovating and pushing the envelope on folders. Then I saw that Sal was here all the time and read some of his responses. To me this all adds up to products I like from a company I'm happy to support.

I have about 8 (?) Spydercos now. Have to make some choices to fund some of the new ones releasing this year. I pretty quickly went from not getting to very much getting it.

 

[darth_cholo]

Mine have changed in that I now prefer slimmer folders, i.e. ZT0450/0450CF, ZT0460, and 0462. I still have a few Spydies, but I've found over the last few years that I ended up carrying the 0450's A LOT more than any of my PM2's. For my edc tasks (which are the same as about 90% of you guys: opening mail, backages, light food cutting at lunchtime, fidget toy, etc.) these knives do it oh so well. If you work as someone whose job it is to break down cardboard boxes all day long, there are better choices. But like I say, for those who are honest with their actual edc needs, knives like the 0450/0460, BM940/943, Spyderco Delica, Dragonfly will do just fine.

I recently discovered the Caly 3.5 ZDP and it's really sticking to my pocket Mon-Fri when I'm going to the office alot. Now you have me thinking about that ZT but the zdp CF version.

 

[sharkattacksw]

I recently discovered the Caly 3.5 ZDP and it's really sticking to my pocket Mon-Fri when I'm going to the office alot. Now you have me thinking about that ZT but the zdp CF version.

Haha! Now you have me taking a second look at the Caly. I was going to look for a ZT0462 next, but maybe not after reading your post.

 

[SharpieB]

I love almost all knives as I have only been serious about buying/collecting/using quality knives for about a year (I’m 49! ).

I am not a big FRN fan but bought a few Spyderco FRNs late last year during Black Friday and Boxing Day (basically Canada’s BF, but on Dec 26th) as they were so cheap. Manix 2, Matriarch, Native 5, Endura and Pacific Salt. I grew to love them but prefer G10 and Carbon Fibre.

I still love my ZT, Benchmade, Cold Steel, Fox and other more “tactical” brands, but Spyderco makes quality knives from $20-400. Not many other manufacturers can say the same. I DO think they look cool.

Surprisingly, I am starting to lean more towards traditional knives like Buck and Case for EDC lately. Go figure.

 

[lieferung]

I'm only five years into this hobby, yet much has changed. I'm much more comfortable carrying fixed blades and 3''+ blades. I also appreciate good geometry and a working edge more. Still hate backlocks still love frame/liner locks, kind of like the compression lock but have only had one knife with it. Spyderco is still my favorite and I've only frown to love the hole even more now that I know how to flick it.

 

[cabfrank]

When I started getting into knives, Spyderco was the last one I tried. Now it is the last one I've tried. See what I did there?

 

[PirateSeulb]

Having to rely on your tools to do a job teaches you how much a good tool is worth.

 

[Wowbagger]

How have everybody elses' tastes in knives changed over the years? Are there other levels of Knife Enlightenment i have yet to reach?

I've gone longer for sure. I mean my first one hand opening pocket clipped super self defense death machine was the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite.
Top knife in this photo. Then I went "full bad boy" and got the Cold Steel Holdout III. Bottom knife in this first photo.
Just look at that thing . . . no body would dare mess with me if I had that clipped to me.
I'm kidding right.


Then I got a Case full size Trapper . . . OH MY GOSH this blade is soooooo long. Second knife in photo below. When first got it I cut myself while holding it in one hand while doing something with both hands other than using the knife; I just failed to put it down first. I was used to working with shorter pocket knives or box knives for the most part and waving my hands around working. I learn quick though : use the knife or put it down or away before going on with my work.

Now a blade that is at least 3-1/2 inches or four like the Ti Lite IV (top knife in photo below) feels about right and a six inch folder is even better for a lot of things (Holdout I ).


So yeah, I've gone longer over the years; I love the 710 in use.

Most of my knives ARE Spydercos though and I EDC more than one or two knives.

Lately I have been knocking the idea around to mod the heck out of a fairly long Spyderco by cutting the hole way down (think Emerson hook / wave . . . it isn't very tall) and then cut the rest of the blade length wise so the blade is long and narrow like the ZT0450 or my full flat ground Cold Steel Ti Lite IV.

I think I may actually do that some time.
One thing that has ALWAYS been is I am a thin blade as measured at the spine person. My very first posts here in the forums was about thin blades and I haven't changed my tune. What do I mean ? 3-1/2 inches or four in length and 2 mm or less at the spine. Even in a fixed blade.

What longish Spyderco you ask ?
Why the Military of course !

 

[anycal]

When I started getting into knives, Spyderco was the last one I tried. Now it is the last one I've tried. See what I did there?

Hahaha. Same here. I has been the last one for a while. I have others, but it has been a while since I bought a non-Spyderco folder.

I've carried a knife of some kind for a better part of four decades. Spyderco wasn't really on my radar. Then I did some research, as I was looking for something new. In 2015 I ended up trying a PM2. It changed everything for me, when it comes to knives.

 

[mattmanyam]

I've gone longer for sure. I mean my first one hand opening pocket clipped super self defense death machine was the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite.
Top knife in this photo. Then I went "full bad boy" and got the Cold Steel Holdout III. Bottom knife in this first photo.
Just look at that thing . . . no body would dare mess with me if I had that clipped to me.
I'm kidding right.
View attachment 901643

Then I got a Case full size Trapper . . . OH MY GOSH this blade is soooooo long. Second knife in photo below. When first got it I cut myself while holding it in one hand while doing something with both hands other than using the knife; I just failed to put it down first. I was used to working with shorter pocket knives or box knives for the most part and waving my hands around working. I learn quick though : use the knife or put it down or away before going on with my work.

Now a blade that is at least 3-1/2 inches or four like the Ti Lite IV (top knife in photo below) feels about right and a six inch folder is even better for a lot of things (Holdout I ).
View attachment 901646

So yeah, I've gone longer over the years; I love the 710 in use.

Most of my knives ARE Spydercos though and I EDC more than one or two knives.

Lately I have been knocking the idea around to mod the heck out of a fairly long Spyderco by cutting the hole way down (think Emerson hook / wave . . . it isn't very tall) and then cut the rest of the blade length wise so the blade is long and narrow like the ZT0450 or my full flat ground Cold Steel Ti Lite IV.

I think I may actually do that some time.
One thing that has ALWAYS been is I am a thin blade as measured at the spine person. My very first posts here in the forums was about thin blades and I haven't changed my tune. What do I mean ? 3-1/2 inches or four in length and 2 mm or less at the spine. Even in a fixed blade.

What longish Spyderco you ask ?
Why the Military of course !
View attachment 901653

You should try to handle a Caly 3.5...

 

[darth_cholo]

You should try to handle a Caly 3.5...

This is by far the best knife I had been missing out on. For harder use when I get home every day I switch out to a manix or pm2, but this Caly 3.5 is sticking really hard to my pocket.

Its surprising easy to flick open and I fidget with it even though it's a backlock.

 

[Wowbagger]

You should try to handle a Caly 3.5...

This is by far the best knife I had been missing out on.

Thanks.
Nice looking knife for sure.
I figured someone was going to suggest the waved Endura

That's more like what I am going for but full flat. Heck now that I look at it maybe that is the one I should be modding. FF grinding vs cutting the length of the blade to make it narrower. Part of the purpose of the modded knife is to be able to cut curves so I would still like to move the wave way back to where the back of the hole is to get the blade narrow in front of the pivot.