I want to get back in to Spyderco

Lost Cosmonaut

Lost Cosmonaut

Joined
Mar 10, 2011
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So here's the story. My grandpa was a long time Spyderco collector. He had a lot of first-editions and other niceties. One of my first clip knives many many years ago was a Spyderco that he bought me, I don't even remember the model, but I managed to lose it in Phoenix Arizona one day not long after I got it. But, I was hooked on clip knives after that.

4 years ago he passed away and left me his knife collection. I really need to go through what all he had, but I know there was some probably pretty rare stuff since it's all pretty much first-editions and limiteds. One reason he really liked Spyderco was because of the steels they used. The family business he started (which I now run) does a lot of work with steel and he was always fascinated by metallurgy and the use of different steels. Spyderco seems to be one of the companies that really tries different "out of the box" stuff when it comes to steel, and I think he really liked that.

The reason I'm posting this is while I've never been enamored by Spyderco in the past myself, they are growing on me and with the new 2011 releases (Tuff, LionSpy, Techno, etc.), I really want to "carry the torch" and get back to Spyderco collecting like my grandfather did.

Anyone have advice for a newbie? What are some good sites for pre-orders and the like?
 
Old spyderco knives are my favorite.
Please post a pic of the collection if you can.
Matt
 
Military and Paramilitary 2 are excellent.

The ethnic series is awesome.

Howe's Knife Shop and New Graham Knives are the best retailers, in my opinion.
 
No need to fixate on the newest releases, Spyderco has tons of "modern day classics" that have been out for a year or more. You should catch up on some of those that appeal to you before you start pre-ordering and waiting for new ones. Here's a list of ones you should check out, as these are the knives I, and many others, consider to be the "mainstays" of the Spyderco lineup (I'll put a * by the ones I think are the best/must haves):
Endura
Delica*
Police models
Stretch 2*
Salt series
Caly 3, Caly 3.5*
UK Penknife (all are nice, I prefer the G-10 ones, CF or Ti)
Military*
Paramilitary 2*
Manix 2 (I prefer the sprints)*
Sage series*
Chokwe
Gayle Bradley

There are many, many more, but this is a good starter for a beginning spyderco collector/user. I've been into buying spyderco's for about a year, and I've had to balance catching up on the great models that are already out, and getting the new ones that appeal to me (I tell myself the newer ones that aren't sprints may be around longer than some of the current ones...I want to get as many as I can before they are discontinued. I have about 30 right now, and I'm just starting to feel like I'm basically caught up and can focus on new models)

Good luck, and welcome! Once you get some of the nicer ones in your hands, there will be no turning back. For me, it was the Stretch 2, Sage 1 and Caly 3 that really got me hooked. I remember I would just fondle them for hours, open and close over and over and stare at them fondly
 
I would love to see a pic of the collection!

I would also highly recommend a Para 2, Gayle Bradley, Manix2, Sage series and Military. There are a lot more I would recommend but thats just the short list.
 
Looking at a G-10/Titanium CPM-M4 Military on eBay right now and seriously considering an Assist 1 (I'm a sucker for "rescue" knives) and a Manix 2 black/black at the moment.

I'll definitely get pictures of the collection. I'd need help identifying most of it, but I know it's all pretty much from the early to mid '90s.
 
I like newgraham.com, knifeworks.com and cutleryshoppe.com -- I've had positive experiences purchasing at all three.

As for what to choose, sounds like you've narrowed in on some nice ones :) I've been really enjoying my M4 gayle bradley.
 
Well I broke down and ordered the Assist 1, Manix 2 and an Atlantic Salt, and put a bid in on the M4 Military. Going in both feet!

Gonna pull out the collection tonight and see what's in there.
 
If I remember correctly, Spyderco does have a collectors' club that offers first dibs to its' members on new Spydies and their variations. I'm not sure if there are any more open slots in the club or even if they still have it, since I couldn't find any info on their site, but you could give them a call to find out. Spyderco factory outlet store--800-828-1925
 
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