I want to like spyderco knives...

I've always thought Spyderco knives were quite homely. Years ago I had a Tim Wegner model and it was my first high quality folder. Try as I might, I just couldn't bring to like the damn thing. The quality was good but to me it was ugly and I just find the hole awkward compared to a thumb stud. I traded it off for several fixed blades. Now I wish I had kept it since they've become a bit collectible.
 
I used to think Spyderco knives were ugly... or more specifically, they looked bland, like porridge or a Toyota Corolla... not exciting or aggressive, didn't like the leaf blades.

Now I think they look great :p most of them anyways. Funny how tastes change.
 
I used to dislike the look of Spydercos, too. The hole in many of them--at the time, at least--resulted in that camel's hump on the back of the blade that made them look like little alligators. When I saw the Native, I thought I wanted one until I saw the specs. Blade was longer than I could fit in my pockets. When the chance came up on, of all places, a fountain pen list I'm subscribed to, to get a Delica *really* cheap, I took it. Turned out to be a 1st gen Delica which, while a perfectly good knife, had a number of design flaws that eventually pushed it out of my pocket--literally and figuratively--and, in the meantime, did not make me want more Spydercos. There are some Spydercos that still appeal to me, but not enough to take that chance again at current prices.

I *almost* hate that Delica at this point, to be honest, for reasons that have nothing to do with looks, though I do still find it rather homely. And I tried *really* hard to like it.
 
I think it is a common thing for the casual knife guy to see a few of the most popular knives in their line and think they are sort of boring and look all the same. In fairness, the Endrua, Delica, Persistence, Dragon Fly......ect all have a similar leaf shaped blade, spydie hole and similar looking handles so I understand where that comes from.

Now if you look up in the range to the more expensive lines they have some pretty widely varying styles. So, if you don't like the lower end knives then look to the more premium knives, you'll probably find something you like.
 
I was skeptical at first, based purely on looks.
Long story short, just picked up my 12th Spyderco on the weekend. It's the Domino and I am loving this thing.
Cheers
 
For most of us here, it should be accurate to say that we don't necessarily think of our knives as inanimate objects or at least as inanimate as we do when we think of a lamp, toaster, rock, etc. I think what happens with Spydercos is that people new to the brand tend to initially look at them in this way. They see lifeless and boring knives with high price tags. I did before I finally gave them a shot. Then when I bought my Manix 2 Lightweight, my mind did a 180 and this knife wont leave my side. I'd even go as far as to say it changed my philosophy on knives. Then I was given a Tenacious by a very generous person on Instagram which resulted in me becoming a huge Spyderco fan. I'm not too into really high end stuff so Spyderco just seems to fit the bill perfectly in my application and philosophy. Once you use one, it comes to life and you start to look at their catalog and see the potential of each blade. Bottom line is, you gotta try one to have a chance at understanding why they are what they are. If you don't want to spend much, grab a Tenacious and chances are you'll be hooked. That's not to say that I like everything Spyderco does. I disagree on prices here and there (Domino & Southard >:( ) but you really get your money's worth when you find a design that fits you perfectly.

End rambling.
 
I was the same way... until I bought one. I started out with a tenacious and was sold with the spydie hole instantly.
 
kubelik said:
Doesn't mean every Spyderco out there is a looker, I actually find the Tuff to be a bit goofy looking still, but I'd love to get my hands on a Domino, CF Caly, or Dragonfly Salt.
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The only Spyderco I own is a CF ZDP Caly 3. I had my eye on them when they came out but couldn't justify the expense. Well, prices dropped since then and one night I realized I had one en route ;)
I bought the Caly 3 because I found many Spydies very similar in design and this one seemed the most balanced execution of that design:

Nicely curved 4" handle that isn't too wide or too thin, the 1/2" ricasso provides a full 4.5" grip with the forward groove, no choil, minimal guard, 2 3/4" cutting edge on a 1" wide leaf-shaped blade, unobtrusive wire clip that doesn't impede comfortable use, easy one-hand operation, closed construction, rounded handle-heel, very pleasant lines ... :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

However, i have a number of gripes that lead me to think I'd be better served by a Sage or a different knife entirely.
1) The CF is very slick, the edges of the handle are quite square, and the "jimping" acts more like rasp-teeth on soft flesh during hard cutting :thumbdn:
2) The wire-clip is shiny - more noticeable than desired. Also, the slickness of the clip and scales makes removal from the pocket a chore without a lanyard, so i had to tie a knot of cord to the top of the clip.
3) Pinned construction, and the pins protrude more on the right side 0_o
4) While the blade looks very nice closed, it is quite wide in the pocket, and the blade tip is just barely covered by the liners.
5) The lack of pivot-washers produces a dramatic "rainbow" polish where the tang rubs the liners.
6) The blade has a high polish that shows the least bit of finger oil or streaking.
7) the full steel liners have a bunch of tiny holes for skeleton weight reduction rather than the large cut-outs seen on my Benchmades which are just as sturdy. So it is heavier without being much stronger, and it is harder to clean those little holes.
8) while it is easy to operate one-handed, the potential for an accidental cut is even greater than on a liner-lock.
9) while it isn't important to some, this knife is designed and sold by a US company but is not made here.

So that is my gripe list. I wish they could have spent the time/effort of polishing the blade on chamfering the handle scales and blade-spine and taking the "bite" out of the jimping, or just leave the jimping out entirely, it isn't useful. But all-in-all it is still a beautiful knife and very functional for the use I'll relegate it to. There are other Spyderco's I might give a try, e.g. I like the look of the Techno, but between high costs and a limited number of designs which appeal to me (e.g the PM2 does NOT), I don't give the company as much consideration as i otherwise might. *shrug* I don't own any ZT or CRK either, so don't think I'm prejudiced. Like many others, I wish there were more brick&mortar stores that carried these fines knives so that folks could try them out and perhaps fall in love. Oh well.
 
Goosey said:
Did a double-take there ;)
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Yeah, a lot of folks, particularly Spyderco fans, misuse the term "choil" as if it were any sort of finger groove when it refers to a notch in the cutting edge at the blade/tang transition. A lot of Spydercos feature a pronounced ricasso grooved to accommodate a finger (e.g. PM2, Caly 3, Sage, Manix), but the groove terminates in the ricasso, often presenting something of an integral guard before the plunge-line of the blade, and no choil. In contrast, the Strider SMF features both the ricasso groove AND a choil. An interesting point about choil-less blades - many manufacturers leave the heel of the blade unsharpened as the area is more difficult to fully grind without a choil, but Spyderco sharpens every last millimeter to the plunge termination :thumbup:
 
I've been looking into buying my first Spyderco. Which do you all think is the better of the two, the Military or PM2?
 
Using the hole took a little getting used to but works great once you get it. While Spyderco is not my favorite it is in the top 5 for me. And as far as their offerings in full SE blades they are my favorite. In fact the only full SE blades I have are Spyderco and Cold Steel. IMO they have some of the best SE patterns out there and also the most available tools to make sharpening easy.
 
At first I thought them a little ugly; I continued to find they were funny looking for a while.
Then I bought one.
Now I have several, and my PM2 is by far my favorite and most-carried user.
All those glowing, positive, overblown reviews are true.
Half the time, working in the garage, it's quicker to whip it from my pocket, open it, cut something, and put it back than to grab the fixed blade in a pocket sheath from my workbench.
Try it - you might like it.
If not, you won't lose much on a "used once" Spyderco in the exchange.
 
I love Spyderco knives. But some of them prove to be a royal pain to sharpen on my wicked edge. Mainly, the models with a choil.
 
i also thought they were ugly and was a Benchmade guy for many years. then one day I took a look at a ffg Endura at a gun show, and its been nothing but Spyderco folders from then on.
 
duro said:
I love Spyderco knives. But some of them prove to be a royal pain to sharpen on my wicked edge. Mainly, the models with a choil.
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That's probably because those models do NOT have a choil.
Examples of Spydercos with a choil: Techno, Southard, Centofante 3.
Examples of Spydercos with NO choil: PM2, Sage, Caly 3, Delica, Native, Persistence ...

Which models do you have trouble with? The ones with no choil are harder to sharpen on an aligner-system like the Wicked Edge unless the blade is clamped such the the hone can ride along the plunge line and reach that bit of edge where a choil would be, right above the ricasso.
 
If you want a Spyderco to love and cherish then I suggest getting a small folder... Get like a cricket or a co-pilot... Something like that. Spyderco makes the best little knives in the industry.
 
I say this with respect and I hope it comes across as intended. The benefit of Spyderco is it Is an affordable brand to get into. Just buy one at the entry level. If you don't like the feel, it isn't for you. Give them a fondle though.
 
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