Goodness gracious. I entered this argument about fifteen hours and three pages too late. I figured I better fast forward to my post, or I would be another two pages back.
tdawg, I think the basis of lack of confidence in the Spyderco formula lies in your perspective of their product. I have to initially agree with you on first opinion that Spyderco doesn't seem to concentrate on flashy and intricate product designs, however, this initial opinion is quickly fading away. If you are interested I would like to share with you my now short but imminently perpetual journey with Spyderco.
I edced a BM 801 g10 ats34 linerlock for about six years. This is quite un impressive by knifenut means, however from my standpoint, this was quite an impressive knife. In my undergound linemans department of about thirty, I carried the best edc available. This was the extent of my knowledge of quality knives until I lost it earlier this year. In my search for a replacement, I went through two short lived purchases of BM's blue class 940 and 960, both axis locks, and I don't mind saying these were awesome knives, and the axis lock is a feet of engineering(expecially when paired with the perfectly balanced 940). However my primary quiteria was edge retention, so I shopped a steel that Spyderco happened to offer, and from advice I received from this forum, I narrowed my search to a ZDP offering, either by Kershaw or Spyderco. The Leek was just two pointy(and thus narrow and dainty), so I chose between the Spyderco Caly, Endura, and Delica. Based on the internet photos, I went with the Endura and promptly placed my order.
When my knife arrived, my first impression was: dang, that's a bit bigger than I need, and my second impression was: man, what a boring knife. Oh don't get me wrong, it had a hole like my last knife, and it was sharp and all, but compared to the two BM axis locks, all I could think was BBBOOOORRRINNNNGGG. But none the less, I had made my decision, and I was going to stick with it. I of course did the perverbial couple of hundred flicks you do with a new knife, but it just didn't quite hit the button with me that the axis lock did.
With that said, one thing I did notice, and quite soon was the solid ccluuCCKKK of the boring old lockback. It seemed everytime I opened it, it got a little more intrenched in the back of my brain. Shortly after my initial purchase, I went on their website and browsed a little. The one overwhelming thing that I gathered from this first browsing session was once againg LOCKBACK. It wasn't too inspiring at the time, however I did gain the confidence that the knife I had was done right.
After I carried the Endura for a few weeks, and had subsiquent browsing and research sessions, I learned that I had a fourth generation knife that a company had perfected over the years. A company that targeted specifically users like me. You see, the largest quiteria in my choice of edc's is functionability matched with price. Funny thing is I found the Spyderco higher on the functionability and lower on the price than the BM's I had chosen, not to mention one of the highest end steels offered in a folding edc knife. I couldn't get that from the pretty looking fancy pancy BM's.
Shortly after my first Spyderco purchase I ran across a thread recommending a Native that Wally World carried, and a few minutes later I found myself driving to the closest freakmart to official start my addiction. Once again, a boring old frn spyderwebbed handle and a boring old lockback, but once again, WHAT A KNIFE! You just have to appreciate what Spyderco has to offer, and that isn't a knife for everybody, just a knife for the people who know what a good knife is... and then they sell it to everybody. After I have carried my Endura and sometimes Native for a few months, I often think to myself Benchmade shmenchmade. They could invest all of their energy into one offering, and they still couldn't make an edc as all around solid as the Endura I carry. That is of course my humble opinion.
With that said, I do admit that solidness is just one part of the equation, but if you just learn to appreciate the Spyderco philosphy, and do a little searching, you will quickly come to the realization that they have the fancy pancy part covered as well. And this will be the new direction of my short but immently long addiction.
Kershaw Shmershaw. Cold Steel Shmold Steel.
Spyderco has my undivided attention. (for now at least).
Regards, ss.
