I've got some Spyderco questions!

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Da Thurmanator

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Mar 21, 2013
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Hi guys! I would like some more info about Spydercos. What are some reasons why people like Spydercos so much? I've been wanting to get a Spyderco recently since I don't have one but I don't really know a whole lot about them. I would like to be a little more informed before I get one. I figured I would get one for myself as a graduation gift! I looked at an Endura 4 today and I really liked it. I liked the Delica too but it was a little small. I would like to spend around $60 or less. Which model do you guys think I should get for my first Spyderco? And where can I get the best deal?
I appreciate any opinions and information!
 
Spyderco has the market on high quality for afordable pricing. I'm only open to thumb holes, and Spyderco has the most offerings. Endura 4 is great, but I'd check out the full flat grind versions. You get to choose the color you want also.
 
You just might be able to find a little more information in the Spyderco sub-forum here, or on their factory forum. The Endura 4 would be a good choice for a firs knife in my opinion, but I have large hands and prefer my knives a bit larger than many others. As for why we like Spyderco so much, there are already entire threads devoted to that subject. I can pretty much sum up my reasons in a single picture:



A little something Sal Glesser sent me a couple of months before they were released.
 
Da Thurmanator said:
Hi guys! I would like some more info about Spydercos. What are some reasons why people like Spydercos so much? I've been wanting to get a Spyderco recently since I don't have one but I don't really know a whole lot about them. I would like to be a little more informed before I get one. I figured I would get one for myself as a graduation gift! I looked at an Endura 4 today and I really liked it. I liked the Delica too but it was a little small. I would like to spend around $60 or less. Which model do you guys think I should get for my first Spyderco? And where can I get the best deal?
I appreciate any opinions and information!
Click to expand...
from my own assessment, spyderco's main market position is slim and light edc folding knives that feature upto-date steels that deliver top-end blade performance. it's not a price leader (meaning they're not the most expensive) but they're not cheap either. they do not enhance too much on two concepts: hard-use and 'tactical.' their knives are for people who want a handy knife that's as sharp as one can expect.

a lot of knife makers offer cheaper knives that give you good value, whether by using less expensive steels, or enhancing other features like handle and lock strength. others offer brute strength, guaranteed to survive two nuclear wars. spyderco focuses more on the business end (more correctly business edge.) a very telling phrase was delivered by spyderco founder sal glesser, "we're steel whores." the company is not afraid to try out the latest steels that come out.
 
Get yourself an Endura...

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I say spend a little more and get a manix 2
 
Spyderco is a very innovative company. They constantly improve their products, that's why the Endura and Delica are at their fourth iterations. Spyderco invented the pocket clip and the thumb hole opener. What's great about the thumb hole, is that it won't get in the way of material you are cutting. It allows you to use the entire blade for cutting. There's a lot to like about Spyderco knives that you may not realize until you put them to work. Once you start using a Spyderco, it all starts to make sense.

Check out their website, they explain it better than I can: https://www.spyderco.com/about/
 
The Endura is a great Spyderco to start with. The Stretch for a little more than your budget goal is one of my favorites.
 
If you can afford it, just get what you want instead of limiting yourself to $60. This will save you money, because you will inevitably get the more expensive one anyway.
 
One of the reasons that I really like Spyderco is that they focus on cutting performance; they aren't afraid to pursue those attributes that contribute to that over other, extraneous, and more "fashionable" attributes.

Spyderco also seems to be genuinely engaged with their customers, and are willing to make knives that aren't going to be popular with the wider audience. They use steels that are going to be hard to sharpen and more difficult to maintain (not to mention more difficult to procure and machine) than usual, in order to provide the knife aficiando with increased performance.

There really aren't any other manufacturers that fill a similar niche at so many price points.
 
I think Spyderco have everything for everybody.....with Quality in mind. If you are budget wise...there's the value line....and price can get up there to mid tech....I own more Spyderco than any other brands...but of course one can only afford a handful of Striders, CRK, Hinderers right?
 
I like Spydercos because they aren't afraid to be experimental, and they put function over form. They make some of the ugliest knives out there, but they do their jobs extremely well. For a starter, I would say a Delica or Endura would be ideal. I prefer the Delica because of the blade length and size. The Endura is just too long for my liking. Either models are a good representation of what the company has to offer.
 
One of my first modern knives was a Spyderco, around 18 years ago. Then I started buying Benchmades and I carried them until recently, when I started buying Spydercos again. IMO Spyderco markets a wide range of knife styles with a range of features. Spyderco tends to make a lot of knives designed for performance and not looks. They make knives of good quality and performance at reasonable prices. In the past year or so I've bought a good number of knives, about equal numbers of Spydercos and Benchmades.
 
The Tenacious is a really good place to start. It was my first Spyderco, and I still like the knife even after trying far more expensive knives.
 
Why Spyderco? Because they give you the opportunity to try almost everything at very reasonable prices. The have exotic steels and very nice fit and finish on most of their blades. Wanna great back-lock, Liner lock, or frame lock, they have it. Wanna tryout H1, rust proof steel, got that too. How about Super Blue steel? Yup and everything in between. Want a fluted titaium handle, G-10, or Carbon Fiber handle? You can find them easily. Want excellent ergonomics? I'd argue they rarely sacrifice looks for ergonomics. Want a great opening mechanism? The Spyder hole is my favorite. Want great customer service? The have a great reputation.

So what should you get? If you are early in your knife journey, I'd recommend one of the FRN models like the Delica or Endura. The Endura is personally too big for my tastes, but if the Delica is too small for you, then go for it. Another great starter Spyderco is the Centofante 3; a great slicer and EDC. It is bigger than the Delica, smaller than the Delica. Also right around $60. If you can save a little more, then got for a Caly, my personal favorite. They have a 3 and 3.5 inch model. I can't tell which one is in my hand unless I've recently held the other. The 3.5 does not feel big at all, but both feel very capable due to the ergos.

Good luck with your hunt!
 
I think spyderco is a gret company because they try new things and use their users for ideas. Another really nice thing is they update models rather than scrap and reinvent the wheel like many modern companies. As far as modern folders go they are great slicers and they have fantastic ergonomics. Love or hate the looks but no one can argue they aren't unique. You can always tell a spyderco from other brands :)
 
Spyderco is my favorite maker because all the knives I have purchased that carry their name feel very well made, regardless of price point. I haven't had the same experience with other brands. I will say that Benchmade knives always feel well made, but they don't have the lower priced options that Spyderco does, and with Spyderco it seems like you get a little more knife for the dollar (imo).

I agree with vaisforloverss that the Caly is the coolest folder I have owned. It's like a little piece of art you can carry in your pocket. I also agree with yoko - the Manix 2 is a lot of knife for around $80. My edc is a Para2, which I haved enjoyed immensely. But, in my opinion, if you can find a 'waved' Delica, I would say buy that one. I thought it was too small as well until I carried it for awhile. Super cool for around your price point. Tons of fun to play with, too.

As for buying options, the Exchange thread on this site is a good place to get a good deal.
 
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