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Man, I don't even like Spyderco...

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
2,453
Ok, it's not exactly that I dislike Spyderco, I've just never really been drawn to them. One of my first "big" purchases as I was getting into knives was the Valloton Sub-Hilt. Beautiful knife, excellent fit and finish, etc. I loved it. But eventually I got rid of it for two reasons: it was a little fat in the pocket and I didn't like the Spyder hole. So I moved on and didn't think too much about it. Since then I've kind of ignored Spyderco because hey, if you don't like the Spyder Hole, what's the point, right?

Lately I've been re-examining why I didn't like the hole. My big thing was that it wasn't positioned where it was natural for me to flick the knife open, it really only worked for me with a slow opening. Now, being new, flicking a knife open was important to me. Fast forward a couple years and I very rarely flick a knife open any more. So I started looking at a couple Spyderco knives again. I was looking at the Caly 3.5 CF/ZDP-189 but couldn't help but think it looked like it would be very wide in the pocket. So I had trouble pulling the trigger on it.

Well yesterday I headed out to my local knife pusher only to find out he took the day off. So I stopped by a large gun shop on the way home, they recently expanded their knife section from throw aways to include ZT, Benchmade, Cold Steel, Protech and Spyderco. Well sadly they were out of all but a couple Spydercos, most FRN handled Delicas and such. But they had a Tuff and a model I was completely unfamiliar with- a Hungarian. My first thought was "What a weird looking knife", but I asked to see it anyways. The girl handed it to me and that's when it happened. The knife melted into my hand, rays of light shone down and I heard the voice of the universe singing to me.

Ok, so maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but I was amazed how much I liked the way it felt in my hand. It's a little bit bigger than I normally carry but it just felt natural. And despite it being an out of the ordinary design, I actually found it quite appealing. And even the hole worked for me. The knife is smooth even though I can tell the washers need a little breaking in. And I know I can't really make this long story short but it came home with me and it still surprises me how much I love this knife.

Don't worry, I wouldn't leave you hanging after all that:








So the moral of this story is: not every knife is for every person, even within a given brand or with similar features. Just keep sifting and you'll strike gold.
 
Congratulations on the new knife - looks like a very fine piece!

I bet it is comfortable in a hammer grip.

Thanks for posting, I had not been aware of this model prior to your thread.

best

mqqn
 
I can thumb flick almost every one of my 39 Spydies, including my Ladybugs...I've never been able to do the middle finger flick though. That said, I do prefer a standard thumb opening though as opposed to a thumb flick. To me the opening hole is one of the biggest advantages to Spyderco designs...there's almost (If not) nothing that is as simple and as effective IMO. I've looked at the Hungarian and might get one because it is intriguing, but that said, there are a few other models I need to get in the meantime.
 
That's a very nice Spydie, Congratz.
My first Spydie was the Vallotton. I still have and love that knife. Polished G10 is awesome.
 
I have yet to find a better "flicker" than the PM2. I could do that easily with either thumb or index finger. Give it a try! Actually most of the compression lock or liner lock spydies will probably flick pretty well for you.
 
I felt the same way as you a few years ago about the spydie hole, I bit the bullet and ordered a pm2 for my first spydie. Now I'm over 30 spyderco's and still going. I'd say out of all my brands, (zt, kershaw, benchmade, kizer, Ontario, esee) the spyderco gets the most pocket time of all brands. Because they are designed for comfort and not necessarily looks. Glad to see your happy with your new blade!
 
I have yet to find a better "flicker" than the PM2. I could do that easily with either thumb or index finger. Give it a try! Actually most of the compression lock or liner lock Spydies will probably flick pretty well for you.
 
The Hand knows.
I'd have one of these if it did not have a bolster.
Congratz!
rolf
 
Alright Mr. Big, I was going to respond with encouragement to you but now that you post that awesome photo and talk about that knife, I'm going to have to try one.

Well anyway, I'm drawn to knives based on appearance, although I do carry and use them. I have a collection of fixed blade hunters that I bought based on appearance, never intending to ever use them. I buy folders based on appearance but also based on function. Spyderco knives are foremost based on function before appearance, and the spyder hole is a big part of that. I was watching some videos last night and I can directly quote Sal- "design for the hand, not for the eye". And there's that old saying- "beauty is as beauty does", sometimes the beauty of the Spyderco is how it operates.

As for the hole- it is very functional. Since I first discovered "one-hand" knives over 20 years ago I have enjoyed their functionality. I notice that a lot of knives with thumb studs are a bit harder to open than a good Spyderco. The combination of thumb studs that are small, hard to hit, or too rounded plus heavy blade detents makes these knives hard to open. My Spyderco's are very positive and reliable to open.
 
Thanks guys, I still can't believe how much I love this knife. I know the hole is very popular and I'm really getting the hang of it with this knife. Like I said, this is the first knife I've really felt like it was natural for me. I haven't tried every Spyderco, not by a long shot, but on the Valloton and Southard the hole just felt awkward to me- of course that could be the overall shape of the knife vs my hand. But suffice it to say that I now "get it" with regards to how functional the hole can be, you just have to find the knife that fits you.
 
Matt- Your last sentence says it all.
You need to try a Salt folder. No rust, is a good feeling too.
 
Biggie, your post reminds me of the first time I really got Spyderco. After years of very conventional knife use where companies like Case and Buck were expensive and frivolous while Schrade and Imperial for $4.99 with 1095 steel were for working men like me. Nothing polished or beautifully ground on them. I had been seeing Spyderco ads in the back of gun magazines for years by then when in 1992 while attending a gun & knife show I actually picked up and held a Spyderco. It fit my hand like it was made just for it. It opened and locked with the right kind of noise. It was fitted and aligned in all the right places. The steel type printed on the blade, along with a steel summary and comparison on the insert in the box intrigued me as I was a fledgling steel junky by then.

I left with an Endura that day in 92 and have carried one since then. Even when I also am carrying other knives to try, or just because I like them. The only other reaction to a product I ever had that was similar was a Glock 23. I couldn't just walk home with that but I had to fall asleep while thinking about it every night until I could get it. :)

Just for the heck of it I'll say my all time favorite Endura is the current model with the FFG. Super blue was nice, but even VG10 is great in this. It still fits my hand as if it was made with me in mind. Actually I feel that way about a few Spydercos to be honest. :D
 
Hi Bigfatts,

Thanx for sharing your insights. I always like hearing about thought proceses.

sal
 
I think that most of us, probably except Sal :) just never really been drawn to Spydercos until we tried. Kopa Cocobolo was turning point for me, but I never was big on flicking. I played with Grip for a week and may be for a day with ZT561 and this was it. Nothing can replace great ergos and good cutting edge.
 
Just like I have said from the first Spydie I ever tried ~~ the 'hole' is the best and nothing compares to a Spyderco in hand.!!** { yes I do have ""a few Spydies"" } lol
 
I've gotten to the point where I don't mind the hole, I guess...but I still don't find Spyerco knives in my pocket very often. Don't get me wrong - I see a lot of positive features, and the "ergonomics" are spot on....they just don't feel right in my hand. I've tried a few (Gayle Bradley, PM2, Manix2, Manix2 XL, Military), to be sure I was giving them a fair shake. I think that, for me, the problem lies in the sizing and basically squared off scales. They aren't slim and contoured, nor are they hand filling...they're in some middle ground that just feels off to me. (I know - most of the Spyderco knives I've purchased have similar scales, so what was I expecting to be different?) I'm still trying, though, because I feel like I SHOULD like them.

I could be wrong, but the scales on the Hungarian look like they'd be pretty comfortable.
 
Last edited:
hhmoore said:
I could be wrong, but the scales on the Hungarian look like they'd be pretty comfortable.
Click to expand...

They are quite comfortable. They're very nicely contoured and mildly rounded. I wish my computer wasn't toasted so I could post some real pics but right now I'm doing everything from my iPhone. The Hungarian is not what I would call a hand filling knife, it's barely bigger in the hand than say, a BM 940. A good bit longer mind you, but not much taller in the grip. But the curve of the handle makes it very easy and pleasant to hold onto. I'd definitely try to get one in your hand.

Here's a couple cell phone comparison pics:





 
I love this knife!!! I purchased one a few weeks ago and it hasnt left my pocket! I like to find a balance between modern and traditional knives and this knocked out of the park for me.
 
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