Recommendation? My first Spyderco: Salt 2, Caribbean, or...?

D

Darkera

Joined
Oct 22, 2016
Messages
374
I am looking into buying my first Spyderco. Unfortunately, I can't see any of the knives in-person so I will be going just by what I read and see online. I will be moving soon to the coast and I figured it is probably a good excuse to buy a corrosion-resistant knife from the Salt lineup. Probably just using it as an EDC if I'm at the beach or coastal forest, kayaking, and maybe fishing.

I am looking at the Salt 2 (plain edge) but I have to admit the Caribbean Leaf really caught my eye. Much pricier but I like the blade shape and the scales look amazing. Is the Caribbean a bit too big for comfortable EDC? Any pros and cons or recommendations?

I should mention that I'm only going to buy one of them. Although maybe the Snap-It H1 could be a nice addition, for example clipping it to a life jacket when Kayaking or backpack when hiking?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Do you have any knives already? What are you going to do with this one? Carry it every day or something more specific? Do you carry a knife now, or will this be a new thing? If you carry now, what are your preferences for size, shape, position (tip up, tip down), and other stuff.

I'll give you an example: I prefer to carry smaller knives, usually under a 3" blade, I carry only on the right and my knife shares that pocket with my wallet. So it's important to me that I can easily get my hand past it to get to my wallet. Other people have difference preferences. I also only carry tip up only because I'm not a crazy Godless heathen who has no respect for the natural order of things in the universe.
 
Caribbean is quite comfortable, I believe Sal has mentioned before how much work went into the overall design. The Salt is like the Delica, it's a very nice EDC size, though I imagine it isn't quite as hand filling as the Caribbean.

I would say, consider how much blade length you really need or want.
 
Got it. Foray is a great EDC, imo.

The Caribbean looks great. A little large for me on paper - haven't held one yet. Take a look at the Spydie Chef as well. Smaller and also a great design. The problem will be finding one. About $50 more than the Caribbean.
 
Small to normal hands go for the salt,large to xx(x)l hands go for the caribbean,but excellent knives in their own right,i have xxxl hands and carry a caribean leaf plain edge to full satisfaction!
 
I really like the whole idea of the Caribbeans -- the blade, the scales and the completely non-corrosive construction. I think I'll end up with one, even though it's bigger than I'd like. I hope they make a scaled down version with a blade around 3".
 
Another vote for the Carribean. I picked one up a few days ago and absolutely love it! I wasn't sure how it would be in hand as my hands are fairly small, but to me, it's actually very comfortable. Really dig the grooves on the handle too! The LC200N is definitely better as well if your looking for a plain edge. At least in my opinion. Either way, let us know what you decide on!
 
Babyboomer said:
I really like the whole idea of the Caribbeans -- the blade, the scales and the completely non-corrosive construction. I think I'll end up with one, even though it's bigger than I'd like. I hope they make a scaled down version with a blade around 3".
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comments everyone! It's hard to say no to the Caribbean, it is really a stunning knife, but I think I've decided on the Salt 2. If I'm not mistaken, the Salt 2 is essentially like a Delica 4 in many ways, so that'll fulfill my initial desire to get a Delica. I think it makes more sense to have a smaller blade that I can maybe fit in a PFD pocket or whatever. Instead of a second knife I think I'll finally get a Sharpmaker and diamond rod.

I bought the Benchmade Crooked River around the time it first came out purely as an impulse buy. I haven't hunted in years and really didn't have much use for this big knife, and consequently I don't carry it often. Then Benchmade came out with the Crooked River Mini and I was kicking myself, because that would have been a better choice. I kept adding the Caribbean to the cart too, but I think I'll hold off in hopes that a 3" or so version will come out. Hopefully this is a reality soon, because what a knife!
 
Knifeoholic said:
Another vote for the Carribean. I picked one up a few days ago and absolutely love it! I wasn't sure how it would be in hand as my hands are fairly small, but to me, it's actually very comfortable. Really dig the grooves on the handle too! The LC200N is definitely better as well if your looking for a plain edge. At least in my opinion. Either way, let us know what you decide on!
Click to expand...
I have medium-sized hands. Do you think it would comfortably fit in a PFD vest pocket when kayaking/canoeing or would it be a bit cumbersome and you'd feel it the whole time?

I thought I had my choice down but the last couple Caribbean votes are getting to me :)
 
I own a Caribbean. I am 5'9" and weigh about 168 pounds. My hands are medium-sized (neither large nor small), and the Caribbean fits very comfortably in my hand. Lately, I've been alternating between it and my Para 3 for EDC, depending on my mood.

I also own a few Salt 1's (but not a Salt 2...yet:)). I also own several Delica 2s, 3s, and 4s (the Salt 2 is based on the Delica 4). The Delica 4 also fits perfectly well in my hand. Obviously, it's lighter and takes up less space in the pocket than the Caribbean, but the latter doesn't feel like a brick, either.

IMO, the Caribbean (mine is leaf-bladed) is a work of genius. It kind of has that 'bumble bee' or 'yellowjacket' look, but it's very comfortable. And IME, that smooth black spot where the clip contacts the handle allows it to be gentle to pocket material while still holding solidly. And I love the way this thing cuts!

Jim
 
as far as performance goes, I would recommend the caribbean if you want plain edge. H1 in plain edge, from my experience, is a rather poor performer. I have never tried Lc200n, but I have heard good things about that steel in plain edge.
 
I've been carrying a Caribbean Leaf as an edc blade for the last couple months, and love it. I have medium sized hands and find the handle shape and texture very comfortable. I prefer knives in the 3.5-4.0" range so it has never seemed particularly large to me, but everyone has different preferences. The lc200n holds an edge around as long as CTS-XHP, (between s30v and 20cv) while plain edge H1 has retention similar or slightly worse than AUS-8 for my uses (cardboard, plastics, and food mostly) with the way I sharpen (high polished 15-17dps on the wicked edge).
My vote is definitely the Caribbean.
 
Darkera said:
I have medium-sized hands. Do you think it would comfortably fit in a PFD vest pocket when kayaking/canoeing or would it be a bit cumbersome and you'd feel it the whole time?

I thought I had my choice down but the last couple Caribbean votes are getting to me :)
Click to expand...

It would be more cumbersome than the Salt for sure, it's bigger and heavier. The Carribean came in at 4.1oz and my Tasman Salt is 1.8oz if memory serves me correctly. But overall I'd still prefer the Carribean. Love how comfy it is in any grip, as well as the good traction and superior edge retention and blade length. It's also my first compression lock and I'm really enjoying it!
 
Thanks again for the input... wow I'm being indecisive, my cart now has the Caribbean and the Dragonfly 2 Salt w/ Spyderedge, with the Salt 2 gone :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top