My first spyderco: Tenacious? Or something more expensive?

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strick284

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Apr 10, 2010
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I've never really liked the look of Spydercos, so I've always ended up going with other folders from Kershaw, Buck, Cold Steel, etc. because they just appealed to me more. But after reading around on this forum for a while, I figure I owe it to myself to at least try a spyderco out for a while. So I'm thinking about a Tenacious. While I EDC some more expensive knives, I appreciate getting a great value in a knife, and I tend to also carry around a low cost "beater" like a Buck Bantam or a Kershaw Half Ton for abusing or lending to people. But I don't want to be disappointed by a cheap-feeling knife, and I want to get a feel for spyderco. So, those of you with firsthand experience, what do you think? Is the tenacious a fine introduction to the company? Do you think it sucks? Does it count as a "real" spyderco in your mind? Based on your advice here, I may end up just dropping the money for an endura 4 FFG. Yes, I realize there will be a difference between the two knives; the endura costs twice as much. But is it worth twice as much?
 
If you like the more expensive design, then go for it, if you want to try out Spyderco to see how it does for you, go for the Tenacious, it's a superb knife for the price ;)
And yes, the Endura worths it. "Better" steel for me, longer blade, lighter and narrower...you'll love it
p/s: I'm in love with my new Millie rite now :D
 
The Tenacious would fit in quite well with your "beaters" and I think you will be very impressed with the quality for the price. When I took mine out of the box I thought "Wow!..thats a darn nice knife for the money!".

The Endura is probably a better introduction to Spydercos in general....it is almost THE classic Spyderco. That or the Delica.

Worth twice the price? Most would probably say so.
I recently got an Endura with ZDP blade and British Racing Green Handles (they make a Delica like that too) and I'm quite pleased and it was about triple the Tenacious, so I'm probably prejudice.

In this case, the standard "buy both" is really a good answer. Give you a better feel for Spydies and both will be easy to trade, sell, or gift if you don't happen to not like it.
 
I was in the same position as the OP. I wanted to try the PM2 but they were hard to find a few months ago so I decided to get a Tenacious. While I was looking for a deal on a Tenacious I bought a used PM2 sprint and started carrying it. Then later I got one of the blue Tenacious sprints.

Having both of them there are good points and bad points to both- the Tenacious is a bit shorter and a bit heavier. I like the styling of the Tenacious more. My PM2 is a bit smoother to open and the handle feels a bit better in my hand. It is hard to predict what you might like more without handling them. If you worry about handle length then get the Tenacious. If you worry about cost then get the Tenacious. Otherwise get the PM2.

I will suggest alternatives too- I think the Sage is the best looking of the Spydercos and with a bit shorter blade than the PM2/Tenacious. If you don't mind a longer blade then you could just go for the Military.
 
Well I got a Tenacious a little less than a week ago, and while I think mine may have been a dud (very sticky action in spite of oiling it, taking it apart and cleaning it, and oiling it a WHOLE lot more), I still love the little thing. It's got extremely solid lock-up, it cuts very well (comes sharp enough to push cut paper too :D), and the handles feel great. It's definitely worth $30.

However, this was also my first Spyderco knife, and I like you did not like the looks of their knives. I'd have to say I've changed my mind though. I really like this design, I just wish my knife wasn't causing me so many problems :(
 
My first knife was the Spyderco Delica Stainless Steel with VG-10 material. God but I love that knife. Hasn't failed me yet though I abuse much at work, the poor thing :( I'd say go for the Endura, cause the Deilca is awesome but needing a little more handle to handle :P Got big hands. Not the point. Point is ya can't go wrong with Spyderco IMO and I'm sure you'll fall in love with them once ya try them. My bet is on the Endura 4 being better ofc, then again I haven't bought the Tenacious either.
 
I don't think you will be disappointed if you get a Tenacious. You can't go wrong for the price. After having it since it first came out, I would say that the liner lock rivals my Benchmade Dejavu which cost four times as much. If Spyderco could produce that type of quality coming out from China, what more elsewhere? If you really want to be turned on, get the Paramilitary 2.
 
cant go wrong with the tenacious but you will probably end up wanting more, the tenacious is a gateway knife. Go for the PM2 and skip a few steps.
 
I would go for the Endura over the Tenacious, but the blue Tenacious is tempting. The Sage and Military are my favorites. What I find in them over the Tenacious is slightly better fit and finish, and a higher pride of ownership. Any of them will last a lifetime or more if properly cared for.
 
Shawn7656 said:
Well I got a Tenacious a little less than a week ago, and while I think mine may have been a dud (very sticky action in spite of oiling it, taking it apart and cleaning it, and oiling it a WHOLE lot more), I still love the little thing. It's got extremely solid lock-up, it cuts very well (comes sharp enough to push cut paper too :D), and the handles feel great. It's definitely worth $30.

However, this was also my first Spyderco knife, and I like you did not like the looks of their knives. I'd have to say I've changed my mind though. I really like this design, I just wish my knife wasn't causing me so many problems :(
Click to expand...

Take it apart and lightly polish the washers with a scotch brite pad. Mine was very smooth but I had to polish up a friends a bit.
 
Tenacious is a GREAT starter Spyderco. But careful...it's addictive. That was my first Spyderco that I picked up 6 months ago and after selling it, I found myself missing it, so I snagged one of the blue dealer exclusives. After getting introduced to Spyderco I have gone through quite a few different models, mostly buying and selling on this forum to get a chance to try a lot of different knives without breaking the bank. Below is the list of Spyderco knives (not including the Byrd line) that I have gone through since starting in February to end up with the final five (bold) in the current collection. The italicized knives were sold along the way:

Tenacious (Black G10/Satin blade)
Persistence (Black G10/Satin blade)
Paramilitary 2 (Black G10/Satin blade)
Military (Digi Camo/Black Blade)
Dragonfly (Foliage Green G10)
Centofante 3
Centofante 4
3 Tenacious' (Black/Black, Green/Satin, Blue/Satin)
Endura (Purple, FFG)
Paramilitary 2 (Digi Camo/Black Blade)
Dodo (Orange Sprint Run)
Tenacious (Blue/Satin)
Centofante 4
Chokwe
 
Get a Tenacious and use it for a couple weeks. When you're watching TV or just sitting around start feeling it up and looking at it. That way you wont have to spend as much money, and you'll have time to decide if you like the Spyderco styling. I did the same thing about 3 months ago and now I own a Para2, Manix2-XL, Manix2-blueFRN, Endura4-FFG, and
Police3-G10. I honestly think you'll fall in love with Spyderco once you get one,(even if you think they're ugly at first). They seriously grow on you and you will start to change all your standards on beauty once you get one in your hand. I almost forgot, Byrd Knives is another great way to get started with Spydies. I think the feel my Byrd Cara Cara 2 is as good or better than my Endura 4!! The backlock is more easily accessible, and the Byrd has a choil where the Endura doesnt, I just wish the CaraCara2 had a nicer blade steel and more length cause thats the only reason I carry my Endura more..
 
I believe the Persistence is a better EDC folder for many, if not most people, than the Tenacious. If you have no problem with liner locks, I'd get a Blue Sprint Persistence first. You can find one for less than $30 if you look around.

The Tenacious and family do not feel cheap. They feel like $50 or $60 knives, not ones about half that.

The Endura is light for its size, but it is really big for a folder. Be sure you're okay with carrying around a 4" blade before you get one.
John
 
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Im not a huge fan of the blade design. Without a choil, I am not as comfortable with a blade this size. (noob). I just ordered my first Spyderco and i went with the Dragonfly 2 frn. I actually also bought the Chap before my Dfly came in because I am antsy lol. But for me, the Dfly was a better option due to finger choil, smaller blade, and nicer steel
 
I ended up ordering a blue endura 4 FFG. I could have had a black G10 tenacious for $30, but I kind of wanted a blue knife, and the blue tenacious was like $42. So i just went ahead with the endura for $58 and free shipping :D. I have noticed that a lot of people cite the military or PM2 as their favorite spyderco, but those were each at least $110 everywhere I looked. I'm sure I'll end up spending over $100 on a knife eventually, but I'm not ready to just yet.

Someone mentioned a finger choil. I have noticed that a lot of people recommend spydies with finger choils, like the PM2. Is the choil really awesome or something? I just kinda figured I'd end up cutting myself using it (and I already do that a lot...)
 
there is one shoppe that sells cutlery and has the pm2 for under a hundred, free shipping with a coupon code too ;)
 
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