My new EDC and a few questions for those knowledgable about Spydercos

J

James0723

Joined
Mar 25, 2009
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After much research, I purchased a stainless steel etched Dragonfly with a VG-10 blade as my new EDC.

I was considering buying a fluted Ti-Military but the handles seemed too thin, and more importantly, the blade length exceeds most laws for concealed carry. With the Dragonfly's blade being just under 2.5 inches, it clearly and unmistakably conforms to most knife laws in the US.

I chose the stainless steel etched handles because FRN and G10 handles seem cheap to me, like materials a McDonald's toy would be made from. Even though the stainless steel is heavier it feels much more solid and worthwhile than those plasticky materials. Usually stainless steel handles are slippery, but the etched handles provide a nice texture and grip. Does anyone know exactly what method is used for etching these handles?

I also like how the Dragonfly models have the iconic leaf-shaped blade, and are made in Japan instead of China or Taiwan. Since the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown I've been paranoid about things from Japan, but luckily my Dragonfly was made before all that went down.

After getting this I've been on the verge of purchasing several other Spydercos and have even thought about starting a collection. However, I feel like I've gotten the very best Spyderco model available right now, which is perfect for my needs and preferences. I don't know if buying more knives would be the responsible thing to do. I am still thinking about buying a fluted Ti-Military as a long term investment, though I have read things about how titanium will become cheaper to mine and manufacture things with in the future so I'm not sure. Another question I had is which currently available Spyderco models do you think will be the most valuable and sought after years from now?
 
If you think g10 is cheap you just crossed off just about every amazing spyderco off your list !!!! It's one of the toughest high quality handle materials in the knife game!!!
 
James0723 said:
I chose the stainless steel etched handles because FRN and G10 handles seem cheap to me, like materials a McDonald's toy would be made from. Even though the stainless steel is heavier it feels much more solid and worthwhile than those plasticky materials. Usually stainless steel handles are slippery, but the etched handles provide a nice texture and grip. Does anyone know exactly what method is used for etching these handles?

I also like how the Dragonfly models have the iconic leaf-shaped blade, and are made in Japan instead of China or Taiwan. Since the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown I've been paranoid about things from Japan, but luckily my Dragonfly was made before all that went down.

After getting this I've been on the verge of purchasing several other Spydercos and have even thought about starting a collection. However, I feel like I've gotten the very best Spyderco model available right now, which is perfect for my needs and preferences. I don't know if buying more knives would be the responsible thing to do. I am still thinking about buying a fluted Ti-Military as a long term investment, though I have read things about how titanium will become cheaper to mine and manufacture things with in the future so I'm not sure. Another question I had is which currently available Spyderco models do you think will be the most valuable and sought after years from now?
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G-10 isn't cheap stuff. A lot of high end ($400+) knives have G-10 scales.

Look up what a milli-sievert is. You pick up 17 eating a banana, and something like 20-30 extra if you sleep in the same bed with another person.

It's difficult to near impossible to make money from knife collecting. You are going to have to have a lot of start-up capital to invest. Additionally, just because Titanium might become easier to mine (actually it won't, it will just become easier and less energy/time/cost intensive to process) in the next 5-10 years doesn't mean that Spyderco will be producing more Titanium Militaries.
 
I agree with what has already been said. Three or four of my most expensive Spydercos have G-10 handles and the G-10 is by no means "cheap." It can definitely take a beating and the day to day abuse of carrying.

As for sought-after models, that's hard to say. Collectors will always spring for the exclusive sprint run models, which feature special handle colors/materials and/or super-steels, are manufactured in very limited numbers and usually are gobbled up very quickly from vendors, then will appear on ebay for nearly double their MSRP. I know that Spyderco Knives made with S90V steel (Like special models of the Military and Manix 2 - generally paired with Carbon Fiber handles) are very coveted and fetch ridiculous numbers both on ebay and second-hand on forums like this.

Special colors, like I mentioned before, are usually very sought after as well. I've noticed that anything with Toxic Green FRN handles (a very bright lime-green color) are sold for hefty prices. I recently saw a Spyderco Jester (a discontinued knife that was roughly the size the current Ladybug) with Toxic Green handles sell for over $140 on ebay. The original MSRP of the Jester was $31.95.
 
I am with you on the FRN handles, but not the G-10. FRN to me feels waxy. Carbon fiber looks better, but G-10 is more user friendly.
 
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