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My next Spyderco....... Sage what?

K

Krissig12

Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
3,121
Alright guys, about a month ago, I got my BM 707 and decided i would no longer need to look for anymore knives. I was wrong. :D My addiction has returned and now I want a Sage

The problem is, I cannot for the life of me decide which one I like better. I narrowed it down to the sage 1 and 2, because neither of the others does much for me. The pros and cons of both just balance out so perfectly, I am absolutely stumped :confused:I have read and watched as many reviews and comparisons as i possibly can, but i still cant decide. Theres no way to get them in hand first because my only local store doesnt carry either at the moment. I KNOW I want the sage 2, and if their prices were the same, the race wouldnt be nearly as close. But since the sage two has an extra 40 bucks on the price tag, the sage 1 is looking like the better option. Unfortunately, the sage 1 is just NOT the knife I want if given the choice. I love it as well, but the 2 just speaks to me a little more. I love its simplicity (just a slab of s30 between two slabs of Ti) and the fact that it has a frame lock over the 1's liner lock. BUT the sage 2 also has been reported to have problems with the lock bar wearing because it is so soft compared to the blade tang (which wouldnt be much of a problem on the sage 1). Also, theres always the possibility of the lock overtravelling if im not careful. This combo is tough for me to overlook
The sage 1 is nice, but im actually not very fond of the bumpy weave they have on the carbon fiber (and its not full CF anyway, just G10 topped with CF). I would rather it be smooth like the caly 3 and native 4 were. But overall, I think the sage 1 is very good looking and im sure i would love it when i got it in hand (especially because I can get it much cheaper than the sage 2 and therefore could have it sooner) I dont even mind the linerlock, but it DOES look a bit thin (and afterall, linerlocks can wear too)

But the main point I am struggling with is the fact that my collection is based entirely on diversity. I want a knife that is completely different than my others. Sage 1 is meh because I already have a linerlocking knife. The sage 2 fits that bill perfectly because it has a frame lock and Ti handles (both of which I have never owned knives with). I like the sages because they are a perfect middle ground between my para2 and native 5, and have a different blade shape. But which one should I get???? Please offer more than "get both":rolleyes:
 
I like the Sage 3 in the "Cubic Check" carbon fiber more than the rest of the series (I've held the 1,2, and 4, though not the smurf blue G10 Sage 3). Out of my 24 Spyderco folders, it's definitely the smoothest opening...it's almost magical how smooth this thing is. The texture provides the perfect amount of traction, and looks better than the "Twill Pattern" carbon fiber on the Chaparral1/Sage1/Gayle Bradley IMO. I almost prefer it to my Chaparral as a gentlemans folder, though I sold my Chaparral1 because I was carrying the Techno more and found it even more sheeple friendly than the Chaparral surprisingly. I'll end up with a stepped titanium Chaparral if I don't like the Chaparral4 (Which to my understanding is going to have brass scales), but the Sage3 looks interesting enough and is sheeple friendly enough in my experience to be a great, if a little large, gentlemans folder. The bolt action lock is also fantastic. Cheaper than the Sage2, which I almost bought instead, but I have enough titanium frame locks, and I'm not much of a fan of liner locks (Exceptions in my collection are the CruWear Millie and green Tenacious).

 
Thanks for the reply, and great pic!
I did like the look of the sage 3's CF, but never like the idea of the bolt action lock. IMO its just too complicated, makes the knife harder to clean (closed construction), and is too similar to my BM axis knives in look and function. And IDK if its just me or what, but the sage three's handle looks slightly different than the other two
 
I think they're all a little different in shape, though very close. I like the lock (I've tried Grip and mini-Grips but neither grooved for me). It's at least 2 or 3 times as stiff as on a Grip/Mini-Grip, but I prefer a stiff lock TBH. I've never had an issue cleaning my knives with an air compressor (Or compressed CO2 duster), but then again I rotate through 24 folders so it takes a while to get them dirty and as such it takes me fairly little effort to keep them clean. I haven't had to clean this one out yet though as it's my most recent purchase (Excluding my SB Ladybug being a keychain knife and as such not used for really dirty tasks, or the Battlestation I have en route in the mail). One more picture with my pen for a size comparison...it's lighter than I expected as well, and I'm one of those who really likes the wire clip.

 
Thanks, but idk, the 3 just doesnt do it for me like the 1 and 2 do. I love the Ti framelock on the 2, and it will be my first if I get it. But theres also so much to love about the sage 1, and the price is lower too..... HMMMMMM
 
Between the Sage 1 and 2 I'd take the Sage 2 without question...it's a little thinner, and an inherently simpler design. As I said...I went with the 3 because I already have a number of titanium frame lock Spydercos, and no cubic check carbon fiber (My Domino is the blue weave version), and no bolt action lock before this one.
 
Thanks for the recommendation. Yeah the more i think about it, the more im leaning toward the sage 2. But if anyone has anymore input, it would be greatly appreciated
 
I'd definitely spend the extra to get the sage 2. Frame locks are just somethin else, and you can't beat a titanium slabbed knife with a buttery smooth opening and solid lock up. If diversity is something you want, the sage 2 fits in at a great blade length made with great materials.
 
Both are fantastic. I prefer the Sage 1 and love the looks and feel of the CF but if the 2 speaks to you, that should be your choice.

I do believe that the 2 will show wear pretty quickly as one draw back.
 
Get a Techno. It's like a Tankier Sage 2. You won't have to worry about wear either since its is fully stonewashed. Titanium handles, framelock and XHP steel to boot. Sheeple friendly, customization platform (backspacer) and the most beautifully thick blade ever. I love it, and I have heard of others who had both it and the sage 2, and sold the sage 2 because it never got used. In fact, there is a thread about a guy who sold his Sage 2 to get the Techno b/c he was short money and was very satisfied with that decision. I'll look for it if you want.

Edit: Here's the link, now please read it through, you won't regret it. http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?62391-Sage-2-or-Techno
 
I have both the 1 & 2 and either would be a great EDC choice, and strictly in function...they are so similar as to be almost indistinguishable in actual use. For me the only knock on the Sage 2 is that in cold temps, the Ti scales are cold to the touch but it's a minor point. Frankly it boils down to getting the knife that speaks to YOU, because if you're like most...you'll never be happy with a compromise and will ultimately wish you pony'd up the extra $$ and bought your first choice, which would seem to be the 2 in your case?

Myself and many other pre-owners of the Sage 2 also were concerned re the Sage 2's untreated lock-bar face ultimately moving and/or otherwise causing lock-up problems, but it is largely internet myth and I don't recall ever seeing a documented case of Sage 2 lock rock, or any other catastrophic failure. Further, Sal himself once posted somewhere *(used to have it bookmarked but can't find it at present) that if it does indeed fail, to send it in and Spyderco would stand behind it...that forever eased my concern, and my copy has only moved incrementally, maybe 5-10% in 18mos of lots and lots of flicking and still exhibits early and solid lock-up.

All Sage's make fantastic medium sized EDC folders and would likely handle 95% of most things anyone would need from a knife this size.

That said, I tend to agree with Scorpion008's suggestion to get the Techno instead of the Sage 2. As good as the Sage series is, and the Sage 2 is truly a fantastic and elegant EDC knife...to me the Techno is even better, *(one of my favorite online gear reviewers, Tony Sculimbrene from Everyday Commentary, recently stated in a review on a popular EDC site '"Even the vaunted Sebenza doesn’t blow the Techno away. In fact, I actually like the Techno a little better. The pivot is smoother, the detent is better, and the lock up is just as good".) This IMO is an accurate statement...it's like a chunkier "Spyder'ized" small Sebenza at approx 1/3 the cost with the F&F of some customs. I bought the Techno several mos after I already owned the Sage 1 & 2, and as a result my Sages rarely get carried now...not because the Sages are lacking...but rather because the Techno is just that good!
 
1 or 2. Both great knives, but I slightly prefer the 1. I would go with a Techno over the 2 if you want a Ti frame lock. Not very fond of the other Sages, but they are very good knives as well.
 
I put the Sage 2 right up there with my Small Sebenza. Only reason I carry my Sebenza more often than my Sage 2 is because my Sebenza isn't as tall as my Sage 2 and rides a little easier in my pocket. But bang for the buck, the Sage 2 is one of the best RILs out there . . . period!

My advice to the OP is if you're catching glimpses of Sebenzas out of the corner of your eye, buy a Sage 2 and you might just kill two birds with one stone. ;)
 
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Thanks for the help guys. I'm impressed, there hasn't been a singe person telling me to get both! ;)
But yeah, I'm probably going to get the sage 2. I just know it will suit me better. As fir the techno, nah, I'm not a bit fan. Looks are kinda weird and it seems too chunky IMO. Bld522, that's exactly what I was thinking. I wanted a knife like the sebenza because it had the two things my collection didn't yet have: titanium and a frame lock. But since the sage two is so much cheaper, and works just as well, why not get it instead?

SAGE 2 IT IS!
 
One more question. How much bigger is it than the native 5? Is the handle size more similar to the para2 or the native 5?
 
I have a Sage 1, and have to say it's one of the best executed liner locks out there. Rock solid lockup, the handles show zero signs of wear, and it's really light. It's as close to perfect an EDC as there is. I am sure the Sage 2 is just as awesome, but it will get all scratched up where the Sage 1 will not. Plus, the very light texturing on the carbon fiber overlays provides enough traction to get it out of the pocket quickly.
 
500lbman, just how textured is the CF on the sage 1? I remember handling one a couple years ago and recall finding it VERY bumpy. Is it more toned down than i remember? The sage 2 is still most likely the one I will buy, but the sage 1 still might make a comeback if the CF is better than I remember.

As far as the sage 2 getting scratched, I would LOVE that. Im into knives showing wear, and something about having Ti handles with scratches just looks awesome to me. It just screams "USER". In fact if I do get the 2, I will need to scuff it up some in order to get rid of the factory pristine-ness, because the way the pictures make it look, the Ti is just too clean and flawless for me.....:D
 
I always see threads like this with the sage 3 ruled out. Have no idea why i think its the best of the sage line. And also one of the best spydercos available, with also one of the best locks.
 
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