My quest for the perfect EDC

STR

STR

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What can I say? I have a lot of time to kill. I started thinking about my purchases of knives over time in my determined effort for the perfect EDC and it all came back to me why I made my own Calypso Jr. type body for my Salt 1 blade and lock bar when I did my upgrade.

Am I just picky or do some of you guys agree with some of my observations on just the Spyderco knives I've bought during my quest? Which one should be my next purchase? Opinions welcomed. I could have listed all but this is the Spyderco forum so we'll limit this discussion to just those. Besides whatever I carry for my EDC is going to be a Spydie 90% of the time anyway.


Spyderco Q nice but too collectible to use and pretty much light duty also although it does surprise.

Delica- point or guard on the FRN body that is in the way of the index finger when holding the knife. Doesn't allow you to choke up on the handle for better control of the blade. I like the old ones with the integral clip better than the new ones. Have had two old, a SE, PE new, and PE Stainless. Carried the old one from 92 for a while, but it never quite satisfied me.

Endura- too big and too blade heavy in FRN. Stainless to slick, and cold in winter. FRN just too light to give good balance to me..

Para-Mil- nice size blade but handle too big, tip down carry only. Love it or hate it lock.

Manix- Too big to be practical. Nice knife though. If they made this one in the same exact shape/configuration only in a Salt 1/Delica size knife it would be their best seller. IMO.

Chinook- same as Manix. Just too big and too specialized of a blade for an EDC.

Dodo- Neat little knife, nice lock but not good for food prep or practical cutting jobs for someone that likes using their EDC in the kitchen a lot. Too hard to sharpen due to the wierd blade shape also.

Calypso Jr.- Nearly a perfect knife. Right size, with great handle and choil rest for index, and a super blade but too small an opening hole and tip down carry only. Otherwise a front runner for their best knife, certainly the best feeling handle and grip IMO.

Catcherman- Great knife but too specialized for mostly food prep, light cutting and fillet work. Blade too flexible to be practical and knife is too long for comfortable carry as an EDC.

Viele 2- Also a near perfect knife. Smooth action but liner locker which dings it for me, and tip down carry only. Also too slick on micarta side and opening hole is too small in the blade.

Salt1- Once again a near perfect knife. With a CJ choil and tip up carry this would be the best knife Spyderco offers but the way it comes with the Delica body it has the same problems only at least the opening hole is the perfect size on the Salt blade. (14mm)

Native- Just not my cup of tea. No Spyder hump on the blade like the typical other Spydercos which put the opening hole too low for my thumb w/ the blade closed and just a too detail specific one way to hold the knife grip IMO.
 
Well, I have not bought or even held those. I will take those into consideration for my next purchase though. Actually, and coicidentally I just ran a want add for a Stretch so I must have been on the same wave length as you. ;)
 
since you mod em, why not try a caly jr blade on a native handle. That would be an awesome knife for me. It would give tip down and all. Also consider widening the hole. I mean it wouldnt be too horrible, just keep it quenched while you drill press it.
 
I'm going to give another vote for the Stretch.

The blade is flat ground, the steel is vg10, it has a choil (an almost must for me) with little grip serrations, the thumb hole is enlarged, and the blade is a nice EDC size (I think around 3.5) and the overall knife package seems to be rather slim and easy to carry.

The Scorpius is another nice knife that gets overlooked. The handles are all stainless but you could mod that for more grip. the blade has a nice utility shape, it has a choil, it isn't flat ground but the blade is thin so it should perform well, it has the enlarged hole, and it is also a bit tactical (the tail can be used as a non-lethal control device)

The Kopa in black micarta could also be a nice edc piece. The blade may be a bit small for some, but it's a great utility shape and flat ground vg10. the handle also seems ergonomic and has a choil

-Bryan
 
For me, the Stretch would be perfect if it had different handle inserts. Maybe G-10 or Micarta, and I'd buy one.

The Calypso Jr. is another one I'd buy if only it were available with G-10 handles. Heck, if it were available with an all screw construction dual steel liners, and FRN scales, I'd definitely go for it.

I like the Dodo, but if it were only available with a wharncliffe blade..I'd buy another one.
 
What about the Persian? Beautiful knife.

I guess you've already shot down the Para, but that'd be my pick.

Also try the centofante. I don't like how the lower end spydercos look and feel with the exception of the Centofante. It's in VG10 also. It's a little big and obtuse in the pocket thanks to its overtly large hilt, but when you're using it, you'll appreciate the hilt. Very grippy.
 
Hi STR:
I read your thread starter and found your opinions on the different Sydies you have had experience with to be of great interest. But I cannot recommend any specific model for EDC because I think most of us reprobate knife knuts have insatiable curiosity about steels, handle materials and designs and these tend to evolve over time. After a year of carry, that ATR might start to feel too heavy, even though the original idea was to have an EDC with the potential to handle the unforseen.

But in the knife world, most things are a tradeoff so, for instance, if you value great strength and durability, you cannot obtain the ultimate in light weight. If you value blade toughness over all else, you cannot get the ultimate in wear or stain resistance.

Some feel the combination of H1 and FRN is the best. But if, that H1 blade breaks in during some unexpected application leaving you with no knife when you most need it; Suddenly, a less rustproof, (presumably tougher steel might seem more attractive and light weight might not matter so much. It the tough blade rusts grievously in wet conditions with no rust inhibitor available, stainless may suddenly seem the way to go. We read or hear about all of these situations. The list of tradeoffs can go on and on.

Personally, I have insatiable curiosity about all the different knife variables combined with a financially fatal attraction to the exotic (mostly material and form, not cosmetics) and I am ficle. That's why I have so many knives.
From what I read of your thread starter (Please correct if wrong), your ideal EDC would be on the small side, lightweigt, rustproof, with tip-up carry and great ergonomics.

So I think the Salt 1 you fashioned for yourself is currently the best EDC for you! Stick with your own original creation until you see something so greatly improved, you can't resist.

There's alot of competition among the manufacturers and the marketers are always thinking of something new and (hopefully) better. For many of us knifies, that's what makes the world go round. Hope some of this makes sense without just restating the obvious.
..............Ron
 
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Interesting subject. I'm only interested in lockbacks, I just seem to be able to get on with them better than with any other locking system. I also much prefer smallish knives, so all the big ones are out.

My own shortlist goes like this:

Calypso Jr.: There's only one thing I don't like about this knife - I prefer a deep choil, like the one on the UK Penknife. Other than that it's nearly perfect for light cutting tasks. Blade geometry is perhaps the best in all Spydercos, and the light weight makes it ideal as an EDC. VG-10 is my faourite steel, I prefer it over S30V.

UK Penknife: That's in some ways a Calpyso Jr. on steroids. Not sure G10 is a better handle material than FRN, but it sure feels nicer. Best clip I've ever seen in a folder, ideal for really deep carry. Excellent blade geometry, to my mind the most ergonomic handle of *any* Spyderco. I'm still undecided about about the S30V, so far I tend to favour VG-10. The lack of a lock can be a distinct disadvantage of course. I had mine almost close on me when I was trying to cut a water melon a couple of days ago. Sure, it was my fault, but having carried lockbacks for so long I still sometimes forget my UK Penknife doesn't lock.

Native I: That's the odd one out. I normally much prefer flat grinds, and the cutting ability of the Native is clearly not up to the standard set by the Calypso Jr. and some other Spydercos. It seems me to be, however, somewhat tougher than the Calypso, and it feels really good on the hand. Looks a bit too aggressive in some situations.

What I'd quite like to see is a knife like the UK Penknife, but with a locking blade and in VG-10. I'd also quite like to see a similar knife with a 2 inch blade.

Hans
 
What about a Lil' temperance? It's pretty much a smaller manix. No coil but other than that, It's pretty much like it, but with a compresion, instead of a lockback.
 
Wow. Thanks so much for all the great responses. I have taken to heart all feedback and I have looked over the inventory of my favorite places to deal with. I could not find a Stretch in stock but I do have a want add placed for one used and will most likely end up with one of them in the future. I am sure there are some out there but I really put that one on the back burner.

I read each and every review and opinion. I do love my Salt 1 but I'm an addict so I have no reason to just keep one EDC right?

I ordered a Centefonte III from New Graham this evening as my first pick. From the pics I like everything about it. I will look it over when it arrives and if necessary tweak it to my liking by pimping it out like I have done some others.

In the mean time I will keep my eye out for a Lil Temperance, Stretch, and perhaps even a Kopa or Kiwi on the used market one day in the future.

Thanks again for the input and opinions.

Steve
 
STR said:
I ordered a Centefonte III from New Graham this evening as my first pick. From the pics I like everything about it. I will look it over when it arrives and if necessary tweak it to my liking by pimping it out like I have done some others.
Click to expand...

The Centofante III is an interesting knife. Very thin blade (2mm), the thinnest of any Spyderco I own (or owned in the past). It's one of the very few hollow-ground knives I really like; its slicing ability is IMO at least equal to that of the Calypso Jr. It's also a knife where I don't really miss the choil all that much, it fits my hands just beautifully. Obviously Spyderco paid a lot of attention to detail here, the handle is great. It's als a very elegant, slim knife.

In fact, I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been more coverage of the Centofante III in the forums. I think it deserves much more attention than it seems to be getting.

Hans
 
The choil thing almost made me pass on it. But the truth is I figure of all the ones I was looking at that this one has the highest chance of being discontinued in the future so I figured I better get it now so I'll know because it may be harder to come by later. The collaboration models don't seem to be offered as long. I did fall for the very elegant nature of the knife also.
 
STR,

I think a couple of those knives you discussed (Chinook I and SS Endura) were ones I either traded or sold to you. I must say you are one of the most analytical people I've ever met when it comes to finding the perfect knife. And I mean that in only the best way.

I think you are absolutely right when you talk about the Manix being almost perfect but perhaps too big for EDC. A smaller version would have the feel of a Paramil with a lockback.

The Chinook is also my other favorite, but a bit big for EDC. I vote for Spyderco to mini the Chinook and Manix so I can carry them to the office and not scare the bejesus out of everyone. I would still carry the full-size versions on the weekend.

Slatts
 
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