Need help loving Spyderco

I use the crap out of my Spydercos. That's all I own now. Agreed with others that Spyderco leans toward cutting ability and functionality. Some other companies tend to focus on making a broken knife(folder) as sturdy as a fixed blade, which I personally find to be lacking in logic.

When I want a knife that will cut anything I want, cut it well, stay sharp, open and close quickly and exactly the same every time, I use a Spyderco. When I want to try out an interesting new steel or lock, Spyderco has a ton of options. They are not pry bars or fixed blades to baton wood with. However, they are not knives to be babied either. I think it really depends on one's level of maturity/ignorance when it comes to how they use their knives. Using a folding knife as a baton will degrade the knife even if it doesn't destroy it. One day the knife will fail in part because of that, and you may lose a finger or two because of it. Using a folding knife as a prybar will likely result in it snapping the blade off.

You don't use a hammer to saw through a log, or a spoon to cut a steak. Tools have specific purposes they excel at, and when you use them for that, they will often surpass your expectations.
 
Spyderco....What's not to love ?
Great looks, ergos, designs and quality craftmanship, along with many blade steel choices & handle styles and sizes to
choose from, to fit the user's needs and preferences for a great carry knife, with the distinctive and user efficient Spydie
'Eye' Hole opener, as well.
Spyderco does makes the 'Bill Moran' fixed blade, that may be a fit for your needs, with perhaps some
light batonning, but it is not a full tang knife, and would likely serve one better as a hunter / skinner knfe.
So, with that said, there are plenty of more qualified, stouter Bushcraft knives available, with those tasks in mind.
;) B.T.B.
 
Billy The Blade said:
Spyderco....What's not to love ?
Great looks, ergos, designs and quality craftmanship, along with many blade steel choices & handle styles and sizes to
choose from, to fit the user's needs and preferences for a great carry knife, with the distinctive and user efficient Spydie
'Eye' Hole opener, as well.
Spyderco does makes the 'Bill Moran' fixed blade, that may be a fit for your needs, with perhaps some
light batonning, but it is not a full tang knife, and would likely serve one better as a hunter / skinner knfe.
So, with that said, there are plenty of more qualified, stouter Bushcraft knives available, with those tasks in mind.
;) B.T.B.
Click to expand...

Spyderco makes an excellent bushcrafter, as well as many sturdy fixed blades.
 
Glorified box cutters they are not. You know there comes a point when you have to stop doing internet research and just put one to the test yourself. You're obviously sufficiently interested so why not spend whatever is in your budget on a Spyderco and then come back in six months time and tell us what your experience has been?
 
If you are battoning with a folding knife, you should try grizzly bear hunting with a .22lr rifle......using the right tool and the tool that is designed for the specific task is critical.
 
OP you will need a tough chin around here when asking questions as a novice knife owner. When asking specific questions that focus on a specific brand, prepare for sarcasm and some knowledge. You will learn to sort it out. There are really good people here on the forums, and a lot can be learned. As for Spyderco, I own the full spectrum from cheap beaters (Ontario Rat 1) to tank level folders (ZT300) to top level construction (Chris Reeve Sebenza). I find that Spyderco has always led in my purchases due to their ability to have knives that meet or fit specific desires. For example: I had a Gayle Bradley and loved it, but chose to sell it because I wanted more of a finger choil for a more pronounced grip. Just searched around Spyderco's selections a bit and the options were many. You will find light carry-medium use folders to heavy carry-heavy use folders. You will find endless steel choices, custom collaborations, handle options in both colors and material, task specific blades both folder and fixed, and a company that takes pride in their product and values their customer base. There are a lot of great knives out there, by many good companies, but Spyderco makes you feel like you are part of the family when you stick around long enough. Keep researching, buy one off the used board here if you are on a tight budget, and don't take other's too serious. Good luck.
 
Until recently, I never gave Spyderco much thought either, but for different reasons than those you mention. But after holding a random Spyderco (Hungarian) I saw in a gun shop I absolutely fell in love with it. Many of the designs are pure utilitarian with ergonomics and cutting ability placed higher than aesthetics, although they do make some very fine looking models like the new Rubicon. While they definitely make some beefie models that could probably fell a tree I, like almost any other knife enthusiast, will never recommend batoning or chopping with a folder. While certain folders may survive it on the rare occasion you do it, it is considered abuse and can significantly impact the longevity of your knife's life, no matter the brand.

Spyderco makes fine knives. Especially if you enjoy cutting things.
 
If you are trying to judge Spyderco, keep in mind that there are a ton of models which feel very different... if most Spyderco fans recommend Paramilitary, Delica, Endura- you should definitely check those out before venturing outside of those models.
 
You make your judgement based solely on appearance. That's fine for a piece of artwork but knives are, first and foremost, tools. And tools are meant to be handled and used. That's where Spyderco knives excel. Go to a store and handle a few Spyderco models. Especially those models with the 50/50 choil. See how they fit your hand and consider how they will work for cutting stuff.

Folding knives (and box cutters) are designed for cutting. Machetes, hatchets, axes and some kitchen knives are designed for chopping. Don't judge a wrench by how well it drives a nail.
 
JeremiahWeaver09 said:
until you hold one for yourself you wont realize the quality. its hard to tell from just the pictures online.
Click to expand...

Same here. I didn't really care for the look of Spyderco knives. Other brands looked 'better' to me. Maybe cuz they were more 'traditional'.

But then, at a local Gun&Knife Show, I held a Sypderco - a Delica to be precise. OMG! Then a PM2, then an Endura, then back to the Delica. And I was HOOKED!


I too prefer a fixed blade, not a folder, for any bushcraft tasks unless in an emergency. Too many fine Bucks, Moras, ESEEs, and Beckers around for those tasks. ;)
 
Folder= cutting tasks

Fixed blade, axe, machete=batoning/chopping

You will eventually ruin ANY folder you baton or chop with. And Spydercos are the bomb.
 
smo1898 said:
Not at all, my knowledge of them goes as far as google image so my opinion really should hold no weight. Ive literally seen hundreds of people reviewing them with outstanding reviews so i was hoping for some expertise. Simply an assumption I've made my looking at pictures online, I have no leg to stand on in terms of bashing.
Click to expand...

Spyderco knives are designed primarily a knives for cutting stuff, and they do that extremely well. They also offer an extensive line up of knives that are legal across various European countries and all 50 states. They also offer a whole bunch of steels that not many other manufacturers can match. The ergonomics of their knives are good when you find one you do like. They are certainly not meant to be used as chopping tools, screw drivers, sledge hammers, or anything else, just plain old knives to cut stuff. That is a pretty broad summation you get the idea, hope it helps lift the fog a bit. Also, keep in mind, you don"have to" like Spyderco, as stated earlier on, buy what you like. There has been far too much of people wanting something that works to be something else that works, but differently. If you need something to split logs there are plenty of folding wedges/axe heads available for upwards of $600.
 
If you end up buying one, I would recommend starting with a Delica. At first I was incredibly put off by the FRN, but after putting the knife to use, I think it cuts better than my Domino, which is my favorite Spyderco. You just have to buy one to know, I personally hated their looks, but no one can argue with their functionality.
 
no need to try and "get" a certain style or brand. I started with a spyderco being my first real knife and have gone to different stuff lately. Still have a couple spydies but my 940 tends to stay in my pocket the most these days. Your tastes may change and you may discover them later on the path.
 
I never used to be a fan of Spyderco, this was based on seeing and handling only a select few. Once I looked into it further I found some I really liked. Spyderco has an EDC for just about everyone. They even have a few models designed for some tougher work. Personally i would avoid batoning with any folder but if I know I might need to beat up on a knife, I carry my ZT550.
 
If the only spydercos you were looking at pictures of we're FRN models like the delica or endura, I can almost see how you might think those things. To an untrained eye they may just look like a knife with a small plastic handle. That's far from the truth though. It's fiberglass reinforced nylon and they have steel liners. Add to that high quality craftsmenship which assures a knife that fits together well and you have a very nice tough knife.

As for other models like the military, manix, and like 50 others I can't see how people make the assumption that they're weaker knives. Those models all look tough to me. I think part of it is the sleek attractive designs and lines of the knives. They're not all big and fat like ZT for example.

Spydercos are great. Check out bladehq's field test of the paramilitary 2.
 
SIMPLE: Just go hold one. Or buy one and if you don't like it sell it. You won't lose much if any money on a good Spyderco, well purchased and kept ANIB. I wondered what all the fuss was about a Hinderer XM-18....so I bought one. Wonder what all the fuss is about a Sebenza 21...on order from factory. It really is easy. Just hold, buy, sell. That's the hobby brother. ;-)

Also, they don't all look the same. This is my current EDC "of the day". It's so smooth and tight it's ridiculous. Made in Seki Japan. I'm not in love with how the majority of leaf blades look when closed. They are wide bellied. But it doesn't stop me from buying them!


View attachment 488794
 
Last edited:
I'll add that I always respected Spyderco as a novice knife enthusiast, but didn't quite "get it" until I got myself a PM2 (S35VN)... My cheaper Spyderco knives always served a purpose and were reliable, but something about the construction, lockup, & smooth glide on the PM just pushed me over the edge into being a fan.

Also, take a look at the other thread going on about serrations:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1235848-Blade-serrations-Your-favourite

... even people who shy away from serrated blades (myself included) agree that Spyderco does it right (does it best IMO).
 
Why would you want to "love" a knife that costs two to four times what your Kabar Mule does and may not stand up to bashing as well? Sounds like you need a $500 folding sharpenned pry bar. :rolleyes:
 
So based on some pictures of a product you feel it isn't quality because it will not perform a task for which it was never designed? Makes sense. That's like saying this screwdriver sucks because it's lousy as a hammer. Use the right tool for the job and judge its performance on how it performs the task for which it was designed. Spyderco's are made to cut/slice. They are designed for your hand, not your eye. If you don't get that then maybe they aren't for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top