New to Spyderco

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RenegadeRows

Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
62
Hi everyone,

I decided my next purchase will be a spyderco. I can't ignore all of the positive feedback on here.

I was hoping everyone could give me some suggestions. What I'm looking for is a fast opening blade/lock style. Right now my EDC is a Minigrip and that thing zings open. I prefer something not in a liner lock, and a lock back is OK but I've found they aren't as quick to open. Does Spyderco have an equivilent to the axis lock?


Right now, this Spyderco D'Allara2 Rescue looks pretty awesome.
Also looking at the Native

Thanks for your help!
 
Spyderco has a ball lock, which is similar to an Axis lock but uses a ball for the lockup instead of a bar. I don't know how they'd be for flicking, though. What you might find with Spydercos is that the opening hole, especially the larger ones on the E4s, D4s, Paras, and Millies, is so much quicker to find and use than a thumb stud or disk, that you can open the knife as fast as an A/O would open or as fast as flicking an Axis lock.

There are also several waved Spyderco models... the Endura 4, Delica 4, and P'Kal. These will open as you draw the knife from your pocket once you get the motion down.
 
dalefuller said:
Spyderco has a ball lock, which is similar to an Axis lock but uses a ball for the lockup instead of a bar. I don't know how they'd be for flicking, though. What you might find with Spydercos is that the opening hole, especially the larger ones on the E4s, D4s, Paras, and Millies, is so much quicker to find and use than a thumb stud or disk, that you can open the knife as fast as an A/O would open or as fast as flicking an Axis lock.

There are also several waved Spyderco models... the Endura 4, Delica 4, and P'Kal. These will open as you draw the knife from your pocket once you get the motion down.
Click to expand...

What's the difference between the wave models and a normal spyderco?
 
The wave models have small 'wave' on the blade that catches the lip of your pocket as you draw it from said pocket.

wavedendura07.jpg


That small 'wave' on top of the blade catches the edge of your pocket, which makes the blade open as soon as it is out of your pocket. Basically the fasted way to open a knife.
 
These guys aren't kidding, you really can't get a knife open faster than with a wave.

Trust me, I've tried ;)
 
you can flick open a d'allara but the wave is still faster. you can't go wrong with either.
 
RenegadeRows said:
Does Spyderco have an equivilent to the axis lock?
Click to expand...


They have a stronger and equally fast opening knife. The compression lock IMHO is a genius lock design. If you press the lock by pinching it and swing your hand the same way you do with your axis BM it will open just as fast. When it locked, its almost impossible (relatively speaking) to cause failer.

When any force is applied the the spine, the lock gets compressed between the tang and stop pin. The greater the pressure on the spine, the harder the lock engages. I think the liners and G-10 would give out before the lock would give out, or the stop pin would be ripped out. I really do not see this happening, unless you put it in a press. I have never heard of a compression lock failure. Thats not to say it can't. ;)

A fixed blade is always the strongest, but I feel the compression lock is pure Spyderco genius. :thumbup: The compression lock can be found on the Para, Lil Temp, Yojimbo, Salsa, ATR and maybe more. I have only been a Spydie nut for about 2 years so I might not have them all listed. :cool:

My dream come true would be a compression locked SE Mili in any "super" steel with OD Green G-10. ;)
 
+1 for a waved Delica or Endura. Here's a vid from You Tube with someone demonstrating drawing a waved Endura into different grips. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK6lOTz1Ebs

It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it down, it's really slick. The one drawback is that it can really tear up the edge of your pocket, so as the info sheet that comes with the knife says, "Don't try this in your Armani slacks."
 
So-Lo said:
They have a stronger and equally fast opening knife. The compression lock IMHO is a genius lock design. If you press the lock by pinching it and swing your hand the same way you do with your axis BM it will open just as fast. When it locked, its almost impossible (relatively speaking) to cause failer.

When any force is applied the the spine, the lock gets compressed between the tang and stop pin. The greater the pressure on the spine, the harder the lock engages. I think the liners and G-10 would give out before the lock would give out, or the stop pin would be ripped out. I really do not see this happening, unless you put it in a press. I have never heard of a compression lock failure. Thats not to say it can't. ;)

A fixed blade is always the strongest, but I feel the compression lock is pure Spyderco genius. :thumbup: The compression lock can be found on the Para, Lil Temp, Yojimbo, Salsa, ATR and maybe more. I have only been a Spydie nut for about 2 years so I might not have them all listed. :cool:

My dream come true would be a compression locked SE Mili in any "super" steel with OD Green G-10. ;)
Click to expand...
I agree with So-Lo. The comp. lock is really to Spyderco what the Axis is to Benchmade. They represent different philosophies of design and both locking mechanisms are among the best the respective companies have to offer.

Where the compression lock truly shines over the Axis is that it is even more debris- and particulate matter-resistant by its nature, and that there are no parts to break or lose (the Axis' Achilles heel is its omega springs). Both are easy to use and a simple matter to disengage without putting fingers in the path of the blade.

I'll also agree that you're gonna be hard pressed to find faster knives than the waved models, but a compression lock knife like the Paramilitary feels like it gets awfully close.
 
Thanks alot for all the great information guys. You truly have a wealth of knowledge here.

I'm seriously considering the Dragonfly for my purchase. Can anyone give me some feedback on that particular model?? Thx
 
RenegadeRows said:
I'm seriously considering the Dragonfly for my purchase. Can anyone give me some feedback on that particular model?? Thx
Click to expand...

It's a nice little knife, as long as you are right-handed (RH only clip). The full flat ground blade makes it an excellent slicer.

If you don't mind a little extra weight, I would go with the etched Stainless Steel version. It costs more, but you get a VG-10 blade along with scales (handles) that are really cool looking, and grippier than plain SS.

Tom
 
catamount123 said:
It's a nice little knife, as long as you are right-handed (RH only clip). The full flat ground blade makes it an excellent slicer.

If you don't mind a little extra weight, I would go with the etched Stainless Steel version. It costs more, but you get a VG-10 blade along with scales (handles) that are really cool looking, and grippier than plain SS.

Tom
Click to expand...

I saw the etched version. Very snazzy looking knife. :) Not sure if it would be worth the extra money, something I'll have to think about.

I'm waiting to hear back from a coworker of mine, if she decides to call in sick like she did yesterday, I'll be forced to work a double shift, and also I'll be forced to order one of these babies to make myself feel better :)
 
RenegadeRows said:
Thanks alot for all the great information guys. You truly have a wealth of knowledge here.

I'm seriously considering the Dragonfly for my purchase. Can anyone give me some feedback on that particular model?? Thx
Click to expand...


The Dragonfly is awesome. It's not the fastest opener though. The blade is really light, so it doesn't have the momentum to flick it open easily. It took a few weeks of regular use before the action loosened up enough on mine to be able to do it at all. It opens plenty fast enough for me though. I use mine for a work knife in a warehouse. The flat ground blade zips through cardboard better than the Delica, and handles everything else just as well. If you're looking for a work knife, the Dragonfly may be just the thing for you. If self defense is your thing, then I still recommend a Waved Delica or Endura for fast opening and a bigger blade.
 
Salamander42 said:
The Dragonfly is awesome. It's not the fastest opener though. The blade is really light, so it doesn't have the momentum to flick it open easily. It took a few weeks of regular use before the action loosened up enough on mine to be able to do it at all. It opens plenty fast enough for me though. I use mine for a work knife in a warehouse. The flat ground blade zips through cardboard better than the Delica, and handles everything else just as well. If you're looking for a work knife, the Dragonfly may be just the thing for you. If self defense is your thing, then I still recommend a Waved Delica or Endura for fast opening and a bigger blade.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great info.

Does the Endura (non wave) open faster than the Dragonfly?

Could anyone please discuss quickly the differences between the Endura, Delica and DF? Respectively without touching on the wave or steel. Is the only main difference size?
 
Hi RenegadeRows,

If you're looking for an extremely fast, high quality Spyderco with a lock roughly equivalent to an Axis, the Paramilitary or Yojimbo would be your best bet, IMO. Both are nearly perfect knives. By "perfect" I mean that there is hardly a single facet of their design, materials, construction, or finish that can be improved upon.
 
moonwilson said:
Hi RenegadeRows,

If you're looking for an extremely fast, high quality Spyderco with a lock roughly equivalent to an Axis, the Paramilitary or Yojimbo would be your best bet, IMO. Both are nearly perfect knives. By "perfect" I mean that there is hardly a single facet of their design, materials, construction, or finish that can be improved upon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info moonwilson. Actually, I've narrowed my search down to the Endura and Dragonfly. I'm leaning towards the Endura, because while the main purpose of my knife is not self defense, it is always something I keep in mind. I beleive the dragonfly would be too small in that case...

Any input between the endura vs. dragonfly, IE likes, dislikes, would be great. Is the only difference the size?
 
Well, I went with the Delica-4, VG-10 combo blade with a regular black handle.

Thanks for all your help everyone :)
 
RenegadeRows said:
Well, I went with the Delica-4, VG-10 combo blade with a regular black handle.

Thanks for all your help everyone :)
Click to expand...

That's a great start. The Delica has been around almost as long as Spyderco. It's one of the knives that defines what Spyderco is about.

But don't get the idea that it'll be your last Spyderco...
 
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