Newbie Spyderco Question

Z

zyx345

Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
5
Hello,

I am looking to get a mid priced Spyderco folder. I plan to use it for utility & as a carry/self defense item for jogging at night. I would also like the kife to be durable & smooth. I have narrowed my choices down to 3 models:

*Endura
*Native
*Delica

Would these models be sufficient? Also if anyone owns one of these models, can you tell me about the smoothness & durability? Thanks in advance for your posts. :)
 
I have been carrying an Endura(SE) for almost 10 years now. Great knife, has cut everything I asked it too and then some. But a tad big in some people's eyes. So I bought a Delica about 9 1/2 years ago. :)Great combo, Endura(SE) and Delica(PE). I don't own a Native, I don't like the blade shape. I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't like the Native, but who cares what I like. :)
My vote is for the Delica.


Blades
 
I would go with the Endura. The extra blade length would be useful since you intend to use if for self defense. The Delica is too small for my hand and I'm not crazy about the Native either. There is nothing wrong with any of the knives you mentioned, it's all personal preference really.
 
Endura FRN. It is light in weight and has the excellent VG-10 steel.

Endura stainless. It is solid, looks great, and comes with the very good AUS-6 steel.
 
glockman99,

Is Spydercos AUS-6 any better than CRKT's?

I had a few CRKT knives and could not stand their AUS-6. They must have a bad heat treating process or something.
 
Hey, a fellow Jerseyan :D

You're not gonna go wrong with any of the models you listed. (As long as you steer clear of the $20 "first generation" Natives)

The Endura and Delica are pretty much the same knife. You just have to decide which size you prefer. I personally find the Delica more generally useful, and I'm still unconvinced that the extra inch of blade would make that much difference in a cut-and-run-like-hell situation. Keep it sharp, and it'll do just about anything you need (I'd still be carrying mine daily if I hadn't tracked down a Calypso Jr...)

The Native is a much more personal knife. If it fits your hand well, it'll be the best of the three, easily. If it doesn't, you obviously won't like it. Find one at a knife shop first (whereabouts in jersey are you?), and handle it for a few minutes. It felt weird and uncomfortable to me at first, but I warmed up to it pretty quickly.

Good luck!
 
Welcome to BladeForums!

As the others have said, nothing beats handling the knives yourself if you can. I own each of the three knives you mentioned. I love the blade shape of the Native. Its what attracted me to the knife in the first place. But, once I received it, I found that it just didn't feel right in my hand. My wife bought me a 50/50 Delica at A.G. Russells and its hardly left my pocket these last four years. The handle fits my hand like it was made for it. I ordered an Endura, but it feels too big for my hand, so it lives in my truck. For me, the Delica is the perfect knife. I've carried it so much that I can draw, cut, and replace the knife in my pocket before most people even realize what I have done. That's what you call muscle memory!!:D

Good luck in your choice,
Flinx
 
Flinx> thats what it's like with my SS PE 'Fly... carry IWB 95% of the time... soon on it's way to Eric "Normark" for a necksheath to use for work... easier to use when squatting if you want a knife. Had to dig for my Calypso jr lt clipped L/F today, just to cut a bag for a tighter fit.

I can draw, cut, and be closing it before you even realize I had it out. The the replace step takes a bit more time to do.
 
Ok i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong here, but in his question of smoothness the Native will win every time hands down.
This i believe is because the area/mass at the piviot is wider therefore allowing a small amount of leeway on how tight you have to have the piviot to begin with.
That being said the new model Endura/Delica being thinner at the piviot means it HAS to start out somewhat tighter than the thicker pre 98 models to allow for wear.
When i bought my N/M Delica i whined like a baby, tried every lube on earth, sanding, endless Spydie drops.
Finally it started to work in and now it's as smooth as an Native out there.
I'm done rambling now, my point being EXPECT a tad longer break in time with the Endura or Delica.
And i agree that the Native design isn't for everyone.
My advice is the same, play with them all then.....choose the CE Endura. Ron:rolleyes:
 
I have a pre-1996 Endura with Spyderedge and love it. I also have two Delicas one is SS/PE and the other is FRN/CE. I can't speak to the Native, since I don't have one yet. Any choice would be a good one but I would go with the FRN Delica if I were you.
 
I have a pre-1996 Endura with Spyderedge and love it. I also have two Delicas one is SS/PE and the other is FRN/CE. I can't speak to the Native, since I don't have oneyet. Any choice would be a good one but I would go with the FRN Delica if I were you.
 
I'd say actually the Native.
The extra swell on the FRN makes it much more grippier.
I like the blade shape.
Frankly I think if you boiled down to self defence you're better off with a fix blade...
For self defence purposes, it's more about where to strike than blade length. Training is probably more important than just the blade itself.
 
Delica SE.

I find myself carrying it even on weekends when I can carry what I like. Great handle, VG-10 steel, and a little bit of plain edge at the tip for fine cutting. Combine that with the smooth opening and it's a winner.

I have this one and the Endura. I also plan to get the Native but I doubt if it will replace the Delica.

It is the best designed knife I've handled. The fact that it disappears in the pocket makes it that much better.
 
ALL good choices!;) Have SS PE Delica with engraving that I don't use, but keep for "keepsake's" sake.
Native (bought for me by a friend )
not my EDC either, but WELL MADE (&
"ergonomic" ;)) Endura : HAD in SE but sent along to forumite vampyrewolf;) IMHO blades kinda long
to be carrying if ever stopped by the "coppers" ;) Recommendation :
Native, in one of it's many configurations ( SS PE, SS CE, FRN PE, FRN CE;)) For BEST PRICE, e-mail forumite glasshartt, she'll "accomodate" below MSRP

GlassHartt@aol.com

AET;) (ATE on "home" forum ;))

OBTW : WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!;)
 
Originally posted by ElectricZombie
glockman99,

Is Spydercos AUS-6 any better than CRKT's?

I had a few CRKT knives and could not stand their AUS-6. They must have a bad heat treating process or something.
Click to expand...
Yes, TO ME it seems that Spyderco's rendition of AUS-6 steel is the best.
 
well I think Spyderco tend to heat treat the AUS6 harder than the CRKTs.
 
Welcome aboard. I just can't find words enough to praise the FRN Delica. It is featherweight, great steel (VG-10), good ergonomics, its 3" blade complies most legal limitations (yet:() and the price is good too.
 
Hi Zyx345. Welcome to the Spyderco forum. thanx for coming by.

I think I would first check the local laws regarding the legal blade length for carry in your area. The Endura can be large for come locales.

As far as cutting ability, ergos, reliability, lock strength, durability....all of the models are good. Personal preference here is most important. Try to get them into your hands if possible.

Teeth bite deeper by at least double.

sal
 
<babble on>
Well, I just had to change my EDC today... too lazy to sharpen right now.

I was down at the Post Office, and when I went to cut packing tape(non fibre stuff), I used my Calypso jr lt(most sheepl friendly one I have right now) by jabbing the tip through, and slicing... well, it wasn't sharp enough... was tearing the tape.

I had to use my FRN CE Native to cut with(didn't want to pull the millie with an extra 1" in the post office)... my C52PBK is sitting on my dresser waiting to be sharpened when I get back from work tommorrow(at 1700hrs)...

sharpened it 2 weeks ago, used at work... cuts cardboard, but doesn't shave (or apparently cut tape)... Time to take it to the 204 and toss another 30 on it(I do freehand other than the 5-6month shot on the 204 to maintain the bevel).

My Native cuts well, and holds a nice edge(have to find out how to get the wire off the edge though, used for 3 months and it's still there)... but has enough movement in the pivot that from locked, I can grab the tip and see the lockbar move above the scales.

After I get the SE Endura from ATE, I'm sending it in to get fixed.
</babble>

<b>You will find any spyderco knife to be a great buy.</b> I own 8, have given 5 as gifts, and have another 4 or 5 coming in the next 2 weeks(Linda sent my Meerkat (nav style PE)on Wednesday, ATE sent a SE Endura and Tan CE Salsa on Tuesday, Hawkbill sent a Blue CE Salsa on Tuesday, and John (last name reserved) sent a Green CE Salsa today(trade).

I owned my FRN PE Delica(in ATS-55) for 3yrs, then gave it to my friend about 3 months ago. It was still solid and smooth after much abuse. I had the tip busted by my father(he was twisting the tip in wood), but thats it for damage. I used it to put up our shed... cutting shingles and tarpaper, and in our house to lay the hardwood... cutting foam and carpet...
Working on the shed it was dropped from the roof a few times. Only a 15' drop onto cement once, the rest were onto the gravel. <b>Tough little bugger.</b>
 
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