Not digging SS

J

jlamb

Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
211
I have a few spydies in stainless (dragonfly, delica, and the spin)- as my collection is growing, I am definitely starting to prefer other handle materials. Any one else like this? The feel of it and heaviness is definitely the negative for me.
 
Mine never make it into rotation. As a matter of fact I just gave away my Delica in SS. I don't like the weight, the slickness of the handle or the way they scratch up. Not slamming anyone who does, just not my thing.
 
I feel the same.
Though some people really like the heft and sturdiness which I can understand.
That is probably why Spyderco usually makes knives in other materials.
 
Rarely carry any of my plain stainless knives. On the other hand, these two definitely see pocket time.

antonio_montejano_engraved.jpg


marcus_hunt_engraved.jpg

To me that's where stainless excels, as a canvas for engraving.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
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I used to EDC SS Delica and Adventura. Heaviness was never a concern for me.
Stopped carrying these knives after Adventura slid from my hand while I cut some branches. They looked dry, but the tree retained some water after night. During first cut my hands got wet and I the knife slid of. This was the end of SS EDC. I still have few in my collection. I really like ATR.
 
To me that's where stainless excels, as a canvas for engraving.
Click to expand...

That is what I would have thought the inital purpose for the handle material was for. It makes perfect sense.
 
Between the weight and Spyderco using a very soft steel (I have a SS flashlight on my keychain that after a year of carry still looks good (Ignoring the ding where I dropped it on concrete)... by comparison Spyderco handles scratch when you look at them funny.), SS handles suck. I only have one knife with them (Lava) that I like, and that in spite of the handle. I'd love to see a FRN or micarta version.
 
I have a couple stainless steel spydercos (Endura and Police) and I don't carry them much at all. They do feel kind of heavy.
 
IMO SS handles work best for knives more along the lines of a gentlemans carry. Ive never had any problem when using them for items such as i.e..opening mail, cutting fruit/cheese, ect. For any harder use, i wouldnt carry them.
 
I love a heavier knife and always carry one. On the flip side I don't carry any SS models but I do collect them (Spydies Only).
 
The Deacon said:
To me that's where stainless excels, as a canvas for engraving.

Paul
Click to expand...

Nice stuff, reminds me of a gun shop in Poway CA a long time ago that had a ton of S&W and Colt handguns with full engraving. That place was great.
Wish I had known then.....
 
I bought a stainless Endura that I plan to have engraved so that I can give it to my brother as a wedding gift (need a separate gift for the bride, of course). He digs the stainless scales quite a bit.

I like the look of the stainless scales when new, but I'm not a fan of how heavy they are (particularly on a big knife like the Endura) and how easily they scratch. I don't notice scratching as much with FRN or G-10. Wood-handled knives can scratch too, but I think this gives them character. Overly scratched stainless just looks ratty to me.

I also have a good friend that loves them. He likes the durability of the scales, but I always argue that stainless is probably no more durable than FRN or G-10 versus most perils (unless you are talking about extreme heat, perhaps). I wonder if stainless is more prone to warping than FRN or G-10?

Engraving is definitely a plus for stainless. I've seen some really nice customized models, inlcuding the kiwis posted above.
 
Nice Kiwi Deacon! I need to get one of those. I agree with most of whats been said
about stainless scales. I do enjoy carrying around mine on occasion when I know the
days cutting chores aren't too demanding. They usually are a bit heavier but sure
slide onto the pant pocket nicely without wear on those jeans.
 
I never really liked SS scales.I would like to try a knife with tungsten scales though.
 
Share the same concerns re weight, slickness and scratching. Oly one of my SS Spydercos ever gets carried and that's the Lava. Still wished it had an FRN or G10 handle.
 
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