One and only one Spyderco

DallasSTB

DallasSTB

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Ok gentleman (and the occasional lady), based on Sal Glesser's postings in this thread, I feel that I owe it to the man to try his slicing products.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7454391&postcount=49

His professionalism and his courtesy compel me. Simply due to style preferences, I've never bought a Spyderco. I have drawers full of other knives - CRK's, BM's, Case, McCusta, Buck, etc., but not a single one of Sal's knives. I do have a Sharpmaker and use it almost daily.

So, all you Spydie fans please chime in and let me know this - If you have to recommend one, and only one, Spyderco knife that is representative of all that is good in Spydie-land, which one is it? Cost? Well, let's say $100 more or less. That's sort of their Wonderland, isn't it? Let me know the virtues of the knife you recommend as well - style, materials, price-point. You know, more than just saying "Tenatious" or "Delica is the One!!! Why?

Please let me know and I will appreciate your responses.
 
ive always thought the military series to be about the best they offer.

strong lock, light and slim, variety of steels/scales. the only thing i would add would be a tip up carry option. the "base" model with s30v can be had for near your budget, and the d2 model is also near the same price. black, orange, or green scales (d2) available.

if you prefer a backlock, the police 3 is pretty great as well.

also light and slim, 4 clip positions, very good steel. with this model i would like to see some steel and scale variety, and it may be slightly over your budget.

both are large folders with blades in the 4" range. for something smaller, consider the delica or endura, which are similar to the p3 in a smaller package and for less $$.


otherwise, it would help to know some of your preferences re: steel, size, lock, color, etc.
 
I've always liked the Caly 3, and have wanted to try out the Sage. Clean, simple design with nice leaf-shaped blades just do it for me. I also love that they're incredibly thin, making them great slicers.
 
I guess if you are looking for a slicer and the essence of the Spyderco line you might want to go with the FFG G10 Delica or Endura. My pick would be the Endura.... I prefer the bigger handle and ample blade for draw cuts. Also, the Endura has a back lock. I think Spyderco.... I think back lock. I wish you all the best in finding the Spyder that suits you and your needs..... I'm still looking :o
 
Get Police - whether old or new one. In my opinion Police is an essence of spyderco.
Old one is the essence of 80-90 spyderco, and police 3 is the one for next generation.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
..otherwise, it would help to know some of your preferences re: steel, size, lock, color, etc....
Click to expand...

This is funny because it intentionally left it out. I wanted to hear your recommendations on their own merits. My preferences keep steering me away from Spydie's at the last minute.

But I should probably help narrow things down a bit in a very wide field -

- Blade size 3-4", non serrated, satin
- Ergonics are important - decent handle type and style
- Carry size is important because I pocket clip carry 90% of the time. Low ride clips are better. That's reason I didn't get a Military already.
- Steel type isn't really an issue simply because MOST of the production knives in this range from good manufactures are decent and get the job done - VG10, S30V, 154CM, etc,etc.
- Use is mainly light slicing and cutting, not too hard. I've got that covered with other blades. BUT, recommendations again....
- Color doesn't really matter but prefer black, green, other basics. No blue, orange, pink.
- Prefer locking blade but at this level don't really care if it's lockback, liner lock, or whatever. For >$150 I prefer framelocks, especially with Ti models.

Hope that helps and thanks again
 
I just got the Para, and it is great for my every day tasks. Sits nice in the pocket too for being tip down carry. Mine has the green G10 scales which offers a great grip, and the size of the handle makes for great control. Not to big not to small, ahh just right. Another That appeals to me that I may just have to get is the Leafstorm, looks to be a good little knife. G10, Titanium fram lock, and S30V.
 
Sage 2 would be my recommendation.

3" FFG S30V Blade
Titanium Framelock
Low riding wire pocket clip
Feels very nice in hand
Thin blade and blade grind is great for slicing

Send me an email and I can send you a source for one for a very good price.
 
For a little more than a 100 you can get the Caly 3 with carbon fiber handles. Or my preference for a little less than $100 would be the made in the USA Manix 2 with CPM154 steel and G10 handle. You won't find a smoother folder. I just purchased this knife around a month ago and it is a high quality knife and a very fair value.

I also have the Native 4 with VG-10 steel and Carbon Fiber handles. This is a smaller knife than the Manix Two. It is made in Japan but also is a quality knife. The only place I know of selling them for less than 150..well actually less than 100 is Knife Center. It's a steel at 91.00 dollars. punt intended!

Good Luck and let us know what you think after you receive your first.

Silenthunterstudio......wish I could blow your avitar up bigger!!!!!

.

Bill
 
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Spyderco Stretch with the FRN handles and VG-10 blade is absolutely the best knife in that price range in my opinion. Especially if it's not going to be used for extremely hard tasks. The ergonomics are the best I've seen from this brand (rivaling some small fixed blades I own), pocket clip is excellent, blade design is perfect for almost anything requiring a blade under four inches, and you're able to grip the knife a thousand ways (some hyperbole?... haha) making it easy to use it for any task.
 
For a low riding clip and slicing in basic black with a 3" blade I'd recommend the Caly 3. G10 scales give it a warm feel and classy look.

Caly3_1.jpg
 
My over all favorite is the FFG G10 Endura. It is very robust mid-lock design and an excellent slicer. It, as of now, only comes in foliage green which I like very much.

Note also, the Endura will be coming out (early next year?) with FFG FRN Endura. Don't know the price, but am sure it is <$100. The regular Endura 4 with the saber grind is an excellent all round work knife.

Vinny
 
The Endura in FRN...similar knives built Spyderco, and it has all the classic features.
 
Stretch 2 in FRN and ZDP for a bigger EDC

Caly 3 with carbon fiber and ZDP for a smaller EDC

Manix 2 for a more heavy duty knife

All can be had for right around your price range at the 'shoppe' If you can't find a good price send me a message and I will point you in the right direction.
 
I've owned a lot of Spydies. Among those I have now, I'd rank them:

  1. Military
  2. Endura (USN Forum)
  3. Police (SS)
  4. Caly 3 (ZDP/CF)
  5. Pacific Salt
  6. Paramilitary

    It's close, though.

I've owned and sold the following:

  • Byrd Wings
  • Captain
  • Cricket
  • Delica Wave
  • Endura 3
  • Jester
  • Kiwi
  • Ladybug
  • Leafstorm
  • Manix (80mm)
  • Native
  • Native IV
  • Phoenix
  • Poliwog
  • Rescue
  • Spin
  • Spydercard
  • Tasman Salt
  • Tenacious
  • T-Mag
  • Vesuvius
  • Volpe
 
I am not a Spyderco fan, and I only have one of their knives, the Persistence. It is a great knife and has served me well for the past couple of months. But I post to say that whenever a question arises concerning a Spyderco knife you generally hear about the following 4 knives; Military, Caly III, Endura, and Delica. These must be the most mentioned knives on the forum with the above question. Now I feel, though I am not a real fan of this brand, that the sheer number of people that mention these 4 knives can't all be wrong, and that all four of these must be really good knives. If I could have only one I think I would go with the Caly III in CF/ZDP, or one of the newer Militaries, one with double liners.:)
 
The Military is hands down my personal favorite knife for primary EDC, if you want something smaller the Caly 3 is my detail cutter.
Or if you want something between the size of those two you could get the Stretch, which is said to be Sal's favorite knife.
 
DallasSTB said:
...that is representative of all that is good in Spydie-land, which one is it?
Click to expand...


The Endura 4 gets my vote. Looks great, very slender, extremely light for its size, VG10 steel, excellent ergonomics, comes with FRN handles or G10 long enough to fit large hands, 4-position pocket clip, smooth opening and solid lockup. When i think Spyderco i get a mental image of the Endura.

Cant go wrong with it.
 
The Spyderco UKPK. It is the same design as the Caly 3, with an even deeper choil. The steel is CPM-S30V and it has full G10 scales (either black, green or orange). The low-riding clip makes it very sheeple-friendly. Even though it is technically a slip-joint, it is very sturdy (I've been using it to open packages and break down boxes and it has yet to close on me). The deep finger choil is a built-in defense against injury as the blade will pinch your finger as it closes. It also has all-screw construction so you can clean it completely.

Oh, and the UKPK is less expensive than the Caly 3. :thumbup:
 
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