Picking the first one!

C

calebj06

Joined
Sep 16, 2016
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27
Ok guys, I'm gonna ask for some educated help.

I will start by saying I understand that it's a personal preference. I know it's gotta fit my hand. I just want some opinions.

I'm looking to buy my first spidie.
This one will be more of a carry item. Not just for looking at.
I'm 6'2. Not huge hands but not tiny. Just average
I do construction/service type work. A lot of wiring, drilling holes in houses, plumbing, working on all sorts of stuff.

BUT IVE NEVER BEEN A KNIFE GUY. just never carried one.

My pockets are already pretty full. Good size key ring front pocket. CCW in one rear pocket, check book/ wallet in the other rear pocket.

What I'm saying is I don't want something big. A para 2 is the only one I've got my hands on yet and that's defiantly too big!!

I'm thinking 2.5"-3" Max.

I want something that I can use hard. I'm the mud, wash it off and stick it in my pocket.
And here's another thing, since I'm not a knife guy I've never sharpened either!! So I'm gonna have to learn but it will be slow I'm sure.


Ok, so far I'm liking a few different ones.
Delica 4- cuz everyone says you have to have at least 1. Seems the right size. Cheap enough that I wouldn't cry if I lost it or broke it. Comes in bright colors so harder to loose on the job.

Chaparral- especiallythe carbon fiber one. SEXY. A little smaller (I like) a little more pricy (don't like).
Is it as tough as the Delica? Would you guys carry and USE this knife? Is this a USA made knife?

Manix 2- looks a little too big? Thoughts?

Native 5- looks about right. Don't know much about it though. Why this one over the delica??

Sage- haven't really figured these out yet. Same 3" blade length. What's the hype on these??


Ok and last but not least, STEEL?
I'm so new it's silly. But I'm trying.
S30v?
S90v- better than s30v?
S110v- better than 90?

What steel is best for everyday using? No not chopping down trees, just stripping wire, deburring pipe, sharpening pencils.

Thanks for all the help. I've been reading a ton but sometimes it's just best to ask!

Caleb

ETA: I forgot to add. IM A SUCKER FOR BLACK BLADES! Just love them!
 
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The Delica is probably a good choice if the PM2 is too big for you. Also check out the Dragonfly if small appeals to you. It was my first and I carried it everyday for 2 years. Awesome little big knife.

You pretty much hit the ascending order on your steel list. VG10 is easy to sharpen, but doesn't hold an edge as long as the higher end steels. It's a good steel though. You'll pay more the higher you move up that list.

And another thing...your first won't be your last! So don't worry too much about it. You'll have a small collection before you know it. ;)
 
Delica and Dragonfly are both good options. Also, as you say you want something tough that you can use hard and put away wet, you should definitely check out the Salt line! They are made with a fully rustproof steel (H1) and are very tough. Both the Delica and Dragonfly designs are available in the salt line as the "Salt 1" and "Dragonfly Salt".
 
I will also say Delica. Sounds like it checks off all the boxes for you. BUT, if USA made is a must-have, then I would say Native 5. My recommendation would also be to get yourself a Spyderco Sharpmaker when you order the knife. Definitely the best bang-for-the-buck sharpening system out there. Simple to learn and very effective.
 
I'd say Delica or Native 5 LW.

Also consider, you can carry a knife IWB. Not quite as easy as carrying in a pocket but I do it quite often with a Manix 2 LW and Paramilitary 2, as well as other knives.
 
The Delica was my first Spyderco. Definitely a good one to start with. And VG10 isn't that hard to sharpen. Now I mostly carry a Pacific Salt, but the Delica still sees some pocket time.
 
The Delica was my first Spyderco and I put it to some pretty hard use (I work in construction) and it performed like a champ. Since then I have added a stable of Spyderco's and have to admit the Paramilitary 2 is my favorite of all time (I have 2). The ergonomics is unlike any other knife. Also agree the Spyderco Sharpmaker is a must have to keep that blade sharp. Just my two cents worth

T
 
I do the same kinda work.. I have a "couple" Spyderco's....

Here's what helps me.. picture's!
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Started with a DF2(wife's mistake, for getting me one for my Bday) the sickness flourished from there!
Solid little "big" knife!
I had/have many after that...

I thought the PM2 was Big, when I first started carrying it.. now it's just normal and one of my most carried, for work..

The Manix is Great! Wide, but disappears in the pocket. (I just carried mine for the last couple days). Lock is smooth and locks up solid! (They also sell them with black blades)

The Chaparral, not meant for our line of work. I carry mine for nicer events.. weddings, Christmas, etc..
Blade and handle are thinner.

Delica.. it's nice, it's light, it's skinny, etc..(not speaking about my G10 model, I have a few,lol..) I don't carry one for work..

Now... What I hear you asking for, is a stout, solid, comfortable in hand and pocket, worker of a knife!

Native 5, all day!!!

I had 20+ different Spyderco. Before I bought a N5.. I carried it for almost 2 months, exclusively! (Which has only ever happened with that one knife!) I typically switch it up, pretty often. Sometimes daily.. lol..

It covers all the bases and then some.. so much, I gave my wire clip idea to Boomer52 and had custom scales made for it.. then I bought a backup!

Blade steel.. I would recommend s30v.. vg10 doesn't last as long..
S90v and s110v will stay sharp longer, but they will chip and take longer to sharpen..

But if you snag a stone, daimond plate, or most useful, a Sharpmaker and a cheap knife.. you can practice up in sharpening, before you put your new Spyderco to a stone..
(The maintenance section has Loads of sharpening knowledge!)
 
Thx winnerone

Can you list this knifes in the pic in the order that they are. So I know which is which.

Thx
 
Left to right and bottom to top
be502489bbd578f3688975a2200b13af.jpg

PM2, Manix, Delica, N5, DF2..

Any other knifes, you want to see or pics you want. Just ask..
Troy
 
I think the Native 5 sounds like it would check all your boxes. I think it will be a little tougher for you than a Delica (the blade stock and back lock are a little thicker and heavier duty than the Delica) but it's still lightweight and smaller than a Paramilitary 2. Also a nice steel upgrade in S35VN on the Native 5 over the VG10 on a Delica. It will hold an edge for you pretty well while you get around to getting a sharpener (definitely recommend a Spyderco Sharpmaker).
 
I initially recommended the Delica but the above posters have made some valid points about the Native and it may be the right model for you. It's a bit more "heavy duty" than the Delica and the new backlock on the Native 5's is the best I have ever used. Rock solid.
 
I'm really liking that native 5.

Now the biggest question about it (or any of them actually)
FRN or G10? For dirty use. I'm in the dirt laying piping almost daily.
Which one is easier to clean?

I see that the frn is much cheaper, but it's also OUT OF STOCK at gpkinves.com (which is actually local to me. Only about an hour away. I'm going in 2 weeks!!!!).
 
The G10 is grippy, but not like the FRN..

The handle material doesn't make the inside of the knife any different to clean, IMO..
So it's preference..

What blade steel do you want? What comes with the FRN model, you are looking at?
I have the CF/s110v sprint.(both that I have).. it was more for the CF then the blade steel, but now I have 3 with that blade steel and they just stay Sharp!
 
calebj06 said:
I'm really liking that native 5.

Now the biggest question about it (or any of them actually)
FRN or G10? For dirty use. I'm in the dirt laying piping almost daily.
Which one is easier to clean?
Click to expand...

With no liners, the LW is a bit easier to keep clean if you're doing dirty work. Less metal parts to get gritty or rusty too if exposed to a corrosive environment. The frn texture is also nice and grippy. For a work knife I would choose the LW for sure.
 
winnerone23 said:
The G10 is grippy, but not like the FRN..

The handle material doesn't make the inside of the knife any different to clean, IMO..
So it's preference..

What blade steel do you want? What comes with the FRN model, you are looking at?
I have the CF/s110v sprint.(both that I have).. it was more for the CF then the blade steel, but now I have 3 with that blade steel and they just stay Sharp!
Click to expand...

Cough cough.......are you trying to say maybe you have 1 too many and need to get rid of one?? COUGH COUGH.


Lol.
My options are
FRN s35vn-$83 currently out of stock
FRN blue s110v- $110 hadn't really looked at the blue yet
G10 s35v- $131. (Really tops in my price range. Would almost rather have 2 $60-$80 knives right now) unless of course someone has an extra carbon fiber that they want to move.........cough.


I seem to be getting sick. Wonder if it's from a spider bite or something. 😷
 
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