Please have mercy on me, but I seriously need to understand this...

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
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I just rec'd a spyderco catalog in the mail, along with a Benchmade, CRKT, and Cold Steel and Gerber. My observation of the Spyderco line:

All of the knives, with a few exceptions, look VERY similar. All of the others have a much larger variety of looks of their knives.

Let me say, I have had one Spyderco, and it is truly a great knife. That said, why such a limited variety of styles? Not a limited variety of models, mind you, but looks of most of them are almost the same.

Any reason that I am missing?
 
Let me add, I also have a Case catalog as well, and although I must say they have limited styles, their selection of looks of their knives is huge due to the materials they make the scales from. I get this one.
 
I find that there are major differences in how each feels and operates once held in the hand.

I have the good fortune to have a knife store less than 1 hour away from where I live, and they carry Spyderco and Byrd knives.

If you have the chance see if you have a store close also - it's worth the trip to handle them.

Also - I would assume as a production knife maker that there is some economy of scale with keeping similar shapes and sizes between knife lines so as not to have to constantly reconfigure equipment.

Also - I think the engineering dept over a period of time knows what works and sells well, so they try to incorporate similar features into their designs.

Just my $0.02 - YMMV.
 
It seems Spyderco goes for a certain brand image. Sort of like a Hilton hotel, you know what to expect. If you want one that looks different, you have to go to the collaborations like the Ed Schempp knives.
 
I think it's really a matter of perception. I really like spyderco knives and think they bring a lot of variety to the table, while I find benchmade to be rather repetitive in design most of the time. Think about it like music. Some people think types of music all sound the same, but to someone who loves that type of music, they see a lot of variation.
 
Well now let's see. Handles of black, orange, green, blue, brown, yellow, stainless, G10, FRN, bolsterless, bolstered. Blades from 1" to 4.5", VG10, S-30V, zdp-189, H-1, drop point, leaf, rhino horn, straight edge, waved, etc, etc, etc.

You're so right. The hole in the blade makes them all the same. :confused:
 
Spyderco has always been a form following function brand of knife. They are a purpose driven/built knife and there are similar traits that followed along as they grew.

Sal really sort of reinvented the wheel with his knives many moons ago. I'm glad to see that there isn't a total deviation from that:thumbup:
 
Jim, I agree with you, they do have a certain uniform look across the line. I think that the hole and the blade shapes used may be the cause. That and the flat scales they typically use. Maybe designing a knife around a hole is a challenge, and after a while new knives start looking like older models...
 
I have many spyderco's and to me they offer alot of variety especially in the newer models. Many different blade shapes and some with the wave, different handle shapes and materials, different lock types (back lock, liner, fram, slip joint, ball, magnetic). yes they all have the hole in the blade but thats what makes a spyderco so recognizable.

I think there is a healthy amount of variety amongst spyderco's line.
 
The difference can't be seen, you have to hold them.
I bought my first Military because it was a limited run and I needed some BG-42 before everyone stopped using it.
Turns out the handle ergonomics and blade profile put everything else to shame.
And the ZDP Caly 3 is the perfect little knife. Combining the best blade material available with carbon fiber scales and the most discreet low riding clip on the market.
(The handle feels great as well.)

It's all downhill from there.:D

barrabas74 said:
I have many spyderco's and to me they offer alot of variety especially in the newer models. Many different blade shapes and some with the wave, different handle shapes and materials, different lock types (back lock, liner, fram, slip joint, ball, magnetic). yes they all have the hole in the blade but thats what makes a spyderco so recognizable.

I think there is a healthy amount of variety amongst spyderco's line.
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup:
Spyderco absolutely does more blade styles and profiles than anyone else.
Most of the competition won't even do a fully serrated edge.:p
 
jimh0220 said:
All of the knives, with a few exceptions, look VERY similar.


Any reason that I am missing?
Click to expand...

The thing that I think is easy for some to miss it that no matter what you do, if you get really really serious about it you start to uncover differences in things that the occasional or recreational user completely misses.

I see a rack of rifles, another guy sees a group of specifically designed firearms that all serve vastly different roles.

I watch NASCAR and other than a cacophony of colors and logos all the cars look identical to me and none of them resemble any of the "stock" cars I see at any dealerships in my area.

You may look at a pile of Delicas (there is one on EVERY page of the catalog from page 4 to page 11) and correctly conclude that they look very similar, but to someone that appreciates the design, there are various steels, grinds, blade coatings, opening mechanisms, and handle materials that make each one perform differently.

Spyderco design may not be for everyone, but for those that like it, they seem to enjoy a bunch of really subtle differences and variations to find just the right fit for their needs.
 
Joshua J. said:
The difference can't be seen
Click to expand...

Yes they can.
Modified Bowie is FAR different than hawkbill.
Leaf shaped blade is different from both of those.
Dagger shaped blade looks different too.
And there's plenty of other shapes and grinds to add to the differences.
The handle ergonomics are far different on many models, enough so that it is visually obvious.
Lock-back, frame-lock, compression lock, ball-bearing lock, liner-lock, they all look different too.
There are more differences in their knife designs than the offerings from any other manufacturer I've seen, except perhaps Cold Steel.
 
A_Blade_Afficionado said:
This topic is going to get ugly. I wish you luck OP.
Click to expand...

I guess a serious knife discussion is not a reasonable expectation among adults???

No offense, as I've seen other legit questions in the past that become the 'mine is bigger' contest.

I hope you're wrong this time. Fair observation, though.
 
Removing it myself. I got carried away. Thanks for the reality check Esav!
 
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Toyz said:
I find that there are major differences in how each feels and operates once held in the hand.

I have the good fortune to have a knife store less than 1 hour away from where I live, and they carry Spyderco and Byrd knives.

If you have the chance see if you have a store close also - it's worth the trip to handle them.
Click to expand...

I have a similar store with a fair selection of them as well. I think I'll spend a while trying them out hands on. I better leave my wallet home, though, as I always seem to bring something home.
 
jimh0220 said:
Gronk, I prefaced my observation by saying it was a legit question. I am fully aware that there are differences in the blades, steel, etc., but if you quit using the hole for the other devient reason you apparently do :jerkit:, you might be a little more willing to consider anothers observation as well.

I guess some can't handle a serious discussion .........

(My apologies to all, especially those that have been answering seriously, for digressing.)
Click to expand...

I would offer a friendly suggestion that you will stand a much better chance of keeping this thread productive if you focus on those responses that are more in keeping with what you feel is a "serious discussion". I fear that if you continue to quote and respond to those that you find fault with you will guide this thread into the conflict that you say you wish to avoid.

Just a friendly suggestion...
 
You're right Unit. I just was caught off guard by that one after such great responses before and after it. I need to let it roll off a bit more.

Thanks for the reality check my friend.:thumbup:
 
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