Please help me choose a new Spyderco!

K

Kmark

Joined
Mar 21, 2000
Messages
320
Hi, I currently own a Spyderco Endura (old model), but I've been recently looking at new Spydercos to replace it. I've narrowed it down to the Starmate, J.D. Smith and the Military model.

I like the blade shape on the Starmate but the pocket clip is cause for some concern as I want it to ride low in my pocket without a glint of steel showing at all.

The blade shape on the Smith isn't too bad, but they dont have a 50/50 edge available, and the tip looks a bit too thin. I like how it seems like it would ride low in my pocket, without attracting too much attention.

I don't know how the military model would ride in my pocket, and I dont know much about this one.

So, there it is...please help me choose one of the three. I'm leaning towards the Bob T. model, as it is, but I'd like opinions before I jump in...thanks!
 
The Military rides the same height as the starmate. I believe the current models of the starmate and military have black clips, in case you are worried about gleaming steel... Personally of all those 3, I like the Military the best. Although it doesn't have 50/50 or even 60/40 serrations, it has like, 80/20 serrations hehe (mostly serrated) or plain edge. And that extra big spydie hole on the military is amazing. the cpm440V on the starmate and on the military is excellent steel too. I'd go with the military, just my 2 cents.
 
Kmark,
I have both the Military and Starmate and they both clip very discreetly. Both have about 1cm of handle poking up but because of the G10 scales and blackened clips they are not very noticeable.

Personally I like the Starmate better. I can withdraw it from my pocket and open it real fast.

Hope it helps and whichever Spyder you get, you know that you'll end up getting the other one anyhow...sooner or later. Sal puts something rather addictive into his folders!!!
smile.gif


Ken

 
I would narrow it down to the Military vs the Starmate.
Current models have black clips, so they are relatively discreet, but be advised that they are large (especially the Military)and they are not really comfortable to carry in a front pocket.
I have both, and I cannot make up my mind which one I like best. I think I like the Starmate just a little bit better, but then, maybe not...
 
I own the Starmate & Military, and like the Starmate better, mostly because it is a more efficient design and is a bit smaller, and is just a bit stouter at the tip:

The Military has a very long handle:
* 5-1/2" closed length
* blade length is 4" from the front of the handle to the tip
* sharpened length = 3-3/4"
* ratio of blade/closed length = 0.73

The Starmate:
* 4-7/8" closed
* 3-3/4" blade from front of handle to tip
* sharpened length is a hair past 3-1/2"
* ratio of blade/closed length = 0.77

That extra 1/2" to 5/8" doesn't sound like a lot on "paper", but I find the Military is the one folder I own that is uncomfortable when I sit down, carried in front right pocket, and I'm 5'-11". I don't miss the 1/4" of blade length at all.

The Military has a very precise distal taper such that the point just looks/feels a bit delicate for such an otherwise "tough" role as a folder.

The Starmate taper doesn't narrow down until closer to the tip and is a bit stouter.

I like 440V ... noticeably more aggressive edge than ATS-34 from diamond, and it holds it longer subjectively, and I haven't experienced the brittleness problems at Rc 57-58 (my knives are both over a year old) that others have reported. Spyderco has since taken 440V down to (from memory of one of Sal's posts) Rc 56-57 or 55-56 after they had some returns/complaints about chipping. Glad I got mine earlier.

(JD Smith looks in pics like it has a delicate tip, but I haven't handled it so not sure of this... )

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rdangerer@home.com


[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 07-30-2000).]
 
Thanks guys! I've looked both knives over as best as I could over the net. Although the military has a flat grind, I still prefer the Starmate because its blade geometry appeals to me. I've already ordered it and it should arrive in 2 weeks for me! thanks for the input!
 
I think that you will really love you will really love your StarMate, I know that I do. It is my favorite knife. I love the 440V blade and the shape and the geometry, I love the shape of the hilt, and I love the general feel of it. I have said that I find it to be the functional equal of the Sebenza, but for 1/3 the cost, and with better steel in the blade, to boot. My only suggestion would be to stay away from serrations. My first Terzuola Clipit, an old C15 with aluminum scales, has a 60/40 blade and I hated the damned serrations on it! I loved the rest of the knife, but I will never own a serrated knife again.


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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
Since you've already ordered, this isn't so much of a suggestion as an affirmation, but I own all three, and the Starmate's the one I'd have suggested.

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AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."
 
Originally posted by FullerH:
My first Terzuola Clipit, an old C15 with aluminum scales, has a 60/40 blade and I hated the damned serrations on it!
Click to expand...

Those on the C15 I actually found somewhat useful, but the ones on my Starmate didn't improve on anything I did with the plain part of the edge. (Now the Starmate's retired for good.)

I've not given up serrations totally, but I'll definitely stay away from combo edges, since if I want serrations, I want them out near the tip, and I want many of them.


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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest update: A Russian hand made hunting knife

"I've always been fascinated by Scandinavian knives [...] they're simple, in an advanced way".
- Bob Loveless
 
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