I totally agree here! The Delica, Endura and Stretch are very good choices for the money. It just depends on what size knife you can or want to carry. Step it up to the Para 2 and you wont be sorry!
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Ready To Purchase My First Real Spyderco. Which Should I Start Off With For Decent $$
- Thread starter Ogien
- Start date
I totally agree here! The Delica, Endura and Stretch are very good choices for the money. It just depends on what size knife you can or want to carry. Step it up to the Para 2 and you wont be sorry!
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 5,610
Ogien, there are a lot of people here recommending to you the knife they want, hope to get, or have heard great things about but haven't even held one. This is about what you want, and can afford. Keep it simple to begin with.
My first Sypderco in 92 was an Endura. Like you I was mostly used to traditional type knives. The simple lockback in a great steel is one of the easier ways to go as you can focus more not on learning new locks and such and focus on the more important things like, does it fit your hand? Is it easy to clean, maintain, and sharpen? Things like that are more important right now than what the newest steel or hottest design is going to be. That comes later.
I'd say the Full flat ground Delica in whatever color you like. It's been made better and better through redesigns and is still a best seller.
Just remember Spyderco's , at least the ones we're talking about aren't going to be the knife for you if you are going to use them for prying, as screwdrivers, throwing knives etc. They are designed for cutting and slicing , being light for the strength, and being ergonomic.
Enjoy and pick what you want. What we want for us is different and shouldn't affect your decision.
Joe
My first Sypderco in 92 was an Endura. Like you I was mostly used to traditional type knives. The simple lockback in a great steel is one of the easier ways to go as you can focus more not on learning new locks and such and focus on the more important things like, does it fit your hand? Is it easy to clean, maintain, and sharpen? Things like that are more important right now than what the newest steel or hottest design is going to be. That comes later.
I'd say the Full flat ground Delica in whatever color you like. It's been made better and better through redesigns and is still a best seller.
Just remember Spyderco's , at least the ones we're talking about aren't going to be the knife for you if you are going to use them for prying, as screwdrivers, throwing knives etc. They are designed for cutting and slicing , being light for the strength, and being ergonomic.
Enjoy and pick what you want. What we want for us is different and shouldn't affect your decision.
Joe
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 233
Hold the phone, is that a Salt with a plain edge? Cause plain edges are what I always look for. Gotta be a plain edge "if you wanna dance with me."
What type of steel are we look at with this knife? Higher carbon or more of a Stainless Steel which means lower carbon count? I tend to go for the higher carbon knives as they hold an edge like few others.
Having asked all that, what price range are we talking about with the Salt in the picture?
What type of steel are we look at with this knife? Higher carbon or more of a Stainless Steel which means lower carbon count? I tend to go for the higher carbon knives as they hold an edge like few others.
Having asked all that, what price range are we talking about with the Salt in the picture?
The Salt 1 and Pacific Salt are Available in PE. They are H1 steel and it does NOT have a lot of carbon. It's completely rust proof. I think the carbon content is like .15% vs. 1.45 in something like S30v. Prices for those models are pretty comparable to the Endura/Delica they are modeled after, but a little more.
Ogien, there are a lot of people here recommending to you the knife they want, hope to get, or have heard great things about but haven't even held one. This is about what you want, and can afford. Keep it simple to begin with.
My first Sypderco in 92 was an Endura. Like you I was mostly used to traditional type knives. The simple lockback in a great steel is one of the easier ways to go as you can focus more not on learning new locks and such and focus on the more important things like, does it fit your hand? Is it easy to clean, maintain, and sharpen? Things like that are more important right now than what the newest steel or hottest design is going to be. That comes later.
I'd say the Full flat ground Delica in whatever color you like. It's been made better and better through redesigns and is still a best seller.
Just remember Spyderco's , at least the ones we're talking about aren't going to be the knife for you if you are going to use them for prying, as screwdrivers, throwing knives etc. They are designed for cutting and slicing , being light for the strength, and being ergonomic.
Enjoy and pick what you want. What we want for us is different and shouldn't affect your decision.
Joe
I have owned all of them and currently carry the Delica, which I think it is the perfect size for me as I am in the city all the time so it isnt that scary when I pull it out. I also carry from time to time a Chaparral, which is alittle smaller than the Delica. I sometimes carry the Dragonfly2 instead of the Chaparral without the clip, just sitting in my front pocked. All are a great choice. I personally find the Endura too big to carry every day. The Para 2 is even smaller blade wise than the Endura so I prefer that one over the Endura.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 233
Fascinating stuff, I thought that they looked somewhat familiar. What I think I'm going to do is get either the Manix or Posibly a Delica. I'm going to hold off on the Para2 till maybe April or even wait till May and see if I can get someone to get it for me for my birthday. Even if I don't get it for my birthday I'm sure I'll end up with some extra spending cash which means I can buy it for myself as a Birthday present.
I would prefer a hollow grind but it's not an absolute must. However what I would like is to have a larger blade so even though I said 2.5 to 3.5 inches I'd really like to get something that has a blade length of at least 3 inches. If I see a 2.5 that really wows me then that will be fine but at that point it has to really be something amazing.
Yes, I buy myself a Birthday present every year. Just something I do. I also buy myself a Christmas gift so there
Gawd, there are so many choices in my price range now, does anyone know which are American made? Just off hand, don't do any research on my account.
I would prefer a hollow grind but it's not an absolute must. However what I would like is to have a larger blade so even though I said 2.5 to 3.5 inches I'd really like to get something that has a blade length of at least 3 inches. If I see a 2.5 that really wows me then that will be fine but at that point it has to really be something amazing.
Yes, I buy myself a Birthday present every year. Just something I do. I also buy myself a Christmas gift so there
Gawd, there are so many choices in my price range now, does anyone know which are American made? Just off hand, don't do any research on my account.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,194
Here's a little size-comparison pic of the Endura, Para 2 and the Delica...
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 233
Here's a little size-comparison pic of the Endura, Para 2 and the Delica...
You know, the Delica is not that much smaller than the Para (Unless I'm mistaken and the Para is actually the blue one) but it is a very elegant knife.
I've got time to get the Para so it's really between the Endura, Maxim and the Delica. Then in May I'll see if I can get someone to get me the Para as a birthday present.
Any idea. round about, what is the price range for the Endura and Delica? If I can find them for around $30-$40 then it's a no brainer and I'll buy it right now. Will have to check eBay and maybe even Craigs List although I don't fully trust the merchandise from Craigslist.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 233
Well I'm certainly paying attention to the Delica now that the "buy the expensive knife first" fever has passed and reason has returned. After all, I have never owned one of the knives and I don't know that I'll even like them. I probably will but taking an expensive gamble is silly.
I'm really interested in dipping my toe in the water and see how I feel about the Spyderco. I'd like to get one that is at least the equivalent to the AUS-8 steel that is often used in Cold Steel knives or better steel even. I'm also looking for a bargain, in fact I don't mind a scratched up used knife as long as it hasn't been abused. Hollow grind is preferable but not a must.
S0 now that the fever has passed and I am thinking clearly again I'm entertaining any and all suggestions. For the most part I have narrowed the field to 3, possibly four, Spydie knives. Cost is a major factor right now so the cheaper the better. I'm also willing to trade, although I haven't a clue who would want what.
Anyway, thanks for being a voice of reason and brought me back to reality.
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2011
- Messages
- 644
Here's a little size-comparison pic of the Endura, Para 2 and the Delica...
It's funny how perception from photos is so different from perception in one's hand. I own two Delicas, one Para2 and two Enduras. When I first bought an Endura, after carrying a Delica, my reaction was "this knife is HUGE!" But in the pics the difference looks modest. Even the Para2 seems much larger than a Delica to me.
Pics don't lie. My point is that you never know what it's going to feel like in the hand until it's in your hand.
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2011
- Messages
- 644
Even if you become a total Spyderco fanatic, you'll want a Delica 4. You won't regret having one at all. I think it's a safer bet than the Endura. I love the Endura, but for some people it's a bit too large for EDC. Very few people dislike the Delica for any reason, and when they do it's usually because they dislike FRN handles in general.
The Delica 4 is an almost perfect EDC knife because (a) it's lightweight, (b) very useful size blade, (c) excellent slicer, (d) great steel, and (e) comes in various colors, some of which are kind of friendly looking for urban carry.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,752
It sounds like you need to decide what your "knife needs" are before buying. A lot of the suggestions are all over the place and there are honestly some very good deals to be had in a Spyderco knife for $60 or less.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. What size knife am I looking for (do you live in DC - if so, you might face certain restrictions on size, etc.)?
2. What scale-material do I prefer (wood, carbon-fiber, FRN/Glass-Nylon, G10, Micarta, Titanium/Aluminum, etc)?
3. Do I have small/medium/large hands? This will rule out some knives that just don't fit.
4. What lock do I prefer (am I left/right handed)?
5. What do I plan on doing with this knife? If it's just "normal knife stuff" then believe me, this varies greatly from person to person.
This last one is actually the most important - if you want a slicer, then get a knife with good ergos for precision-control, and good blade/edge geometry for slicing. If you want a utility knife for cutting beefier stuff, then you will probably want a better steel, better ergos for a grip with no hot-spots, and possibly a different grind.
That being said, (and I said this in the other thread) if I honestly had to get rid of all of my Spydies but one, it would come down to the Para-2 or the Native-5. Both are extremely hard to beat and are well worth saving up to get (if you're looking for a knife in either size). I would seriously recommend waiting a little longer and saving up for the knife you really want (no matter what it is). You'll definitely be glad you did when you get it in-hand.
If you want a small knife, the Dragonfly-2 is hard to beat. If you want full-liners and G10, then the G10 Byrd Robin is one of the best deals out there and is exactly the same size as the D-Fly2 in G10.
If you want a Delica, then go for it - I love all of mine (the Delica was the first Spyderco I got for both of my sons). If you just have to go cheaper and want steel liners/G10, then you've got the Value line (Chinese-made) Tenacious/Persistence/Ambitious knives (but you give up the finger choil) or the Byrd CaraCara/Meadowlark/Raven available to you.
I personally like the Spyderco Cat as well (smaller knife - larger than the D-Fly/Robin, still has finger-choil, G10/liners).
Ask yourself these questions:
1. What size knife am I looking for (do you live in DC - if so, you might face certain restrictions on size, etc.)?
2. What scale-material do I prefer (wood, carbon-fiber, FRN/Glass-Nylon, G10, Micarta, Titanium/Aluminum, etc)?
3. Do I have small/medium/large hands? This will rule out some knives that just don't fit.
4. What lock do I prefer (am I left/right handed)?
5. What do I plan on doing with this knife? If it's just "normal knife stuff" then believe me, this varies greatly from person to person.
This last one is actually the most important - if you want a slicer, then get a knife with good ergos for precision-control, and good blade/edge geometry for slicing. If you want a utility knife for cutting beefier stuff, then you will probably want a better steel, better ergos for a grip with no hot-spots, and possibly a different grind.
That being said, (and I said this in the other thread) if I honestly had to get rid of all of my Spydies but one, it would come down to the Para-2 or the Native-5. Both are extremely hard to beat and are well worth saving up to get (if you're looking for a knife in either size). I would seriously recommend waiting a little longer and saving up for the knife you really want (no matter what it is). You'll definitely be glad you did when you get it in-hand.
If you want a small knife, the Dragonfly-2 is hard to beat. If you want full-liners and G10, then the G10 Byrd Robin is one of the best deals out there and is exactly the same size as the D-Fly2 in G10.
If you want a Delica, then go for it - I love all of mine (the Delica was the first Spyderco I got for both of my sons). If you just have to go cheaper and want steel liners/G10, then you've got the Value line (Chinese-made) Tenacious/Persistence/Ambitious knives (but you give up the finger choil) or the Byrd CaraCara/Meadowlark/Raven available to you.
I personally like the Spyderco Cat as well (smaller knife - larger than the D-Fly/Robin, still has finger-choil, G10/liners).
I'm obsessed with the blue sprint run they made of those, but can't bring myself to pay $220+ for a $120 knife.
I'd suggest a Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2 in G10 if you know how to sharpen knifes or if you can send it to someone which can sharpen it. The blade steel if good but it comes rather dull. It's cheap as hell (well 30 bucks but i find that cheap) and I find it to be a great knife. I suggest the G10 as I like the feel over the plastic version and dont mind the slight increase in weight.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2001
- Messages
- 748
Well, I'll be another guy suggesting the Native. I have several of them. I grabbed them because they were such an incredible bargain - - less than $40 from one of the big box retail stores. (I'll have to check and see what theyre going for now.) Theyre a nice size for a wide range of every day carry needs.
None of that makes sense. Why is it $220 for a $120 knife? This knife is only available from one place for $179 + shipping and it's in stock, so it's not $220 or $120. Unless you're comparing it to the standard one which is a $95 knife, sooo....why not spend $180 for a $180 knife?
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2012
- Messages
- 1,949
If I were you i would go for the manix 2. Its such a great value for the price not to mention made in America. Which ever you decide to get handle them before you buy them. Everyone on this forum and my brother swear by the pm2, I however will never own one as I cant stand the way it feels compared to my manix. Personal taste should play a big part in your choice, if you dont like the way they feel dont spend the money on a knife.
Since you live in DC, I would echo Patrick and strongly suggest making an appointment with the KnifeCenter in college park to go and actually handle and get a feel for these knives. Not only for size and shape, but the mid-lock, compression lock, and caged ball bearing are all very different and really need to be experienced first hand to know if you'll like it or not. Each one has its fans as well as those who can't stand them or find them too slow/difficult/cumbersome etc.