Sage I CF owners, speak out

A

Amaranth

Joined
Jul 19, 2009
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421
I've come across an awesome deal on the Sage I. I like the size, looks, flat grind, wire clip and open construction.

For six months, I've been waiting for someone to put this on sale at a price that's doable (for me anyway)

I've seen the TI framelock posted here, but not too much of the CF model. Anyone have some close up pics and/or a review of this knife to persuade/dissuade me from getting this?

I'll have to wait for Jan 1, 2010, to stay with my "no more knives this year" pledge.;)
 
I had one for a bit.

It's quite a nice knife, F&F impressed me.

Issues I had with it were: that it felt bigger than it really was. I had a Stretch 2, yet had trouble opening and closing the Sage as it seems to be designed as a small knife for a larger hand. I actually traded it for a Para-mil and have an easier time using it, for some reason. Otherwise a nice knife... the texture on the CF is interesting, I think everyone will have different feelings about that. The clip seemed flimsy to me... I suppose all clips that aren't completely solid across are.

I would say you won't know if you'll like it till you hold it - but that it is a nice enough knife to be worth ordering to find out - if you don't like it, it should sell or trade easily.
 
Love both the Sage and Sage 2, both get pretty much equal pocket time. The sage 2 gets a little bit more attention. Overall you can't go wrong with either one. You will be pleased with the grippy CF and the lock up of the liner lock. It's honestly down to what you want more. I picked up my Sage 1 for $99 shipped.
 
If it were left handed, I'd carry mine at least occasionally. Materials, fit, and finish are all top notch. Carbon fiber is attractive and interestingly textured, arguably the best combination of looks and grip of any CF Spyderco has used to date. Ergos work well for me, and I have small hands.

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Lock detail on both versions...

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Size comparison of Sage with a few other models. It's the Ti/RIL version, but the CF one is exactly the same size...

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Another size comparison, with a Native IV, which is the same size as an FRN C41. Basic shape of Sage and Native is very similar, but the Sage's slight hump allows the Spyderhole to be fully exposed giving better access for your thumb, For me at least, the higher hole placement also makes rotating the blade open with my thumb easier.

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Bottom line: The CF Sage was an incredibly good value before. At the prices some dealers are selling it for right now, it's a flat-out steal.

Right now, I'm just hoping I will live to see the Mar/McBurnette version of the Sage.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I think it's a very well thought out design. It carries well due to the low ride wire clip, smoother CF texture and light weight. Very ergonomic, with a more hand filling feel for me than a Caly 3 / UKPK. The CF is attractive and the S30V blade steel performs well. I gave one to a good friend as a gift when he came back from overseas and he's found it very useful. Left handed too and doesn't seem to have any problem using it.

Paul: What's the "Mar/McBurnette version of the Sage" ?
 
Vivi said:
Paul: What's the "Mar/McBurnette version of the Sage" ?
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It's generally called the midlock, but the Sage series pays homage to the maker who created or popularized each lock, in the case Harvey McBurnette and Al Mar. It's also the lock which got Spyderco off the ground as a knife company and, it's the only lock I'm totally comfortable carrying.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Vivi said:
... I gave one to a good friend as a gift when he came back from overseas and he's found it very useful. Left handed too and doesn't seem to have any problem using it....?
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I'm a lefty, but to be honest, I never have had a issue with any liner lock being for righties.

Sure, I may not be able to close it one-handed while holding in the left hand, but never have any problems OPENING a knife.

It's nice having a truly ambidextrous lock like an axis or back lock, but being lefty-friendly is never a consideration with me when making a decision
 
Poorfish had them for $69.99. I just order a spare from them! I like the sage I better than the II. The sage II seems slick to me, but that is just me. I think the CF looks real good.
 
i thought it was a wonderfully made knife, just too small for my wants. if the blade were 1/2 - 1" longer, it would have been darn near perfect.
 
I love my Sage CF. I use it as a EDC and it holds up great!! I personally love the feel and look of this specific style of Carbon Fiber. It has a good grip with the raised CF but still smooth to the touch, I would love to see Spyderco do more with this kind of CF. I was totally impressed with the quality of the knife even with the Taiwan stamp, just goes to show you how tight Spyderco keeps their quality control.

It has my vote!!

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As I have said before in similar threads, I love the Sage I. I have collected, used, sold, traded Spydercos for a good 17 years. In all this time, I have to say the Sage with it's unique and best-to-date Carbon Fiber has been one of my all-time favorites and believe me I have owned and/or handled just about everything Spyderco has ever offered. For me, a ball lock like you see on the D'Allara or Poliwog would have made this knife perfect for me.

I hope you get one and feel the same way. Good luck and Happy Holidays.
 
hiredgun said:
As I have said before in similar threads, I love the Sage I. I have collected, used, sold, traded Spydercos for a good 17 years. In all this time, I have to say the Sage with it's unique and best-to-date Carbon Fiber has been one of my all-time favorites and believe me I have owned and/or handled just about everything Spyderco has ever offered. For me, a ball lock like you see on the D'Allara or Poliwog would have made this knife perfect for me.

I hope you get one and feel the same way. Good luck and Happy Holidays.
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Have you tried the Sage 2? I bought one to see what was up with the Sage program and was really impressed. The catalog/web pictures of the Sage 1's scales didn't impress me, but they appear to be the same as the new Gayle Bradley, and I would say it's one of the best, maybe the best, CF scale sets I've ever handled. I'm seriously thinking that with Sage 1 prices down, and with that great blade and the great scales, I may just have to get one. Not that I actually need any more knives, but...you know how it goes...
 
I love my Sage I in CF. The CF pattern feels so good in the hand and the blade is SO sharp. It stays in my EDC rotation constantly.

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I really like this knife a lot. The blade shape is similar to the Manix and it swings out really easily. The textured carbon fiber handles are awesome and I like the black coated low rider wire clip. Here are some pics.

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I love the Sage I
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I like how they sunk the screws into the CF scales.

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Nice touch with the hour glass shaped spacers

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Close-up of the CF scales. They have a really nice texture to them. Like holding a woven basket. Just has good and I think better than G10.

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At first I wasn't to sure about the wire clip but I really have come to like it. Rides low in the pocket and holds the knife in place really well.

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Just an example of how well everything fits in place and is so well polished.
 
Great pictures, guys. I'm not a real big fan of either CF or liner locks and I love my Sage 2, but if you keep showing me pictures like this I'm gonna have to get a Sage 1. It looks really great.
 
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I just bought of these today. I was first turned off by the Taiwan stamp until I looked at it a little closer, I had to buy it. Very nice fit finish! I cant wait to EDC this blade.
 
Let me tell you a funny story about buying knives. I've been eyeballing the Sage for about 6 months.

But, because it was over the magic $100 mark, I wouldn't buy it. But in the meantime, I bought a Kopa, and two Enduras.

To be completely honest, I've wanted the Sage all along. But because of my chintziness, I refused to buy it, instead I got three other very nice Spydies, but still...

Now that I have the opportunity to get the Sage, I'm going to have to step up and get it.


Thanks for the incredible pics everyone. I know it takes some time set up closeup pics to get clear, detailed pictures, and you all obviously spent that time.
 
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