Sage II Titanium?

S

sharpguyjp

Joined
Jan 6, 2009
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157
Been having a really strong Spyderco itch, it would be my first. After eyeing all the models, the Sage II in titanium caught my eye. Reviews have been wishy washy on the sites i've seen, and i wanted to get opinions from the people i trust, not Bill N. from Tennessee!

Thanks for the input all,

Sharpguyjp
 
I don't have one (yet), but was able to fondle one.
My impression is that you get pretty close to Sebenza quality at roughly half the price of the small one. It does look better than the small Sebenza in my opinion.
I can't see why it would have wishy washy reviews. It's really very good, perhaps a bit sterile (I think that the Sage 1 looks better).

Since this is your first Spyderco, in the same price range and if you like the looks and if the blade is not too long for your taste, I would start off with a Military as it is a true modern classic, a well proven design. The Sage 2 is more neutral/elegant in style however.
 
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The Sage is a proven model, you'll find a lot of people are split on this one because of the origin of manufacture though. Plan on spending $170 for it too.
 
My wife bought me one and gave it to me on our wedding day in August. It is the nicest spydie I own. The lock up on it is amazing, better than my two Militaries or my mainx. The wire clip sits very low in the pocket and rides very comfortably. The blade shape is a little odd as it is some what leaf shaped but has a nice gradual curve to it. Its also an S30V knife so the steel is incredible. I just took mine apart the other day for a cleaning and it went together just like factory. I have handled a few sebenza's, back to back with my Sage II and in all honesty its just as solid, smooth and refined of a knife. For a first spydie it's a damn good knife, but also you can't go wrong with a Military, or you could just wait some time and get the IRL Ti military coming out soon. Ok rambling over.
 
Apparantely you can pre-order the Ti RIL Millie for around $180:eek:

Thats a lot more titanium, s30v, and it's a Golden model for only $10-$20 more.
 
5.56 said:
Apparantely you can pre-order the Ti RIL Millie for around $180:eek:

Thats a lot more titanium, s30v, and it's a Golden model for only $10-$20 more.
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I don't trust the places that only want $180 for it. Like you said, USA Made, and a lot more materials for $10 more?

That being said, the Sage II is a great knife. Solid lockup, round hole, FFG blade, S30V. :thumbup:
 
5.56 said:
Apparantely you can pre-order the Ti RIL Millie for around $180:eek:

Thats a lot more titanium, s30v, and it's a Golden model for only $10-$20 more.
Click to expand...

The Sage 2 and Mili Ti are very different knives. Also making an apples to apples price comparison would be fair. The site I know offering a preorder of the mili for $189 sells the Sage for $140. That's about a $50 price difference.
 
5.56 said:
The Sage is a proven model, you'll find a lot of people are split on this one because of the origin of manufacture though. Plan on spending $170 for it too.
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I was all set to buy one until I noticed that. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just prefer other origins.
 
There is not much not to like about the Sage II. Excellent ergonomics, opens like butter, nice titanium slab. The spydie hole was a little sharp for my liking and I gently smoothed it out, but thats very picky and I'm the only person I know who has raised that minor issue. I prefer a standard clip instead of the wire, but thats subjective. The Sage II is a great knife and borders on artwork IMO.
 
GregS said:
I was all set to buy one until I noticed that. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just prefer other origins.
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If you took off the Taiwan stamp I would have sworn CRK made a Sebenza with a wire clip and round hole. :cool:
 
Josh K said:
If you took off the Taiwan stamp I would have sworn CRK made a Sebenza with a wire clip and round hole. :cool:
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That's what I hear. Although, I am not without hang-ups. I still may pick one up one of these days, but the Titanium Millie has been calling my name...
 
The Sage II does not have the heft or "bank vault" feel of a Sebenza. It feels much lighter in the hand. JMO.

:thumbup:
 
I just can't spend my cash on a Spyderco made anywhere other than the USA, Japan or the couple I have from Italy. I guess I just associate the Taiwan made knives too much with CRKT. A brand I swore away from long ago.
 
I consider the Sage II as one of the best Spyderco's available today. It's a fantastic knife in every respect IMHO.
 
The Sage II can be found for $140 plus shipping. At that same site, I pre-ordered a Ti Military. Since the pre-order the price has gone up about $35. When I got in touch with the owner he said that they would honor the price at which I Pre-Ordered it. So when they do come out, I should be getting a Ti Military for about $155. The site's owner is a great guy.

Just because something is made in Taiiwan doesn't make it bad. How can one compare CRKT and Spyderco while being a Spyderco fanatic? You should know that these two manufacturers should never be compared. If you really think about it people wouldn't buy Japanese products 25 years ago for the same reason you all won't buy Taiiwanese knives now. All you're really doing is hurting yourself by missing out on some great knives at some really affordable prices. It's a shame that you would do that to yourselves.
 
I absolutely understand why folks want to buy American -- being American myself.

But don't look down on Taiwan. I've got many professional colleagues in Taiwan, and they are top-notch. The Taiwanese people are bright, open, and very democratic/capitalistic. Not that different from us. I like them, and I think you'd like them, too.:)

History didn't give them an easy hand to play. They're just a few short sea-miles from the Chinese juggernaut. It is not a comfortable situation.

ADD: Rats, no knife content!! Try that Sage II -- it will do everything you need.
 
Josh K said:
I don't trust the places that only want $180 for it. Like you said, USA Made, and a lot more materials for $10 more?

That being said, the Sage II is a great knife. Solid lockup, round hole, FFG blade, S30V. :thumbup:
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Nowadays it's more expensive for spyderco to produce a knife in Japan than in the USA. Look at the price of the UKPK and the Urban.
Taiwan normally should be cheaper, maybe Reeve also gets a return of it?
 
This has been an interesting thread. While I have not owned a Sage II, I have or have had other Taiwan made Spdyercos. I was suprised at the quality & honestly, have been disappointed by "some" of the Spydercos coming out of Japan.

Also, I believe Sal himself has said that he uses the particular Taiwain factory because of the quality knives it puts out, not the cost. In fact, IIRC, he said there isn't really a savings using them (When using higher end materials) because of the increase of shipping costs (Shipping S30V to Taiwan, then the product back to the U.S., along with customs costs, etc).

Now, having said that, what surprises me, to my delight, is Spyderco's ability to produce the Manix 2 at the msrp (& street price) that it's at AND being made in the U.S. I just can not believe that 154CM is THAT much cheaper than S30V. However, I'm glad they made it & at that price point.

The Sage II vs Sebenza has also been interesting. I'm sure it's a very nice knife, but I believe someone wrote the comment that the Sebenza feels like it's more "heftier" than the Sage II & the Sage II feels "lighter" in the hand. That's interesting since I believe the Sage II's specs lists it as being heavier than the Sebenza. My guess, it the poster meant that the Sebenza felt more solid, maybe? Again, I have not owned a Sage II, so I can't comment on it. I do & have owned quite a few Sebs (6, I believe) along with other Ti frame-locks that I've read many member comment about in comparison to the Seb (BM Skirmish & Bradley Alias come to mind), but IMHO, I believe the Seb is superior to the others.

Again, I can't comment on the Sage II. I will say that I have came across a folder that I feel is the equal to or possibly a little better than the small Seb, but it's a custom.
 
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