Sage Knives

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
5,300
I want to personally thank Sal and Co. for making what I consider to be the perfect knife. Well, as far as the Sage I and II are concerned. The only reason I don't include the others is because I haven't tried them, but if I Can't open and close them with one hand, they lose major points with me. I like to hold something in one hand, slide my Sage out with the other, open her, make the cut, close her and return to my pocket, all with the same hand.
I'd give them both 5 out of 5 points if they said Golden CO on them. I'd even pay $50 more to have them say that.
Am I crazy?
 
Kootaga13 said:
I want to personally thank Sal and Co. for making what I consider to be the perfect knife. Well, as far as the Sage I and II are concerned. The only reason I don't include the others is because I haven't tried them, but if I Can't open and close them with one hand, they lose major points with me. I like to hold something in one hand, slide my Sage out with the other, open her, make the cut, close her and return to my pocket, all with the same hand.
I'd give them both 5 out of 5 points if they said Golden CO on them. I'd even pay $50 more to have them say that.
Am I crazy?
Click to expand...

Nothing against the guys in Golden but I don't think they would be as nice if they weren't Taichung made. I love all Spyderco knives but there is just something about a Taichung knives that make me a little happier.


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Kootaga13 said:
I want to personally thank Sal and Co. for making what I consider to be the perfect knife. Well, as far as the Sage I and II are concerned. The only reason I don't include the others is because I haven't tried them, but if I Can't open and close them with one hand, they lose major points with me. I like to hold something in one hand, slide my Sage out with the other, open her, make the cut, close her and return to my pocket, all with the same hand.
I'd give them both 5 out of 5 points if they said Golden CO on them. I'd even pay $50 more to have them say that.
Am I crazy?
Click to expand...

Agreed, if the sage 2 was a golden and the blade was not as tall for better pocket carry. First knife I bought on BF and it has beat out at least 20 so call replacements.
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
Nothing against the guys in Golden but I don't think they would be as nice if they weren't Taichung made. I love all Spyderco knives but there is just something about a Taichung knives that make me a little happier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I don't know. I'd sacrifice anything, including money, to see it, Made In America. I realize Sal is trying to lower costs, but speaking personally, not for the masses, I'd rather see made in the USA.
PS. Can a person take a Dremel and grind off the Taiwan name?
 
It's your knife, you can grind on it as much as you want. Cutting cost has nothing to do with it, it's about production capacity. Sure, he could make them in Golden, but with the demand for other models and the capacity of their factory here (even after the recent expansion) we'd probably still be waiting for the Sage 2 to come out.
 
Between my Sage 5 and Para 3, I've found the perfect pocketknife for me. They are in a tie for first place. My Native 5 G-10 comes in a close second. It's tied for second with my Mini-Grip with D2 steel and AWT scales.
 
I have the 2, 3 and 4 and love them all although I do prefer larger knives.

While I understand and support the whole buy American thing I think you have it wrong that they are made in Taiwan to reduce cost. Sal has said many times that they work with that maker because of their abilities. The level of fit and finish that the Taichung plant is able to produce is amazing.

I feel bad for people who cannot enjoy a quality tool because of where it is made. Remember, people make things, not countries. Taiwan is a great country and these knives are made by highly skilled people in a free and democratic nation. Don't confuse Taiwan with China. ;)

If it must become political then keep in mind that supporting Taiwan is undermining China. They have a complicated relationship.
 
BFK, your last paragraph eases my turmoil a tad. But why can't Sal grow operations in the U.S. The good Lord knows he's making money.

Mr. Shark, how do you decide what to carry brother? :)
 
Kootaga13 said:
Mr. Shark, how do you decide what to carry brother? :)
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During the week, when I'm at work, it's the Dage 5 all the way. It's very office friendly, I think due to the blade shape and the CF ply scales. On the weekends, I'll grab the Para 3 most of the time, but occasionally I'll carry the Native 5 G-10 or Mini-Grip.
 
They tripled the size of the Golden facility last year. What more do you want? ;) I think you will see more and more Golden models in the near future. :)
 
I have a Sage 4 and I can open and close it with one hand. Just press down the backlock and let the part of the blade with the choil fall on your index finger. Then get your finger out of the way (like you would on a Sage 1 and 2) and close it the rest of the way.

I hope they'll keep using the Taichung factory, they make excellent knives.
 
Thanks BFK. Sounds like they're headed in the right direction.

Mr. Shark. I've got to get a smaller, more office friendly knife. Knowing I love my Sage II, any reccomedations?
 
I've carried a Sage 1 for 4 years now. There was a year period where I ditched it in favor of a DFII ZDP-189. Then I lost the DF2 and its back to the Sage.

I love the knife but there are some design problems that I think could be rectified if there ever is a revision.

1. On the Sage 1, the cut-out/ramp that allows easier access to the lock bar is cut about 1.5mm too deep. I have inadvertently disengaged the lock from a light twisting motion when whittling. Other liner lock knives do not have this kind of ramp/cut-out and I don't think it is all that necessary to begin with (check out the Barong or any of the Al Mar knives).

2. The spine after the hump makes the blade too tall. I'd prefer a slightly smaller thumbhole or a slightly more recessed thumbhole as the knife carries too wide in the pocket. If the Sage series could carry with the same pocket signature as the Native 5 it would be so much more comfortable.

3. S30V. Its a fine steel but S35VN, in my use, has been better. I get less chipping and easier sharpening with S35VN.
 
Kootaga13 said:
Thanks BFK. Sounds like they're headed in the right direction.

Mr. Shark. I've got to get a smaller, more office friendly knife. Knowing I love my Sage II, any reccomedations?
Click to expand...

I also have a Dragonfly 2 in G-10 that I will take to the office as well. That would be my recommendation. What do you think of the D'fly 2 in G-10?
 
I don't like the DF2 in G10 because it is heavier and more expensive. I'd rather get the lighter DF2 in ZDP than the G10.

Additionally, G10 is annoyingly abrasive on my pants. I pull out my knife quite often throughout the day and after a 6 mos of use the corner of my pants start to fray from contact with the abrasive G10.
 
The Sage series is one of the best in the Spyderco line paying homage to various locking mechnisms and even handle materials. The quality from the Taichung factory is top notch and the prices very reasonable.

All 6 Sage folders:

  1. Sage 1 - Liner Lock - CF/G-10 Laminate
  2. Sage 2 - RIL Titanium Frame Lock - Titanium
  3. Sage 3 - Bolt Action Lock - Blue G-10
  4. Sage 3 - Bolt Action Lock - CF/G-10 Laminate
  5. Sage 4 - Back Lock - Ironwood with Titanium Bolsters
  6. Sage 5 - Compression Lock - Textured CF/G-10 Laminate

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