SAL, i need info on which knife...

W

waynejitsu

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Oct 1, 2002
Messages
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to pick. i am putting one on my christmas list, hoping i can get one that way. i need help picking one out though and need your expert opinion.
1) i want a non serrated blade(it will be used for cuting tape, opening boxes, etc.
2) aprox. a 3" blade.
3)something that holds an edge for a LONG time and doesn't take forever to sharpen.
4) ambidextrious(i am left handed). i don't plan to carry, it will be left on the desk for above mentioned purposes.
IMO, i was thinking of M-2, 440V, 420V, VG-10. do you have any suggestions which would work best for my intended use? i have heard "horror" stories on all but the VG-10, but heard it it about like 154CM. any input would be appreciated...
 
I'm not Sal (duh...), but it looks like you want the FRN PE "new-model" Delica...3 inch blade, VG-10 steel, ambidextrious pocket-clip...
 
CPM 440V holds an edge for a really long time. But, from my experience, it is a PITA to sharpen.

VG10 on the other hand, is fairly easy to sharpen. And it seems to hold an edge for a long time.

I'm not sure that CPM 440V is really worth the small advantage on edge holding, as it is significantly harder to sharpen.

ATS 34/154 CM holds an edge for a fairly long time, but IMO is also fairly difficult to sharpen.

You may also want to consider S30V, which IIRC, will be in some new Spyderco blades. (Lil Temperance, maybe the USA Native?)

VG-10 seems like the best compromise for your situation. The VG-10 FRN delica is a real bargain, and worth every penny, IMHO.

Good Luck!

-- Rob
 
With ambidexterous being one of the requirements, I would say you are definately looking for a lock back as I find it about the most ambidexterous friendly types of lock there is.

Excellent endge holding and easy to sharpen are usually mutually exclusive, but I do find VG-10 slightly bucks the trend in being a very good balance between the two traits.

All in all I would have to go with the others and say the FRN Delica would be a good choice.
 
Hi Wayne. You present some interesting requirements.

We have a saying around Spyderco, "When you go to buy a drill, you don't want a drill. What you want is a hole. Keep sight on the goal".

First of all, a serrated edge on boxes will stay sharp about twice to three times as long as a plain edge of the same steel and grind. That's why we introduced and promoted serrations for the past 20 years. Keeping in mind that Spyderco serrations will generally out cut any other brand of serrations by a significant difference.

Your requirement for a Plain edge goes agains the "stay sharp a long time". A serrated Spyderco in AUS-6 will generally stay sharper longer cutting boxes than a plain edge in ATS-34.

Using a Sharpmaker, sharpening a serrated edge is easier than sharpening a plain edge.

Of the steels that you mentioned and the testing that we have done, in edge retention (best first); 420V, (S30V), 440V, VG-10, M-2. You didn't mention S30V, but it does rank in that realm. We've only tested a few M2 pieces (knives, not Spyderco made mules), so they may not be indicitive of the material, but this was in our testing.

Very few, if any production companies are using CPM-420V (S90V) in production. We are using 440V (S60V), S30V and VG-10. The only company currently using M-2, that I am aware of, is Benchmade.

Our 3" blade length models would be the Delica and the Native. There is also a disco'd model called the Calypso jr. in the 3" range. All are, IMO, excellent working designs. The Delica and Calypso jr. are VG-10, the latest Native currently in the plant are S30V.

hope that helps.

sal
 
Yep, the delica is a no-nonsense works-like-a-charm-forever kinda knife. But Sal's right, the Calypso junior is a nice flat-ground honey -- those calypso's are SWEET
 
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