Should I get a Spyderco Titanium ATR?!

Death's Head · Mar 9, 2006

Been thinking about getting one for a few weeks now. I plan to have it waved properly by STR. It will cost me $200 for the knife and $30 for the wave. $230 for a Spyderco!
Most knife lovers will say go for it. I know many people have spent well over this amount. I haven't really spent this much on a knife before. I don't collect customs, but I do dabble in the more expensive brands like Emerson and Benchmade Blue Class.
It will be the best Spyderco ever. Spyderco may not come out with another Titanium Frame-Lock (compression lock) for a while because of the presently elevated prices of titanium these days. And it will be waved! How cool would that be.
Anyways, I'm blabbering.

:thumbup: Convince me to go for it.

taekwonno · Mar 9, 2006

What do you mean by waved properly?

lukaszki · Mar 9, 2006

ATR and STR what a combo

Go for it if you can get one - its out of production. I like mine even w/o the wave, but... i read Spyderco showed proto of another titanium integral titanium compression lock folder - Tuff...
Also ATR is not everyone's cup of tea - looks kinda weird but ergos are very good. My SE version cuts like hell and whole knife is lighweight for its size yet remains strong. Compression lock is great but could be hard to close one handed for some (not me). It opens very smooth. I don't like blade to handle ratio and smooth handle - I would prefer if it were beadblasted instead of satin finished. I like cobrahood very much.

Death's Head · Mar 9, 2006

taekwonno said:
What do you mean by waved properly?

Some people would take a dremel to their cheaper Spydercos and rape the hole to make a ghetto wave. It is effective, but it definitely ruins the Spyderco's look. The way STR does it, the knife retains its factory looks. By the way, STR Ernest Emerson has an agreement for such projects.
These pics were borrowed from a earlier post by STR.

Gerard Breuker · Mar 9, 2006

An ATR is not for everyone but I am sure you spend enough time thinking about wanting one to know you like it. I still regret not buying one when I should have and we all know STR does great modifications. Go for it, post pictures and enjoy your new ATR.

DaveH · Mar 9, 2006

I will suggest that you consider buying used, and make darned sure before you buy there is absolutely no blade play issues. I'd also carry and use it for a month or two before you send it off for mods.

Redguy · Mar 9, 2006

lukaszki said:
...Also ATR is not everyone's cup of tea - looks kinda weird but ergos are very good.

I don't know... I think the ATR is one of the best looking Spydercos ever, but this is just my personal opinion. Anyway, I don't think the S30V/titanium version is really that much better than the VG10/stainless steel one.

smcfalls13 · Mar 9, 2006

DaveH said:
I will suggest that you consider buying used, and make darned sure before you buy there is absolutely no blade play issues. I'd also carry and use it for a month or two before you send it off for mods.

I agree. It's a great knife, but before you destroy any resale value it has by waving it, make sure it's the knife for you.

Death's Head · Mar 9, 2006

I was thinking about that. Do you think that it would decrease the desirability of the knife with a wave mod properly done.

smcfalls13 · Mar 9, 2006

deathshead said:
I was thinking about that. Do you think that it would decrease the desirability of the knife with a wave mod properly done.

Yes. Doesn't matter how well it's done, or what mod you do to a knife. Once you've modded it, you've significantly cut the amount of people who are willing to buy it. Some may be willing to still buy it, but not at the price you paid.

Collectors are very finicky that way, if it's not perfectly mint, they don't want it.

Than again, to the right person, it may be worth a lot. It's just a matter of finding the right buyer. Personally, I say go for it. Make the knife your own, and don't worry about resale value.

It's a tool, not a stock portfolio.

dannyvi · Mar 10, 2006

I think that's correct! If you want it and want to use it, buy it as resale value should not be considered. People buy it for future resale, but I myself don't like the ATR as I think there's too much handle and less blade. For sure STR will do a good wave job. It's your money!

daniel4572 · Mar 10, 2006

will STR wave any knife and how do I contact them?????

dannyvi · Mar 10, 2006

I can give you his email address but I don't know if I am allowed to do that in this forum.

SIFU1A · Mar 10, 2006

i have a few knives and my fav is my Ti ATR, i pretty much carry either that or my custom emerson CQC8 now, the ATR is my fav production folder by far, i too like the SS version, but the Ti is a better knife imho, i have 2 of them, the Ti version.

rifon2 · Mar 10, 2006

STR waved ATR - just think about that.
You know you'll love having it.

smcfalls13 · Mar 10, 2006

daniel4572 said:
will STR wave any knife and how do I contact them?????

Only if the blade is conducive to waving. Some blades just don't make sense to wave. Waving a Native for example, would be pretty difficult to do.

STR is a forum member here, here's a thread that's got some of his work...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381289&highlight=pimp

See post #14

Gerard Breuker · Mar 10, 2006

I was thinking about that. Do you think that it would decrease the desirability of the knife with a wave mod properly done.

It would probably be worthless to a genuine NIB collector. Having it waved does IMO however imply you want to use it which will decrease value anyway. I doubt the wave would make much difference then and you could get lucky because of it too. If you could get your hands on a used one in good condition that would probably be best.

FullerH · Mar 10, 2006

I carry mine fairly regularly and like it a lot. My only criticism is that I cannot move the clip to make it tip-down carry, which I very much prefer. Of course, if you are going to wave your ATR, you obviously want it tip-up so that won't be a bother. I love the ergonomics and the shape of the blade. It took a while to get used to the shape in my pocket, as I was more accustomed to carrying my MT LCC. a rather wider and flatter knife.

Death's Head · Mar 10, 2006

smcfalls13 said:
Yes. Doesn't matter how well it's done, or what mod you do to a knife. Once you've modded it, you've significantly cut the amount of people who are willing to buy it. Some may be willing to still buy it, but not at the price you paid.

Collectors are very finicky that way, if it's not perfectly mint, they don't want it.

Than again, to the right person, it may be worth a lot. It's just a matter of finding the right buyer. Personally, I say go for it. Make the knife your own, and don't worry about resale value.

It's a tool, not a stock portfolio.

Go point smcfalls13. I know exactly what you are getting at. Still trying to decide whether to wave an ATR or to wait for the waved Spydercos and replace the FRN with Ti scales.

knifenerd · Mar 10, 2006

smcfalls13 said:
Than again, to the right person, it may be worth a lot. It's just a matter of finding the right buyer. Personally, I say go for it. Make the knife your own, and don't worry about resale value.

It's a tool, not a stock portfolio.

Well stated! If it makes you happy--go for it and don't have regrets.