Smoothest Spyderco

VermontEdge said:
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Personally, I don't like blades that are so smooth that they free drop, which I think puts me in the minority. I really like a knife blade to move when I move it and stay put when I don't.

I feel like there's a difference between being smooth and being...I'm not sure how to put it. Free of resistance?

For example, my pm2 free drops with zero play and great lock up. That's one level of smoothness. However, my slysz bowie is craaazy smooth, but it doesn't free drop when I move the lock bar over.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I guess I'm less of a knife flicker and that I more enjoy the smooth, slow and intentional opening methods.

I'm not really sure if I'm making sense...just my two cents!
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I know what you're talking about.

When I think of "smooth," I think more about that slow, controlled opening you're referring to. The GB1 is like that. I can flick it open, but I usually open it slowly, enjoying the silkiness. It's more of that "hydraulic" feel people talk about when opening a Sebenza, for example.

But I get what you mean about the PM2, as well. It's highly flickable and falls closed easily, but it's different from the GB1. It really depends on what I'm in the mood for.

Maybe it's like sipping whiskey vs. doing shots? :D
 
VermontEdge said:
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Personally, I don't like blades that are so smooth that they free drop, which I think puts me in the minority. I really like a knife blade to move when I move it and stay put when I don't.

I feel like there's a difference between being smooth and being...I'm not sure how to put it. Free of resistance?

For example, my pm2 free drops with zero play and great lock up. That's one level of smoothness. However, my slysz bowie is craaazy smooth, but it doesn't free drop when I move the lock bar over.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I guess I'm less of a knife flicker and that I more enjoy the smooth, slow and intentional opening methods.

I'm not really sure if I'm making sense...just my two cents!
Click to expand...

Yep I get you. My PM2 is very flickable and has the free drop etc but my Native 5 s110v FRN, whilst still smooth to open isn't flickable, you need to intentionally open all the way and same for closing. Both are new and both have no blade play when open. I like both for different tasks.
 
Whether flicking or slow, deliberate opening, my PM2 is smoother than snot on ice. It's so awesome.
 
My PM2 feels almost like there's zero friction when the blade is traveling. And with no play.
 
VermontEdge said:
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Personally, I don't like blades that are so smooth that they free drop, which I think puts me in the minority. I really like a knife blade to move when I move it and stay put when I don't.

I feel like there's a difference between being smooth and being...I'm not sure how to put it. Free of resistance?

For example, my pm2 free drops with zero play and great lock up. That's one level of smoothness. However, my slysz bowie is craaazy smooth, but it doesn't free drop when I move the lock bar over.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I guess I'm less of a knife flicker and that I more enjoy the smooth, slow and intentional opening methods.

I'm not really sure if I'm making sense...just my two cents!
Click to expand...

I'm with you.

out of all the Spyderco knives I have I would have to say my Carbon Yojimbo 2 has the least friction but my Slysz Bowie is buttery smooth.

It the Yoji was a frame/liner lock, I wouldn't like it. It's a heaver blade and would have to have that fall my thumb while disengaging the lock.
 
Not sure how you all define smoothness. It's probably different for all of us. All of my Spyders are smooth in different ways. Feel is different on all of them so I can't definitely say which one is smoother. I think the heavier blades feel the best to me.

I like them in this order:

Slysz Bowie
Techno
PPT
PM2
 
kjd2121 said:
Not sure how you all define smoothness. It's probably different for all of us. All of my Spyders are smooth in different ways. Feel is different on all of them so I can't definitely say which one is smoother. I think the heavier blades feel the best to me.

I like them in this order:

Slysz Bowie
Techno
PPT
PM2
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Yeah, different locks have different feels, and all can be smooth even with different action.

Blade weight can effect the perception of smoothness, with heavier blades creating more momentum and feeling more effortless...


I really enjoy feeling all the differences in mechanisms.
 
I'm not going to pretend to be an authority as I've probably only handled about 100-150 models. But, in my experience, the two examples which caused me to stop and say: "Damn, that's smooth" have been:

-The CF Sage 3 I picked up for my brother-in-law last year. Wow. I think the relatively weak detent heightens the effect of smoothness. It was a hard knife to part with, but he tells me frequently how much he loves that knife. Coming from a non-knife person, that's gold.

-My GB1. I wasn't sure what to expect with this one initially. Would it be impressively smooth like all my other Taichung folders have been or will it's "over-built" nature dominate? Well, the answer was: Yes!!! Perfect detent followed by glassy smooth action followed by the one of the most authoritative "WHACK"-s you'll hear a knife make as that lock bar sets. Totally awesome. :D

I've never been disappointed with the smoothness of any of my Spydies, but as I mentioned, those were the only two that made me stop and comment.
 
ZuluKilo said:
-The CF Sage 3 I picked up for my brother-in-law last year. Wow. I think the relatively weak detent heightens the effect of smoothness...
Click to expand...

Detent is weak on mine and a friend's too. I also thought that helps to make it smoother. Personally, I think I'd prefer a little stronger detent.
 
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