Sought after Spydercos

[WhyNot]

I’ve bought my first Spyderco in March. I am very excited but overwhelmed with variety of models, versions, materials, etc. “The Spyderco story “ pretty much covers everything produced up to late 90th. Based on what I see on BF and ebay those old models are really difficult to come by.
Here is a question to all expert collectors or anybody who is willing to share some knowledge with newbie like me. What would be a list of much sought after Spydercos that should be included in Ultimate Spyderco Collection from 1999 until now?
I guess the easy answer would be Everything, but let’s try to be reasonable Thanks!

 

[smcfalls13]

What would be a list of much sought after Spydercos that should be included in Ultimate Spyderco Collection from 1999 until now?
I guess the easy answer would be Everything, but let’s try to be reasonable Thanks!

The answer really is everything, but the best bet is to go for the collaboration models(Lums, Ayoob, Gunting, etc), models which were only available for a short while(Calypso full size, Spyderhawk) and Forum knives.

They all sold poorly while they were being produced, but now nearly all of them command top dollar when sold.

 

[Rupestris]

If it were me, I'd look for Carbon Fiber handled models like the Harpy, Cricket Dragonfly and others.
Spyderco has done some beautiful work with CF.

 

[The Deacon]

Top of the heap would be the limited editions. The 25th Anniversary Delica, the WTC Knife, 20th Ann. Worker (that one has not "caught fire" yet, and can still be found at decent prices), the various Forum Models (some of which there were less than 100 made), the models with CF handles (esp the Military where only 400 were made), and the Sprint Runs. Beyond those, any/all of the collaboration models, short lived regular production models, and short lived variants of the more popular models (colored FRN Delicas, for example).

On that note, if you have not yet ordered a 2006 Spdyerco Forum Lava, there are only a few days more left to do so. You have to be registered on the Factory forum to order them, and registrations there take a couple days to process, so if you want one, time is of the essence.

 

[JD Spydo]

I personally take 2 different angles of attack on which Spyderco models I want to go after. I am to the point to where I just pretty much go after what appeals to me personally. Although there are very few Spydercos that I just plain don't like. But I try to confine my collecting to only going after those that really ring my bell.

Scott is really setting you on the right path as far as going after the collaborations. Also I am finding out the hard way that handle materials are playing a big part in which ones will be destined to be highly fought over classics. You want to be very picky about which models you invest a lot of $$ in. Keep in mind that most FRN handled Spyders won't attain the classic status that most Micarta, G-10, Carbon Fiber & Titanium handles eventually will. There are exceptions to that rule however with the Blue PE Spyderhawk and the Gray Matriarch, Pink Delica and maybe a couple of others I can't think of off the top of my head. But Scott is right in that you really can't go wrong collecting the better collaborations.

Also I would try to get ahold of all of the old Spyderco catalogs ( especially dealer's catalogs) I could get my hands on. That really gave me some insight as to the ones that were only made for one year or less; and the really obscure, one of kind models i.e. the Jot Khalsa, titanium Peter Herbst, big C-54 Calypso ect,. Also there are 3 websites that Forum members have put up that have extremely valuable information. Deacon's site is a good one along with Spyderwa's & Ted's. Those are the 3 I check out the most. But there is going to be some trial and error involved too. Be very leary about any Ebay listings that use the term "rare". I have seen the term "rare" used on a lot of Spydercos in which thousands were made and the knife has a very limited value. hope that helps