Spyderco - Ease of Opening?

I've been enjoying the flipping action of the Spyderco Advocate (with improved pivot). Flips open crisp and locks up solid; not quite as fast as the ZTs in my collection, but fast and fun enough. I particularly like how the whole package is thin but still relatively comfortable in hand. On closing my copy of the Advocate isn't a free dropper, but I don't really care for free droppers anyway from a safety standpoint. I haven't tried adjusting the pivot but really see no need. The new Mantra 3 looks like it will be also be a great flipper.

As for the non-flipping Spyderco models, I don't find them as fun anymore. They still offer some great functional knives; I'm just jaded of the old Spydie hole after 30 years of collecting them. My tastes have turned to flippers and frame locks.

Sage 5 and PM2 are both great. However the PM2 is one of Spyderco's best selling models, and one of the best in class in the industry. I think its size, ergonomics, weight and price hits the sweet spot for most people. I have the Military, Sage and PM2. For EDC I feel the Military to large (most of the time), the Sage too small (sometimes), the PM just right (most of the time).
 
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Para 2.
Part of the reason I carry one. Press the compression lock and the blade drops open; tilt the handle down and it continues to the lock position. To fold reverse . . . point down, press lock, tilt hand up and the blade closes with no bounce. YMMV : may need to tune the pivot like two degrees looser when new.
Killer great pivot action.

Also the nicer Benchmade 940 like the carbon fiber handle and S90V blade version.

Also flicking using the Spyder hole or thumb stud is like effortless.
My Benchmade 710 just flies open like a hungry hawk after a rabbit but closing it is all like huuuuuuuuh ? ? ? ? whaaaaaaahhhh ?? ? ? ?
 
I could play with my manix all day. The ball bearing lock is really entertaining. Pull back on the lock and whip the blade open. Then pull back the lock again and drop the blade closed. Thumb flick open. Index finger flick open. Middle finger flick open. Pull the lock and swingnit closed.

And the best of all, you have a solid locking folder, great handle, slicey blade with good quality steel.
 
palonej said:
. . .

PS......lock back Spydies, . . . ., Endura etc are not easy one hand opening, but are great knives.
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I went : o_O o_O o_O
I just tried it to make sure (I've never thought about it) . . . nah dude, nah . . . thumb flicks easily.
Might need to tune your pivot / oil the lock bar but . . . maybe a little practice ? ? ?
I didn't listen to this but :
 
b00n said:
Military could be a good option in my opinion. Big spydiehole, large blade, very easy to reach and manipulate lockbar.
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Wholeheartedly agree and the Military locks up with authority.
 
frame lock flippers aren't as fun as compression lock knives like PM2 and P3. compressions are my favorite from Spyderco. Axis and Compression knives to me are the most fun to figgit with. flippers get boring to figgit to me. kind of linear and I bore quickly. the most fun figgit knives to me are PM2 , P3 and Osborne 940-1 from Benchmade. that's my 2 cents !!
 
One other knife to add to your wishlist - the (hopefully) soon to be released Spyderco Smock. The button/compression lock gives you another way to open the blade.
 
Wowbagger said:
I went : o_O o_O o_O
I just tried it to make sure (I've never thought about it) . . . nah dude, nah . . . thumb flicks easily.
Might need to tune your pivot / oil the lock bar but . . . maybe a little practice ? ? ?
I didn't listen to this but :
Click to expand...

No where near as easy or fun as a Para 2, Manix, Millie etc....:..dooood.
 
Thanks to all. I am going to order a Para 2 today. It will be my first Spyderco but maybe not my last :)

Jim
 
Wowbagger said:
I went : o_O o_O o_O
I just tried it to make sure (I've never thought about it) . . . nah dude, nah . . . thumb flicks easily.
Might need to tune your pivot / oil the lock bar but . . . maybe a little practice ? ? ?
I didn't listen to this but :
Click to expand...

After I read that post , I also went to my Endura and my Stretch to try the flick. While I generally open my folders without flicking or flipping, but I thought I recalled being able to flick them after I adjusted the pivot for secure lock up and smooth operation. Both of these lock backs flick easily. Not as easily as the PM2 or Military, but easily enough.
 
JMaher said:
Thanks to all. I am going to order a Para 2 today. It will be my first Spyderco but maybe not my last :)

Jim
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With all the great limited edtions in various steels that come around, I bet it won t be your last.
 
JMaher said:
Thanks - just learning here. LOL

Will take a look at the Military and there seem to be lots of recommendations to try the PM2.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Sage 5 which seems to have similar characteristics to the PM2?

Jim
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The Sage is a great knife too. It's a bit smaller than the PM2, more expensive and not USA-made (although the Taiwan Spydercos are also high-quality), but looks a bit nicer IMHO. Also, the PM2 has lots of sprint runs with different blade steels, where the Sage series has a variety of lock options, so they're both knives that you can collect :D
 
JMaher said:
Anyone have any thoughts on the Sage 5 which seems to have similar characteristics to the PM2?
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I don't own any Spydies so take this with a grain of salt

Ease of opening: Para 3 (smaller distance to travel IMO) or some of their flippers (haven't handled any)
Ease of closing: PM2, the one that I held just dropped freely (which you can also use to open the knife)

The more popular comparison is between the Sage 5 and the Para 3 due to their similar sizes. I do not own either, but my addition to next year's collection will be the para 3 (blurple). You can't go wrong with either one.
 
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