spyderco ergonomics

Z

ZtCubster

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So i dont mean to sound like I'm bashing spyderco by any means. I love them and currently in my honeymoon stage with my manix 2. But everyone says their ergos are the best. I've had this one and a pm2 that i sold cause it was so uncomfortable. I asked my friends and family to hold it and they say it's comfortable. Thoughts everyone? Or am i just a freak of nature who doesn't get it
 
Everyone I've handed the PM2 to seems to say it's fairly comfortable, just usually too big for them. Manix 2 melts in my hand like no other, and the PM2 isn't far behind. Ergos on the Delica and Endura aren't as great to me, but most spydercos are ergonomic wonders.
 
We all have different hands with various foibles. I got a blurple PM2 because I wanted to finally feel what all the hype was about, but it doesn't really feel that good to me. I prefer the Manix, it just fits my hand better, and I keep thinking about trading the PM2 for a better Manix since mine is in BD1 steel.
 
Soften the edges of the PM2 scales. You might find that it makes a world of difference.
When I first tried the PM2, the first thing that I noticed was that the basic shape was just about perfect for my hand. The second thing I noticed was that I didn't like how it felt.
I've spent a bunch of money buying new scales for various sprints and exclusives, when I probably could have made the factory scales usable with just a little time and effort. (In all honesty, I initially thought they were too thin to fix that way; so I just never tried.)
 
The para is a bit wide feeling and blocky feeling due to the narrow handles. It is a design a love. But is not the most comfortable spyderco. Grab a stretch, manix or chinook. Ooh lala.
 
So for me, most Spyderco knives have top notch ergonomics. My fingers are fat but my hands are small (men's medium) and the best Spyderco knives for comfort to me are the Dragonfly, Delica, PM3, Urban, UKPK, and Stretch. They all carry the same basic handle shape, just sporting different variants (and the Delica doesn't have a forward choil). Some of the G10 and FRN models can have poorly chamfered edges, though, and they are very uncomfortable because of it.

Only Spyderco I've held that was aggressively uncomfortable was the Gayle Bradley. Poorly chamfered steel sticking out past the G10 scales was just a horrible design choice, but it's noting a few minutes with a cushioned file couldn't fix.
 
I agree on the Gayle Bradley...I always meant to fix it, and never got around to it. I used it the first day, then it sat on a shelf for 3 years until I finally sold it.
Interestingly (to me, at least), to date, the stock Spyderco knife that I find most comfortable in hand is another Bradley design - the Advocate. (if the Positron was a little bigger, that could be a contender... best stock Spyderco carbon fiber I've handled)
 
I think its less that every Spyderco has perfect egros, rather its that because they are not married to a handle shape, or styling, they can put more work into the egros of the knives. That and being available in several sizes means you can find a knife that fits you better, where as some other companies have a particular handle size or shape that pretty much defines them.
 
I don't like polished pocket clips on Spyderco. They've big influence on the grip for me. I always did oil coating on them.
 
The Para is great but isn't perfect. Could use a less abrupt thumb ramp in my opinion so knives aren't one size fits all hands.

If the para isn't for you, move on, lots of choices out there.
 
To me rounded handle is the most comfortable (puukko, opinel). That for me is ergonomics. I think what most people think of ergonomics is something that locks to your hand.
 
What's ergonomic to one may be uncomfortable to another. Sometimes, you get used to things: I remember how strange the swollen ("pregnant" is how some have described it) handle on my ESEE Zancudo first felt, but I've become familiar with it. As to Spyderco in particular, right now I'm grappling with whether I should adjust to, modify, or get differently shaped scales for my new Delica 4, whose ergonomics are loved by many, but feel a bit forced to me.
 
I have rather large hands and the Manix2 is about the most comfortable knife I've handled. I'm not a big fan of the PM2 in general but it does feel pretty good in the hand.

I also very much like the ergos of the Military and Yo2. Two of my favorites.

But everyone has their likes and dislikes. Lots of knives to choose from.
 
Yup. Everyone's hands are different. You just need to find what works for you. I love most Spydercos ergos.
 
PM2 ergos rock.

In fact, the whole PM2 package rocks.

I wouldnt change an iota

(Okay, so I could do without most of the holes for clip positions).
 
hhmoore said:
Soften the edges of the PM2 scales. You might find that it makes a world of difference.
When I first tried the PM2, the first thing that I noticed was that the basic shape was just about perfect for my hand. The second thing I noticed was that I didn't like how it felt.
I've spent a bunch of money buying new scales for various sprints and exclusives, when I probably could have made the factory scales usable with just a little time and effort. (In all honesty, I initially thought they were too thin to fix that way; so I just never tried.)
Click to expand...

I've done this and completely agree. Knocking down the edges on the scales with sandpaper* takes maybe 20 minutes and really makes it feel like a different knife.

*Sand wet, ensure proper ventiliation, etc... G10 dust is nasty stuff.
 
I have a PM2, a Manix2 LW, & a Native5 LW. I find them all to be comfortable, with the Manix being the best fit for me. Their ergonomics make these three all good knives for regular everyday cutting chores.
 
Shaman, PM2, Manix 2 XL, Southard Folder and Tenacious are the Spydies I got, personally I like the ergos on all of them. Personally I think a combo between the Shaman and PM2 would be perfect, with the handles being a bit more rounded, that would make the PM2 less blocky, the Thumb rests better on the PM2, while the grip on the Shaman is more comfortable.
 
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