spyderco ergonomics

For the most part, Spyderco does really good ergos in two dimensions, the ones you see when you put a knife flat on a table. They forget about the other one most times. There are a couple exceptions, but for the most part you don't find rounded handles or even good bevels on the edge of handles with Spyderco. That makes them better in the pocket, however.
 
Manix 2 is like an extension of my own hand. A perfect fit. The Endura also fits me well. The Military fits good, but is kinda long for my hand.
 
kreole said:
For the most part, Spyderco does really good ergos in two dimensions, the ones you see when you put a knife flat on a table. They forget about the other one most times. There are a couple exceptions, but for the most part you don't find rounded handles or even good bevels on the edge of handles with Spyderco. That makes them better in the pocket, however.
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'Ergos seen on a table' ...ahh, wot!

A knife can look appealing or ugly.

By its very nature/definition, one can hardly SEE ergos.

The primary thinking of (most) Spyderco knives was (almost) always functionality and ergos with looks taking a rear seat.

Thats why many Spyderco knives looks weird to some...

....and beautiful to the rest of us.

I for one applaud the thinking behind the knives.

I took some cojones initially to think outside the box and market these unusual looking knives.
 
scottyj said:
Manix 2 is like an extension of my own hand. A perfect fit. The Endura also fits me well. The Military fits good, but is kinda long for my hand.
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Most Spyderco fans say, you gotta own a Manix....
....so I dont own one:cool:

I did buy an Endura and a Millie though.

I like the Endura far more, than I thought I would.

The Millie was my favorite Spyderco till I bought a PM2.

Always thought the PM2 a funky looking knife (see my post above) till I got one.
 
I have large hands so the PM2 is not as comfortable for me as it is for many people. I find the Manix 2 a far more comfortable knife. For me, the M2, the Military, Chaparral, Urban LW, and Dragonfly are ergonomically superior.
 
BladeScout said:
'Ergos seen on a table' ...ahh, wot!

A knife can look appealing or ugly.

By its very nature/definition, one can hardly SEE ergos.

The primary thinking of (most) Spyderco knives was (almost) always functionality and ergos with looks taking a rear seat.

Thats why many Spyderco knives looks weird to some...

....and beautiful to the rest of us.

I for one applaud the thinking behind the knives.

I took some cojones initially to think outside the box and market these unusual looking knives.
Click to expand...

I can see why you read it as you did, but I meant the dimensions you see when it's on the table, not ergos
 
Manix, for my hand, is as close to perfect as I’ve found.
Some other greats: PM2 & 3, Domino, Southard, Millie & Advocate.
Joe
 
To me ergonomics is not just how good it feels to grip a knife, but it expands to how the blade's cutting edge is shaped, how it sits in relation to the handle, its length, as it all translates to the force distributed to the edge, as you actually use the knife, and how good of a leverage you get and bottom line how comfortable all of this feels at the end of the day...
Certain spydercos really want you to just use the thumb on top grip. So if you are accustomed using it this way, you are going to have a wonderful time.
 
The Spydercos I’ve held were pretty much all comfortable to hold, but not comfortable to use.

Everyone’s hands are different.
 
What I've noticed in my Spydercos (PM2, Manix2, Native5, Endura4) is that they are designed to very specifically mandate exactly where your fingers are allowed to go when gripped. No flexibility for different hand sizes, finger widths, thumb lengths... so it's great if your hand is in the proper configuration, but unbearable if your hand deviates from expectation. The emphases on thinness, slab sides, and two-dimensional grip shaping don't help, either.
 
ZtCubster said:
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
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No you are absolutely correct. It isn't Spyderco in particular though. It is the current trend, and valid versatile usefulness, toward high end knives with some significant blade length that can be carried in a pocket and still use the pocket and not have this thing in the bottom of your pocket that feels like a hammer head. Ever carry a Buck 110 in your pocket (no belt pouch, no aftermarket clip added) ? The bloody thing is annoying . . .
but
the ergonomics are superior, I think FAR superior to the slab sided things most people, including me, carry everyday.
My very favorite and most carried (and used daily) knife since I got my hands on it is a Spyderco Para2 in M4
but
I trade off better ergonomics for the look (love the weird G10) and that to die for M4 blade; the best thing for me that I have ever used (and why I can't leave it at home).
but
That doesn't stop me from carrying something else at the same time with better ergonomics for when I need/want that.

Allow me to demonstrate :
Compare the knife on the left to the others; note how thin it is . . . the others all have fatter handles.
Some how we think tall makes up for fat in a knife handle. NO . . . it makes the ergonomics worse.
IMG_4806.jpg

See in this series how one can roll the handle in one's fingers to guide the cut . . . this can't be done nearly as well with regular size hands with a flat, thin, slab sided pocket friendly knife.
IMG_4374.jpg
IMG_4375 2.jpg
IMG_4376 2.jpg
IMG_4377.jpg


As far as pocket friendly there are exceptions; my Grail for instance. It has an exceptionally fat handle that is not tall. If it were clipped to my pocket it would be awful to slide my hand past to get stuff in my pocket. The scales are extra grippy and the handle is fat and gets in the way.
but
it is so light it rides in the bottom of my pocket and goes completely unnoticed; even with a blade over 3 inches. That's the knife in the first photo second from right (next to the 110).

One more photo the Cold Steel Ti Lite IV shown I find to be a stellar knife for ergonomics (that is the knife shown in the series above (I have shortened the blade on the one in the series for a work knife).
Ergos is part of the reason I can't stop carrying the simple Case Trapper slip joint and in Genuine Stag (which is extra fat) it is a particularly brilliant user.
Compared here with the Cold Steel Ti Lite IV. I have several Ti Lites all with modified blades.

IMG_3968.jpg

OK one more; here is the Ti Lite with my fave Para 2 (oops that's a Military . . . old photo I grabbed but you get the idea).
One is for cutting edge durability, pocket friendliness and looks the other is for shear ergos. Though I have to carry the Ti Lite in a belt pouch; I don't like it with a clip and it is a pocket brick otherwise.

IMG_4602.jpg
 
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Spyderco ergo is pretty good. Of the spydercos that I've tried, Military and Manix 2 are among the best. Delica 4 and Dragonfly 2 are very good too. Mamba just melts in my hand and will go no where. Endura's ergo does not seem to be as good as these others. PM2 is fine though I agree with others about the blocky feeling. More chamfered egde would be better.
 
The PM2 main grip area is ridiculously small compared to the full handle length. Due to that in a normal grip without using the forward choil it is uncomfortable for me. I actually don't like how Spyderco often puts finger scallops on knives, like the Endura/Delica, because it forces you to grip on a certain way or, in the case of the aforementioned knives, makes it so I don't know how to grip them. I like simple handles. But I have weird hands.
 
Dragonfly2, delica4, and original native have some great ergos that don't give me any hot spots, but ymmv
 
No way, that’s what store are for; checking out what knife feels right or you
 
ourgon said:
They're slippery/greasy. I had two PM2, I did oxidation in oil on clips in both, after that grip overall was much better. Ferric chloride treatment and stonewash is good too, for rough matt surface on clip.
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Oh, that's grip, or tackyness, not ergonomics. I was wondering how the clip finish could possibly affect ergos. You're right though, they are slippery.
 
I can't believe I forgot to mention the Spyderco Tenacious and Manix 2 when I mentioned the best in hand Spyderco knives. Those two for my hand like a glove that was tailor made. Even the geared jimping on the Magic that protrudes from the handle is comfortable. It's why the Cru-wear Magic is one of my absolute favorite knives. Love the steel, love the knife, love the action. Sheer perfection.
 
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