Recommendation? Spyderco for a traditionals guy (me)

V

vinprom

Joined
Apr 9, 2022
Messages
248
Ten days from now I will be able to go to a store with some Spyderco knives. Even though I will be able to hold them and to get a feedback, I am curious what is the others' experience with a Spyderco compared with small to medium slipjoints. My experience and personal preference is with slipjoints with handles up to 3-5/8", not only for pocketability, but also for the the way I hold my pocket knives (fingers wrapped around the handle instead palm pressed to the handle). Any suggestions for a Spyderco that come close in a way of holding similar to a traditional?
I am not very interested in one hand opening, speed of deployment, use of self-protection (other than accidently cutting myself), or steel type.
Price limit is $130, but anything more than 100 will be probably vetoed by my wife, or I will be told "No more knives in the next six months!"
 
EKekOmC.jpg


The Swayback is a less common one that compares well to a traditional.
 
Probably the Native, Para 3, or Delica would be a good size. Dragonfly if you want something really small and lightweight. The Native easily has the most comfortable handle of those for me personally.
 
Spyopera. Sorry it’s a bit over $130.
 
Last edited:
Spyderco has the UKPK (UK pen knife) which, while not 'traditional', is a slipjoint folder with about a 3" blade. The action has a half-stop built into the blade tang, though the tang is not squared off.

Its very ergonomic in hand. But you would probably have to hold it in your palm AND fingers, instead of only in your fingers.
20210930-120450.jpg


Jim
 
Search Spyderco slipjoints and slipits. Look at the UK penknife and Roadie.

​

 
OK, here is what they have (under 130) in store now, according to their website: Salt 2, Atlantic Salt, Native, Rescue, Enuff, Lil' Native, Salt 2, Byrd, Manix 2, Police 4, Manbug, Delica 4, Urban, Pacific Salt, Tenacious, and Chaparral. Few are 2-3 dollars over the 130 limit, and some are pre owned. However, I may consider other Spyderco knives if I am convinced the choice is better, especially with a comparison with one in the store (that I will be able to hold).
 
Thanks everybody for the responses so far, The Swayback and SpyOpera are really nice, but off limit for me. Urban looks interesting and I am curious how it is in comparing with UKPK? Urban's handle has height bigger than some other Spyderco knives- not sure how important is this, and how much the this can be considered as a stand alone feature of the overall ergonomics. I can be very wrong fixating on the height of the handle.
 
You can get a Swayback used here if you are patient for ~$200. It is a lot more knife then the ones you are looking for. If you can't swing it then I get it, but I wanted to mention the blade geometry makes it a great slicer. Also being a Wharncliffe it is easy to sharpen.
 
Railsplitter said:
I recommend going into the store with an open mind.
Click to expand...
Sounds reasonable, Thanks!

D Danke42 and jjg6319 jjg6319 , the swayback is on my radar, the blade and overall lengths are really close to the big Douk Douk - a great knife and still pocketable. It will be not my first Spyderco though, for now I am looking for a blade up to 3". To me, and this is my personal preference, and very biased, the trade between capability and comfortability for the majority of cutting tasks is between 2.5"-3" range.

Why don't Spyderco make jacks - for their slipjoints this will not be very difficult task? So sad Tony Bose passed away!
 
vinprom said:
Sounds reasonable, Thanks!

D Danke42 and jjg6319 jjg6319 , the swayback is on my radar, the blade and overall lengths are really close to the big Douk Douk - a great knife and still pocketable. It will be not my first Spyderco though, for now I am looking for a blade up to 3". To me, and this is my personal preference, and very biased, the trade between capability and comfortability for the majority of cutting tasks is between 2.5"-3" range.

Why don't Spyderco make jacks - for their slipjoints this will not be very difficult task? So sad Tony Bose passed away!
Click to expand...
I think Spyderco is pretty careful about who they partner with when in comes to deceased makers. If they worlked with someone like Bob Lum or Bill Moran there is a tacit understanding about building more knives in that pattern. In the case of a deceased maker they never partnered with I think as a sign of respect for the maker they will not use their designs. Maybe if a heir came to Sal or Eric with a special request they'd look at something but otherwise it would be a no.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top