Spyderco Knives "ugly"?

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
1,620
Ya' know, I keep coming across posts referring to Spydercos as "ugly", and I just don't get it. I have never thought one of their knives is aesthetically dis-pleasing. On the contrary, I think most of their designs are quite nice to behold (Chinook, SPOT, Dodo, Manix, Harpy...the list goes on).
 
I don't find most Spydercos particularily attractive. The Delica/Endura/Rescue shapes are rather ungangly. The hole looks goofy, the plastic looks cheap, and the serrations are rather nasty.

That said, they're all terrific knives. A serrated Endura, while ugly, is a fantastic slicer. Form definitely follows function with a Spyderco. An ugly knife that cuts well is better than a pretty knife that doesn't cut, and that certainly adds an attractive quality. I don't own Spydercos to look spiffy. I own them to cut things.

The stainless and titanium handled Spydercos look much better than the FRN/G10 ones. I still find the Spyderhole a bit ungangly, but that's OK.
 
A lot of people think they are ugly; I'm not one of them. They definitely aren't the best looking knives in the world, but then again, what does that matter? They look good enough for me and they do the job they were designed to do.
 
I wouldn't say they are ugly, just not certain peoples style. I personally prefer more traditional designs, so the Military/Manix/Paramilitary apeal to me, while most of the other knives don't. However 90% of Benchmades designs appeal to me. It is all a personal matter of opinion. It is good to know we have a choice. Personally I am not a big fan of pinned pivots and prefer G10, so that leaves a lot of Spyderco's out for me. Again, my own personal opinion.
 
I think sometimes one does not have to like a knife to respect its usefullness as a tool. I did not like the glocks untill I shot one and then ;fell in love with them. Imports may look similar, but they sure do not perform like the real McCoy. Just my two cents worth
 
I think several of Spyderco's knifes are ugly. I also think they are pretty good knives and I own more than a couple. I think Glocks are ugly too -- yet the pistol I kept after selling all the rest is a Glock Model 19. With me, at least with respect to guns and knives, aesthetics often lose out to solid and functional.
 
I used to think the Dodo was one of the most hideous knives I've seen for a long time, and blue?? what were they thinking? That was until I got to handle one in person. Now my PE blue Dodo is quickly becoming on of my favorite small knives :footinmou In fact, I just ordered a serated blue Dodo to keep it company :D
 
i think Spyderco makes some of the best-looking knives i've seen. quirky & unique: i love 'em. a lot of knives look really good, but i tend to almost always do a double-take when i see a new Spydie. case in point, my Kiwi. i think it's perhaps one of the more beautiful knives i've ever laid eyes on.

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and my beholder is about to tweak." :D

abe m.
 
Some Spydie models appeal to me more than others.I find the "looks" of the Chinook II pleasing.It is one of my favorite folders.
 
Honestly, I thought all knives were a bit ugly and boring and wasn't much interested in them at all ... Then I saw the Lum chinese and the Salsa.
Didn't ever end up getting either one but got a whole lot of others...

I tend to think SOG, Benchmade and Cold steel make ugly boring knives.
Different strokes I guess.


N2
 
I like the way my Spydies look as they're cutting through whatever I'm trying to cut at the time,(read ; anything) If my arm is hung in bailing twine, and I'm being pulled toward the bailer, do I really care if the knife is visually appealing ? No, I want to know that that knife is strong and sharp enough to do the job. Every Spyderco I own is strong and sharp enough to get my butt out of a jamb if the need arises. If I have to trash a knife to save my bacon,then that knife has done it's job, and I will be happy to replace it! Knives are tools, right ? Ever seen a pretty cold chisel ? Marty. :cool: :D
 
For a long time I thought Spyderco knives were one of the ugliest knives. I still do actually. But they had such a good reputation that I wanted one anyway. About 2 weeks ago I ordered the SS Cricket. The name cricket doesn't even go with it, it looks more like a baby penguin than a cricket.

But the way it feels, the quality of the lock, the metal of the blade and belt clip. I dunno, I love this ugly little knife. Now I want even more spydies... and uglier ones at that -- Like the Dodo -- god damn that's an ugly knife; but the shere craftmanship always makes up for it. Once you use them and hold them in your hands you fall in love with them.
 
allyourblood said:
i think Spyderco makes some of the best-looking knives i've seen. quirky & unique: i love 'em. a lot of knives look really good, but i tend to almost always do a double-take when i see a new Spydie. case in point, my Kiwi. i think it's perhaps one of the more beautiful knives i've ever laid eyes on.

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and my beholder is about to tweak." :D

abe m.
Click to expand...

I think Spyderco makes some of the nicest looking knives too. SS Atr, Chinook I and II, Persian, Kiwi, Lum Chinese, Ronin, and Kopa are beautiful.
 
I think that Spydies look different. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They don't look like conventional knives, which may be why people think they're ugly. I'm glad that most cheap knockoffs seem to have a tactical look instead of the Spyderco look, because I think that gives my Spydie's a unique, pseudo-custom look (especially to non-knife people). I always get a remark about how unique my knives look by people who have never seen a Spyderco.

Mike
 
In a way, Spyderco folders are like tanks: ugly, but purpose-built. I really like the looks of the Manix though.
 
I think the Rescues and the Assist are possibly the most ugly knives I have ever seen. But I bet they work perfectly for what they are intendid for!
 
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