spyderco knives?

N

newknife

Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
588
I've just started looking at knives and noticed that spyderco knives seem to be shaped different that most knives. Is there a reason for that? Is there some benefit to the way they are designed?
 
Spyderco places a high emphasis on ergonomics, as well as one-handed opening. That isn't to say that other knife companies ignore those items, but with Spyderco such things are very evident in the ultimate product.
 
The odd blade shape is to accomodate the opening hole. The hole as an opener is great, but the bump it creates also creates a nice place for the thumb. I know some of them look odd, but once you hold one (and use it hard) you'll know why they're shaped like that.
 
Sal Glesser (CEO of Spyderco) has been accused of "designing in the dark" because his designs tend to stress performance and ergonomics with appearance left as kind of an afterthought. He is a Knife Knut, and he designs high-performance cutting tools. Some of them are just so ugly that you have to use them to appreciate them, or even to understand them. Then you see them for the work of functional art that they are.

As Sal once said, "Tractors don't have to look like Ferraris."
 
Check one out in real life. If they look weird to you online, I'm sure your opinion will change once you see one in real life. I know mine did.
 
Check into the passaround forum, there are many spyderco models there.
 
Hi Newknife,

Spyderco knives, as mentioned, are designed to serve fucnction more than appearance. The "spirit" of the design (& the company) is better found in carrying and using the knife.

The offering is safe, reliable high performance. Ergonomics, materials, geometries are focused toward that end. Quality, fit and finish are important as well, but the pattern (overall shape or silhouette) often looks odd because of the ergos to control the edge.

sal
 
I think that may have been a reference to the cost of the new flat-grind G-10 Delica.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Newknife,

Spyderco knives, as mentioned, are designed to serve fucnction more than appearance. The "spirit" of the design (& the company) is better found in carrying and using the knife.

The offering is safe, reliable high performance. Ergonomics, materials, geometries are focused toward that end. Quality, fit and finish are important as well, but the pattern (overall shape or silhouette) often looks odd because of the ergos to control the edge.

sal
Click to expand...

What do you recommend as a first spyderco knife for office type EDC?
 
THG said:
Check one out in real life. If they look weird to you online, I'm sure your opinion will change once you see one in real life. I know mine did.
Click to expand...

They look good in your hand and feels even better. $40 Native @ Walmart (or Walmart.com or couple others places on-line) is a good start. Made in USA, steel S30V, ergos are incredible.
 
I would suggest a Dragonfly. My personal preference is the FRN model for the light weight, but I seem to be in the minority there. It is small enough to go unnoticed until needed and the leaf-shaped blade seems NKP friendly, but that little devil will cut like a knife twice its size.
 
It's worth looking into the stainless steel Cricket for the office also. While I would have thought a hooked tip would worry non-knife people, the overall jellybean shape of the Cricket seems to go over pretty well. :)

Personally, I find it very useful. Small though the blade is, it's ideally shaped for getting into tight spots like under a piece of cord or tape, and you can cut open a carton without slashing the contents with a blade too large to control. It's also perfect for opening cellophane food packages and even clampacks.

The only drawback is, it's so small and lightweight, you might forget you're carrying it ... :)
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Newknife,

Spyderco knives, as mentioned, are designed to serve fucnction more than appearance. The "spirit" of the design (& the company) is better found in carrying and using the knife.

The offering is safe, reliable high performance. Ergonomics, materials, geometries are focused toward that end. Quality, fit and finish are important as well, but the pattern (overall shape or silhouette) often looks odd because of the ergos to control the edge.

sal
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Spyderco is considered THE knife company that puts function before form. A lot of their designs look funny, but I promise you if you find one that looks intriguing to you, and that you can live with the looks of--you'll be hooked.

I've been EDCing a Caly 3 for months now, and can't wait to buy one of the Salt series.

As another big plus, the CEO of the company is available to his customers like few others in the knife industry. (See above :D)
 
bh49 said:
They look good in your hand and feels even better. $40 Native @ Walmart (or Walmart.com or couple others places on-line) is a good start. Made in USA, steel S30V, ergos are incredible.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, it looks like those are being discontinued and not available from WalMart, but may be available some places online still.
 
I always thought (and still think) that Spydercos are ugly knives. I postponed buying one for a long time. I had all the major brands except Spyderco. Few months ago I finally purchased a Military (BG42/CF). Still ugly, but I must say I'm very impressed with the quality and the ergonomics.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Spyderco makes a line of folders that trys to fill all needs and preferences, whithin reason for a small company. If you think the delica is too thick then get the thinner, more slicing oriented knife that you prefer. In this case the Caly 3 in VG10, or ZDP 189. If you need a thicker, harder use knife try the endura, Para military, military, or manix etc. Every knife is set up with the grind style, stock thickness, and heat treat and lock that's best for it's intended role. They are VERY well thought out.

There's something for everybody, with a constant improvement cycle driving everything. As better steels, more desirable grip materials become available count on Spyderco to be one of the leaders especially in high performance knives.

Not long ago a steel like ZDP was considered too costly and impractical for production knives. Spyderco developed ways to bring it to market, as they had before with CPM 440V/S60V.

Other high end steels in use are BG42, S30V, CPM D2, and S90V not to mention the all around VG10. Recently they came out with 52100 fixed blade knives for their "Mule team" program which is a vehicle for "knife knuts", and "Steel junkies" to have access to high quality, rare steels that they might not encounter any other way.

As you can see there's much, much more to Spyderco than just unusual looking knives. Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top