Spyderco Lum Chinese Nishijin Vs. Spyderco Sage 1 or 2

JakeSnake

JakeSnake

Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
429
Ok Guys, I must again call on the wisdom of the forums. I should be receiving my Spyderco Lum Chinese with Nishijin handles either tomorrow or Thursday. I have been spying on this model for a long time and pulled the trigger since they are discontinued. I think that the lines and overall design of the knife is beautiful. I did have a Sage1 at one point but traded it for a Leasfstorm, The leafstorm was tiny but very nice, I couldn't get over the difference in thickness of the scales so I sold it. I loved the titanium part though. So, there in lies my attraction to the Sage 2. Sooo, my question to you guys is, What are your thoughts on the Lum Chinese vs the Sage1 and 2? I know that the Sage series has a huge following. I did very much like the Sage 1 I had but would prefer a 2 if i got another Sage. Please share your wisdom fellow bladeforum people!:D
 
Each to their own but there are a lot of Sage fans around so don't be surprised when the scales tip in its favor. ;)
I had all of the Sages and they were great but I still have all of my Lum Chinese. I appreciate their character and the large Chinese is a pretty big knife. I carry the black G-10 all the time.
Here are mine. I have a couple more since this picture was taken.
8hJXvCX.jpg
 
Nice collection there sir! I am looking forward to getting mine. I think the blade will be around the right length for me and the nishijin looks nice. You obviously love the design. I prefer my knives to have some "character" as well. My only aversion to the Sage is that it seems like it was made purely for utility while sacrificing design aesthetics. There are no really nice flowing lines to it that I can really see.

I'm pretty much just wanting one of them for an EDC, so that is mainly where my question lies. Which one is better for EDC?
 
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The sage and Lum Chinese are both great knives. I'll add to the confusion and say the I prefer the sage 4, especially without a clip. Its a bit wider and heavier than the others you mentioned which makes it feel better in use (to me anyway).
If its mostly going to sit in your pocket most of the day I would lean toward the Lum Chinese because you won't even notice it in a pair of slacks.

Here's my sage 4 that I threw some quick birch scales onto. Send me an email if you want to check it out and compare it to the Lum.

 
Well, now my head is spinning..lol! You know me, I do have an affinity for the wooden handles. Im not a huge fan of backlocks though. Do you think a wood handle on one side of a sage 2 would be strong enough?

Endless questions.....
 
I personally wouldn't risk it without building a steel or titanium liner to support the wood.

I'll tell you though, lockbacks are one of my least favorite locking mechanisms, but this one is different. Its been designed to not develop blade play, and with the finger choil and smooth action its easy to close one-handed. Same goes for the native 5.

Notice how every time you ask a group of knife lovers to narrow down you choices they just give you a longer list? :-)
 
You shouldnt even have bothered to make a thread asking.

you already know youre going to buy all 3!
 
I had a Lum in titanium. It was gorgeous, but I never carried it. Sold it.
One of my favorites in your list is the Sage 2. It just feels so good in titanium. It beats out other scale materials, IMO.
It is not as aesthetically pleasing as the Lum...in shape/design, but it works so well. I have several and love 'em.
Both knives (Lum and Sage2) have nearly identical closed lengths, but the Sage 2's choil is just so natural for my fore-finger to fall into, especially for closer work, that it grants an extended length, if you will.
Also, the Sage has a 3" blade, which means I can gift it to relatives in "stupid" states...
 
All very good points. I just checked the tracking and the Lum is in my mailbox waiting for me when I get home. We shall see if i like it.

The only problem with the Sage 2 is that is is all titanium. I would have to get a wooden scale made for one side. I do love framelocks though. Anyone seen one that would fit that description?
 
Yet another Beautiful handle!



spketch said:
The sage and Lum Chinese are both great knives. I'll add to the confusion and say the I prefer the sage 4, especially without a clip. Its a bit wider and heavier than the others you mentioned which makes it feel better in use (to me anyway).
If its mostly going to sit in your pocket most of the day I would lean toward the Lum Chinese because you won't even notice it in a pair of slacks.

Here's my sage 4 that I threw some quick birch scales onto. Send me an email if you want to check it out and compare it to the Lum.

Click to expand...
 
I would go for a sage 3 if i were you. I debated on buying one for a very long time and finally bought it. And it is now in my top 3 favorite knives. It has the smoothest action on any knife ive ever carried. The bolt action lock is awsome just so smooth. In my opinion smoother then a pm2 or a manix 2. If you dont have one i would look into it. I think its a very underrated knife but it is one of the top spydercos out there in my opinion.
 
I like to pinch the sides of the blade with my index finger and thumb. Very comfortable and maneuverable.

 
Lum. The sage 2 doesn't feel like a spyderco, lacks the normal spyderco ergos and it will bother you eventually.
 
Sooo, got the Lum. It's a no go. I could tell the second I took it out of the box that its not for me. I know people might say "give it a chance". I know myself though and can for sure tell that I'm not going to grow to like it.

Just in case anyone might want wanna buy it, I just put it up for sale. I probably only handled it for about 30 mins flipping it in and out a bit. It's brand new.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1173429-NIB-Spyderco-Lum-Chinese-Folder-with-Nishijin-Handle?p=13436031#post13436031
 
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