Spyderco Paysan (and Integral Knives)

[sfknifeguy]

Hello all,

I know there was a post a few weeks ago on the Paysan but moreso about the Nirvana. I am on the fence about picking up a Paysan, it is a beautiful looking knife, but I'm a little unsure about the saber grind and honestly I think the spoon clip looks a little tacky on such a pretty knife. Would I be better off going for another integral knife, maybe the Benchmade Anthem or the We Knives Drakon (which I love the design of). Overall, what are your thoughts on it?
Thanks!

 

[3fifty7]

I have a Nirvana and love it for what it is, a casual to dress knife that honestly won’t see a ton of use but when kept sharp it will be a joy to use.
The clip is about the only knock I have, but that being said the clip on the Paysan looks much worse IMO. At least on the Nirvana the clip falls on a flat where the Paysan overlaps an angle that looks too off. I was very excited about the release of the Paysan because I KNEW he would address the issue of the clip based off of the feedback from the Nirvana, ... but nope.
Given the choice of the two for even money I’ll take the Nirvana.

 

[Lapedog]

Hello all,

I know there was a post a few weeks ago on the Paysan but moreso about the Nirvana. I am on the fence about picking up a Paysan, it is a beautiful looking knife, but I'm a little unsure about the saber grind and honestly I think the spoon clip looks a little tacky on such a pretty knife. Would I be better off going for another integral knife, maybe the Benchmade Anthem or the We Knives Drakon (which I love the design of). Overall, what are your thoughts on it?
Thanks!

Honestly it is hard to say since the Paysan hasn’t been released yet.

If you’re unsure why not wait and see?

 

[Boxer .45]

If I was going to spend that kind of money the Paysan looks great to me. I'm sure someone will eventually make a clip for it if thats all that bothers you.

 

[halden.doerge]

After getting the Drunken, I definitely want to try the Paysan. That said, if you haven't tried the Benchmade Anthem, I'd definitely recommend it. Easily one of my top 5 knives. Just make sure and check to get one that is centered up right as some of them have an issue with that.

But yeah, if the Drunken is any indication of how the Taichung knives will be this year, I think I'll definitely have to try a Paysan at some point.

 

[sfknifeguy]

Honestly it is hard to say since the Paysan hasn’t been released yet.

If you’re unsure why not wait and see?

Probably a better move I'd say! I waited on the Drunken and I'm glad I did, I found out it wasn't what I wanted.

 

[sfknifeguy]

After getting the Drunken, I definitely want to try the Paysan. That said, if you haven't tried the Benchmade Anthem, I'd definitely recommend it. Easily one of my top 5 knives. Just make sure and check to get one that is centered up right as some of them have an issue with that.

But yeah, if the Drunken is any indication of how the Taichung knives will be this year, I think I'll definitely have to try a Paysan at some point.

Thanks for this man, so you like the Drunken? Bad clip and all? Haha

 

[sfknifeguy]

I have a Nirvana and love it for what it is, a casual to dress knife that honestly won’t see a ton of use but when kept sharp it will be a joy to use.
The clip is about the only knock I have, but that being said the clip on the Paysan looks much worse IMO. At least on the Nirvana the clip falls on a flat where the Paysan overlaps an angle that looks too off. I was very excited about the release of the Paysan because I KNEW he would address the issue of the clip based off of the feedback from the Nirvana, ... but nope.
Given the choice of the two for even money I’ll take the Nirvana.

That's good to know, thanks for the input!

 

[SeppukuSamurai]

I'm very excited about the Paysan.

I really appreciate Peter's designs I just don't like his business model or him as a person really. Not to the extent in which I would avoid his products, it's nothing like that, just doesn't rub me the right way. So is life.

I have purchased and plan to purchase more of his collaborations. I have two Satori models from CKF. They're awesome. They'll be releasing a full sized Snafu model later on this year. I'm in on that. I'm also a Paysan preorderer. It's my hope that they've taken the Nirvana issues seriously and have fixed them all accordingly. At face value that looks to be the case. We shall see.

 

[halden.doerge]

Thanks for this man, so you like the Drunken? Bad clip and all? Haha

Yeah, I really do. The clip is definitely the weak point, but after a week of straight daily carry, I don't really feel like it's that bad. Could be improved for sure, but not a deal breaker.

 

[Mrgauth]

Yeah, I really do. The clip is definitely the weak point, but after a week of straight daily carry, I don't really feel like it's that bad. Could be improved for sure, but not a deal breaker.

This! To pass this knife up because of the clip is a mistake imo. Incredible knife. I don’t even use it. I put mine in a CRK leather pouch and drop in pocket, but even when I use the clip, no issues. And no, it does not tear up my pockets any more than any other.

As for the Paysan, day one purchase. Just wish the damn thing would show. I have passed up many good deals because keep thinking the Paysan might drop and don’t want to be broke. Then it never shows. I have had one on preorder for over a year now.

Always wanted the Nirvana but the first one I got in hand had such bad lock stick once the dealer got it, opened it, he was unable to close it. Ha ha. I never really paid much attention after that.

 

[Mo2]

Are you lookin for a user or a art knife? Cause while the blade of the Anthem is a user the handle is not. The nirvana had issues with thin bearing washers, lock stick and was too thick blade, a few people fixed that by getting expensive regrinds which then were more idea. The paysan may be a little better, but it's still a Ressenti art knife that can be used. But probably not a slicer. I'm not sure of how thin it is behind the edge.

My favorite integral is the Lionsteel Tm1. It comes in g10 or carbonfiber. Coated or uncoated Sleipner steel blade. It's handle is a dream to hold and pocket carry is exceptionally good for its size. It's also a lockback on bearings which is unique. Not a great slicer but not too bad either. I've used it alot and highly recommend one. The cf version does have alot of voids in it, so might recommend the g10 version if you don't like that, but I've not tried the g10 version.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYQ4r1haZs/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=bnxjypx90qsy


My microtech carbonfiber integral anax has a stupid useless grind on it, so it doesn't get used. But I would consider using one if it had a regular blade shape and none of those blood groves or compound grinds etc. I think they make/made regular ones iirc.

The ckf tegral, while not my style looks like a good option for an integral.

And iirc we knives makes two neet integrals, I haven't tried yet. But people swear by them.

 

[halden.doerge]

As it happens, I was able to handle a production sample of the Paysan yesterday at the Oregon Knife Show. I must say, I'm really, really impressed. The attention to detail on this one is really something special. If the rest of the production run is the same as the sample I handled, it definitely merits the $500+ price tag.

The blade was a bit thicker than I expected, but it was ground extremely thin behind the edge, so it should make a great cutter, though certainly not as good of a pure slicer as FFG Spydercos. Lockup was rock solid, no lock stick, and the action was incredibly smooth. Definitely on par with high end production knives like Koenigs, Holt, Shiro, CRK, Hinderer, etc. Very excited for this to hit the market. I'll have to sacrifice a couple pieces for it, but I'll definitely be adding one to the collection.

 

[Lapedog]

As it happens, I was able to handle a production sample of the Paysan yesterday at the Oregon Knife Show. I must say, I'm really, really impressed. The attention to detail on this one is really something special. If the rest of the production run is the same as the sample I handled, it definitely merits the $500+ price tag.

The blade was a bit thicker than I expected, but it was ground extremely thin behind the edge, so it should make a great cutter, though certainly not as good of a pure slicer as FFG Spydercos. Lockup was rock solid, no lock stick, and the action was incredibly smooth. Definitely on par with high end production knives like Koenigs, Holt, Shiro, CRK, Hinderer, etc. Very excited for this to hit the market. I'll have to sacrifice a couple pieces for it, but I'll definitely be adding one to the collection.

It’s on bearings?

I know Spyderco has since stopped using the paper thin support washers the bearings roll on but I find myself liking bearing knives less and less.

If I see one in the future on the secondary market for a good price I may go for it.

 

[halden.doerge]

It’s on bearings?

I know Spyderco has since stopped using the paper thin support washers the bearings roll on but I find myself liking bearing knives less and less.

If I see one in the future on the secondary market for a good price I may go for it.

Yep, bearings.

 

[sfknifeguy]

This! To pass this knife up because of the clip is a mistake imo. Incredible knife. I don’t even use it. I put mine in a CRK leather pouch and drop in pocket, but even when I use the clip, no issues. And no, it does not tear up my pockets any more than any other.

As for the Paysan, day one purchase. Just wish the damn thing would show. I have passed up many good deals because keep thinking the Paysan might drop and don’t want to be broke. Then it never shows. I have had one on preorder for over a year now.

Always wanted the Nirvana but the first one I got in hand had such bad lock stick once the dealer got it, opened it, he was unable to close it. Ha ha. I never really paid much attention after that.

I understand that it sounds dumb, but if it doesn't carry well, I can't keep it. I've got enough stuff rolling around in the pocket and I want my knife easy to reach for and get out. It's hard to say whether it'd work for me or not. I do however like the look of it, how it flows with the knife design, that aspect is great.

The Paysan does look pretty compelling and pretty unique, I'll be on the lookout for it!

 

[sfknifeguy]

Yep, bearings.

Thank the lord, I am so tired of the disappointing out of box actions on the Spydercos I handle. I have a Shaman, it's pretty decent. The Kapara I had kinda sucked in the action department, and the Ikuchi I have now isn't great. The washers on those things are so tiny, it's silly. Now I know washers have a break in period, but boy do I love the action on bearings.

 

[sfknifeguy]

As it happens, I was able to handle a production sample of the Paysan yesterday at the Oregon Knife Show. I must say, I'm really, really impressed. The attention to detail on this one is really something special. If the rest of the production run is the same as the sample I handled, it definitely merits the $500+ price tag.

The blade was a bit thicker than I expected, but it was ground extremely thin behind the edge, so it should make a great cutter, though certainly not as good of a pure slicer as FFG Spydercos. Lockup was rock solid, no lock stick, and the action was incredibly smooth. Definitely on par with high end production knives like Koenigs, Holt, Shiro, CRK, Hinderer, etc. Very excited for this to hit the market. I'll have to sacrifice a couple pieces for it, but I'll definitely be adding one to the collection.

This is really exciting to hear! You're kinda talking me into maybe picking one of these up! I'm not sure if I can justify buying a Drunken and a Paysan, especially with Bladeshow less than 2 months away!

 

[sfknifeguy]

Are you lookin for a user or a art knife? Cause while the blade of the Anthem is a user the handle is not. The nirvana had issues with thin bearing washers, lock stick and was too thick blade, a few people fixed that by getting expensive regrinds which then were more idea. The paysan may be a little better, but it's still a Ressenti art knife that can be used. But probably not a slicer. I'm not sure of how thin it is behind the edge.

My favorite integral is the Lionsteel Tm1. It comes in g10 or carbonfiber. Coated or uncoated Sleipner steel blade. It's handle is a dream to hold and pocket carry is exceptionally good for its size. It's also a lockback on bearings which is unique. Not a great slicer but not too bad either. I've used it alot and highly recommend one. The cf version does have alot of voids in it, so might recommend the g10 version if you don't like that, but I've not tried the g10 version.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYQ4r1haZs/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=bnxjypx90qsy


My microtech carbonfiber integral anax has a stupid useless grind on it, so it doesn't get used. But I would consider using one if it had a regular blade shape and none of those blood groves or compound grinds etc. I think they make/made regular ones iirc.

The ckf tegral, while not my style looks like a good option for an integral.

And iirc we knives makes two neet integrals, I haven't tried yet. But people swear by them.

I'm looking for more of a user knife with a bit of art aesthetic I'd say.

I've never owned a Lionsteel knife, so this is very interesting to see for sure.

The Tegral I haven't heard the best things about so I think I'll skip that one to be honest. The We Knives Drakon is honestly super compelling to me and I've been itching to try one out!

 

[BumblingBear]

I'm very excited about the Paysan.

I really appreciate Peter's designs I just don't like his business model or him as a person really...

I hesitated before asking here, but I have to admit I'm curious. What don't you like about Peter? I've been following him a while and I don't think he even posts anything that anyone could find objection to.