Spyderco Persistence (Initial Impressions)

lokiman123

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I was on knifeworks the other day noticing that they had a < $30 deal on benchmade vex folders. The knife always struck me as a bit interesting so I said why not and placed the order. 20 hrs later I was on the phone with their CS (awesome people :thumbup:) pleading with them to change my order at the last minute. I got the thought in my head that maybe I should own a relatively inexpensive folder with a blade less than 3" for those times that I go travel or just want something to keep in the car that's unobtrusive. So, I ordered the persistence.

Strangely enough it is kind of the in between of my most polar folders a BM 760 LFTi and a Spyderco Lava. By in between I mean the handle and cutting edges are roughly the average of the Lava and Ti Lum. The more I handle the knife I'm realizing that it is kind of a jack of all trades (but a master of none)... Which is not necessarily a bad thing for those days where I need one knife to just bop around with.

For you guys that live in knife restricted areas for blades less than 3"... let me let you in on a little tid bit about the persistence. It has one of the widest blades with a length less than 3" and it has a cutting edge that dominates nearly every spyderco with a 3" blade. Combine all of those characteristics with a full flat grind and a tight lockup backed by nice liners... Well, you got yourself a sheeple friendly blade that could quickly and easily be a companion for when times go rough and leave some serious damage to your aggressor if you choose to stand your ground. Sure it's not an emerson snubby; but, good luck defending that in court as a common pocket knife.

Fit and Finish: The G10 is surprisingly nice, for a chinese made folder. It is far from being grippy like a tactical folder (obviously not it's intended use; but as noted above...). Instead I find the G10 feels good in the hand and dare I say a little warm to the touch. It is smooth enough to even be clipped IWB against bare skin. A plus for me in hot Florida summers. Another plus is a relatively generous lanyard hole for... lanyards! Since this knife was sub $50 (way under) I would not hesitate to bring this on the boat, yak, or any other water bound vehicle.

Liners are skeletonized beautifully and the liner lock opens with a pronounced click. Lock up is probably around 35% on mine. Opening is a little gritty compared to other Spyderco products; but, I'm sure it will smooth with time (DIY remedy). It comes with a nice four way pocket clip that is hex adjustable. It was a very strong pocket clip, almost too strong imho (another easily fixed problem). My main gripe, if I even dare call it a gripe, is that when closed the blade is slightly left of center. In the words of the youth running around these days watching Hannah Montana... WHATEVER.

Sharpness and Blade Quality: Out of box sharpness was rather impressive for the Spyderco brewed 8Cr13MoV. Push cutting newsprint was possible... But a no go on shaving (unless you have a desire for more or less ripping hair out of your pores). What I can say is what has already been said, which it is essentially Aus8. Sharpness is actually on par with the out of box sharpness of my Al mar light weight (Aus8). I'm assuming rust resistance etc. will be the same as well. All in all very nice blade for sub $50 plus jimping on the spine that is on par with much more costly knives, and a finely radiused opening hole with substantial width for those cold days.


LISTEN: Many complain about spydie knives being made overseas. Well, this is the first I've purchased... more will probably be in the not too distant future. The China label opposite the trademark spyder is so muted that unless it was full light or you knew just where to look, you would never see it. I understand the whole buy American thing considering the economy and China's dominance in the world markets; but, do you really think about China when you are seeing a beautiful woman take those tight lacey victoria's secret panties off??? With this knife I feel the same minus the hard on. All I know is that I could give a you know what about where it is made and just want to jump right in and use it.

This knife is a Jack of all Trades and should be able to do just about everything you ask of it. It has ample belly for slicing, a tip for piercing, sub 3" blade with a cutting edge that runs to the handle (wish more spydies were like this), and is held down by some substantial liners and a positive lock system. What more could you ask for with less than $50 in your pocket???
 
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I bought one too when I bought another knife to get the total up for free shipping. Wow what a surprise. A very nice knife. Yeah it is made in China and only $25, but easily worth twice that and no one who sees it is going to make fun of you for carring a "cheap" knife.
 
It was funny when I opened the package and my wife is looking at me wondering just how much money I spent. I said "it's cheap baby"... she replied "it doesn't look cheap". LOL

Either way, I really wish more people would take a look at that knife as it has so many great qualities. :thumbup::thumbup:




SPYDERCO... KEEP THE BLADE GEOMETRY THE SAME AND ADD SOME BETTER STEEL AND I'LL GLADLY PAY MSRP!!!!!
 
I've been seeing these online for around $35. Has anyone found a better price?
 
electriczombie- Knifeworks has a deal if you buy 2 or more the price drops to $29.95. If you buy one the regular price will be $31.95. They are who I have been using lately and I gotta say their service is top notch if you ever have a problem, or just a general question.
 
I'm gonna get the persistence from knifeworks, but I've been reading other people get free shipping through them. Do you know how to qualify for free shipping?
 
Hi Lokiman,

Thanx much for the kind words and recommendation.

Eric and I worked together on this design for quite some time. Trying to have the "look" of the Tenacious with the smaller handle and still keep the ergos and performance was challenging.

That particular size model is quite difficult to pen without a finger choil and still keep good purchase. We didn't want to make a smaller knife and lose the hand filling grip that often happens with shrinking designs. the customer for this style model prefers to have as much edge as is possible on the blade so we try to accomodate that preference.

Eric has designed a larger model, the "Resilience" (4" blade) with the same features, the same maker and the same low MSRP.

sal
 
Sal-

I gotta tell you man you guys really did hit it out of the park. Blade geometry is perfect with the persistence and just the other day I used it extensively and a little time on an xf surface I had it up to a shaving sharpness. Never would believe I could get a knife like that for that price. I will be waiting for the Resilience :)



PLEEEEEEEEEEASE make a Ti framelock persistence with M4 STEEL (un coated) .115" thick @ around 61 Rc with 13mm spydie hole and a wicked flat grind so I can stop looking for the perfect edc. SERIOUSLY!!!
 
We can always listen, but it's a new model as far as manufacturing goes and it would have to displace another new model.

sal
 
PLEEEEEEEEEEASE make a Ti framelock persistence with M4 STEEL (un coated) .115" thick @ around 61 Rc with 13mm spydie hole and a wicked flat grind so I can stop looking for the perfect edc. SERIOUSLY!!!
Lokiman,

You gotta learn to quit dealing in generalities, and get specific with your requests!!! :D:D:D
 
I gotta tell you guys - For a work knife, the Persistence delivers!

When I initially got my Persistence, I was lukewarm with it. I understood it was cheap but like many other knife owners, I had been spoiled by Spyderco's other higher-end offerings. I took the time to disassemble, clean it and sharpen the knife before putting it back in its box. The edge retention and ergonomics were easily beat out by my Delica 4 and UKPK. The Persistence just wasn't the EDC for me.

Well, in October I got a temp job at a retail store and was told that I would have to cut a lot of boxes. I expected to be provided a box cutter but I was not. I asked if I could then bring a knife to work and they said sure, just within legal limits. I was so pumped that I brought my UKPK to work and used it hard. It performed incredibly well and made me value it even more. The only problem was that it got dirty quick and the action became stiffer over time. Eventually, I left it at home and took my Persistence instead.

Although it doesn't slice as nice or fit in hand as perfectly as my UKPK, the Persistence is a work horse. It has cut many, many boxes and remained solid in its lockup and has had no blade play. It has also kept a usable edge for far longer than I expected. I also feel a little more at ease, knowing I can be a little rougher with this knife because of the cheap price and the solid lock. If any of you guys need a true beat 'em up knife, that performs and is easy on the wallet, then you should consider a Persistence.

Excellent product as always, Sal. :thumbup:
 
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