Ok, thanks guys and no hard feelings! I've had a bit of time to think about this a little more and I know the main problem was I did not phrase the question correctly and using the word purist was not the correct word to describe my approach. I do apologize for maybe posting a little to early and not waiting until I was at least a little more sure about what I was asking. I think the title should have said "Tenacious or Persistence for a dedicated, long time user". I collect knives to a certain limited extent as a hobby but on the serious tool side I USE Spydercos. The Persistence appealed to me on the hobby side.
Not that you would need to care about my opinion, but I think this post is much better. Opinions are like ears, everyone has them. I am still not 100% sure what you are asking, but I think know. So here is my opinion.
Taking it in the proper light, you won't be disappointed with the Tenacious, etc. They are purpose built, work knives. I have a couple of Spyderco offerings from the Pacific area, and I like them both. Again, they are not collector quality, but then they weren't meant for that purpose, or that market. I am not one of the guys that feels like they are staking their very life on the EDC in their pocket every time I leave the door.
However, I do use my knives construction work, and they do take a pretty good dose of use on any given day. I can't imagine anyone accidentally dropping a Manix or Para into a dumpster, losing it in 24" thick insulation, having it slip while really pushing the blade and breaking (think cutting a hydraulic hose, then it goes through the hose and hits the pump case), and worse, having a fellow worker make an honest mistake with one of them that damages your knife.
Enter the Tenacious. Very good steel and design, affordable, and usable. And yes, you would be pissed off if it faced one of the fates as described above, but as a working tool, you could replace it easily enough.
And to clarify what I was trying to get at is that I have 100% confidence in Spyderco as the best tool for the job. So should I try purchasing and using a lower cost (obviously still a great design) knife simply because the price is lower and the knife is appealing design wise.
Sure, why not? Think of this as your "knocking around knife" the one that you don't have a second thought about using for nasty, dirty tasks. I think you will truly appreciate the knife as a
tool.
I've read some of the issues with blade retention and such and I'm sure issues like that will be addressed but when you've had 100% track record with a tool you tend to not want to take chances.
I haven't read of any issues of blade retention. Mine locks up tight, and although the clip has worked its way loose a couple of times, the blade has never come loose, nor has the pivot. After about 2+ years of this knife being in the "work knife" rotation, the blade locks up tight and still has no wiggle.
Robert
