Spyderco, Sebenza and pocket clips

[WTH]

Hi All,

I have a Spyderco Native. When I bought it, I thought it was the best knife in the world. That was until I stumbled on BF here. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting a new folder to replace the Spyderco. Honestly I love this knife, as its easy to open an close with one hand, holds an edge nicely, and overall feels very quality in hand. And it was only $45 at Walmart!

My only gripe about the Spyderco is the clip. I like the orientation and size of the clip, but it bends far too easily. I have caught the clip several times and had it bend way out of shape. Then I have to unscrew it (two big screw drivers is the only way I've been able to do this) and then bend it back with pliers. This works but I have a feeling eventually it'll break.

My number one priority is rock solid reliability and something that will last me indefinitely. Of course a much stronger clip is also a priority. I would also like to keep the size to around the same as the Native. At this point appearance don't matter to me nearly as much as performance.

Or course there are a lot of Sebenza fans out there. I could spend the money on a Sebenza if I knew it would really fit my needs. I'm also open to any other suggestions up to about the $350 range (less is ok too, of course). Here are my questions:

The Sebenza clip is titanium, which is a good thing, but has anyone ever bent the clip on a Sebenza? Is it much stronger than a Spyderco?

What about a Benchmade? I'm attracted to the axis lock, but if I was looking at something along the lines of a 707, would the clip be much stronger? How about overall quality of the BM 707 versus Spyderco?

What else should I be considering in the $100 - $350 range, given my needs?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[jarlaxle]

There are many things to consider in that range, it just boils down to personal taste. As for the seb clip, it feels unobtusive in the hand, but it just doesnt hold to your pants like some other knives i've had. I raft with a guy that has lost two sebenzas (OUCH!) both from falling out of his pocket. One was lost on the river (stupid on his part) and the other while hiking.

 

[WTH]

There are many things to consider in that range, it just boils down to personal taste. As for the seb clip, it feels unobtusive in the hand, but it just doesnt hold to your pants like some other knives i've had. I raft with a guy that has lost two sebenzas (OUCH!) both from falling out of his pocket. One was lost on the river (stupid on his part) and the other while hiking.

Thanks for the feedback. I have never seen a Seb in person but in pictures the clip looks much smaller than the Spyderco. Can you recommend something with a more reliable clip that is titanium and/or built like a Seb?

Do they make replacement titanium clips for Spydercos?

 

[DaveH]

A sebenza clip will still catch and bend, I've never had one break, but have had to bend it back a bit a few times. They are not indestructable.

 

[WTH]

A sebenza clip will still catch and bend, I've never had one break, but have had to bend it back a bit a few times. They are not indestructable.

Shoot! I was hoping for a good excuse to buy a Sebenza. I'd love to hear if anyone knows of a more heavy-duty clip. If it helps, I have a few McGizmo lights and the titanium clips on these are pretty much indestructible. Here is an image:

Anything like that on a folding knife that someone knows of?

How about clips on BM knives? Better or worse than Spyderco?

 

[KeithAM]

If the Native fits your need other than the clip, I recommend you go to STR's subforum and ask STR about him making an extra heavy duty titanium clip for you.

 

[WTH]

If the Native fits your need other than the clip, I recommend you go to STR's subforum and ask STR about him making an extra heavy duty titanium clip for you.

Sorry, I've very new to these forums. Is this the one?

STR's Backyard KnifeWorks

 

[jarlaxle]

I had a benchmade griptilian (mini) that i EDC for about a year. I took it hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and camping and never once did it fall out of my pocket. Even when i was MTN Biking and wearing thin shorts, it never even budged. I've been EDCing a spyderco caly3 for a few weeks with no problems, but i am a little leary to use it with bike shorts.

 

[WTH]

I had a benchmade griptilian (mini) that i EDC for about a year. I took it hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and camping and never once did it fall out of my pocket. Even when i was MTN Biking and wearing thin shorts, it never even budged. I've been EDCing a spyderco caly3 for a few weeks with no problems, but i am a little leary to use it with bike shorts.

Would you say the BM or Spyderco is better made?

 

[MVF]

I like all my Spydercos but I have to say my BM Mini-Grip is my favorite EDC. If I was going to complain, I would say the clip is almost TOO grippy. I have not had any problems with it catching on things so far- over a year.

Your price range sure gives you a lot of shopping to do- get a Mini-Grip for while you're looking!

 

[Vivi]

I think while you look around at higher end knives you might want to try out either a Byrd knife in G10 or one of the CLB knives like the Boker Subcom or Trance. They'll run you 20-30$ each. I mention them because the Trance and Byrd G10 Meadowlark are around the size of your Native and they all have had notably strong clips in my experience. They're very good knives as well.

 

[WTH]

If I was going to complain, I would say the clip is almost TOO grippy. I have not had any problems with it catching on things so far- over a year.

What do you mean by too grippy? Is it too tight? Or knurled?

If it did catch on something, do you think it would bend out of shape?

Your price range sure gives you a lot of shopping to do- get a Mini-Grip for while you're looking!

You sound like the people over at CPF (candlepowerforums)!

 

[jarlaxle]

Would you say the BM or Spyderco is better made?

They are the top two production folding companies in my opinion. They both have great knives and great customer service. I have some of both and really cant decide which is better. If you spend $50 or more i would bet my life on either.

 

[Bali105]

I personally think the spyderco clips arent bad, I have never had to bend mine back. I have also seen that BM's clips are strong too. with your price range get a BM mini-skirmish or a skirmish- both titanium handles with s30v (beefy) blades. They'll run you under 200. Ive never been too fond of the sebenzas-dont know why but for that price I would rather have something that I cant lose too easily like some other guys.

 

[WTH]

BM mini-skirmish or a skirmish- both titanium handles with s30v (beefy) blades.

Do you know if the clip is titanium?

 

[jarlaxle]

I would get the BM full size RSK grip.

 

[tirod3]

If the clip is snagging on stuff, it's not the clip's fault . .

I carry a SnG, and the Ti clip is constantly banging up against metal tables and the pieces of material I'm bending at a CNC press brake. So far, no problem after a year, but I have had other clip knives that were very aggressive about grabbing everything around them better than my jeans pocket, including the kids. It seems to have a lot to do with the turned-up end and how thick the metal is - the SnG seems to have little problem with it. Of course, after using a clip for over 10 years, I may have developed a sense of body "english" to prevent snagging things, too.

That's something that's developed by paying attention and habit. Having an awareness of the space necessary to walk through a narrow opening, or when seated in furniture, is a learned experience. I found that cutting corners when walking around the bed posts will definitely catch the edge of the clip against the pine round tops - and they're not so round now, as my wife points out on occasion.

You're certainly welcome to buy a Sebenza, Hinderer, SnG, Buck Mayo TNT, or the like - but it won't necessarily cure catching the clip on stuff, as others have reported on most knives. Whatever knife you do choose - use a lanyard anytime you're on the water, for obvious reasons . . .

 

[WTH]

If the clip is snagging on stuff, it's not the clip's fault . .

I carry a SnG, and the Ti clip is constantly banging up against metal tables and the pieces of material I'm bending at a CNC press brake. So far, no problem after a year, but I have had other clip knives that were very aggressive about grabbing everything around them better than my jeans pocket, including the kids. It seems to have a lot to do with the turned-up end and how thick the metal is - the SnG seems to have little problem with it. Of course, after using a clip for over 10 years, I may have developed a sense of body "english" to prevent snagging things, too.

That's something that's developed by paying attention and habit. Having an awareness of the space necessary to walk through a narrow opening, or when seated in furniture, is a learned experience. I found that cutting corners when walking around the bed posts will definitely catch the edge of the clip against the pine round tops - and they're not so round now, as my wife points out on occasion.

You're certainly welcome to buy a Sebenza, Hinderer, SnG, Buck Mayo TNT, or the like - but it won't necessarily cure catching the clip on stuff, as others have reported on most knives. Whatever knife you do choose - use a lanyard anytime you're on the water, for obvious reasons . . .

Very nice insights. For sure the snagging has to do with the bend up at the end of the clip, which also helps me put it in my pocket easier. I'm more looking for a clip that won't bend, even if snagged. The one on my McGizmo light (picture above) wouldn't bend even if you snag it real hard.

I'm not sure what a Hinderer or SnG is, so maybe I need to do more reading!

 

[xxguitarist]

I catch my cargo pockets on things, my fixed blades especially on seatbelts, and my bags straps on things, but i've yet to snag my pocket clip for the knife on anything..
I don't know you'll find any knives made with an especially strong pocket clip, you'd probably be best off making or having someone else make you a heavy duty clip for the knife of your chosing. It wouldn't be a difficult job at all

 

[Mountainman38]

.....My only gripe about the Spyderco is the clip. I like the orientation and size of the clip, but it bends far too easily. I have caught the clip several times and had it bend way out of shape. Then I have to unscrew it (two big screw drivers is the only way I've been able to do this) and then bend it back with pliers. This works but I have a feeling eventually it'll break.

My number one priority is rock solid reliability and something that will last me indefinitely. Of course a much stronger clip is also a priority. I would also like to keep the size to around the same as the Native. At this point appearance don't matter to me nearly as much as performance.

Don't have experience with Sebenzas or Benchmade, but I've got a Native III, Spyderco Manix, Byrd Cara-Cara, Byrd Robin, and Byrd Crossbill. I too found that the clip on the Native would tend to catch and bend out, which required using a big Phillips screwdriver to take the clip off and bend it back. I don't like having to do that, because it's annoying, and the clip isn't straight afterward.

As for my other Spyderco and Byrd knives, the clips on them have been great. I've scraped and bumped them into things, and never had a snag. I don't know that any clip is bulletproof, so just getting something in titanium probably won't guarantee eternal peace of mind. As was suggested, get a Byrd knife and try it out -- the Meadowlark is under $30 at knivesplus.com. I personally love the Byrd line -- they're cheap, but they feel good in the hand, take a great edge, and are easy to carry. Plus, if you break or lose one, you're not out much money.

My primary recommendation for a knife about the size of the Native would be the Mini-Manix. My Manix is my favorite knife of all time, bar none. I expect the mini version would make you very happy.