Spyderco super steels (m390, m4) ur daily users or safe-squatters?

Like others have said if you are looking for users they are some of the best. I have done long carries with my Maxamet Sage 1 and Para 3, K390 Delica, M4 Smock. I have s30/35 knives in other brands but that's not what I go to spyderco for.

0CjlRyB.jpeg

G707nSQ.jpeg

9AjUVs0.jpeg
 
Turns out I didn’t snag a PM2 in M4 after all - website issues I guess. So they went in minutes lol. Found a Para 3 in Rex 45 to try in stead. I prefer the size of the PM2 but Rex 45 is one I’ve always wanted to try out. I guess it will still be a few more days before I have pics…
 
Maybe it's worth a premium ,for some applications, for dramatically improved toughness or corrosion resistance .

But not for edge retention , IMO .

I can freehand touch up in seconds , most small knives, barely dull .

XHP and S35VN , etc are plenty good enough for my uses , for now .

I'll probably give Magnacut a try , when becomes available at reasonable price .
 
FloridaDreams said:
Turns out I didn’t snag a PM2 in M4 after all - website issues I guess. So they went in minutes lol.
Click to expand...

BHQ hasn't dropped any M4 PM2s since last winter (tanto blade in satin and DLC). They switched to a new website last week, and for a while there were a bunch of exclusives showing as available when they were actually out of stock.
 
Having a knife with a premium steel gathering dust; is like dating a Super-Model, and never taking her to bed.

It just makes no sense!
 
So let me ask this to the metal experts in here?
Is there any practical reason to NOT own a premium steel?
I'll define the term to include steels like; but not limited to:
S110
S90v
M390
K390
M4
 
Bob Denman said:
So let me ask this to the metal experts in here?
Is there any practical reason to NOT own a premium steel?
I'll define the term to include steels like; but not limited to:
S110
S90v
M390
K390
M4
Click to expand...


The only thing I can think of is that if you don't want to use them it is kinda a waste. Or if you do use them, but don't want to invest into diamond plates then it will be a waste of your time keeping them sharp with traditional stones.
 
Bob Denman said:
So let me ask this to the metal experts in here?
Is there any practical reason to NOT own a premium steel?
I'll define the term to include steels like; but not limited to:
S110
S90v
M390
K390
M4
Click to expand...

The higher price tag can be an issue for some people. That works in concert with wanting to keep a fancy knife pretty, wanting to keep up the condition for resale value, or just being mindful of overhead or replacement cost on a work tool that might get beat up, lost, or even confiscated in the wrong situation. I've succumbed to this occasionally when the cost or pristine condition of a knife had made me reluctant to use it for a particular task.

Spyderco helps a little with this by offering super steels with FRN scales. They feel like work knives and at least it dissuades me from caring how they look.

Another practical reason is sharpening but this could also boil down to overhead. Want to sharpen a super steel with lots of vanadium, like S90V or S110V? Better get some diamond stones...
 
I've got a Sharpmaker: what sort of rods would yould you suggest for s90v?
 
KME... got it!
Thanks! Just found them on Amazon, and one is on it's way...
 
Last edited:
I don't have safe squatters........
I use'em and when the knife wears out I buy a new one.
Well ...... I buy new knives anyway.....you know.....cause.
 
A safe-squattin' knife is about like a trailer queen car: too under-utilized to have much useful value!
 
FloridaDreams said:
I’ve just ordered my first 2 Spyderco’s and I’m excited to catch the bug… or, ‘insect‘? You get it. I have plenty of tools in s35vn (a few Cold Steels, Tops Camp Creek fixed blade) and it’s fine but it doesn’t seem to hold an edge very long for me. I know it’s not exactly the same, but I’d like to avoid s30V because variety is the spice of life and I’m easily bored… I’ve researched all the sprint runs and different steels that Spyderco offers and I wanted to take the temperature of the community for a general consensus - I only see the super steel models on ebay selling for hundreds more than the original price - always brand new. Leaving me to ask… does anyone use the Manix 2 M390 or M4 PM2 or Elmax Para 3? If you chose to edc one of these (or similar less-stainless super steels) do you regret it? Versus the normal S30V for most models, what do you find to be the actual, real world pluses and minuses of the super steels and would you say they’re worthy of the 2x or more investment for a knife that will be used every day? Ideally we would all have a copy of the blades we love in a box somewhere to ogle and pamper, but this economy ain’t gettin any better soon, so any input/thoughts appreciated… I understand the technical differences - this is more of a call for personal opinions / experiences. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Manix 2 in M390 are still available. I bought one last week.

Edit: looks like they may be out of stock all over now.
 
Last edited:
Fanglekai said:
Manix 2 in M390 are still available. I bought one last week.
Click to expand...
Really?

And I want to add all my sprints are users

Bento box m390 pm2
Rex 45 shaman
20cv military
S90v ti/ carbon fiber military

(I have more but it's too late to think lol)

All have scratched blades and obvious signs of use, and they're great!
 
Last edited:
No safe queens. I buy them to use, so I use them. M4, m390, cruwear, K390, Z Wear... Sprint, exclusive, or standard. My most used shaman is an S30v model, I have no problem with s30. But I buy my knives to enjoy, and I carry them all, and put them all to use at one point or another.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top