Spyderco: Which one should I get?

colubrid

colubrid

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Nov 26, 2005
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I have three spydercos and like them so much I want to purchase another. Thing is I don't know what all the steel codes mean. I was thinking of just getting the Native at Walmart with the VG-10 but I really like the yellow handle SALT/Pacific with H1 corosion resistent steel. Whats the difference between these two and the others listed on the knifes.

Any help choosing my next spyderco would be appreciated! WHat I am really looking for is the most bang for my buck!!!!!!!!
CPM S30V
CPM (T) 440V
AUS-8
AUS-6
ATS-55
AUS-10
S 30V
VG-10

Then my two current stainless spydercos I own are a GIN-1 (police model) and a AUS 30 Delica.
 
Of all those my personal favorites are VG10 and CPMS30V. The AUS 10 is pretty impressive as is the ATS55 but they are harder to find these days.
 
AUS-6 is a lower-grade stainless steel, common on Columbia River knives and other factory brands. AUS-8 is pretty good for a using knife.

H-1 is a salt-corrosion-resistent steel. That's important if you're going to use the knife around the ocean. Beach, fishing, diving, etc.

All of the other steels listed are higher-grade, especially for factory knives. To be honest, in everyday use, I doubt the average knife owner could tell the difference between them.

I would shop according to the knife's design and ergonomics instead of trying to nit-pick the steel type. That's just me though.

Best Wishes and happy shopping,
Bob
 
Agreed - my favorites are VG-10 and S30V. My most used VG-10 blade is my FRN/PE Delica, but I do have several others in VG-10 as well:D Gray Caly Jr., Cento III, Endura, Rescue 93mm and a Paramilitary in S30V. Sorry - no experience with the Salt. Both steels have served my well, though, I'm not an overly hard user per se. I also have a Dragonfly (AUS8) and a Meerkat (AUS6) and both of these are not so bad either:) There's a lot of choice there....

- gord
 
See if you can find a Calypso Jr with the new ZDP-189 steel. It is light weight, big enough, and should hold an edge for a long long long time. Many think that the more important variables that go into making a knife than the type of steel are (1) the shape of the blade, (2) handle configuration, and (3)heat treatment of the steel.


http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=190



Here are some links to good basic info about knife steels and knife construction that may be of help to you.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html
 
I have the Native and the Pac Salt. Gotten very good everyday use out of the Native, haven't really used the Pac yet. For my daily use, I probably don't need anything more than 420 steel, but I've become a bit of a steel snob in the past several months. Get the Native for EDC, and get a used Pac Salt for fishing and boating.
 
I'd go for the Native in S30V, but I'd get it from New Graham instead of Walmart. Same price, better people.

Here is a review I did of the Native (compared it to the Benchmade Mini-RSK Mk1).
 
sprokker said:
I'd go for the Native in S30V, but I'd get it from New Graham instead of Walmart. Same price, better people.
Click to expand...

+1 on that one.

With most of the Spyderco steels you are in safe territory. ATS-55 is very good. I like VG-10 even better and in my opinion S30V doesn't take an edge quite as easily as VG-10 but holds it better.

H-1 is a bit of an odd ball. Totally and utterly corrosion resistant but not as strong in edgeholding as the aforementioned steels. Still edge holding is not bad at all and it takes a very good edge very easily.
 
I am leaning towards the D'Allara or Centofante. I looked at the Native at the locale WalMart down the street last night and was not impressed with the handle. Blade was REAL nice though.

Anyone here have the Centofante or any of the below?

Native in S30V for...$39.97
http://www.newgraham.com/native.htm

Native III in VG-10 for ....$43.68 at Graham (New Designed Handles and Fuller Grip than Native)
http://www.newgraham.com/nativeiii1.htm

Centofante III in VG-10 for .....$41.80 at Graham
http://www.newgraham.com/vesuvius.htm


Navigator in VG-10 for...$62.43 at Graham
http://www.newgraham.com/spyderco_navigator_2.htm


D'Allara (drop point plain edge)....VG-10...$49.93 at Graham
http://www.newgraham.com/dallara.htm
 
go for a calypso jr. ZDP if you can find one or a native III and be sure and check for horizontal and vertical blade play you want it to be tight and snug
 
For the most bang for the buck, I would recommend the Calypso Jr. (if you can still find one), one of those $40 S30V Natives from New Graham and one of the Salts.

I would agree with the advice given about picking the knife based on the blade and handle and not getting too caught up in the steels.

But since you asked, here’s a very quick run down on the steels:

ZDP189 – this is the current edge holding king of the Spyderco steels. So far, ZDP189 is only offered in the Sprint run Calypso Jr.

S30V – Excellent edge holding, decent stain resistance, replaced 440V (S30V has the advantage of being able to be run at a higher RC than 440V without becoming brittle).

VG10 – Better stain resistance than S30V but not as wear resistant. VG10 has pretty much replaced ATS55, AUS10 and is considered to be a small improvement over those steels in corrosion resistance and edge holding.

AUS8 – edge holding is better than AUS6 (and corrosion resistance is less) but not nearly as good as VG10.

AUS6 – A good non-premium steel, decent edge holding, very good stain resistance.

H1 – Rust proof. H1's edge holding is comparable to AUS6 in plain edges and VG10 in serrated - interesting stuff!

BTW, here’s the H1 vs. VG10 edge holding comparison I posted a while back:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372653&highlight=salt




- Frank
 
VG10 is probably going to be the best value, except for the S30V native from walmart or NGK for 40....either way, they're fine.

The steels I find acceptable are 440C and somewhat AUS8.

The ones I like a lot are VG10/D2, and my favorite is S30V.

D2 actually has some pretty decent deals from Benchmade.
 
Wow Frank, great info.

..........and thanks to everyone else for your help. Keep it coming please!
 
Actually I have three spydercos. I forgot about the co-plilot with the funny handles. All three are workhorses.

standard
 
The co-pilot with the unknown handle material has a G2 stainless balde (?)

standard
 
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