Spyderco?

[Dekz]

The Kershaw mafia feels the need to poach Spyderco threads!:jerkit:


I'll quote what the OP asked in his thread, titled "Spyderco," just in case anybody else wanders in here, in desperation, trying to troll for other companies.


Maybe certain people just don't know how to read?

It's quite obvious from the original post that the threadstarter is probably relatively new to knives in general (having not heard of Spyderco is certainly evidence of this).

Surely if somebody has not heard of Spyderco, maybe they haven't heard of Kershaw or Benchmade either. Obviously it is in the best interests of the threadstarter to be aware of all 3 major companies, so that he can look at all of the available options and make an informed decision.

Only a fanboy would feel threatened by alternatives. After all, what's it to you if he buys a Spyderco or a Kershaw? You people act like opposing countries at war

zomg I own both Kershaws AND Spydercos, burn the heretic!

 

[Ken44]

Keep it simple, and go with what you asked about. Way to many knife companys out there for a new buyer to digest.

Spyderco has a solid 30 year rep...the whole time. Same for Benchmade. Some knife companys that were considered a lesser knife just 5/10 years ago are considered an equal now by many, but I would stay with a company that has been strong since the get go for my first.

 

[elkins45]

To me it started out being about the blade hole---I have yet to find a more positively indexing, faster or more foolproof method of one hand opening.

I'm still a blade hole addict, but there's more to it now. There's something about having a conversation with the President and chief designer online that make me appreciate them even more. Plus there's also their absolute integrity and commitment to the knife community that I really respect.

Oh, and they make great knives too! Any company that can produce the Manix 2 in the USA and sell it for $80 street deserves a whole lot of respect. And making the same knife in carbon fiber and S90V just because they know some of us would want one is pretty nice too.

 

[Noctis3880]

I only have 3 knives currently:
-BM 943 SBK S30V
-Kershaw Shallot CPM-S110V
-Spyderco Endura 4 ZDP-189(Reground by Tom Krein)

Out of all of them, my Endura is definitely my favorite(and sharpest).

The benchmade was pretty, but every aspect of the knife told me that it wasn't meant to actually be USED in any way. It was just a ridiculously expensive($230 from the site itself) gentlemen's knife that's meant to impress or intimidate people.

The Kershaw was pretty cool with the speed-safe opening, but the recurve made it difficult to sharpen or change the angle. The handle had no grip to speak of, and it would be easy to drop it with wet hands. The lock isn't exactly easy to work with one hand. However, the exotic steel and fit and finish(not even a wiggle) was a deal for $75. Of course, points are lost for ergonomics. Oh, and the angle on one side was more than 6 degrees off when compared to the angle on the other side.

The Endura is definitely something. The handle scales are excellent for a good grip. Fit and finish is good(no wiggling). The lock makes it more difficult to close the knife with one hand, but it's definitely rock solid because of it. The hole was definitely awkward to work with compared to a thumb stud, but pretty easy once you get used to it. My only complaint is that the "edge" of the hole will cut into your nail(stings a little too) if the pivot is too tight(also makes it harder to simply "flip" the blade open).
After the regrind, the knife simply got unbelievably sharp, and the edge retention is definitely great. For $83, this knife definitely gave me a lot of bang for my buck.

If I had to use one word to describe Spyderco knives, it would be "practical". My only real criticism of Spyderco is that they don't really continue their production of what I would call the "creme of the crop". A few examples would be Caly 3 with ZDP-189/420J laminated blade, or the Manix 2 with S90V. But I guess that pretty much confirms that their knives were meant to be practical, and so aimed at the "average" user(ZDP-189 and S90V are too exotic and difficult to sharpen).

The Tenacious seems like an excellent piece for the price tag. The steel is nothing too fancy, but I'd imagine it would be quick and easy to resharpen because of the slightly low hardness. The flat grind gives it excellent cutting ability. The low price means that you won't cry over it if it becomes lost or damaged, and yet I would bet money that it still holds up better than most other folders at the $50 price range.

 

[J.Mattson]

If I had to use one word to describe Spyderco knives, it would be "practical".

+1 on a well written and well thought out post.

I tend to have more of Spyderco then any other knife maker simply because their knives make such great users more often then the other manufactures that I love. Ergonomically Spyderco’s knives are constantly incredible, the materials and fit and finish are good across the board, the grinds and blade shapes make for an extremely useful knife and Spyderco knives have constantly been the sharpest out of box.

Sal is great, a knife nut and an honest person. He listens to his ELU’s and gives us what we like.

A good example of what Spyderco means might be the new Manix 2 IMO that knife represents incredible value for money. The only knife that comes close is the Kershaw G10 Tirade, but the M2 beats it in my mind because its ergonomics work better for me (granted that’s basing a lot on the size of my hand) and the M2’s use of the BBL.

I think its important to avoid a Spyderco vs. Kershaw flame war, we’re talking about two incredible companies. Both are IMO putting out incredible knives at incredible price points like mentioned above both the M2 and G10 Tirade leave me flabbergasted. The upcoming Ti Military promises to be one of the most desirable knives to hit the market in years and the same goes for the Speed form.

 

[Jaben620]

Thanks for all the great reviews.:thumbup:

I will be purchasing a Spyderco very soon!

As far as the Kershaw posts go.. I own a Kershaw already. And i only own 1. Was not impressed with it at all.:thumbdn:

 

[Spydiefan04]

Spyderco is kind of like the Remington 870 or Glock of the knife world. Not the fanciest or prettiest but they work and work well. I initially dismissed Spydercos as I thought they looked cheap with their plastic handels and holes in the blade, at the time I was into Kershaws with speed openers and Benchmade axis locks, thought knives had to have aluminum or Ti handles, etc. After I was convinced to buy and carry a Delica awhile that was it and I was hooked. I think overall quality between Spyderco, Benchmade and Kersahw, and a few other companies is about even what hooked me on Spydercos was the round hole is better than the thumbstud once you get used to it, the VG-10 steel, and I think the overall ergonomics of Spyderco products are the best on folders out there with only the Benchmade Griptilians in the same league.

 

[13ninjas]

Yeah, let's not do that.

13ninjas made the comment about Chinese Spydercos being garbage, there is your troll.
Must be a slow night for the I.P.

Wow! Everyone is bashing me for stating my opinion? Sure a Chinese made Spyderco is better than most other Chinese made knives. But not near as good as American or Japanese made Spyderco's........and yes, I have held/used them. I have held them all. That $%^&*MOV steel crap sucks! I would recommend Spyderco to any one. A Spyderco made in USA or Japan that is. Not much on the Taiwan made Spydies either. Just based on my use of them.

 

[al3xd4gr34t]

Many Taiwanese made Spydercos now have the same or similar high quality as Golden made Spydercos. Some prime examples are the Sage series, Chicago, Cat, and Chokwe. None of them are using alphabet soup steel, but rather S30V. As for handle materials, G10, Carbon Fiber, and Titanium.

 

[13ninjas]

Many Taiwanese made Spydercos now have the same or similar high quality as Golden made Spydercos. Some prime examples are the Sage series, Chicago, Cat, and Chokwe. None of them are using alphabet soup steel, but rather S30V. As for handle materials, G10, Carbon Fiber, and Titanium.

Yes. And they are much better quality than the alphabet soup knives you spoke of. The sage I had just didn't seem quite right. The s30v blade was sharp, but didn't seem to hold the same edge as my para. The CF scales were nice too, but not as nice as the ones on Millies or Caly's. I haven't used one of the titanum ones yet, so not sure about them.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Wow! Everyone is bashing me for stating my opinion?

No, you're not getting "bashed." The one person who called you a troll was just using your post as misdirection from the poaching of this thread being committed by the 'mobsters in their own minds.'

 

[3Guardsmen]

It's quite obvious from the original post that the threadstarter is probably relatively new to knives in general (having not heard of Spyderco is certainly evidence of this).

Surely if somebody has not heard of Spyderco, maybe they haven't heard of Kershaw or Benchmade either. Obviously it is in the best interests of the threadstarter to be aware of all 3 major companies, so that he can look at all of the available options and make an informed decision.

Only a fanboy would feel threatened by alternatives. After all, what's it to you if he buys a Spyderco or a Kershaw? You people act like opposing countries at war

zomg I own both Kershaws AND Spydercos, burn the heretic!

As do I, but I, unlike others, know how to read, and subsequently was able to see that the OP's question was very clearly about Spyderco, not other companies.

Here is the OP:

I see from viewing the forums and threads that Spyderco knives are quite popular. I havnt heard of them until joining this forum.

Why is Spyderco so popular? What is it about them?

 

[jesseaction]

Sal put an adjustable pivot pin in the Caly 3 for me (it was originally was going to be pinned).

That's one example of why I like Spyderco so much.

If he really did that for you, sir, then I am humbled to be in your presence. Thank you!!! The Caly3 is so close to perfection that I can't think of a single alteration that would make it better. Much like the company that makes it (all hail Sal!).

I also love BM and Kershaw; they all three each have their strengths and no one's life can really be complete without owning at least a few of each. That said, Spydies seem to get more pocket time for me these days. Ahhh, my heart is warmed just thinking about them all..

 

[T.K.C.]

Spyderco knives are quite popular for many, many reasons. They make fantastic knives, have excellent customer service, they LISTEN to what their customers want, and the owner of the company participates here. When you buy a Spyderco, you get a whole lot of knife for the money.

 

[orthogonal1]

I see from viewing the forums and threads that Spyderco knives are quite popular. I havnt heard of them until joining this forum.

Why is Spyderco so popular? What is it about them?

Actually, I'd give the credit for the popularity of Spyderco knives on the forum and in the knife community in general to the founder, Sal, being present to promote his products. It helps that Sal doesn't appear to have gotten on too many peoples bad side. (Ask Lynn Thompson about that affecting popularity).

Spyderco offers and makes some nice, quality knives and accoutrements. Actually, Spyderco offers a lot of models and has done so for a few years. But so has a few other makers, some still in business and some not.

Marketing in ads and such only goes so far. A quality product only goes so far. But a presence gives both a boost.

As an example, lets see how Kershaw is doing in a year or so on the forum.


As to the knives themselves, just keep reading the forums and go handle some of them (as well as other makers' knives) and you'll see that they generally are at least a good product.

 

[Bill1170]

Spyderco makes knives that reflect the values of its founder. The core products are practical, good value, and very high quality. They are tools without a lot of ego involved; they are there to serve you, not the other way around. Like others have said, they look dorky until you use them and fall in love with how they work. They they become beautiful!

Bill

 

[cotdt]

Spyderco makes knives that reflect the values of its founder. The core products are practical, good value, and very high quality. They are tools without a lot of ego involved; they are there to serve you, not the other way around. Like others have said, they look dorky until you use them and fall in love with how they work. They they become beautiful!

Bill

Didn't Sal design many of the knives himself?

 

[2brothers]

If I had a Tenacious or Persistence....wait a minute......if someone gave me one....i'd give it to someone else. I'll pass on the Chinese stuff......GARBAGE:barf:

Guys, let's not allow the troll to turn this thread into a 'made in USA vs. made in China' thread! The OP asked about why Spyderco (not other companies) is so well liked and well respected on the forums, and he deserves answers.

Regards,
3G

No, you're not getting "bashed." The one person who called you a troll was just using your post as misdirection from the poaching of this thread being committed by the 'mobsters in their own minds.'

Really? Yeah, it was just the ONE person.

You always have to take a jab at us don't you? What's up with that?
Do you have a personal vendetta against us or something? You might need professional help if you do.

As do I, but I, unlike others, know how to read, and subsequently ....

Good job at stirring the pot 3G. You could have let this 2-month old post go by, but no.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Really? Yeah, it was just the ONE person.

13ninjas wasn't the troll I was speaking of in my post.

You always have to take a jab at us don't you? What's up with that?
Do you have a personal vendetta against us or something? You might need professional help if you do.

You guys make '"taking a jab at you" all too easy, especially when you feel the need to poach Spyderco threads. Furthermore, any adult who fancies himself an imaginary 'knife mobster,' may in fact be the one in need of "professional help."

Good job at stirring the pot 3G. You could have let this 2-month old post go by, but no.

Somebody else brought this thread back to life, not me. I hadn't seen Dekz reply to my post (he did quote me afterall) until this thread came back. I have every right to reply to his post, which was directed to me.

 

[Knife Outlet]

You have to go back to the beginning to help understand Spyderco's success. These were the first non-kitchen folders to be available with serrations. They were the first folders to be equipped with pocket clips. They were the first to use a hole in the blade as a one handed opening aid. And finally, they were designed for function rather than form. They were designed first and foremost for performance. Add to that, high quality Japanese manufacture and the use of better materials than the competitors and you have the most innovative line of folders ever brought to market. I can't think of a line of knives ever brought to market with such an array of competitive benefits. The company continues to do the same things to this day.

Others have made prettier knives. Nobody has made better knives at the price points at which Spydercos are sold. When people ask me what I consider to be the best value in a folder available today, I tell them it is the Spyderco Delica. I recommend them every day. I guess you can tell I'm a fan.