superficial spyderco dilemma

[KJlost]

You could try a cheap Byrd line or Tenacious/Persistence to see if the look grows on you.

That's what I did when I didn't think much of Spyderco designs to throw a hundred dollar at it. The Byrd Robin got me.

Now I think they're perfect for what I use them for.

 

[s.c.]

Like many others, I found them ugly as well. I only bought a Delica when I first got into knives only because it was so highly regarded. As soon as I handled and used it, it all made sense.

The ease at which they open with the hole, the way the bump caused by the hole acts as a thumb rest, how it make deep cuts without thumbstuds snagging, etc...it all made sense on that first use. I quickly got over the awkward looks and proceeded to collect mainly Spydercos.

 

[Dorito Monk]

I can understand why you'd hesitate to buy them...I used to think they were pretty hideous, with very few exceptions (ex: the Caly 3). In spite of that, I bought a Tenacious because I had heard such outstanding reviews of it and wanted to see what I was missing. Since then, the looks of some of their stuff has really started growing on me, and the Spyderhole is easily one of the best opening methods I've ever used.

TBQH, I still think they have some pretty hideous designs. I still hold that knives like the Assist and the Chokwe are in the running for the ugliest production knives I've ever seen (right up there with emerson karambits :barf::barf::barf.

If you dismiss the whole company because of their looks, you're going to miss out on gems like the Manix 2.

 

[J_Curd]

Spyderco's are beautifully pragamatic examples of quality imo...even the Byrd lines are really good.

I have a Manix 2 and it is as close to perfection as it gets.

Quality...it's decent, the back spacers on the FRN models are typically off a bit, and the big hole in the blade detracts from lateral blade integrity. Not the strongest options if you go FRN.

Byrd's are good for the price...so long as they don't close on your finger and send you to the ER to have it reattached. The faulty lock on mine was a bit lack luster...to the tune of about $3000.

Manix 2...does it still have the vertical blade play of the other bearing lock models?

Gents, take this all as tongue and cheek...the Chef postulates on what he has never used nor handled....I just wanted to draw some parallels from knives, well...I've owned and used!

And seriously, I own and enjoy as many EDC Spydercos as any other brand.

 

[Beyond You]

If a knife - any knife - doesn't "speak to me," then I don't buy it. I would suggest finding a local gun & knife show and checking them out in person. Who knows, you might end up going home with one (or two).

Surely you can find at least one Spydie that speaks to you.

What model is this..wow.

 

[Planterz]

C27 Jess Horn. Good luck finding one, and be prepared to pay out the nose if you do.

 

[wongKI]

IMO, ugly to the eye but beautiful in the hand. The Para-Military, Stretch and especially all the Ed Schempp designs exemplify this.

 

[Noctis3880]

I never really liked the really fat leaf shaped blades like the Manix 2. Even if it is FFG, the blade is so thick that hard cutting becomes difficult. Though some designs with a thinner and shorter blade like the Endura or Gayle Bradley are well suited for cutting.

Spyderco offers a HUGE variety of designs, so I wouldn't be so quick to write them off or make any generalizations. Above all else, they offer as many steels as there are flavors of ice cream. I have yet to see anyone else use S90V or ZDP-189 as extensively as they do, except Kershaw(for the ZDP).

I expect my Holy Grail to be Spyderco's Para2 in S90V and Carbon Fiber.

 

[philwar]

so everybody talks about how great spyderco knives are,and most people here talk about the ones they own and how great they are. I personally don't own one and was considering buying one to find out if I would like them as well. This has been delayed so far because of the fact that I can't get over how hideous they are IMO. Now I guess it's like cars or horse s or women,what one man finds gorgeous another sees a pile of trash. But is it foolish to skip out on owning/using a particular tool that could be of such great quality,simply because you can't come to terms with it's apearance?

Don't buy any if you don't want to. Looks are important too, and there are plenty of other knives of similar quality and function level.
But Spyderco is very much a leader in the design and manufacture of high quality knives. So basically, not owning knives such as the Tenacious, Gayle Bradley, Police, Military, Manix, it's your loss.

 

[Divega]

Had this same discussion with a friend of mine. He just can't warm up to Spyderco blades. He explains his feelings about Spyderco like this...

I can't warm up to the blade shapes. It's like women. What's beautiful for you is not for me. "Personality" can only go so far if you find no attraction.

Right or wrong, in a male superficial sort of way, I find some truth to that. There has to be some attraction to the knife before we delve deeper into the "personality" of the blade. I wouldn't purchase a knife unless I first liked the looks of it as well.

 

[Noctis3880]

Must be the hole. I find it to be harder to flick open than thumb studs, and there can't be anything more different to a CRK Sebenza than that huge gaping hole found on nearly every Spyderco.

 

[elkins45]

Quality...it's decent, the back spacers on the FRN models are typically off a bit, and the big hole in the blade detracts from lateral blade integrity. Not the strongest options if you go FRN.

Is this pure supposition on your part or can you actually tell us about an example where the blade failed at the hole in a situation other that abusive testing to failure?

 

[singularity35]

I'm thinking, should I get some popcorn?

 

[100eyes]

The only complaint I would have about Spyderco and their Spydie-hole is that it always creates a big lump on the top of the blade that makes most of their designs uncomfortable to grip hard while it's closed in your hand. However it does mean that there's always a good thumb ramp on the blade and Spyderco consistently does the best jimping so it kinda evens out.

Beyond that I always thought the Spydie-hole is much easier to open than any thumbstud I ever tried. It makes a HUGE difference especially if you have gloves on.

A good model to try out currently would be a Paramilitary 2 if you can find out - if you hate it, it should be very easy to resell.

 

[Pete1977]

Is this pure supposition on your part or can you actually tell us about an example where the blade failed at the hole in a situation other that abusive testing to failure?

Abusive testing to failure is useless when making a decision to purchase and carry a knife. I have NEVER had the occasion to chop through concrete or beat on a knife with a sledge hammer and I am in a profession where using a knife is a day to day occurance and several times a day at that. I am in an environment that ruins knives. I have never had a lock fail on anything but the cheapest knives (Gerber, Winchester etc. for instance) and have NEVER had a Spyderco knife fail at the opening hole.

What I have experienced is an opening method that is faster and more reliable under any condition (wet hands, gloves, etc) than any other method including studs, disks, and assisted opening. I see a functionally beautiful knife when I see a spyderco, something designed to work rather than look pretty.

 

[unit]

Spydercos are sort of like my pink bunny slippers...a lot of people think they look funny, but they feel so good and work perfectly around the house.

Seriously though. Take a look at your underwear...do you care how they look, or how they fit?

Some guys buy the set of wrenches/hammers/screwdrivers because they look best or match the others hanging on his peg board. Guys that use (really use) the tools select them based on performance. Not everyone will love Spyderco but many who try develop an understanding that performance is the point and getting equal performance and pretty looks can be done, but I have not found it at 2x the price of a Spyderco.

 

[J_Curd]

Is this pure supposition on your part or can you actually tell us about an example where the blade failed at the hole in a situation other that abusive testing to failure?

If you bend one, that's there it fails.

I fully intend to keep buying them, I just wish some models would come out without the hole (waves would be great, flippers, even a thumbstud would work for me better). This would also allow for more narrow pocket carry which detracts from many of the cooler designs.

 

[big wes]

If a knife - any knife - doesn't "speak to me," then I don't buy it. I would suggest finding a local gun & knife show and checking them out in person. Who knows, you might end up going home with one (or two).

Surely you can find at least one Spydie that speaks to you.

That design/style is very similar to the Jigged-Bone Al Mar Eagle I own.

Nice looking knife you got there.

 

[Pete1977]

If you bend one, that's there it fails.

I fully intend to keep buying them, I just wish some models would come out without the hole (waves would be great, flippers, even a thumbstud would work for me better). This would also allow for more narrow pocket carry which detracts from many of the cooler designs.

The hole is the most reliable opening method I have found under most circumstances. I would have to come to terms with the minute risk of bending or breaking the blade at the hole for reliable opening 100% of the time.

And I can't imagine a scenario where I would need a folding knife to perform where the result would be such a bend in the blade. Aside from "destruction tests" involving a vise and hockey mask in someone's garage.

 

[unit]

If you bend one, that's there it fails.

I fully intend to keep buying them, I just wish some models would come out without the hole (waves would be great, flippers, even a thumbstud would work for me better). This would also allow for more narrow pocket carry which detracts from many of the cooler designs.

That is funny. Some guys look at that image and see a weakness created by the hole.

OTOH, I look at it and take away several OTHER points.
1. The steel bends before breaking (a failure mode I would prefer).
2. The tip (and overall grind of the knife) is over built and probably will not slice as well as it could...and why shouldn't it? It is a KNIFE after all.
3. The pivot is PLENTY strong and apparently I do not need a bigger one.
4. The blade (while not designed for prying!!!) will not punish the abusive user by snapping like a twig possibly resulting in injury!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Show me a blade that failed at the hole while the knife was being used properly! I carry a mini pry bar...I have no interest in buying a knife for prying, nor would Spyderco (or any other company selling a knife at that price point) recommend that action with their knives I bet.