Talk me out of a Spyderco (if you can)

D

datatransfer

Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
9
Hi, all.

I've been really really pleased with my Cricket for the past year (bought it for my birthday a year ago). I carry it everyday.

Now I'm looking for my first real folder (I mean I have an old Buck from Wallmart, but I don't think that counts). I got it down to between the Persian and Stretch, but these are big money knives--is there another brand I should be looking at in the $100 price range?

And also, can I buy a $40-50 Spydy and still get the same quality as the Cricket? I mean that little thing was expensive for being so small (but the quality is fantastic).

Thanks so much in advance, and take care,
Alex
 
A Buck certainly counts, they may be inexpensive but the quality is great. I would suggest a Native in S30V if you want to talk Spyderco. Good lock, good steel, sharp as hell, easy opening, good price and most of all, comfortable to use.

If you want to take a step up from even that, there are many, MANY choices from Spyderco. All nice pieces. Any specific intended perpose for it or just a general utility piece?
 
Wow, I do really like the look of the Native in Stainless. Matches my Cricket (hah), and it's a good deal cheaper than the Stretch!

And yes, just generally use. I wouldn't EDC it or anything, but take it along on trips, cut up apples at my desk... you know, all the stuff that sissys do with knives (I won't hunt bears with it, ie).

I think I'll look for the best price on a Native, now. I wasn't thrilled about the price point of the Stretch or Persian, and it's love at first sight for the Native.

Thank you much!!
 
I really think the Stretch is a nice knife. It will slice an apple better than the native since it is flat ground and thin. Look around and I think you may find one for a good price. I know a little while ago they were selling for about $70 on E-bay. That is a good price for such a high quality knife. Much better than the Native. The only downside to the Stretch is that the rubber inserts tend to grab material like pockets and make it a little hard to take out. They will also fall out in time. Other than that, it is a really nice knife.
 
kgriggs8 said:
I really think the Stretch is a nice knife. It will slice an apple better than the native since it is flat ground and thin. Look around and I think you may find one for a good price. I know a little while ago they were selling for about $70 on E-bay. That is a good price for such a high quality knife. Much better than the Native. The only downside to the Stretch is that the rubber inserts tend to grab material like pockets and make it a little hard to take out. They will also fall out in time. Other than that, it is a really nice knife.
Click to expand...
I just bought a Stretch...hasn't arrived yet, but I am really looking forward to it. If you don't want to spend that much money, a Native or Delica is an excellent choice (or if you want to go bigger...Endura 4). I recently bought a Native III and Endura 4 off eBay.....and each was less than $40 shipped !!
Spyderco is unique in that they offer an unusual blend of quality, design, value, choice, customer service.....and integrity. NO production knife company in my opinion brings all of these thing together any better than Spyderco. And...they are nice people !
-regards
 
SpyderFu said:
Benchmades are better.....
Click to expand...

Depends on who you ask. I like them equally and there are plenty of well educated members on these forums that prefer Spyderco over Benchmade.

Datatransfer,

I'd definitely look into Benchmade if you want to look at other name brands. The $40-50 range Spyderco knives are made to work. Anything Spyderco is made to work. If you're willing to spend $100, you could go with a $50 knife from both Benchmade and Spyderco. I would, depending on my circumstances. There are plenty of members here that would suggest to get one higher priced knife over two cheaper ones. But for the $50 range, you can get quality knives from both companies and more variety. I suggest finding a store and playing with the knives to make the best decision.

Knives I suggest:

Spyderco $50 range:
Native, Endura/Endura Wave, Delica/Delica Wave

$50-$100 range:
Manix, Mini Manix, Police, Caly 3, Yojimbo, Military, Para-Military,

BM $50 Range:

Griptilians

$50-$100 Range:
HK34 (14200), 552 Griptilian, 710
 
kgriggs8 said:
I really think the Stretch is a nice knife. It will slice an apple better than the native since it is flat ground and thin. Look around and I think you may find one for a good price. I know a little while ago they were selling for about $70 on E-bay. That is a good price for such a high quality knife. Much better than the Native. The only downside to the Stretch is that the rubber inserts tend to grab material like pockets and make it a little hard to take out. They will also fall out in time. Other than that, it is a really nice knife.
Click to expand...

I've used my Stretch very hard as EDC and hunter. At first the inserts were grabby in the pocket, but that disappears over time, when they find some wear.
The kraton inlays give a solid grip on the knive. And with me, the inserts did
not fall out, and man, this knive is used hard. I know a story of a forumite on the Spyderco forum who was cleaning his Stretch in boiling water and was surprised that the inlays came loose:D :D
I think the Stretch is Spydercos best all purpose knife, and a favourite and
one of the EDC's of Mr Glesser as well ( He told me on the Spyderco forum that he has bended
the clip of his stretch a tad out to overcome the crabbing of the new kraton. That works well!)
 
Of the two I would pick the Persian.
(of the Spydercos you can also check Calypso3)

But if you are about to spend $100 I have to mention Benchmade Gravitator - IMHO best value on the market
 
datatransfer said:
Talk me out of a Spyderco (if you can)

Alex
Click to expand...

Ok, Alex. What do you really need a Spyderco for? I mean they cut so fast and efficiently. Wouldn't you rather have another brand, a brand of knife that takes much longer to do the cutting you need because the blades aren't as sharp out of the box and the steel isn't quite as good?

Wouldn't you rather have a knife that you need to pay more attention to, because the grip isn't as ergonomic and secure as a Spyderco? Who cares about comfort and efficiency anyway? What about the Spyder-hole, found on Spyderco knives? Why not just use a more difficult method of opening a knife, like a thumbstud or nail-nick? And "function", who cares about "function" these days, just as long as it "looks cool", right?

Who really cares that Spyderco has got almost 30 years refining the folding knife when there are companies out there that just started in the business. And "testing", let me tell you, who really cares that Spyderco has the market cornered on products "testing"? I mean, why should one company care that much about their products and customers anyway?:p

Tell me how I'm doing. Have I talked you out of buying one yet?:D

In short, buy a Spyderco, buddy!;)

Regards,
3G


P.S. If you're considering the Stretch or Persian, you may want to scoop 'em up quick, as they're both discontinued.
 
BTW: the 2007 spyderco catalog is out and the stretch is gonna be cut..so if you want one, grab it now
 
Spydercos are great, no need to talk you out of it. Although like the others, I'd say it's never a bad idea to look around at Benchmade etc.

For what you're using the knife for, just general-purpose EDC, I'd say the stretch is a great choice. The Stretch is kind of a sleeper, a great knife that for whatever reason didn't develop a following. Perhaps even better than the Stretch for your purposes, consider a Caly 3. It is an amazing knife with no peer among any other company. The edge geometry is unmatched by any other of the knives you're considering, which is why it has such a hardcore following. It doesn't look as cool as the Native, but once you cut with a Caly 3, that won't matter to you anymore.

Joe
 
You cannot go wrong with any Spyderco. For knife around $50 SS Native is a great choice, the only concern I have about SS handle, it is very slippery, if your hands gets wet and not a fun outside on winter. I have FRN Native and it is very good knife.
Now, if you want to go up in the price range Persian is absolutely a winner in my book.
I EDC this knife for about four month, Persian is the most comfortable in my hand (my hand probably medium size, but if yours bigger, you always can use finger choil), it looks amazing: black Micarta with steel bolsters; 3.5” VG10 blade is the perfect size. It is discontinued, but still available, also if you do not mind to use auction site, you can get there not that expensive. I bought few of them for little over $70.
Caly 3 is also great knife, I cannot say enough about it. But it is just come out and you can get it later; with Persian time is running out.
Here is thread on Spyderco forum about Persian
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23227
 
GarageBoy said:
BTW: the 2007 spyderco catalog is out and the stretch is gonna be cut..so if you want one, grab it now
Click to expand...
Sal mentioned in another thread a zdp/carbon fiber model

Depending on the price, that should help sales of the design. I think it was the inserts that held it back. I don't know anyone who prefers metal handles with rubber inserts.
 
Me and my buddy are sitting next to eachother looking at 2 edc Spyderco knives atm. Both have blade dammage that they should not have, but both are aus-6 blades. Someone mentioned sharp and ergonomics, thats silly. BM and Kershaw's both come sharp and have great ergonomics that are of course model dependent regarldess of what company. In my opinion BM is a much better company and none of the Spyderco's I have owned have held up as well. Now if you buy a knife they make with better steel it may be a different story. With BM and Kershaw both stepping up to S30v I relly think they are a better choice.
 
Spyderco makes good products at a good value, and some higher end products as well. I have an Endura that has been a great knife. Have you considered Kershaw? Kershaw is making some excellent products at great prices as well. Check out a Boa, Spec Bump, Avalanche, or even a Storm or Blur on the less expensive end.
 
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