The allure of Spyderco

Are you a Spyderco fan

  • Yes

    Votes: 208 67.1%

  • No

    Votes: 26 8.4%

  • Depends on the model

    Votes: 96 31.0%
  • Total voters
    310
Rusty Shackelford said:
Yea It's quite thin, especially for a Spyderco, but plenty strong due to the blade shape and my favorite folding knife that I own. The model was created to showcase new handle materials and the steel always stays the same, to my knowledge it has never changed nor has there ever been a sprint run or exclusive. I think XHP is an excellent steel for this knife but I also wouldn't be one bit opposed to seeing it in a high end tool steel like K390 or even M4 in the future as well.
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Haha yea those were the two steels that I was hoping for too. Good god I don't need another knife... But if I ever see a deal on one of those Sun and Moon ones I might have to pounce.
 
There is a lot to love about Spyderco. They are innovative and lead the industry to an extent. They offer a fun selection of steels. They also tend to deliver a good heat treatment on their super steels.

There are also a few of things I don't like. Most Spyderco knives I've owned have ended up being projects, with chamfering crisp edges being both the most minor and most common thing I end up doing. That's not necessarily bad but I don't like their position on customers taking their knives apart. They won't ship replacements for internal parts and have a minimum charge for warranty work. They will send out replacement pocket clips but last time I needed one, it cost me like $12. (Not the end of the world but I've gotten them for free from Kershaw and Kizer only wanted $5 to send one all the way from China.) Disassembly and reassembly in general can be a pain with some models. I've had persistent centering issues on some of their Chinese models too.

Speaking of, their Chinese-made budget knives are way behind the times. Models in 8Cr13Mov and FRN cost over $50 while other companies making knives in the same country are using 9Cr18Mov, 10Cr15CoMov, or even N690 with G10 or Micarta for less. Sal has confirmed that they are researching an overall upgrade but it could be years before we see it.

To finish on a positive note, Sal actually takes the time to talk to customers and engage with the community. Even me. 😜 That's a big deal.
 
I'm waiting for/hoping for them to do a magnacut chaparrel in this birdseye maple... that might kick my gb2 out of top position ; )

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My first “nice” knife, probably 17-18 years ago, was a brown Delica 4. I still have it, but don’t really carry it due to sentimental reasons. That knife sent me down the rabbit hole. I can’t count how many Spydercos I’ve owned over the years, but I have 13 right now that are in my “forever” collection. There are a few I’ll buy doubles of when I find them to give to my kids one day.

They are all users, all are great cutters, all feel great in hand. Yes, I’m a fanboy. I still have some Case, Kershaw, Buck, lots of ESEE, Victorinox, etc. Something just feels right to me with my Spydercos. Plus, as others have said, Sal is very active in the community and I’m a steel nerd, so it’s fun to experiment.
 
Not a fanboy but have a special place for them as I bought my first quality knife when I was 16 in a local mall in a rare mens store that is long gone. Bought the delica and carried that knife for years. I now prefer the endura and PM2 the most. I should replace that delica as I don’t even own one anymore 9394551F-C932-4C9A-AC91-0D2FFD64CBF3.jpeg
 
I have two flavors each Native 5, PM 2, and Manix 2. Even though they're different sizes & shapes, they're all comfortable when doing various cutting chores. And the blade shapes are all good at what knives were made to do- cutting things. They just work.
 
Chronovore said:
There is a lot to love about Spyderco. They are innovative and lead the industry to an extent. They offer a fun selection of steels. They also tend to deliver a good heat treatment on their super steels.

There are also a few of things I don't like. Most Spyderco knives I've owned have ended up being projects, with chamfering crisp edges being both the most minor and most common thing I end up doing. That's not necessarily bad but I don't like their position on customers taking their knives apart. They won't ship replacements for internal parts and have a minimum charge for warranty work. They will send out replacement pocket clips but last time I needed one, it cost me like $12. (Not the end of the world but I've gotten them for free from Kershaw and Kizer only wanted $5 to send one all the way from China.) Disassembly and reassembly in general can be a pain with some models. I've had persistent centering issues on some of their Chinese models too.

Speaking of, their Chinese-made budget knives are way behind the times. Models in 8Cr13Mov and FRN cost over $50 while other companies making knives in the same country are using 9Cr18Mov, 10Cr15CoMov, or even N690 with G10 or Micarta for less. Sal has confirmed that they are researching an overall upgrade but it could be years before we see it.

To finish on a positive note, Sal actually takes the time to talk to customers and engage with the community. Even me. 😜 That's a big deal.
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They haven't had the "no disassembly" rule for many years. As long as you don't destroy the knife it doesn't void the warranty. And if you destroy a knife disassembling it you have no business holding a screwdriver. Lol
 
I love 14c28n steel both in a fixed blade and folder. Just got a Ruike P831, fantastic knife and as you say HJA so reasonable for what you get.
 
I’m one of those sick heathens. I just can’t get past the big hole. They all look like Woody Woodpecker, except for the Southard, but even it has a hole, even though it’s a flipper, but at least it looks more like a knife. So yes, I am that shallow - to me, part of the allure of any knife is its looks, both open and closed. Obviously there’s more to it than that, because you guys that love them really love them. I’m glad they work great for y’all, but there’s nothing in the blade shapes or steels that can’t be gotten in any number of other brands that don’t look like cartoons. 😬
 
Despite all the good work Spyderco does for the knife community, they just seem off to me. Also the FRN handles and the square ones who are often used do not have my preference. I do own for 13 years are well used Ti Military which I love a lot. I would like to try a Manix 2. But my all time favorite is the Subvert designed by Nati Amore. The knife is far from the average Spyderco and that's maybe what I like about it besides the awesome design. Here are some pics :

Military_Ti(2).jpg


C3_SUBVERT_2(1).jpg


Edit : spelling correction
 
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I have been interested in spydercos since I fist saw my buddy's in 9th gade art class, sometime aound 1993. I have never bought one. The appeal is the steels that they use and the design is sharp. They're like a Movado watch., simple elegant and purposeful... I never really understood the price point as a daily use folder, which is probably why I have yet to purchase one. Would be great to pick up an inexpensive one second hand, but haven't done that in 30 years either.
 
BennyBlade said:
What model is the one with half a thumb hole?
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That is a Scandi blade that I modified to make tight corners in the kitchen during food prep. I call it the “Chicken Boner”. I back my index finger into the crook to get more blade control.
 
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