Underated Buck & Overhyped Spyderco? - Some Overservations

See which one ends up in your pocket all the time after a year or 10. I've found "wow factor" with spydercos is generally very low, it's just that for me, and alot of others, they somehow worm their way into pockets for some reason. After 15 or so years of having a first gen endura always ending up back in there despite lots of other technically superior knives being bought to replace it, I gave up on wow factor.. I have a nice yellow Salt 1 that's looking like it'll be the sucessor. It's gotten to the point now where the only stuff I'll buy that isn't a spyderco is a fixed blade or traditional multiblade folder.
 
yoda4561 said:
See which one ends up in your pocket all the time after a year or 10. I've found "wow factor" with spydercos is generally very low, it's just that for me, and alot of others, they somehow worm their way into pockets for some reason. After 15 or so years of having a first gen endura always ending up back in there despite lots of other technically superior knives being bought to replace it, I gave up on wow factor.. I have a nice yellow Salt 1 that's looking like it'll be the sucessor. It's gotten to the point now where the only stuff I'll buy that isn't a spyderco is a fixed blade or traditional multiblade folder.
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The WOW factor with Spydercos is in the use of the knives as in only then one can fully realize and appreciate how much time and effort goes into the design, the high quality materials and the R&D of Spydercos heat treating, blade and Edge geometry.
 
I didn't have that experience with my PM2, but I do know the feeling. I have bought a couple knives in the past that were so popular here on Bladeforums that I thought they couldn't fail - when I got them, though, I found that they just plain didn't suit me. Three that come to mind are the Skyline, Tenacious, and Rat-1 - they're three of the often-recommended inexpensive knives out there, but not one of them worked for me. That's not to say they were poorly made or anything, just that they didn't fit my hand or didn't work well for the work I put them through, etc. It happens! :)

I would agree with you that the PM2 isn't very EDC-friendly (at least, in my area). It's a little bit large, and probably a little bit too scary looking for most folks. I use it as a work knife mostly, alongside my Manixes and such. Lately I carry something 3" or under that's discreet and people-friendly - slipjoints, SAKs, Izula around the neck, etc.
 
I dunno if this has been suggested yet, but on the issue of deployment speed, try the poor-man's wave with a small zip tie through the spydie hole :) Made my spydie more carry-friendly for sure since I can have it out n' ready faster than anything else I've carried.
 
Ankerson said:
The WOW factor with Spydercos is in the use of the knives as in only then one can fully realize and appreciate how much time and effort goes into the design, the high quality materials and the R&D of Spydercos heat treating, blade and Edge geometry.
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EXACTLY!!!! Spyderco knives are typically a but underwhelming on the surface, but when you put them to some real use they really start to show their true colors. The para2 is one of the best PERFORMING edc knives out there, that is why it is so highly regarded amongst the experts.
 
A.P.F. said:
I have two Vantages that are off-center and won't 'flip', yet every Spyderco I own are pretty much perfect. Experience is variable.
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I have a Pro,AVID and a Select all centered and smooth as silk flippers very solid all three, my Spidie is the same but NOT solid.
 
I've been looking seriously at the Vantage Force Pro, but so many folks have reported wonky liner and lockup issues. Has this been fixed?
 
Magnaminous_G said:
I've been looking seriously at the Vantage Force Pro, but so many folks have reported wonky liner and lockup issues. Has this been fixed?
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It is supposed to have been fixed in a second production run. The problem is that you don't know how old your dealer's stock is.
 
Can the pocket clip be mounted for lefty tip up carry? EVERY picture I've seen does not show the clip side of the knife.
 
So you haven't actually used the Para?


I understand buyers remorse, even if I drink the kool aid, as the buck is an excellent value but give the para some cutting time
 
Thats why im scared to buy any of the things like the PM2 the BM grip because people hype them up so much i feel like itll be a disappointment when i get it.
 
xperiaarcs said:
Thats why im scared to buy any of the things like the PM2 the BM grip because people hype them up so much i feel like itll be a disappointment when i get it.
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Understanding people will usually make their new toys they just got sound like the best thing since sliced bread because they just got it. ;)

Try to look for testing and performance reviews other than just those desktop ones.
 
A.P.F. said:
It is supposed to have been fixed in a second production run. The problem is that you don't know how old your dealer's stock is.
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The best thing to do is just call the dealer, ask them how new their stock is and have them actually check the knife BEFORE they send it to you. Then you know you're getting a good one.
 
tricker said:
So you haven't actually used the Para?


I understand buyers remorse, even if I drink the kool aid, as the buck is an excellent value but give the para some cutting time
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No, I haven't done a lot of cutting with it yet. I have no doubts about it's abilities. I've owned two other spyderco's before (endura and native). I've also watched video's of people doing cut test with it, and it seems to handle most everything thrown at it. My cutting task are never really too extreme anyway...just everyday stuff, so any knife will practically work. For me, it's more about size, how it feels in the hand, how it carries in the pocket, etc. In that regard I think the Vantage Pro win's for me. However, the Para 2 is definitely a quality knife. Maybe I'm just realizing that I prefer something a little smaller for edc. It would be cool if they came out with a "mini para 2".
 
Maybe a Native 5 then. :)

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