Wegner or Starmate

R

rick hovis

Joined
Jun 23, 2004
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I recently asked about a tough folder and have narrowed it down to either the Wegner or the Starmate.From what I've read, the Wegner seems to be more of a hunting knife. What are your opinions on these knives and would you recommend plain or plain/serrated edge. This knife would be edc and used for camping/backpacking and some heavy use. Any thoughts appreciated.

Rick
 
I almost always prefer plain edge. The Starmate and Wegner are excellent knives. I would most likely choose the Wegner because it is my all time favorite Spyderco. The Starmate is a close second though.

The Wegner just feels so good in the hand. I like the way it opens and gives an authoritative "thwack". The solid steel backspacer adds to the balance and feel of the knife. What can I say.... I love that knife.
 
But when the Wegners lock wears,there is no adjustment.
 
I carried my Wegner as my edc for 2 years and now I carry it only when hiking and climbing about 3 times per month.The lock up is still good.No blade play.
 
The Wegner is supposed to be a great knife for dressing game, but I don't hunt. I camp/hike/backpack and there is no other folder I'd rather have with me then. It's so rugged and solid, it's like having a folding fixed blade in your pocket. I have three stocked up because they're not made any more. If you decide you want one let me know and maybe we could work something out.
 
I bought the Starmate in a combo edge, it's truly a nice knife that you would get a lot of enjoyment out of. It was too large for me to carry and use around people at work and I ended up liking it so much I couldn't bring myself to take it camping. Between that and the high ride clip I never carry it just show it off occasionally.

But it's tough enough and fills the hand nicely. A few people complained about the 440V steel being hard to sharpen as I recall but that's usually the trade-off for edge holding ability. Before the Para military it would have probably been my top choice to take out to the woods if I could only have one (folding) knife. I don't hunt and have no experience with the Wegner but it's well-reviewed.
 
My vote is for the Wegner. I don't own a Starmate, so I can't fairly compare the two, but owning a dozen Spydercos the Wegner is my favorite. You can get them pretty readily, still NIB, at decent prices. I'd like to get my hands on a Wegner Jr, which is 2/3 the size of the original, too.
 
The Starmate has better steel and is lighter weight. Good grip and positive lockup with a good blade design for general purpose. The action is reasonably smooth for a G10 handle.

The Wegner is a bit heavier and has a more solid feel to it. Handle is a bit more ergonomic and the action is considerably (way) smoother. The steel in the blade is ATS34 so it also is good. The blade is designed with a bit more emphasis toward hunting and field dressing animals but is totally suitable for GP use. Blade lengths are comparable.

Either knife is a good choice overall but you have to decide which particular qualities are more important and go with that.

Both knives have been discontinued (sad to say) and the plain edge versions of either model are usually pretty hard to find. Combo edges seem to be readily available though.

BladeTech is making their version of the Wegner folder but, IMO, it isn't as well done as the Spyderco version was.
 
Both of these are on my all time favorites list(had three Starmates at one time couple of years ago and still have two :D ).

The Wegner is one of the best feeling folding knives to hold in the hand that has ever been made IMO. It is that good. The blade has a sweet sweep to it's edge and for a drop point, it has a splinter pickin' sharp point. This is not that easy to pull off in a drop point pattern, but Wegner/Spyderco pull it off nicely. The knife is just plain stout from tip to tail.
It was made as a hunter, but is really multi-purpose in it's execution.

The Starmate really appealed to me because of it's decently thick spine, it's screamingly thin edge, the CPM440V blade and it's just an attractive looking piece overall. I think Terzuola really hit a homer with the design of the Starmate. This knife cuts like a dream and looks good doin' it.

Man, I do not envy you having to choose between these two. Hate to say it (because on this forum it's become so cliche'), but, do yourself a favor and get'em both.

There. I've said it. Slightly ashamed to say it, but it needed to be said. :rolleyes:


All the best,
Mike U.
 
I have only the Wegner from this pair though I can understand the Starmate's appeal. Nothing Spyderco currently sells appeals to me as much as these two.

Here is a problem no one has discussed. My Wegner is so damn nice and hard to find that I hate to use it in case it get's scratched or hurt in some way. I practiced with it and a fire steel off the back of the spine worked great but my baby got scratched. Since then I bought it a nice gerber protective sheath but got sick of checking for it 20 tiomes a walk to ensure it was still there.

It now rides in the safe and I take it out and peek at it once a day to ensure I still haves it my precious...Gollum...gollum..You can't haves it it's mine....

Close to the sound of maniacal laughter.

Any-way you get the point...be careful you have a strong enough moral fiber to own and use one of these babies.
 
Who's (dealer or forumite w/NIB) got a good price on a plain edge Starmate ? I'm lookin for another one. fuzzy
 
A PE Starmate is very hard to find. The last one on Ebay went for over $150.

Ted
 
I own both, but pound hell out of the Wegner. I like it so much I have a Rob Simonich Talonite Wegner Pro Hunter Fixed Blade strapped to my pack.
 
I'd take the starmate just because I like it, and the reassuring click. Lookout for the notch (especially when twisting)
I'd take PE anyday of the week
 
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