What Are the Must have Spydercos for Newbies?

Didn't see the Tenacious or the Persistence listed. Love them both and at the price point, you can use them without worrying about damaging them.
 
Atleast something from the tenacious line up. A delica or endura. Atleast maybe take a look into a df2. PM2 forsure (atleast handle one).
 
13ball said:
Didn't see the Tenacious or the Persistence listed. Love them both and at the price point, you can use them without worrying about damaging them.
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Post number 12. Budget blades were suggested.;)

I still dig my Persistence. Rock on brother!:)
 
Beyond the classics (Delica, Endura and Dragonfly), a couple of basic models to consider are the Stretch a Centofante 3. (I'm probably forgetting several other "basic" models.) Moving on from there, I would add the Military, Paramilitary 2 and Gayle Bradley. Beyond that, it's a wide open field of preferences.
 
I always recommend two from Taichung: Sage 1 CF and Chaparral 1 CF.
 
I started with a Delica 4. All around amazing EDC, that I still carry on a regular basis. My next was the PM2. It's bigger, stronger, and a great locking system. Since then I've gotten a Gayle Bradley, PPT, and Domino (which I think is severely underrated). The next will be a Superblue Stretch.
 
My personal favorites have been the Dragonfly 2 FRN, the Paramilitary 2, Sage 1, and the G-10 Native 5. I also love my PITS, for what it's worth - a beautiful slip joint.

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Depends on intended use. I'd say you have the small to medium covered pretty well.

I'd suggest, in no particular order, Military, Paramilitary 2, Chokwe, Techno. For the really small sizes look at the Balance, Equilibrium, Cricket and Spin.

For a Dfly size-ish alternative look at Chaparral and Sage. For something truly beautiful can't beat the Memory. The Des Horn or Kiwi would also work.

I prefer the Urban over the UKPK for the slipjoint knives. The Pingo is also a solid contender.
 
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I also just started my collection couple of months. By now I collected around 15 knives. My the very first Spyderco is Lum Large (pink) - I completely love this knife, it is absolutely beautiful. Also I very like Tenacious, Dragonfly and Stretch - these three knives I guess a must for all Spyderco collectors. And Ladybug - I think a must too :) imho
 
Only 2 Spydies I own and USE (and I'm def a newbie) are Techno S30V & Domino Blue Weave, and I'm diggin em!
 
Well, you could easily wind with 20 knives in the must have category. I'm going to suggest 3 knives to start with, then work your way up from there.
1. Medium, middle price: Delica or Endura, whichever fits your hand better
2. Small: Dragonfly
3. Largish: Paramilitary 2 or Military, whichever fits your hand better.
After that, maybe some niche knives. A Tenacious, to go budget, a stainless steel Police, to go classic, a Sage or Manix to go modern, etc.
But most of all: enjoy Spyderco!!
 
lcsmith84 said:
I started with a Delica 4. All around amazing EDC, that I still carry on a regular basis. My next was the PM2. It's bigger, stronger, and a great locking system.
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Same. Got a brown Delica, then a digicam/satin PM2. I think that adding a Dragonfly and Military will cover all sizes (they're on my list), but I did just get my 3rd Spydie - Tasman salt SE and it's awesome, though not necessarily a 'must-have.' I have gifted a Persistence, Squeak and Manix 2 as well. The Squeak and Manix get used, but unfortunately I think the Persistence is still in the box. Haha, oh well.

So I would say:

-Dragonfly
-Delica
-PM2
-Military
-Native

Anything else is just a bonus, IMO.
 
dreadpirate said:
So I just started collecting Spyderco knives this past January. I was wondering what you all think are the "must have" for any collection big or small? Here's what I own so far in my collection:

1. Dragonfly 2 in FRN VG-10 steel
2. Native 5 in FRN in S35VN steel (guess S35VN is the only option so far)
3. Endura 4 in FRN VG-10 steel
4. Manix 2 in FRN and S110V steel
5. Delica w/ Titanium handles and Damascus steel
6. Sage 1
7. Caly 3.5 w/ G10 handles and VG-10 steel

Out of these - the Dragonfly, Delica, and Endura seem to me to be the basic 3 knives that run could meet most of your needs. What do you all think? Also - I have all full flat grind (FFG) blades - but maybe a Saber grind might be good to have, esp. for a smaller knife like a Delica.
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You're right on in my opinion. I was introduced to Spyderco with an AUS 8 Endura in the mid to late 90s, a knife that I still have and use. I look at my Endura 4 now and I'm amazed at how much improved it is. The clip, the blade jimping, the blade shape, the steel, the volcano grip, the lock shape, feel and function...just to name a few...such vast improvements over my almost 20 year old Endura. I have the same appreciation for the Delica 4, and DF 2. Those are all rock solid choices.

Based on your current collection I'd say we have similar tastes. I would consider adding:

Something in ZDP-189. Amazing steel in my opinion. Since you don't have a Stretch or a Ladybug, those might be ones to consider. Stretch falls right in between the Endura and Delica in terms of size and pocketability. The Ladybug 3 is the EDC that rides on my keychain. Both are slam dunks.

Something in Superblue. These were relatively recent Sprint runs. You can find several different models on the secondary market, and there are several BF dealers that still have man bugs. This steel has a great reputation around the forums for being one of the easiest to get 'scary' sharp. I have a Delica 4 with it and I really like it.

A Gayle Bradley. There's a second version due out this year but I think the first gen would be a solid choice for you as well. Pictures really don't do this one justice in my opinion. Several things struck me when I first laid hands on it. It is a beast of a knife. So much of a beast you'll want to find stuff to cut with this thing like the blade sorts guys do. As with all my Taichung Spydies, my perceived quality and fit and finish are off the charts awesome. It's high hollow ground and overall shape is alot different than any of the other knives you've listed, and to top it all off its another highly regarded steel, CPM M4.

A Paramilitary 2. You probably won't find another Spydie hyped more than the PM 2. They are notorious for being out of stock, but in my opinion, it lives up to that hype and it's worth taking the time and effort it takes to seek out. Handle one and you'll see what all the fuss is about. The compression lock system is one of my personal favorite locking designs. It's unique in that it is operated on the spine. It sounds weird but in my experience it's intuitive to operate and really easy to get used to. The ergonomics of this knife is what I feel really sets it apart. I'm not a tactical kinda dude but I have an appreciation for...or maybe a proclivity towards...sharp, well engineered...you get the idea.

A Chaparral 1. I feel it's similar to dragonfly in terms of how it pockets. It's in my 'dress knife' category. It's got the same type of Carbon Fiber your Sage 1 does. What sets this knife apart in my opinion is the thin XHP steel blade and the fit and finish.

Something in H1. Reference the hundreds of posts by Surfgringo on these forums. If you're around water, especially salt water, this is the steel you'll want to carry. This would be a good way to introduce yourself to Spyderco Serrations, Spyderedge.

I'm personally considering adding a Roadie to my collection for those times where a locking blade or larger knife either isn't allowed or frowned upon.
 
corey.lively said:
Something in H1. Reference the hundreds of posts by Surfgringo on these forums. If you're around water, especially salt water, this is the steel you'll want to carry. This would be a good way to introduce yourself to Spyderco Serrations, Spyderedge.
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+1
I got the itch this week, so I knocked out three birds w/ one stone. Lol, hawkbill, spyderedge and H1. The icing on the cake is that the Delica is still my favorite, and this has a lot in common w/ it.
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