Which Spyderco for a new fan?

Kwon Kwang

Kwon Kwang

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
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Hi everyone, I'm a budding Spyderco fan - the only Spyderco I own and have handled/seen in person is my blue handled Tenacious. I'm interested in picking up a performance-oriented Spyderco folder with higher end steel and a stronger lock (I am not at all impressed with my Tenacious' lock strength, but I do love literally everything else about it). While I am new to Spyderco, I am not new to knives, and there are some criteria I need my folding knives to live up to:

-a strong lock that is able to withstand abuse and long term use
-a comfortable, ergonomic handle
-traction on the handle
-smooth opening and closing
-a versatile pocket clip that allows me to easily clip the knife to a waistband, thick pockets, etc. while securely clipping to what it's clipped to (I have a feeling I came to the right place for that)
-rust resistant steel that's tough, and easy to sharpen, yet hard with good edge holding properties (Yes, I am aware of the contradictions here, just looking for the best balance of these properties)
-a street price of less than $150, though the less expensive the better

I also think it would be cool if it was an "iconic Spyderco knife", that really highlights what makes Spyderco different from other companies.

What have you got for me, Spyderbros?
 
Gayle Bradley.

Thickest liner lock I have seen, it actually has a releif milled out like you see in Ti frame locks
Comfortable and ergonomic to me, it is a larger knife, not huge though
Textrured Carbon Fiber scales are nice and grippy, not over done though
Mine is crazy smooth
4-way hour glass clip
CPM-M4, Not technically a SS steel, very tough, easy to touch up, RC around 62 iirc, awesome edge holding
Not always under $150, but usually can find it under that, and I picked one up for $135 about two months ago

It is not a Military, Para, Delica/Endura, but has a pretty strong following. Very unique though, I find it hard to find knives to directly compare it to.
 
Everything Matty said. That zdp stretch is on my radar. That's some pretty fancy steel for the $100 range! Can't tell u anything about the lock though. I like the design of the caly 3.5 too, but again, don't have it yet so can't comment on the lock strength.
 
nccole said:
Gayle Bradley.

Thickest liner lock I have seen, it actually has a releif milled out like you see in Ti frame locks
Comfortable and ergonomic to me, it is a larger knife, not huge though
Textrured Carbon Fiber scales are nice and grippy, not over done though
Mine is crazy smooth
4-way hour glass clip
CPM-M4, Not technically a SS steel, very tough, easy to touch up, RC around 62 iirc, awesome edge holding
Not always under $150, but usually can find it under that, and I picked one up for $135 about two months ago

It is not a Military, Para, Delica/Endura, but has a pretty strong following. Very unique though, I find it hard to find knives to directly compare it to.
Click to expand...

Yes, get a Gayle Bradley, I think its one of the best spydercos being made. I'd take one hands down over the ever so famous PM2... I'd take it over two pm2s!!
 
every spydie fan should have atleast 1 delica or endura so you could start there but like the others have said that gayle Bradley is a damn fine blade :)
 
Also, I know it doesn't exactly fit your bullet points but I really love my dragonfly 2! In fact, I've never heard anyone express anything but love for the dragonfly. You can get the frn model for under $50. Or spend another $30 or so and get the zdp version. Really an amazing little knife. You might want to have em stick one in the same box they use to ship you that gayle Bradley. :-)
 
Thanks for the responses, gents.

Unfortunately, the Gayle Bradley is a bit out of my price range from the cheapest place where I can find it. Please keep the suggestions coming!
 
I love these:

CC687858-8DA7-4A01-854A-6C4CD3127C8C-34992-00000E089AE85A37_zps08a73a16.jpg
 
Consider a Caly 3. I picked up a carbon fiber Caly 3 with laminated ZDP-189 steel recently off the exchange for $105, and I have to say it may be my favorite out of the ~20 Spydercos I've owned so far. Mine has flawless fit and finish as well as a very elegant appearance. Incredibly smooth, especially to be a washerless design. ZDP is a great steel. It has a great, smoky blackened deep carry wire pocket clip. I have worn it in the waistband of athletic shorts without problem. Great ergonomics with a jimped thumb ramp and choil and perfectly designed handle -- really, it's much superior to the Tenacious and has IMO a far better executed and more useful leaf shaped blade.

While I think the price for a BNIB Caly 3 may be approaching your threshold, they can be had for less than $150... about $130 I think. I did see a couple in the exchange this morning for less, though. Definitely check it out... functional and aesthetic genius on Sal's part, and a shining testament to Spyderco's philosophy and capability.


- Will


(PS: While I absolutely love the Gayle Bradley, I don't really consider it a typical "EDC" knife, as it is quite bulky and heavy... a perfect folder for working duties though.)

edit: I noticed you did ask for a handle with traction, and while the carbon fiber on the Caly is definitely of the polished and smooth sort, the jimped choil/thumb ramp allow for perfect traction. You could also consider the Caly 3.5 in VG-10 steel with G-10 handles if you want something a bit larger. In my personal view, however, for an everyday pocketknife, once you travel past 3" you start rapidly using utility value... but of course, like most of us, I'm usually carrying more than one blade to compensate ;)
 
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Surfingringo said:
Also, I know it doesn't exactly fit your bullet points but I really love my dragonfly 2! In fact, I've never heard anyone express anything but love for the dragonfly. You can get the frn model for under $50. Or spend another $30 or so and get the zdp version. Really an amazing little knife. You might want to have em stick one in the same box they use to ship you that gayle Bradley. :-)
Click to expand...

That is what I did!



 
Kwon Kwang said:
Thanks for the responses, gents.

Unfortunately, the Gayle Bradley is a bit out of my price range from the cheapest place where I can find it. Please keep the suggestions coming!
Click to expand...

I can tell you where you can get one for $135 shipped, just not posting it here. I will say it is not a knife store, and I usually shy away from here for knives, but the price is so good, I did. I would really push for that one based on your criteria, and I regret not getting mine sooner.
 
You can't go wrong with a Para2, Manix2, Dragonfly2, Superleaf or Native 5. I'm not a huge Manix2 fan, because of the caged ball lock. Don't get me wrong, it's a tough lock. But simplicity leaves less room for error, and I prefer not rely on a spring for my knife to function properly. Honestly, the Superleaf is pretty much a Manix2 with a compression lock. It's an extremely underrated knife, I wish more people realized the potential of the Superleaf..but it's also double the price of a Manix2, so you have that to consider.

Personally, the Native5 is one of my all time favorites; it's a tank of a knife in a smaller package. It also qualifies for all of your requirements.
The Para2 is incredibly fun to play with due to the compression lock (like the Superleaf). It's also a great blade, but a lot of people dislike the blade to handle ratio. I'm usually picky about that aspect as well, but the Para2 is my exception. The DF2 is a great all around EDC blade, but it's a lot smaller than the other four knives..it's also offered in salt version (H1 rust proof steel), so you can take it swimming with you at the beach. :D

My recommendation would be to pick up a Native5 or Superleaf and a DF2 salt (h1 steel). You might go over your budget by a few bucks, but you'll be very pleased with your purchase(s).
 
nccole said:
I can tell you where you can get one for $135 shipped, just not posting it here. I will say it is not a knife store, and I usually shy away from here for knives, but the price is so good, I did. I would really push for that one based on your criteria, and I regret not getting mine sooner.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that, I'm game. :)
 
I agree with what has been said about the excellence of the Gayle Bradley. And of course the PM 2 is a top choice. But two of my most recent acquisitions are finding their way into my edc rotation a lot: the Stretch ZDP and the Sage 1. Both are very fine knives.
 
Native 5 with g10 handles. Big enough to do a lot more real work than any dragonfly(I own the g10 version of the df so don't waste your time telling me how great it is, I know first hand and my big hands want a bigger knife) and small enough so no one freaks out about that big honking Bowie knife you got in your pocket when you go to use it.
 
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