Which Spyderco for wilderness and fishing?

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Phaselock

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I am looking for a knife to the combined survival/wilderness and fishing (freshwater). I think I would like to try a Spyderco. But many of folding knives are too small for my use. Can someone help me choose a Spyderco knife to fit my usage? Personally I think the Aqua Salt H1 (plain blade) looks good or maybe Stretch or Endura. But I'm not sure whether these are suitable for my usage.

Which Spyderco for wilderness and fishing? Both fixed blade and folders. I am open to all suggestions.
 
I would look at one of the Mules. I don't think you could do better than these all purpose outdoor blades.

I did see one the other day that comes with scales already installed.

Nice flat ground blade for any outdoor activity.

EDIT: My bad, the knife I saw was the Temperance 2 model. The Hossom range (Woodlander, Dayhiker) is another option.
 
Thanks for the advice. Both look very nice. I don´t know the price for the Mule, but Temperance 2 is way over my budget. Also the Mule seem to be discontinued.

Forgot to mention my budget is +/- $100
 
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The mules are sprint runs of different steels that come out about 4 times a year. Right now we are on mule #5 but the ones you really want are one of the first 3.

On to knives that are not hard to get and come with handles. First up, I would say the G-10 endura, nice thin blade that will flex a bit (good for fish) and has a nice slim profile for easy carry (thinner than a regular endura). Next I would say the FRN strech, don't have one but looks like a real good user that would most likely feel nice in the hand.

Anything FFG will work well.
 
OK for that kind of dough I would look at the Hossom Dayhiker or Woodlander. There is a store that has these for around $100.

Personally I think a fixed blade is the way to go for outdoor activities.


Phaselock said:
Thanks for de advice. Both look very nice. I don´t know the price for the Mule, but Temperance 2 is way over my budget. Also the Mule seem to be discontinued.

Forgot to mention my budget is +/- $100
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I just ordered the Endura 4 G10 for my outdoor chores when I don't require a fixed blade. I like the full flat grind blade.
 
Phaselock said:
I am looking for a knife to the combined survival/wilderness and fishing (freshwater). I think I would like to try a Spyderco. But many of folding knives are too small for my use. Can someone help me choose a Spyderco knife to fit my usage? Personally I think the Aqua Salt H1 (plain blade) looks good or maybe Stretch or Endura. But I'm not sure whether these are suitable for my usage.

Which Spyderco for wilderness and fishing? Both fixed blade and folders. I am open to all suggestions.
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I think you'd really like the Temp 2, but that's a bit out of your price range. I handled one in the passaround and I love that knife. Micarta scales, VG-10 blade, excellent knife.

The Aqua Salt is a nice choice, completely stainless with a grippy FRN handle. Another one to look at would be one of the Hossom series, the smaller two models (someone already mentioned them I believe) are pretty cheap right now online.
 
I just purchased a manix2 a couple of weeks ago and I am very impressed with it. G10 scales and CPM-154 Steel. I plan on taking it with me fishing, hunting, and hiking.

Bill
 
The Temperence 2 is the way to go! I love mine. It is a great all around outdoors knife. Save your pennies, and you will not be sorry.
 
I really do not think there is a substitute for a good fillet knife for fishing

For hunting the moran or the military. The millie has a sharp point you have to be careful with when field dressing animals. But the open construction makes cleaning easier
 
Thanks! The Bill Moran might be a good alternative also. But it looks like the handle is a bit too small. Correct me if I´m wrong.
 
The Moran is a very nice knife for outdoors use. The handle isn't huge, but it's very comfortable. Mine doesn't get used much, as I've moved to preferring carbon steel custom knives for outdoors.

The Hossom knives should be good if you like recurves. I don't, so I have little interest in them.

The FRN Stretch is a great knife for lighter chores. It's definitely my favorite folder right now.

The Aqua Salt series looks okay, but I have zero experience with H1 and that particular blade.
 
Man, I just got an FRN Stretch off the exchange and it seems ideal for outdoors use, especially actual cutting rather than prying, hammering, etc. Really slices, the narrowish blade I think is useful too...
 
FRN Stretch is a very good folder, no matter which version you get. The Aqua Salt is also really good, tons of grip, I have plain edge in black FRN, and it came razor sharp. It can hold a decent edge and has very good ergonomics. Plus for about $65 its tough to beat.
 
The Temperance 2 is more like what I´m looking for. Really a beautiful knife. Maybe I should save some more money and buy the Temperance 2? ;)

Aqua Salt and Stretch FRN is good alternatives. Wish for more information about the Aqua Salt and the H1 blade. Could anyone with search privileges do a quick search on the H1 and Aqua Salt for me? Thanks!
 
I have a yellow Aqua Salt PE, and I think it would be pretty ideal for your purposes. It's lightweight, rustproof, and has a nice, secure sheath & clip. IMO, the size is just right; not too big, not too small. The yellow handle makes it easy to find if you drop it.

H1 is easy to sharpen. Initially, it won't hold an edge as long as VG-10. However, due to H1's work hardening properties, edge retention will improve with use and sharpening.

AquaSalt-1.jpg


For reference, the Pacific Salt is the same size as an Endura.
 
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bushmattster said:
I just ordered the Endura 4 G10 for my outdoor chores when I don't require a fixed blade. I like the full flat grind blade.
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"Bushmattster" that's a darn good pick and I'll have to second that one. A guy I work with just got one of the G-10 Endura models and he loves it a lot. Now you could also get one of the older and maybe used Military models. I used to have an older 440V Military that I traded away and I wish like the dickens I had it back. That was one great user knife for just about any cutting chores.

Now in the fixed blade category I always use my pair of Temperance 1 models. I have both the PE & SE variants and I use them both on hunting trips and going outdoors. If you can't find them I would recommend Spyderco's Moran model.

Also if you can find one of the older Spyderco CAtcherman fillet knives I would get it because they are a great outdoor blade. But again that G-10 Endura would be one you can't go wrong with.
 
Thank you for many good suggestions! A long blade is probably preferable when filleting fish. Aqua Salt is 4 11/16 "that makes it well suited. It is an advantage that the blade and the knife is easy to clean. I'm afraid a folder may be difficult to clean maybe?

catamount123: Thank you for sharing your experience with the H1 blade. The picture gives a good illustration of the differences between fixed and folder in this category.
 
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