Which Spyderco? - (I've been spoilt by Kershaw)

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

Ted H said:
Top-

If you're not already a British Blades member, you may want to check it out:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/

It would be great if you could connect with some of the guys and get your hands on some different Spyderco models. You might find something you wouldn't have thought you'd fancied.

Ted

Thanks for that link Ted.

I think I might go into an outdoor shop and fondle some of these Spyderco's. They're mainly rescue knives around here but I guess I can get a feel of the FRN, balance, etc.

A lot of people love their Military but it looks a little 'bland' for my tastes. So I think you are right in that I need to have them in my hand to really appreciate the quality.

svrider3 · Sep 10, 2008

FLYBYU44 said:
You are concerned that Spyderco might not be up to the quality of Kershaws? I've owned many of both knives and while Kershaw makes some decent knives I do believe Spyderco has them beat by a mile.

By a mile??

I've had a few of each and then some. Kershaws quality is as good
if not better IMHO.

SV

3mptin3ss · Sep 10, 2008

the kershaw lahar is very underrated. big shiny vg10 blade, g10 handle, flipper, light but big. around 60 dollars i think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uzwh8f6DtI

you could get a lahar and a regular spyderco endura or native for the price of some of the more expensive knives mentioned here.

Outdoors Fanatic · Sep 10, 2008

svrider3 said:
By a mile??
I've had a few of each and then some. Kershaws quality is as good
if not better IMHO.

SV

Spyderco is very similar to Kershaw (U.S made models) quality-wise... Zero Tolerance on the other hand, beat them both!

Kaizen1 · Sep 10, 2008

My vote goes to the S90V Military. Both of these companies produce EXCELLENT products and you're only doing yourself a disservice by only being faithful to one or the other. Kershaw has been amazingly innovative over the recent years and so has Spyderco. I would give the ergos, generally speaking, to Spyderco. Either way, they both have knives that as a knife enthusiast, you just can't afford to miss out on.

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

Outdoors Fanatic said:
Spyderco is very similar to Kershaw (U.S made models) quality-wise... Zero Tolerance on the other hand, beat them both!

Well, that's what I'm afraid of. I've been really digging ZT knives lately with th 0200 and 0302. The ZT is my benchmark for comparison so that's why I'm a little hesitant about the Military. The looks of the Military certainly doesn't blow me away and i find it hard to see how a skimpy handle can be good for heavy use. The ZT on the other hand...

P.S. I've -never- held a Spyderco

P.P.S - I'm thinking of getting hold of some CPM-S90V steel and cutting out a blade for the the ZT 0200. That would be my dream knife. Kind of...

Outdoors Fanatic · Sep 10, 2008

topspeclt said:
Well, that's what I'm afraid of. I've been really digging ZT knives lately with th 0200 and 0302. The ZT is my benchmark for comparison so that's why I'm a little hesitant about the Military. The looks of the Military certainly doesn't blow me away and i find it hard to see how a skimpy handle can be good for heavy use. The ZT on the other hand...

P.S. I've -never- held a Spyderco

P.P.S - I'm thinking of getting hold of some CPM-S90V steel and cutting out a blade for the the ZT 0200. That would be my dream knife. Kind of...

Don't even think of being hesitant about getting the Military, it is truly a marvel of engineering. It's probably one of the finest pieces of Spyderco's excellent craftsmanship ever.

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

Outdoors Fanatic said:
Don't even think of being hesitant about getting the Military, it is truly a marvel of engineering. It's probably one of the finest pieces of Spyderco's excellent craftsmanship ever.

3mptin3ss said:
the kershaw lahar is very underrated. big shiny vg10 blade, g10 handle, flipper, light but big. around 60 dollars i think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uzwh8f6DtI

you could get a lahar and a regular spyderco endura or native for the price of some of the more expensive knives mentioned here.

Thanks for the video it was really useful!

I will go for the Action Jackson Military Spiderman supersteel limited edition.

I think that will be the final one for my collection. Well, until Kershaw come out with the ZDP Shallot, and...and...

*help*

John T Wylie Jr · Sep 10, 2008

I have to admit , I never was a Spyderco fan. But then I got to really looking at them at a couple of the past SHOT shows , and met and talked with Sal. I am very impressed by not only the quality , but the price point as well. Sal is doing a fine job.

The Manix is one of my fav models , even though I believe it is discontinued.

Switching from Kershaw to Spyderco , wouldn't appear to be a step down , more like a lateral move in my opinion.

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

I really don't like the idea of Carbon fibre handles. Is it possible to mod the S90V Military to fit the S30V Military G10 handles?

Outdoors Fanatic · Sep 10, 2008

topspeclt said:
I really don't like the idea of Carbon fibre handles. Is it possible to mod the S90V Military to fit the S30V Military G10 handles?

I think that's a terrible idea...

Kaizen1 · Sep 10, 2008

topspeclt said:
I really don't like the idea of Carbon fibre handles. Is it possible to mod the S90V Military to fit the S30V Military G10 handles?

What's the problem with carbon fiber? It works just as well. You could buy two Milis and swap the handles, but I agree with OF, it's a terrible idea IMO. But it's your knife, you should get what you want regardless of my opinion.

You should probably be aware that one the Zero Tolerance 300 special designs are made with carbon fiber handles rather than G-10. Most people consider CF handles an upgrade to G-10, though they both function similarly. On the Milis, the carbon fiber handles are much grippier than the G-10 ones.

John T Wylie Jr · Sep 10, 2008

You should probably be aware that one the Zero Tolerance 300 special designs are made with carbon fiber handles rather than G-10.

Which ZT uses CF ? ( insert the sound of $$$ depleting from my bank account ).

Reeek · Sep 10, 2008

John T Wylie Jr said:
Which ZT uses CF ? ( insert the sound of $$$ depleting from my bank account ).

I've never seen one

John T Wylie Jr · Sep 10, 2008

cool.. thought I missed a release of a limited edition model or something.

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

John T Wylie Jr said:
cool.. thought I missed a release of a limited edition model or something.

All ZT 0300, 0301, 0302, TAD Gear Editions, ZT 0200 etc. use G10 NOT Carbon Fiber.

The one the uses Carbon Fibre inlays is the Kershaw Tyrade.

I think the Military in G10 is much better than Carbon Fibre version and so does the military chap in the video posted earlier.

I actually think it's a good idea too.

Kaizen1 · Sep 10, 2008

I feel like my credibility is getting challenged (not really

):

Copied and pasted from Tad Gear's website:
"KERSHAW ZT0300-CFBLK :::: TAD EXCLUSIVE ALL BLACK EDITION
OAL: 8.75"
Blade Type: Recurve Spear Point with TAD Exclusive Battle Swedge Grind
Blade Length: 4.25"
Blade Thickness: 0.156"
Blade Material: CPM S30V
Blade Finish: Black Tungsten DLC
Field Maintenance Easy 0.375" Pivot Hex Shaft Nut
Handle Material: 3D Machined TAD Exclusive Black Carbon Fiber & Ti Slab
Locking Method: Solid Slab Ti Frame Lock
Opening Method: Speedsafe Assisted Dual thumb stud or flipper for one-handed opening
Clip: Tip Up
Weight: 8.6oz
MSRP: $345.00"

Currently in stock selling for $293.25

topspeclt · Sep 10, 2008

Kaizen1 said:
I feel like my credibility is getting challenged (not really ):

Copied and pasted from Tad Gear's website:
"KERSHAW ZT0300-CFBLK :::: TAD EXCLUSIVE ALL BLACK EDITION
OAL: 8.75"
Blade Type: Recurve Spear Point with TAD Exclusive Battle Swedge Grind
Blade Length: 4.25"
Blade Thickness: 0.156"
Blade Material: CPM S30V
Blade Finish: Black Tungsten DLC
Field Maintenance Easy 0.375" Pivot Hex Shaft Nut
Handle Material: 3D Machined TAD Exclusive Black Carbon Fiber & Ti Slab
Locking Method: Solid Slab Ti Frame Lock
Opening Method: Speedsafe Assisted Dual thumb stud or flipper for one-handed opening
Clip: Tip Up
Weight: 8.6oz
MSRP: $345.00"

Currently in stock selling for $293.25

Well that's strange!

The TAD gear site does indeed show the all black version with Carbon Fibre and the other 0300 in G10.

It's also $100 more than the G10 versions.

I was planning on getting the all black version too!

Weird.

Does anyone have the all black version to confirm?

Kaizen1 · Sep 10, 2008

topspeclt said:
Well that's strange!

The TAD gear site does indeed show the all black version with Carbon Fibre and the other 0300 in G10.

It's also $100 more than the G10 versions.

I was planning on getting the all black version too!

Weird.

Does anyone have the all black version to confirm?

I'm quite fortunate in the fact that I live relatively close to the Tad Gear shop. I've held this knife myself. But as I've said, most consider CF to be an upgrade from G-10 in a knife. I just placed an order for a Yuna Hard 1 custom knife and it would've cost me $25 extra to get CF instead of G-10.

Thomas W · Sep 10, 2008

topspeclt said:
Well that's strange!

The TAD gear site does indeed show the all black version with Carbon Fibre and the other 0300 in G10.

It's also $100 more than the G10 versions.

I was planning on getting the all black version too!

Weird.

Does anyone have the all black version to confirm?

I have one topspeclt. There were a total of 100 CF 0300's produced.