Which Spyderco ? Pls give advice to a beginner

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Pitou

Joined
Sep 28, 2007
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I'm a beginner looking at getting a couple good folders. A friend of mine who is a knife collector recommended Spyderco, so why not, they seem well made. Here's the data:
- Right now, for all-purpose tasks (cutting lots of cardboard, paper, but bread or fruits as well) I'm using a Leatherman Wave multi-tool. The Wave is great, and I love the one-handed opening, I think it is way better than any swiss-army-type knife. But most of the time, I don't need all the tools inside. I would also like a blade a bit longer, and the handle is thick and not very comfortable.
- Being french, I have an Opinel, that I got during military service 10 years ago. I have the model with the 8cm blade, and have used it a lot. The french army being cheap, they gave me one that rusts all the time, and it is not one-hand opening. Still, I like my opinel a lot.

Ordered recently a spyderco ATR from Sierra Trading Post, mainly because there was a nice 30% coupon (got it for about $60, is this a good price ??), and because I can send it back. The blade (combo) is nice but it is at the same time bulky and quite short, and I find the handle not comfortable. I must say, I'm quite disappointed when I see how short the blade is compared to how big the body is. But it is very well made - the closing / opening mechanism is great - so I'm thinking about trying other spyderco models. I also like to have several holding positions, very nice.

Here are the models I have been looking at:
- police: long blade, but is the metal handle comfortable ? Is the handle too thin with respect to the overall body ?
- cricket: to have one that I can keep all the time in my pocket. Been looking at the Spin model, too.
- native and endura: intermediate length. I might find the blade too short though.
- dyad and mini-dyad: I like the two-blade design - I'm always using the two blades on my leatherman wave, and this way I don't have to choose between plain edge and serrated.

Questions: are these models suited for my case, which are your favorite ones, do you have other folders to recommend ? I care more about quality than low price, I don't care if the thing is a collector.

Thanks for any recommendation, as I am a (picky) beginner.
 
My first piece of advice would be to go to a knife store and start handling models to see what fits your hand the best. Any knife is worthless if you cannot use it comfortably. If that's not an option, check out the passaround forum, as Spyderco models pop up there often. It's a great, cheap way to try new knives. Also, if you thought the blade on the ATR was too short, check out the Military model. Should be about the same size as the Police, but with a different handle material and full flat ground blade like your Opinel. Right now, there are a lot of blade steel choices for the Military on the market. The Cricket is a fantastic small knife, and I would recommend it if you need a backup or "sheeple knife". If you thought the ATR was too small, the Native will be too small as well. The Endura is a good, large knife as well, and has some variety in blade steel and configuration. Overall, it looks like you have a great idea of what you want in a knife, and I think you'll be very pleased with whatever you get.
 
Pitou said:
A friend of mine who is a knife collector recommended Spyderco
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Your friend knows what he's talkin about...

The Wave is great, and I love the one-handed opening, I think it is way better than any swiss-army-type knife.
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..unlike you. just bustin, my friend. welcome to bladeforums.

- I have an Opinel... that rusts all the time.
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It's carbon steel, the good stuff. just wipe it down or use it often, opinels get plenty of respect here.

Ordered recently a spyderco ATR from Sierra Trading Post, mainly because there was a nice 30% coupon (got it for about $60, is this a good price ??)
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Yes.

Here are the models I have been looking at:
- police: long blade, but is the metal handle comfortable ? Is the handle too thin with respect to the overall body ?
- cricket: to have one that I can keep all the time in my pocket. Been looking at the Spin model, too.
- native and endura: intermediate length. I might find the blade too short though.
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i think you mean delica. endura is very similar, but larger. almost as large as the police.

- dyad and mini-dyad: I like the two-blade design - I'm always using the two blades on my leatherman wave, and this way I don't have to choose between plain edge and serrated.

Questions: are these models suited for my case, which are your favorite ones, do you have other folders to recommend ? I care more about quality than low price, I don't care if the thing is a collector.

Thanks for any recommendation, as I am a (picky) beginner.
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get em all. you're doin well to go directly to spyderco than to try lesser knives. the king of folders, in my eyes, is the delica. my vote goes to that, the endura, or the police.
 
I would recommend the Police or the Endura 4 they both feel good in the hand and are very tough. The Police is basically a larger stainless steel handled Endura. Just remember the more Spyderco's the better.
 
Pitou said:
- Being french, I have an Opinel, ...

Ordered recently a spyderco ATR from Sierra Trading Post, mainly because there was a nice 30% coupon (got it for about $60, is this a good price ??), ....

Here are the models I have been looking at:
- police: long blade, but is the metal handle comfortable ? Is the handle too thin with respect to the overall body ?
- cricket: to have one that I can keep all the time in my pocket. Been looking at the Spin model, too.
- native and endura: intermediate length. I might find the blade too short though.
- dyad and mini-dyad: I like the two-blade design - I'm always using the two blades on my leatherman wave, and this way I don't have to choose between plain edge and serrated.
Click to expand...

I'M not French and I've got 6 Opinels (and 2 Douk-Douks). :)

You got a real bargain with that ATR. They sell for much more normally. I think it's more a self-defense than a utility knife, though.

Now for the knives you're considering. I have fairly large hands, so:

The Police is too narrow, I don't get a comfortable grip on it.

Both the Cricket and Spin are excellent small knives, what I like to call "shirt pocket knives", they are so light. Both get razor sharp with those thin blades. The Cricket is a long-time personal favorite of mine. That hooked tip is great for doing fine work and the belly will cut like a larger knife.

The Native is perfect for general utility. The grip is as good as they get for strong cuts. The blade is a good all-purpose design. I like the Native III best, also known as the 3D because it has a rounded handle, not flat like most knives.

Endura. THE classic Spyderco these days, and the latest model, the Endura 4 is a real improvement, with a stronger blade profile. If you like it, you can also look to the Delica for a smaller version for times when you want a lighter knife.

Dyad. I really like the way these knives give me two different blade types, but .. I wasn't able to get comfortable using one blade with the other poking me in the hand. It didn't work for gripping hard.

Other choices are numerous enough, obviously, but I will second what USSR said about the Military. Especially with winter coming, a knife like the Military works with gloves on -- not easy to do with most folders. It has as large a blade as any of the others and cuts better, being a broad flat grind with a very curved edge. Of all the Spydies I've gotten, this is the one I carry most.
 
If you are looking to get your feet wet in the Spyderco pond, and you want a fairly large knife, you can't go wrong with the Endura. It and the Delica are pretty much the flagship knives of the company.

You get a LOT of knife for the money, plus you can tell whether you want to go up or down in size from there when you buy another Spyderco. Which you will. Over and over. Get used to the idea!
 
sounds like you guys are addicted spyderco and know everything about it... I like it. Was on road bike forums until recently, when you talk to Moots owner about Moots bikes, they are fanatics. Well, the day I got my hands on one, I liked it too :) Not selling mine.

An additional question: plain edge, serrated, or combo ? And most importantly, for which tasks ? I tend to like combo, but could be convinced either way.

Interesting to see that Opinels are popular here too. In France pretty much everybody has one in some drawer or another. Nothing spectacular about them, but they are cheap and work well. My boss here in the US had one, got it confiscated at the airport, later he asked me to buy him a new one the next time I went to France.
 
Edge type depends on what kind of cutting the knife is going to do, since your tasks run from cutting cardboard and bread to cutting fruit and paper this may be a little more complicated. Here's a quick rundown on edge types and uses.

Serrated: Some people are able to use serrated edges for everything, but most agree that they are better in a work knife. If you will be cutting rope or fibrous material, or expect the edge to hit nails or staples; serrated may be better. Most agree that they are more difficult to sharpen than plain edges, but it's not a huge chore with Spyderco's sharpmaker.

Plain: An edge better suited for slicing, shaving, fine controlled cutting, peeling, and things like that.

Combination edge: In my opinion, this edge type is worthless on smaller blades. There are not enough serrations to cut rope effectively, and not enough straight edge for the other work. Only on larger blades does the combo give more of an advantage.

This information is all my opinion and experience. I know others will chime in.
 
I would recommend a plain edge Endura to anyone.

I like Opinels and Moras and would like to try a Douk Douk.

The Police is a incredible concealed weapon which is perfect for wearing with a suit or jeans where most knives would be frowned upon.

Don't discount the Byrd knives ,when comparing my SS police to my SS Crossbill the Crossbill came out ahead on a quite a few points and the Police costs 4 times the price.
 
USSR said:
This information is all my opinion and experience. I know others will chime in.
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I agree with it. I would also point out that a small serrated section on a recurved blade is especially effective, with the serrations by the ricasso.
 
I have a plain-edge Commander on the way to me right now! :D

But yes, a combo Commander is an excellent work knife. Lay those serrations on rope and you hardly have to exert pressure, they'll cut through it like the hawksbill that recurved portion resembles.

Another advantage of the Commander is the perfect grip and the angle it holds the blade, slightly down, for the recurve to really catch the rope.
 
I have a combo edged Endura and its not a bad set up But I am going back to plain edge for my next knife, and if i am planning on cutting alot of heavy stuff I will throw my serrated Salt in my off hand pocket.

By the way that would be my suggestion for an intro to spyderco, A Plain edge Endura, I would also pick up a serrated Delica, Dragonfly or Salt as another option for a lighter smaller carry knife.
 
the steel handles of the police are too slippery for me personally. i think the endura is one of the best all around knives spyderco has to offer. the fully serrated endura is pretty wicked.
 
If someone who had never bought a good knife before were to ask me, I'd tell them to buy a Delica, or if they wanted more blade an Endura. They're probably the best value for the money out there, IMO.

As far as little tiny knives go, I really love the Lava- it's quite hefty and comfortable to hold, even if you've got big hands, and the flat-ground leaf-shaped blade is really versatile for small cutting tasks.
 
I would say trade the ATR for a Police and Endura. Maybe a plain edge Police and a full serrated Endura. Just an idea.
Let us know what you decide.


Blades
 
Have a look at the Centofante 4–it's got a nice thin blade that's excellent for fruit, paper, cardboard, etc. It also carries beautifully; light, flat and with a rounded handle that hardly obstructs your hand when using your front pocket. Not too expensive, either. I hear the same about the Centofane 3, too, though I don't own one
 
If you want somthing big and wicked try a Civilian. I EDC a Civilian and a P'kal for SD and a pe Cricket for GP cutting tasks.
 
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