Which Spyderco(s) are you least interested in.

quigibo

quigibo

Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
246
Rather than start another What's your favorite or Pick your top five I thought it might be interesting to come at a pick thread from the other end - not to hammer on any particular model but to name off a few models that might not be your cup of tea and explain why. It's my hope that someone else might be able to point out some high points that you might have missed... thus increasing the number of Spydercos you need.

I'll start off (bored, can't sleep, this list might get out of hand)

Police
  • honestly, the overall profile has never appealed to me
  • over a 4" blade, it would be legal for me to own but illegal to carry

Lionspy
  • Proportions just seem... off - especially for a Spyderco. Seems closer to the proportions of a 03xx series ZT
  • Not a fan of the Lionspy pivot - it just seems overly busy to me
  • Price - I'd rather have a Southard, or a Techno and a Stretch, etc...

Manbug
Love the Ladybug, love the Dragonfly. Not sure I need something in between.

[flame suit]
Endura & Delica
  • Hey, what can I say? I loves me some choils
  • I feel like I can cover the same needs with the Stretch and Dragonfly
[/flame suit]
 
I don't like the look of the Lionspy either, it just seems a BUFF. (Military jargon, I'm sure most of you know what it means!) I don't like the Navaja either, it just looks dumb. Feel free to flame me for my ignorance, it's personal choice time.
 
No need for a flame suit, IMHO. Nothing appeals to everyone, and Spyderco makes such a wide variety of knives that it would be unreasonable to think they'd all appeal to any one person. Truth is, you can be very selective in your tastes and still have a nice assortment to choose from. My "does nothing for me" list would be fairly long because, with only rare exceptions, it would include all models that do not feature both a midlock and a 50/50 choil.
 
I suppose the way I would figure that out is to ask myself if I had enough money to buy any of them which ones would I still skip. I have to skip many that I cannot afford, but wouldn't mind trying out and just having. That being said, the Battlestation, Techno, most value line Spyderco's, Cricket, Vallotton, Native, Dragonfly (although I do have the SE H1 and use it), and Spin are ones I probably would never buy. Ergos (Native and Dragonfly), thickness (Techno and Vallotton), and the design (Battlestation, Spin, and Cricket) are the main reasons for passing those up.
 
I recognize a possible niche for many of Spyderco's offerings. Many of the ethnic series don't interest me, though I see they concept behind Spyderco's interpretation of a historic design. The models I see little need for (no need whatsoever in my use) are:

Sage :eek:
Techno
Poliwog
Lava

Other designs I have no need for, but I could see as being great knives for some (this list is just my personal preference based on looks, proportions and feel)

Viele II
"R"
"S"
Zulu
Gunting
Manbug

Hope this doesn't step on too many toes. I know every model has a fan out there whom carries it daily and would defend it to the end!
 
I'm new to Spyderco and the one that is definetly a keeper for me is the Para 2. I'm not one to jump on the band wagon anymore cause there is lots of knives that the majority of people say are good and when i try the ones the majority says are good don't find them to be all that great. (I'm refering to the Endura)But the majority is right about this knife. Will always be a favorite of mine. But the first Spyderco i tried was the Endura 4 and didn't like it one bit. The most blade play i've ever seen on a knife ever even when the pivot screw was completly tightened to the point where i could barely open it. And the lock did not seem very sturdy to me at all either. But lightweight and a great slicer great just ain't for me at all. I'll never buy a Spyderco with the plastic scaled grips again. Got a Chaparrel rescently and also letting it go. Only reason letting it go really is because blade is way to thin for my liking. Otherwise i think it is a very great knife. The carbon fiber handle is very grippy and comfortable,jimping perfect as always on Spyderco's,lock is solid,zero blade play. I just can't see my self using it much. To small for me. Otherwise would be a keeper. If it had a thicker blade would keep it. I'll end up getting another bigger bladed carbon fiber Spyderco in the future.
 
I haven't met a Spyderco I didn't like. :) (to paraphrase Will Rogers)

But, having said that, I don't see my self buying many of the ethnic knives or the big brawny tactical folders. While I appreciate them, and like fondling them at shows, I just don't have much use for them in my daily rotation. The biggest knife I carry with any regularity is one of my Paras. If a task is too big for the Para, then I'm reaching for a machete, saw, or axe...

TedP
 
bakergh said:
I still haven't convinced myself to drop the cash for anything made in Taiwan.
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Then you are missing out. Try a GB if you get a chance to pick one up on the FSOT side of BF. For around $100 it has amazing F&F as well as a terrific steel and textured CF handle.
 
I have a couple I wish I hadn't bought and have sold or traded. As others have said different strokes for different folks. No other knife company makes the wide variety that Spyderco makes....

that's what keeps us addicted to lots of different Spydies.:D:thumbup:
 
nccole said:
Ergos (Native and Dragonfly)
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You're crazy! The Native is ergo gold, and one of my favorite smaller knives. I do agree on the Battlestation, though. I still don't get that one.

I'll also add that whole little bug set. No need for any of that, the Ladybug fits just fine on my keychain and is probably lighter, being FRN.

I don't think I'll be getting a Tuff either, I don't understand the blade shape.
 
PayneTrain said:
You're crazy! The Native is ergo gold, and one of my favorite smaller knives. I do agree on the Battlestation, though. I still don't get that one.

I'll also add that whole little bug set. No need for any of that, the Ladybug fits just fine on my keychain and is probably lighter, being FRN.

I don't think I'll be getting a Tuff either, I don't understand the blade shape.
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I have to say I have not tried a G10 Native 5. I don't think the scale material will change anything. The problem for me is when you use the 50/50 choil. The next finger groove (middle finger) is too big and then my ring finger is awkward, and hits the rearward point of the groove. I just cannot get a comfortable grip on the knife. The Dragonfly is similar, but its main issue is the curve of the overall handle is too exaggerated. When you start getting more defined grooves you risk the ergos not working for more people.

I will be grabbing a Tuff one day. Don't know what is about that thing other than the wanting to try 3V, but it just keeps popping up as one I want. Ed Schemp's designs look funny, but he puts a lot of time and thought into them being functional.
 
Saber ground Endura 4 - The balance on this version is just off for me. Too much weight in the blade compared to the handle.
Manbug - Same reasons as the original poster. Just no need for this one when the Ladybug fills my needs just fine.
Battlestation - I'm sure it's very functional, but I just can't get into the looks of this one.
ClipiTools - I collect SAKs.
Tusk - This is a specialized design that I just would have very little use for.

There are an awful lot of collaborations that I'll probably never buy as well. I don't have anything against any makers with whom Spyderco has collaborated, and their collaborations have resulted in some beautiful knives. It's just that Eric and Sal are the designers on the overwhelming majority of the Spydercos I've loved over the years. They just know how to make a knife that is right in my wheelhouse.
 
I have the least interest in the Tenacious, Persistance and Resilience line but I completely understand their appeal and popularity. I have gifted many from this line and all were well received but they are just not for me as I generally avoid liner locks as a southpaw plus the ergos and steel do not excite me. I make an exception for liner locks with the Gayle Bradley. Besides my aversion to liner locks I also avoid frame locks and flippers so the very popular Sage 1 (liner lock), Sage 2 (frame lock), Brad Southard (flipper, frame lock), Domino (flipper, frame lock), etc. do not interest me.

The Bug Set and ClipiTools lines do nothing for me as well since I have several Ladybugs and Vics.
 
I'm not real happy with the bandana. The red Spyders are to small to see and the material is not very absorbent.
 
nccole said:
...The Dragonfly is similar, but its main issue is the curve of the overall handle is too exaggerated. When you start getting more defined grooves you risk the ergos not working for more people...
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The Dragonfly doesn't fit your hand? Man, that has to suck! For detail cuts I use index finger along the spine of the blade, middle finger kind of hooked around the choil, thumb pressing on the Sypder hole, pinky resting on the little flat area at the back of the handle. Freaking perfect. Could not be better.

A couple people have mentioned the Tusk. I'm still undecided on it. I love doing rope work so I'm sure I'd find use for the spike and the sheepfoot blade shape but I just can't warm up to it. Maybe I need to get one in my hands and see how it feels.
 
quigibo said:
The Dragonfly doesn't fit your hand? Man, that has to suck! For detail cuts I use index finger along the spine of the blade, middle finger kind of hooked around the choil, thumb pressing on the Sypder hole, pinky resting on the little flat area at the back of the handle. Freaking perfect. Could not be better.

A couple people have mentioned the Tusk. I'm still undecided on it. I love doing rope work so I'm sure I'd find use for the spike and the sheepfoot blade shape but I just can't warm up to it. Maybe I need to get one in my hands and see how it feels.
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It is not as bad as the Native. I just don't like how curved the handle is and I feel like the handle disappears into my hand and should be taller to have more to grab onto. I have a SE H1 that is my go to for basketball shorts and active things like running.

I have a Tusk, got it when it first came out. Expensive and I have barely used it. It is a bit small esp. in the blade department. I do go sailing with my father-in-law, but I got it more for the history and complexity of the design. It is just a really neat piece to me that I had to have. It is more ergonomic than the Dragonfly for me.

 
Most models with a wire clip. Anything -bug or -fly and many other smaller knives. But I am still a big fan of Spyderco knives.
 
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