Which Spyderco Should I Get Next?

[Mitchell Knives]

Hi,

I just ordered my second Spyderco yesterday, a plain edge Starmate to go along with my Military. Already I'm trying to decide what to get next. I keep my self to a knife a month limit so, I'll have to get the new one sometime in Sept. As of right now here are my choices and reasons why I like them:

Wegner - Nice, comfortable handle. ATS-34 is a good steel that isn't too hard to sharpen. Great utility blade shape. Everyone says how this is a really underated tactical knife. Looks like an all around great knife that would go well into my EDC.

Civillian - I simply like this knife because of the looks. Extremely intemidating and the most unique knife design ever. Not really good for utility work but, excellent at defense which is one of the reasons I carry. One of the coolest looking knives ever. Thinking about the Civillian because I don't want Spyderco to stop making them before I get one. Keating also has a tape that looks pretty good on the Civillian. Also, which is better, the serrated or the plain edge? Handle looks kind of similiar to the Military, which I love. ATS-55 is an ok steel.

Chinook - BIG, tough folder with great lock strength. I've been thinking this would be a knife that you could actually back cut with...someone had a post similiar to this a while back. Nice bowie style blade, dual liners, and looks like a comfortable handle. Appears more than capable of hard work. CPM-440V is a great steel too. Strongest lock of all 4. One tank of a knife.

G10 Lum Tanto - As a rule, I generally hate tantos...but, this one just looks really cool. The tanto point itself is more traditional, and not as angular as other manufacters. Again ATS-55...not my top choice but ok.

I know that the Civillian is drastically different from the other knives listed but, I would like to know which knife you actually like more. Also, I would like to know which of the remaining three you like for simple EDC and various chores. Thanks.

 

[Bugs3x]

Well, good luck in your choice, ElectricZombie. You've picked out 2 very popular models, 1 quite popular, and another that while a good knife isn't the biggest seller from what I understand.

I'm sold on the Wegner. It is my favorite Spydie, and my 2nd most frequently carried knife. I carry only the Native FRN more than the Wegner, a good part of which can be attributed to it's ambidexterity.

Guess I would have to partially disagree with the way you described the Civilian. It is excellent at the slashing aspect of self defense. It isn't worth squat as a stabbing knife. Guess I'm not the one to ask about hawkbills. I see them as relatively useless in the sense of utility, except for possibly cutting seat belts to get people out of them in auto accidents.

The Chinook has drawn no bad criticism that I've seen. Everybody seems to love it to varying degrees. I think the Lum Tanto is a good knife, just not very popular. Maybe the redesign will make it a better seller. Personally, I think the Lum Chinese is perhaps the most beautiful of the Spyderco inventory, and from what I read a cutting son of a gun.

 

[Coonskinner]

You didn't mention it, but I can't miss a chance to put in a plug for my favorite Spydie of all--Calypso Jr. Lt. in VG10. Every Spyderco afficianado ought to own one.

 

[cpirtle]

3 of my fav's would be..

Chinook
Police in G-10
Merlin

Honorable mention goes to...
Native


I have a new Centofante on the way, who knows, it may get added to the list

I have never met a Spyderco I didn't like though.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I had thought about the Calypso but, I think it might be too small for my tastes...around a 3' blade right? Oh yeah, I forgot about the G-10 police...another nice knife I'll have to consider. I agree that the Civillian is only good for defense however, looks is a major factor here for me...the Civillian is just so cool looking...like something you would see in a horror/sci-fi movie.

 

[jefroman]

I'd go with the Chinook! Just don't spine wack it, you would probably end up smashing and causing considerable damadge to whatever you wacked

Jeff

 

[Shmackey]

Yeah, get the Chinook. You need a powerful, stable lockback-beast to go in your collection.

 

[Architect]

Since you seem intent on getting another BIG Spyderco with G-10 scales, either the Wegner or Chinook from the group you mention.

They both have thinner blade steel than the Starmate and Military and they both sport dual liners, which gives you a completely different feel.

The Wegner is sleek even tho it is only an ounce lighter than the Chinook. Somehow, the Chinook seems like it could be used as a ships anchor in a pinch. I like it anyway.

 

[VampyreWolf]

I've only had one problem with my Wegner now... seems I got it with a hole stripped and the screw loc-tited in...

emailed warrenty, waiting on them...

I'd recomment getting either a Wegner or a Chinnook. Both will take daily heavy use, and keep on kicking. The wegner has the longer/thick(really thick) choil in the event of lock failure, which is a big bonus. However, I have yet to read of someone able to cause the chinnook's lock to fail.

Sal and crew did it, but Cliff hasn't yet... yes, thats a challenge Cliff Stamp...

 

[pse-link]

Wegner, no doubt, hands down. You can use that boy for anything.

 

[Nathan S]

Out of the knives on your list, I have the Chinook and the Lum tanto. They're both great knives. I love the Chinook, but I can't see it as an EDC: it's just too massive. The Lum is a substantial knive, but slimmer and more easily carried than the Chinook, so I find myself using it more. My advice would be to buy 'em both! I've seen a lot of posts extolling the Wegner, but I just can't bring myself to buy a knife with only one liner. Maybe I'll change my mind someday, or maybe I'll just buy a Wegner hunter by Phil Boguszewski:

http://www.bladeart.com/artists/phil_boguszewski/phil_boguszewski.htm

 

[jim_l_clifton]

Electric,
1)Gunting
2)Civilian
3)Merlin
jim