Which Spydie for EDC/SD use?

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
5
Hello all,

I am a complete noob here, but have been lurking for quite some time. I've learned a great amount of info from this forum and I appreciate anyone's input.

I am looking into buying an EDC knife that can also be used for SD in a pinch if need be. I currently carry a Kershaw Blur, have never owned or even held a Spyderco, but am looking for something different than my Blur. I do like the size of the Blur, and how it feels in my hand.

With all that said, I'm trying to decide on the Mini Manix, the Yojimbo, and the Lil Temperance as my next knife. Although I've never seen any of these up close, here are my thoughts based on pics and info from this forum:

Mini Manix: too big? not sure about that though as I'm used to a blur.
Yojimbo: point breaks off? read about that in the forums.
Lil Temp: that handle looks weird to me. anyone know how the lil t feels?

And yes, I have tried to go and see at the local knife shop, but they didn't have any of those knives.

Sorry for such a long post, but I would greatly appreciate any input on these knives. Side by side pics would be great too if anyone has them, or comparisons to the Blur. Thanks again all.
 
Yojimbo, all the way. I have never had an issue with the tip. Much more robust than it looks, just don't do something dumb like pry with it.. Cuts like a laser and a snap to sharpen. My current favorite. ;)

cheeres,
--Dave
 
dwatts67 said:
Yojimbo, all the way. I have never had an issue with the tip. Much more robust than it looks, just don't do something dumb like pry with it.. Cuts like a laser and a snap to sharpen. My current favorite. ;)

cheeres,
--Dave

Seconded. A leaf-blade Lil' Temperance might also be good, if you are right-handed. Looks like you live in a sub 3" blade area too. If not, a Chinook II might be a good idea. It is a really strong worker in addition to being designed for SD purposes.
:edit: Forgot the Blur is the size it is. The new Waved Endura may be just what you need. More in line with the price of the Blur too.
 
Welcome to the forum, Felipe! :)

A millimeter or two of my Yojimbo’s tip broke off, but it honestly wasn’t a big deal. The knife has a great design overall. Its handle is versatile and comfortable. I think the Yojimbo makes for a really good EDC.

The Lil’ Temperance is an extremely well built knife (which is probably reflected in its higher cost). Its blade is thicker than the Yojimbo’s, at least on the leaf point version. IMO, the Lil’ T. has one of the most ergonomic handles that I’ve experienced with a folder.

I haven’t bought a Manix 83 mm yet. Its somewhat heavy weight, boring black scales, and relatively short cutting edge are all turnoffs for me.

I hate to be one of those guys who recommend a knife that you’re not currently considering, but you might want to look at the Scorpius. ;) The ergos take some getting used to, but it’s an excellent design and very easy to carry. Inexpensive, too.
 
The Lil'T is one hell of a folder, but currently discontinued till the Lil'T 2 will be available. You might still find a retailer that has one though. Personally my favorite knife. A real tank though: Very strong but also quite heavy, thick and wide. For a slimmer package look at the Paramilitary. Probably the best all around folder period.
 
Of your choices, I'd go with the Mini Manix. Handle ergos is a very personal thing, but I prefer the guard on the Mini Manix to the deep groove in the Yojimbo. The Yojimbo has unnatural ergos, IMO, because the middle finger rests so much higher on the handle than all the other fingers. The Lil Temp handle never felt that secure to my on a hard stab.
 
I would go with Yojimbo. It is made for SD. Never had any problem or have heard of any problems with the tip. I heard about that problem with the Civilian though. Also, the wharncliffe shape of the Yojimbo make it very useful for everyday use. Just my opinion.
 
I say the 83mm Manix or Chinook II (my personal favorite). They are heavy though. It would be uncomfortable to carry them in anyhting but jeans.
 
Of the 3 I like the Lil Temperance.

That being said, my current EDC is a Endura 4.
 
It may be hard to find a store close by with all three knives, but the ergs on the three you mentioned are really different. It might help you choose if you could get your hand around them. Lil Temp has a really different feel than a Yojimbo--which I also liked, but I bought a Lil Temp. Any of the three would work well for your purpose.
 
I haven't handled any of those but I'll take a look at the Para Military too, one of my favorites: great ergos, light weight, extremely sharp, compression lock and grippy G10 handles.
 
Of the 3 you mentioned, I have only handled the Yojimbo. All 3 are somewhat on the heavy side.

You may want to consider a hawkbill on the order of the Harpy/Tasman Salt/Merlin/Spyderhawk camp as these are well suited for SD. These are also considerably lighter than your first list.
 
2-

Welcome to the party, glad to have you.

If you use a knife for cutting get the Rescue model. It is a pure cutting machine. The Rescue model is not one of the "cool" models among most forumites. The Rescue model is not real pretty or pointy for stabbing.

But, the Rescue model has tons and tons of very sharp steel cutting edge.

It is used by emergency folks who rely on their tools. So if cutting is your thing this might work for you.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=12

Again, welcome.
 
The 2 that I can personally recommend are the Mini MANIX and the Rhino Horn ( Trailing Point) Lil Temperance although the leaf blade Lil T like the one brother recommended is not a bad idea either. I like the mini MANIX because of the blade length limits you are probably living under and the fact that the mini Manix and Lil T both are built like Abram's Tanks.

I truly believe sturdiness and grip are 2 very important factors in a self defense mode. Both are made with great blade steels and both have great locks. There are 2 I think that deserve honorable mention and they are the JD Smith and the C-50 Centofante II. Good Luck
 
My Friend,

While my penchant for hawkbilled blades normally makes the Harpy my EDC, I have been carrying a Yojimbo faithfully for about six months and have nothing but high praise for it. As an SD knife it is beyond compare, and it is very practical for EDC for more mundane chores as well. Laser-sharp, easy to resharpen, quick to open and close one-handed, highly ergonomic and quite lightweight by comparison.

As previously stated, don't pry with the tip. I will also recommend not dropping it onto hard surfaces or surfaces in which the tip can become embedded. :D However, if the worst occurs, it is a simple fix to shorten the blade with a Spyderco Sharpmaker stone by stoning from the tip to the first angle on the top of the blade. In this way, you preserve the look, feel and function of the blade and only lose 1/16" to 1/8", worst-case.

I will second the Tasman Salt in either edge configuration (I prefer PE) as an alternative.

For more information:
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16897

--------
Hannibal
 
Thanks All for the input and warm welcome.

I don't live in a sub 3" blade area, at least I don't think so. I live in SoCal, and to my knowledge I don't think there's a length limit on folders here, if I'm wrong on that someone please correct me.

The reason I am considering the three knives I listed is because they are all MBC-rated, but I also didn't want anything bigger than what I am currently used to (Kershaw Blur). It so happens that those three are all under 3" and my Blur is 3 3/8", and the Chinook, Civilian, and Manix are bigger than my Blur and that is why I omitted those.

Anyways, I was planning on ordering from New Graham, but I'm in no rush to buy. So I'm going to try another local store this week and see if I can at least play with one of the Mini Manix, Lil T, or Yojimbo before I order. I was leaning towards the Mini-Manix, but I'm now giving the Yojimbo serious thought after the many recommendations here. Thanks again everyone.
 
Another vote for the Yojimbo, for a knife that was designed with SD in mind, it functions extremely well as an EDC knife. I use mine daily, opening large packets of paper, cutting plastic strapping and cardboard and plastic packaging. The extremely sharp and pointy tip is vital for the type of usages that I require and the wharncliffe shape makes it too easy to maintain a scary sharp edge. I also like its unusual appearance, its so very unique, yet extremely ergonomic. The compression lock is strong, quick to open and close one handed and reliable.

As knife SD is not my strong suit, my only comment would be that the Yo would slash and stab like no tomorrow and that I would not like to be on the wrong side of the pointy end.

I also own a mini manix and this is a great choice as well, but for me, it's more of an outdoors EDC style knife. For bush craft applications like battoning, skinning etc, this big and stout lock back folder really excels.
 
Southern California resident here. I just ordered a Yojimbo myself. :)

Only Los Angeles County has the anal knife laws.
 
Psydotek said:
Southern California resident here. I just ordered a Yojimbo myself. :)

Only Los Angeles County has the anal knife laws.

When you get the Yojimbo, let me know what you think about it. I actually got to handle a Mini-Manix yesterday. I see what everyone means by "built like a tank". That thing was a lot beefier than I expected, especially when compared to my Blur. I did like how it felt in my hand, but still considering the Yojimbo. Either way, I'll have to tinker with my current pocket configuration as I carry my blur in the "watch pocket" of my jeans, no way the Mini-Manix or Yojimbo would fit in there.
 
I carry the manix everyday at work and home. it fits my hand like no other and handles all tasks well. VERY stout.
 
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