Why do you like Spyderco?

What I love most about Spyderco knives are the fantastic designs. Spyderco has a knack for making very good designs, without unnecessary complications. Most companies just add a ton of junk onto the same old knife and try to call it innovative. Sal can reshape something, drill a hole in it, and generally improve a design without adding a ton a parts. That’s true innovation. Keep things simple and use quality parts.

One more thing. Spyderco knives cut well. I know that sounds stupid, but I’ve got a box full of tactical folders that don’t cut worth a crap. If I needed a pry bar, I’d go out and buy one at the hardware store.
 
Buzzbait said:
What I love most about Spyderco knives are the fantastic designs. Spyderco has a knack for making very good designs, without unnecessary complications. Most companies just add a ton of junk onto the same old knife and try to call it innovative. Sal can reshape something, drill a hole in it, and generally improve a design without adding a ton a parts. That’s true innovation. Keep things simple and use quality parts.

One more thing. Spyderco knives cut well. I know that sounds stupid, but I’ve got a box full of tactical folders that don’t cut worth a crap. If I needed a pry bar, I’d go out and buy one at the hardware store.
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Amen brother.
-Kevin
 
These guys have nailed it. The only warning I'd give to your friend is Spyderco knives can be addictive. Once you own one you find yourself wanting another, and another... :eek:
 
selfinflicted said:
The only warning I'd give to your friend is Spyderco knives can be addictive. Once you own one you find yourself wanting another, and another... :eek:
Click to expand...

You nailed it! Very addictive :)
 
I've been using/abusing/collecting Spydercos since 1990 or so and I like Spyderco for a number of reasons.
First there is the cost factor, they give you alot of bang for the buck!
Second is collectibility - there are so many varieties, some very similar, yet radically different, not just blade coatings or handle material either...look at the differences between the Spyderfly, civilian, Meerkat, Persian, Salsa, Karambit,and Gunting...although there are similarities each and every knife offers something new. That's what keeps me coming back!
Third is reliability...I currently own about 25 Spydercos and have owned over 60. 3(Police, Provenator, and Viele) I destroyed through usage, 1 was confiscated at an airport(Ayoob, forgot it was in my pocket), about 10 or 12 I've given as gifts to LEO and military friends who needed something right away, as well as a DiveBar that went to a friend who wanted a different type of dive knife. One(Co Pilot) I used to bribe a customs official in Central America with. The rest I traded for other knives/gear and I actually gave a guy a delica because I had no cash on me to buy lunch at a Chinese takeout place, once!
Fourth is the company's contributions toward the Military and Law Enforcement Communities.
Fifth is their customer service...I only had one problem with Customer Service...I sent an orange handled rescue and a plain edge civilian back and they were stolen in the mail, I neglected to insure the package and was SOL. My only gripe was that they would not send me the part to fix the civilian, myself. I needed a new clip (rubber wore out on mine)and they insisted I send the knife. This was about 8 or 9 years ago. Since then, they've sent me clips, screws, etc without question/hassle/charge whenever I have asked.

I could go on and on...they make great knives, stand behind them and aside from making them "tear-down" proof, I love them. My EDC knives are usually 2 or 3 custom blades, but I always have a stainless delica or worker in my mission wallet and even use a cricket as a money clip as well!
 
My other knife is usually a multitool or SAK, which a Spyderco complements very well. They provide a lot of cut without a lot of weight.

Spyderco puts as much thought and design effort into making small knives as large ones.

I like serrations for some jobs, and they make the best serrated blades I have found.

On a one-hand-opener, I like a thumb hole much better than a thumb stud.
 
First, I think Spydercos are a great value. I consider my Calypso Jr. and Endura -- they both cost about $50 or less new, shipped. Yet, they both have blades of VG-10 steel that is superior in performance to basically anything else in the price range. The ergos are great, the locks are reliable, they carry well because they're light and thin, and they slice like nothing else. What more could you want?

Also, it may be that I'm twisted, but I DON'T think they're ugly at all. Just the opposite IMHO. My Persian is one of the nicest looking production knives I've seen, and pretty much all of the Spydies look cool to me.

Finally, having seen Sal's many thoughtful posts on this forum, I've come to have an even greater respect for the company.
 
Once again the last post was mistakenly made under my son's name. :rolleyes: He does have a Calypso Jr. on the way, though.
 
I don't really have anything to say that hasn't been said but I will say that Spyderco is my favorite knife company with Benchmade a pretty close second. Spydercos are what got me interested in modern one handers/tacticals. They were my gateway to high-end production and customs. Now that I am semi-burned out on customs and high-end stuff. The great designs and functionality of Spydercos is more obvious than ever. Finally, what I really love about Spyderco is that they consistently make high quality steel available in reasonably priced packages. Just check out the USA Native or Centofante III.
 
Spydercos = Functional design, defies obsolescence, good quality control, excellent customer service, innovative, pratical and most of all = value for $$$! :cool:

Sam
 
All that has been said is true. Spyderco knives are pure function whose designs have been honed as close to perfection as you can come for the price that they charge for any given model. They are made of the best possible materials for the money and have the best fit and finish for that money as well as the sharpest out-of-the-box blades that I have EVER seen, anywhere. I love the Spyder Hole and see it as a guarantee of great design and value, which is why I become so offended when someone infringes that copyright. I also see it as a damnedly useful opening assist. Finally, in the "Form should follow function" design school, I find most Spydies to be quite handsome, in their own way.

They do take some acclimatization, but they grow on you and soon you wonder how you ever got along without them.
 
I agree with everything that has already been said, but I wanted to add one. Sal really understands and appreciates sharpness. How many other knife companies sell sharpening systems? It is not merely good production control that causes Spyderco knives to be the sharpest out of the box. Sharpness is a fundamental goal of Spyderco designs. Sal wants you to have a sharp knife so he also sells an A-number-one sharpening tool for your knife. On these forums Sal will pitch in to talk about the relative merits of CATRA testing and different hone materials. Sal cares as much about sharpness as I do, and there are few people in this country that I can say that about.
 
I love my Fred Perrin. It's sharp, light, and comfortable. There aren't many knives out there with 5 inch blades that only weigh 3.75oz, and yet are still nice and solid. When I get my Spyderfly I'm sure I'll have more reasons.
 
Practical designs that are also very "interesting". That's the best word I can come up with. Most knives I can take or leave, but I almost always want to give a new Spyderco a try. And affordable. The lightweights are soooo affordable. I went to order one tonight, and ordered three. For $40-50/ea....why not?
Another thing that makes me want to try them all is that while I may be put off by the appearance of some models, those are frequently the ones I like the best. For instance, I got a Calypso Jr. ltwt, as a warranty replacement for a Goddard. Sold it without ever carrying, or using it. After deciding that wonderful blade shape was worth a try after all, and buying another, I love it.
I also instantly dismissed the ATR, which is one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen. Held one for the first time last week, and while I'm still not fond of the blade, the handles (also ugly, IMO) are just incredible.
Guess what I'm saying is that Spydercos almost always "grow" on me, or surprise me with how much I like them in actual use, even if the initial impression isn't that great.
With most knives, it's the other way around.
 
Pink handles! I just gave my fiance a pink-handled jester yesterday and she loves it. As long as Spyderco keeps making excellent knives with pink handles, we'll have something to give our girlfriends/wives.

That may sound dumb, but it really helps if we have a way to get the ladies into this hobby. My fiance used to look at me like I was crazy when I repeatedly opened and closed knives while watching tv - she asked me if I was fantasizing about stabbing people (the answer is no, btw ;) )Last night she was sitting there opening and closing her jester for hours and I think she finally understood the fun of simply playing with a precision tool.
 
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