Why do you like Spyderco's?

dc50

dc50

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I have been collecting knives for a few years now, started with Opinels,then onto Scandi fixed blades and Bark Rivers etc. It all seems to be a progression from one style or type to another,sort of a process of evolution :p

Finally this past year or so, I moved to the Benchmades,Kershaws and the last 6 months the Spyderco's. I love the Spidies the most, of all my collections,but am not able to express why.Is it the pure Simplicity of a well made product?
I would like to hear, from you enthusiasts, why the Spyderco knife, is the one for you? Please don't bash other brands.

I like Spyderco knives because..
 
...they are designed in the dark. ;) Function is the main consideration, with appearance a distant second or third. Some of them look strange, but that just means you need to use them before the light goes on.

...they bring us the best steel. And isn't that what knives are all about? The steel does the cutting, and cutting is what the knife was invented for.

...Sal actually listens to his customers. Sometimes he even takes time to answer our questions. That alone is a treasure that deserves loyalty.
 
1. They look nice
2. They're built well
3. They use materials I like (although they don't seem to put them in the right combination)
 
I find the opening hole easier to use than studs.

That's not the only reason, but it is a big one for me.
 
I was impressed with the wally world native once upon a time....a few years ago at least.

That got me researching Spyderco's and now my wallet hates my obsession and I have to lie, cheat, and steal (well not the last one) to pay for my knife buying ways.

I like how they are:

....built with the best steels
.....built with great handle materials
.....designed to be ergonomic
.....moderated by their president and close staff
.....unique, no model looks exactly alike, thus collectable
....open to suggestions and sprint runs

The list could go on, but those are some reasons why I choose spyderco as my favorite production company. I still buy others, but these are my most trusted in quality and blade steels (I used to be big on benchmade, but half of their knives look the same to me).
 
1. Spyderco's G10 is THE handle material for me
2. they have fresh collaborations (Anso) and fantastic ideas (Sage series, Mule team)
3. most are pretty lightweight, which means a lot to a ultra light backpacker - as I like to consider myself
4. I prefer liner locks and Spyderco makes the most 'heavy duty' liner locks in the business (can't wait for the rocklobster, barong, kukri)
 
1- Ergonomics
2- Advanced steel at affordable price
3- Spyderhole and other great advances in knife industries
4- Sal's behavior (which allows to enhance a bit the 3 first points I think).
5- Variety of designs/variants of the same knife
 
* All the Spyderco knives I own sit well in the hand

* Function is the primary design consideration

* I can open and close my Spyderco knives one-handed, left AND right

* Spyderhole

* Great steels

* 4-way clip option or 2 way ambi suits lefties like myself

* Sal & other Spyderco company folks listen to their customers and actively participate in the forums

* By the Gods, you can get them extremely sharp :)
 
I've always liked them, ever since I was a kid and my Dad brought a pair of bright red, fully serrated Enduras home from a gun show.(he bought them for me cause of the red handles) You could look at them and see, here was a company going "against the grain". I carried one of those red handled knives with me growing up nearly always and the only bad feature was, the built in plastic pocket clip. Which didn't last long clipped in a hyper teens pocket. (I tended to cut it close going though doors and such and as my hips grew outward, the clips suffered break offs)
Soon the plastic clips were gone and many more models were offered. One thing that was readily apparent with Spyderco right away nearly, they wasn't gonna just throw out a few designs and let it go at that! People could sense their passion and they gained a larger following of knife fans with each passing year.
So I sorta grew up with Spyderco, I've watched them go from the company with the funny looking knives, with the bright handle colors and the aggressive serrated edges. (and the hole in the blade, can't forget that) To what they are today, a Worldwide recognized name of the very finest in production blades.
 
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I dived into the world of spiders when I first got a Manix (2nd hand and 'tanto' modified) in the for sale section here. Previously all I used were liner locks (CRKT M16) and the moment the first SNAP of the lock came, I was hooked...

I previously had to sharpen my CRKTs often until it was almost a case of sharpen-after-every-use. With the great steel (S30v) I really enjoyed using the great steel.

Time has passed and I now own almost 15 Spydies (including the Byrd line). I also collect /use kershaws and cold steels but for actual EDC and EDU (every day use) I almost always reach for my Cara P.serrated (dirty jobs), Native serrated (small jobs) and my ever present Manix (big jobs or just to show off :))

PS: Linerlocks and framelocks can slip and fail. Axis, Arc or Ultra (Cold Steel's version) in a relatively short time their springs will fail. Lockbacks though also having a spring the level of fatigue is nowhere as bad as for Omega springs...
 
yablanowitz said:
...they are designed in the dark. ;) Function is the main consideration, with appearance a distant second or third. Some of them look strange, but that just means you need to use them before the light goes on.

...they bring us the best steel. And isn't that what knives are all about? The steel does the cutting, and cutting is what the knife was invented for.

...Sal actually listens to his customers. Sometimes he even takes time to answer our questions. That alone is a treasure that deserves loyalty.
Click to expand...

+1 to Yablanowitz. That is exactly how I feel.

In addition, I think the Spyderhole is the best opener ever designed for a one handed opening knife.
 
SteelIsReal said:
* All the Spyderco knives I own sit well in the hand

* Function is the primary design consideration

* I can open and close my Spyderco knives one-handed, left AND right

* Spyderhole

* Great steels

* 4-way clip option or 2 way ambi suits lefties like myself

* Sal & other Spyderco company folks listen to their customers and actively participate in the forums

* By the Gods, you can get them extremely sharp :)
Click to expand...

After I had posted this, it was bed time,just got up and WOW!!
You all came through with clear concise reasons why Spyderco is # 1 in your collection/users. The knife thats made in the dark,that has a hole in the blade
and a awesome choice of steels, a owner that listens to his customers. Great stuff Guys/Gals. Spyderco knives, the knife with the hole in the blade.
thumbup6ly.gif
 
I own a lot of knives and all the major companies make good models but when you hold and handle and use a Spyderco there is something about the fit of the knife to your hand. Ergonomics should be the word when talking and praising a company like Spyderco. Also, they have introduced many excellent steels at a very modest price. And Spyderco come out of the box EXTREMLY SHARP and can be maintained this way on my Spyderco Sharpmaker. So many good points have been listed by other people but just wanted to add my opinion. Thanks.

RKH
 
Thank you all for the kind words. We appreciate all of you.

Kristi
 
RKH said:
I own a lot of knives and all the major companies make good models but when you hold and handle and use a Spyderco there is something about the fit of the knife to your hand. Ergonomics should be the word when talking and praising a company like Spyderco. Also, they have introduced many excellent steels at a very modest price. And Spyderco come out of the box EXTREMLY SHARP and can be maintained this way on my Spyderco Sharpmaker. So many good points have been listed by other people but just wanted to add my opinion. Thanks.

RKH
Click to expand...

there is something about the fit of the knife to your hand. Ergonomics should be the word when talking and praising a company like Spyderco.

Exactly what I was thinking: :D
 
I like Spyderco knives because..

1) As a customer I feel that they go out of their way for me. I am a marketing major with a focus on sales, and this is one of the biggest things customers look for. This alone keeps me coming back.

2) I believe in their product. It just plain ole works. :thumbup:

3) Sal and the crew actually talk with their users. I don't know about you, but I've NEVER had the owner of a company PM me on issues before. :thumbup::thumbup:

4) They are priced very well. (not as important for me with all the above mentioned)

Thanks Spyderco for being such a great company. There aren't very many companies left like yours so, I know you guys take pride in it. Keep up the amazing work.

Regards,
Brian
 
Like most of you, I have several pocket knives. Why do I carry the Native? And why has it spoiled me for other knives?

* I am absolutely spoiled on the spydie hole. Mind you, I like my slippies, but the fact of the matter is, when I need to cut something, I like to get my knife out, do the cutting and get it back in my pocket so I can move on. That means studs and spydie holes on my EDCs. Of the two, the hole doesn't get in the way when I convex sharpen my knife.

* Yep, they're designed in the dark. Great ergos. Very comfortable. If I had my druthers, I'd rather that there were more knives with a less innovative shape. I like "normal" looking knives, but that being said, form contributes to function, and Spydies are about function.

* S30V and VG10, etc. This is where, for example, I think Buck misses the mark. Spyderco has stayed on the cutting edge of blade steels. ha ha. Oh, yeah, spoil me, Mr. Sal!

* Edge Geometry. There are whole threads on which knives come with the best factory edge, and Spyderco is always among the top couple. A knife with a great factory edge is just easier for a bumpkin like me to maintain. "Reprofile" isn't in my vocabulary, and shouldn't be a requirement upon buying a new knife. I just bought a Boker Barlow with a crummy edge...probably my last one bought without being handled first. This shows that Spyderco understands that we use knives for cutting...not just looking good in the darkness of our pockets.

* Solid Lockup! Sal thinks my fingers are important. He appreciates that 10 fingers does not mean having 9 extras.

* Lightweight. I can carry a Sal-made knife that is twice as big as the next guy and it still isn't that much heavier. Thanks for understanding that they pull down my pants!

* Great prices. And I'm not just talking about the great Byrd line. My Native was a steal from WalMart.

* They are never content with the current offerings. Always looking to tweak and improve. That's how I would run a company, and it's gratifying to see them doing so.

* But, I don't like that so many great designs have passed from the scene...Manix, etc.

Sorry, but nobody's perfect.
 
Spydercos knives fit really good in my hand, they get scary sharp and stay sharp(Good Steel). They are well built, and they look and are tuff. I have other brands but Spyderco's are my favorite.
-frank
 
Of course, I forgot they are very resonably priced. You can get a whole lot of great knives for under $150.00 easily. Even some good stuff under $80.00, hell, you can get a perfectly great knife at wally world for $40.00 :D.
 
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