Wow - I recently got my first Spyderco. I own Benchmades, Emersons and far too many customs. I think the knife is great. In fact I bought two other Spydercos and a Byrd in the last week and I'm looking for more. I always thought they were too inexpensive to be any good - wish I'd got into them a long time ago. I wouldn't have so much money tied up just sitting in my safe, because I'm afraid to damage them.