Why Spyderco Military/Para?

D

dyau

Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
26
Hey guys,

Newbie here, but i'm wondering why the Spyerco Military and the paras get so much praise and great recommendations?

I have read some reviews on them and most of them have given the spydercos excellent reviews, so i'm sure that they are wonderful knives, but I just can't get over the shape and look of them, or most of Spyderco knives for that matter.

Am I the only one the doesn't like the shape of spyderco knives? From what i've read in this forum i seem to be the only one. :(
 
I have many spydercos and love everything about them. I recently got a S30v Para Mili and so far it's my fav knife. Light weight, grippy G10, Perfect blade shape, grind, Jimping works perfect, really digs in. The tang doesn't bother me , It's rounded off so it isn't sharp. Tip down doesn't bother me either, rides perfect in the pocket. And personally I loove the Compression lock, feels extremely strong and now that I'm used to it, closing one handed is fun. Overall a really great EDC knife. Looking to get another actually. Beautiful knives, Really like the look on most spyderco knives.
 
dyau said:
Am I the only one the doesn't like the shape of spyderco knives? From what i've read in this forum i seem to be the only one. :(
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I think it's a thing of beauty. Albeit it a unique and quirky beauty.

IMG_1596.jpg


These knives are meant to be used, hard... not looked at. For me at least, the Para fits like a glove and handles better than any knife I've ever used.

It's strong, slim and pretty light, and an amazing slicer.

Are there better looking knives out there? Oh yeah. But I haven't found one yet that I like more.
 
Spyderco is (in)famous for "designing in the dark", which means that function and ergonomics comes way before form and appearance. They're knives that are meant to be used, not shown as display pieces. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course, but I can't disagree that, on the whole, more useful and utilitarian a Spyderco knife is, the uglier it tends to be.
 
Love the look and usefullness of Spyderco in general. Hate the cheap clip, at least in general.

Oh they feel good in the hand too!
 
Spydercos kind of grow on you. I didnt like em at first, but I love em now. The para is one of my favorite folders. I only rotate my edc between 3 knives and it is one of em:)
 
Personally, I think Spyderco's are beautiful and I know a lot of people who would agree, but at the same time a lot who would disagree.

The military is my favorite knife...ever. Mine is Camo g-10 with DLC coated S30V blade. The jimping, like on all spyderco's is fantastic. The blade shape is my favorite out there; a modified leaf. The Grind is beyond wonderful and the g-10 is a dream. I'm not saying this just to make it sound good. It really is that great.

Spyderco's are generally not peoples first knives. They're the knives you buy once you realize what a knife should be; Ergonomic, Sharp, Great materials, Great fit and Finish, good customer service.

You should really buy one. Try a PE satin black G-10 S30V model. If you don't like it (which I really doubt) then sell it, I'm sure it'll be sold quickly.

Good luck,

-Mike
 
Hmm, i guess you guys are right about the look growing on you, i've been staring at that beautiful pic that Psychopomp posted and I swear it looks better by the second. :D

But some of them, like the discontinued Lava i think looks so ugly imo, i don't think i could ever carry one, and I mean no offence to people who do carry one, but its just not for me.

And a question, all spydercos seem to have that curved blade shape, doesn't that feel strange when you're cutting with it? I've never used or held one before so i'm basing this on looks alone.

Thanks for the responses guys!


(PS. Psychopomp, what car is that in the back? Is that a Lancer? And great picture!)
 
dyau said:
And a question, all spydercos seem to have that curved blade shape, doesn't that feel strange when you're cutting with it? I've never used or held one before so i'm basing this on looks alone.
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Actually, aside from being very comfortable to hold, Spydercos have been the most comfortable knives I've ever had to cut with. That's not to say that other knives are inferior, they're certainly not. But Spyderco seems to understand the human anatomy, and how the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder work together to cut and design a knife that will perform the most work with the smallest amount of effort. Their blades are typically offset from the center line of the handle, which leads to that awkward look, but positions the tip and belly of the blade farther forward like a lot of chef's knives.

Great knives. It took me awhile to get over the looks and give one a try, but I'm glad I did.

dyau said:
(PS. Psychopomp, what car is that in the back? Is that a Lancer? And great picture!)
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'06 Impreza.
 
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dyau said:
Hmm, i guess you guys are right about the look growing on you, i've been staring at that beautiful pic that Psychopomp posted and I swear it looks better by the second. :D

But some of them, like the discontinued Lava i think looks so ugly imo, i don't think i could ever carry one, and I mean no offence to people who do carry one, but its just not for me.

And a question, all spydercos seem to have that curved blade shape, doesn't that feel strange when you're cutting with it? I've never used or held one before so i'm basing this on looks alone.

Thanks for the responses guys!


(PS. Psychopomp, what car is that in the back? Is that a Lancer? And great picture!)
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By the curved shape, do you mean the modified leaf/drop poin like that on the milie, endura, etc? if so, not at all. IMO it is one of the best blade shapes ever and I wish more companies utilized it.
 
dyau said:
Hmm, i guess you guys are right about the look growing on you, i've been staring at that beautiful pic that Psychopomp posted and I swear it looks better by the second. :D

And a question, all spydercos seem to have that curved blade shape, doesn't that feel strange when you're cutting with it? I've never used or held one before so i'm basing this on looks alone.
Click to expand...

If you think it's growing on you just looking at it, you should try one in the hand. Best handling knife I've ever owned. And if you're not crazy about that blade shape, Spyderco has plenty other kinds to keep you interested. Take the Centofante 4, for example:
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=201
 
dyau said:
Hmm, i guess you guys are right about the look growing on you, i've been staring at that beautiful pic that Psychopomp posted and I swear it looks better by the second. :D

But some of them, like the discontinued Lava i think looks so ugly imo, i don't think i could ever carry one, and I mean no offence to people who do carry one, but its just not for me.

And a question, all spydercos seem to have that curved blade shape, doesn't that feel strange when you're cutting with it? I've never used or held one before so i'm basing this on looks alone.

Thanks for the responses guys!


(PS. Psychopomp, what car is that in the back? Is that a Lancer? And great picture!)
Click to expand...

Well, I don't carry my Lava because to me it is just too heavy for the amount of edge it provides. That doesn't change the fact that it feels very good in-hand and cuts like a much bigger knife. You really can't shop for Spyderco knives with your eyes. Their most peculiar designs make sense when you hold them and shine when you use them.
 
I have 113 knives and when I got back into collecting I looked hard at many of the $100 range folders and never considered Spydies because I thought they looked a bit goofy as well. When I saw the deals on the Para D2 I decided to try form and function over looks and boy am I glad I did! I thought my axis lock Benchmark grip was the shizzle but the Para never leaves my side. It has become my all time favorite by a mile. It's light, feels good and secure and cuts like the dickens. I have had to sharpen my Benchmark a few times with less use and the Spyderco CPMD2 stays sharp forever.
 
haha well it was my first knife...the dragonfly clipit SE that i stole from my dad when i was running out the door for a boyscout backpacking trip...dont worry...I ended up getting him a CF Kiwi as a replacement a few years later...like after senior year of college.

My first spydie that was actually mine was a D4 that i got years ago and just recently lost in a cab...damn those deep soft seats. I should have seen it coming we did squeeze 7 big guys in the cab...it was cramped...

-Alex
 
once you use one, you'll understand why people love them so much. they are very comfortable knives, and they use nothing but premium steels in almost every knife they make. i even think the more simple knives they make such as the delica are awesome looking knives.
 
Thalestin said:
Spydercos kind of grow on you. I didnt like em at first, but I love em now. The para is one of my favorite folders. I only rotate my edc between 3 knives and it is one of em:)
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Exactly how I was. Believe me, once you hold and use a Spyderco you'll start to see why they are so popular.
 
dyau said:
Newbie here, but i'm wondering why the Spyerco Military and the paras get so much praise and great recommendations?
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Maybe because that are good knives? I also put of bying a Spyderco because I didn't like the looks of them. But I finally got a Military, and must say that I'm impressed with the quality and ergonomics.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
There is some very good looking Spydercos IMO the Persians, Chinooks, Super hawk and Military are all great looking knives.
There is also some knives I find much less attractive like the Gunting or Scorpious for example. Then there is the knives
that you just can't decide on one way or the other, but there is one thing you should never do with Spydercos and that's
judge the book by it's cover.

:):thumbup:
 
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