Hey guys. I've been into knives for about a year now, and I've got a small collection of kershaws, Benchmades, and some mall knives. I've been debating getting a spyderco, but I want to know what you all think and like about them. What separates them from the pack of other knife brands?
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Why Spyderco?
- Thread starter ReddAEN
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I'm not a fan of most Spyderco designs myself, but I think that's what appeals to a lot of first-time buyers. Once a person takes a shine to the look of Spyderco knives and wants a task-specific blade, there's a model for just about everyone depending on preferences for different blade shapes, steels, sizes and so on . . . just like any other manufacturer. I only own one Spydie (a Ulize) and don't care for most of their knives based on appearance, but if I could get past that, I'd probably own lots more of them by now.
I agree, I find most of their blades not very attractive. The only one that I desire really is the Szabo folder. They remind me of Cold Steel blades, which just look cheap. I know they aren't, but when I see pictures of them, I just think that they would fall apart in my hand
LEGION 12
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I'm a knife nut, I like many different knife brands but most of the knives I own are Spyderco's. Spyderco make a lot of designs that I like and use some pretty interesting blade steels. Spyderco also offer a great warranty service (not that I have ever used it) and Sal Glesser (Spyderco's owner and CEO) is always around on the forums listening to what people want and dealing with issues.
My first Spyderco was the Paramilitary 2 and it blew me away, the fit and finish, price, weight and sharpness was awesome. Every time I open a Spyderco box it's like that first time again.
If you're going for a Spyderco I would recommend going for something cheaper to begin with because your collection will always grow. Get a Tenacious a Delica and a Sharpmaker and you will be all set
My first Spyderco was the Paramilitary 2 and it blew me away, the fit and finish, price, weight and sharpness was awesome. Every time I open a Spyderco box it's like that first time again.
If you're going for a Spyderco I would recommend going for something cheaper to begin with because your collection will always grow. Get a Tenacious a Delica and a Sharpmaker and you will be all set
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Some of Spyderco's designs do need to grow on you. I was not a fan of them either at first, however there are few production knife companies that consistently achieve the fit and finish that Spyderco does. I have owned dozens of Spyderco's and I can only recall one that had any issues and it was minor. They are also some of the most ergonomic knives I have ever used, and like it or not the Spydie hole works great! Like Benchmade though their prices have significantly increased over the past couple of years, that being said I still believe they have some knives that are a tremendous value. If I didn't already have a regular Native 5 I would be scooping up one the FRN lightweight versions, it's a fantastic knife.
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It's more about what isn't there than what is . . . it's called the Spyderhole. And it's the easiest manual blade deployment method yet devised this side of a flipper. Try it. You'll like it.
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Here you go. There is a Spyderco sub forum in the Manufacturers section. There is endless info on all Spydercos past and present.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/726-Spyderco
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/726-Spyderco
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The "hole" thing they've got going on like others have mentioned, plus, great quality regardless of where they're made; Golden, Seki, Taichung or Maniago... :thumbup:
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It's more about what isn't there than what is . . . it's called the Spyderhole. And it's the easiest manual blade deployment method yet devised this side of a flipper. Try it. You'll like it.
For me, the hole is one of the biggest things I don't like. I haven't found it to be easier for me, and I find the look to be ugly (along with the rest of the common leaf shape blades they use). I also find it rather silly that such a hole is trademarked, though I know of that is commentary about the system as a whole, and not them...
That said, I respect that they use good materials and craftsmanship; but since I can get that in designs I like more (like my Blur and ZT 200), I haven't found the urge
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The only thing I don't like about the Spyderhole it is the amount of real estate it consumes on the blade. It tends to make Spyderco blades a lot wider than they otherwise need to be. But compared to thumbstuds, the hole is a dream come true . . . or at least it is for me. So Spyderco ergos get a 10 from me while aesthetics generally get a lot less.
Clanton
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That's funny stuff!
Welcome. So you have decided both brands will fall apart just from looking at pictures? That's utter nonsense. Maybe you are too used to the "mall knives" you own.
I am not a fan of Spyderco's designs, but their quality is beyond reproach. I'll say the same about Cold Steel.
That said, nobody says you have to buy one. You don't wanna...then don't. Everyone will be fine with that.
I've never had a knife with a thumbhole that I enjoyed, but most of them have been cheap mall knives. I think I'm gonna get the Delica 4, plain edge as a starter for my spyderco. Do you guys recommend anything other than that for a first knife of the company?
Value. For example, the Endura, Delica, Para2, Military, Manix, and other US and Japanese made Spydercos are an incredible value for your money, especially compared to Benchmade post MAP enforcement pricing.
Just don't get one of the Chinese knives to base your evaluation of the brand on.
I never said that they do fall apart. I know for a fact that they don't, just like Cold Steel. What I'm saying is that look is unattractive to my preference. I like my knives to look strong and powerful. I've seen great reviews of spydercos and how strong they can be, but that doesn't change the fact that the scales sometimes look like they are made out of cheap plastic (in my opinion).
However, I do want to own one just to get the experience of owning said blade, just like how I want to own a sebenza and a brous division at some point in my life. Right now, I've mostly had 2 points on the company spectrum of knives, giving me 2 categories to classify knives. Owning a wide variety of knives is a good way to form an educated opinion about blades.
Lastly, if I come across aggressive, I don't mean to. You make a great point about not having to buy one, but I do want to own at least one so I can be educated on the knife market and better understand what I like and dislike about certain blades.
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Don't let the Cold Steel guys hear you say that
Spyderco makes a great knife, and you have such a vast selection to choose from. Don't like Chinese products, get one made in Japan. Hate VG10 steel, buy one of the Golden Colorado models in S30V. Spyderco also appeals to the so called 1% of knife collecting/using with their limited editions, sprint runs, and blades with prices well above the $200 mark.
Perhaps you ran into flea market versions of Spyderco folders? They are really common, and yes those knock-offs will fail apart in your hands.