Your Thoughts on Spyderco Ambitious?

F

FreshFish

Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Messages
67
Hey guys!

I just got my spyderco ambitious the other day and was wondering what opinions you guys have on it? It's my very first knife that I didn't get from Walmart and really like how small it is and how it fits in my pocket perfectly. What knife should I get next? My budget is $50 though..:(

AHfMMuz.jpg


-FreshFish
 
Last edited:
I would also recommend for your budget:

Buck Vantage
Ontario Utilitac II
Opinel (not a modern tactical folding knife however)
Kershaw Thermite
Cold Steel Recon/Voyager/Tuff Lite (for a smaller knife)
Any in Spyderco's economy line-up.
 
Thanks RedLynx,

I saw it on ebay and it was cheaper than the other knives, so I bought it haha. I'll look into the other knives you suggested! :)
 
FreshFish said:
Thanks RedLynx,

I saw it on ebay and it was cheaper than the other knives, so I bought it haha. I'll look into the other knives you suggested! :)
Click to expand...

You should be able to get all of them for around $50. (Actually you can get like 3 Opinels for that price, and probably two Utilitacs if you find a good deal.)

The Cold Steels run slightly higher but again, deals for around $50 for those models I suggested can be had for sure. The Tuff Lite is the only small one I mentioned though, as I lean toward bigger knives.

EDIT: By all of them for around $50 I mean separately, didn't want to get your hopes up. They're all reasonably priced but not so that you can have them all just for $50. ;)
 
Last edited:
RedLynx said:
You should be able to get all of them for around $50. (Actually you can get like 3 Opinels for that price, and probably two Utilitacs if you find a good deal.)

The Cold Steels run slightly higher but again, deals for around $50 for those models I suggested can be had for sure. The Tuff Lite is the only small one I mentioned though, as I lean toward bigger knives.

EDIT: By all of them for around $50 I mean separately, didn't want to get your hopes up. They're all reasonably priced but not so that you can have them all just for $50. ;)
Click to expand...

I really like the Tuff Lite because it's small hehe. Since I go to college, I don't think a big knife would be very helpful :P
The Voyager reminds me of a bowie knife because of the blade, which is pretty awesome!
 
FreshFish said:
I really like the Tuff Lite because it's small hehe. Since I go to college, I don't think a big knife would be very helpful :P
The Voyager reminds me of a bowie knife because of the blade, which is pretty awesome!
Click to expand...

I hear you. I carried some smaller knives in my time at university (but I often carried larger ones too, I just didn't usually pull them out in a classroom, not that I had a reason to most of the time anyway). People in my neck of the woods are pretty okay with that sort of thing even on a campus, but I still didn't pull in public too much. I was just glad to be able to carry without hassle or worry.

Yes I like the Voyager's clip point for sure.

The Opinel can be had in a variety of sizes big and small, bigger the number bigger the size, and even a fairly large one should be okay on college, it's much more traditional and "non-scary" looking and even though it does lock, the lock is pretty ingenious and helps to maintain its more traditional look, for folks that might be intimidated by a modern blade.

Having said all that while I think it's nice to be considerate of people who might freak out (and helpful for you so they don't make trouble for you) I think if you are a responsible adult and you find a knife you like, get it. In my experience, the friends and people close to you that you hang out with are going to know that no matter how big your knife, you use responsibly. Even my teachers at university were sometimes glad I had one and no one gave me any trouble even if I had a fairly large one that day.
 
RedLynx said:
I hear you. I carried some smaller knives in my time at university (but I often carried larger ones too, I just didn't usually pull them out in a classroom, not that I had a reason to most of the time anyway). People in my neck of the woods are pretty okay with that sort of thing even on a campus, but I still didn't pull in public too much. I was just glad to be able to carry without hassle or worry.

Yes I like the Voyager's clip point for sure.

The Opinel can be had in a variety of sizes big and small, bigger the number bigger the size, and even a fairly large one should be okay on college, it's much more traditional and "non-scary" looking and even though it does lock, the lock is pretty ingenious and helps to maintain its more traditional look, for folks that might be intimidated by a modern blade.

Having said all that while I think it's nice to be considerate of people who might freak out (and helpful for you so they don't make trouble for you) I think if you are a responsible adult and you find a knife you like, get it. In my experience, the friends and people close to you that you hang out with are going to know that no matter how big your knife, you use responsibly. Even my teachers at university were sometimes glad I had one and no one gave me any trouble even if I had a fairly large one that day.
Click to expand...

When I first saw the Opinel, I was surprised, even though you said it's not like a modern knife. I find it interesting that it's round and not flat on the sides. I'm thinking of getting that and the Tuff lite for now..

Unlike you, none of my friends carry knives because they think there's no need for it. And the area where I live, people will be surprised if they saw you take out a knife, big or small, because my city is "safe" and there shouldn't be any reason for me to have one lol. Unfortunately, I'm the only person I know that's interested in knives. But it's all good, I'll just have to wait for those around me to get used to it.

EDIT: I think it's pretty cool how your family and close friends understand that you're responsible with your blades, no matter what the size is :)
 
FreshFish said:
When I first saw the Opinel, I was surprised, even though you said it's not like a modern knife. I find it interesting that it's round and not flat on the sides. I'm thinking of getting that and the Tuff lite for now..

Unlike you, none of my friends carry knives because they think there's no need for it. And the area where I live, people will be surprised if they saw you take out a knife, big or small, because my city is "safe" and there shouldn't be any reason for me to have one lol. Unfortunately, I'm the only person I know that's interested in knives. But it's all good, I'll just have to wait for those around me to get used to it.

EDIT: I think it's pretty cool how your family and close friends understand that you're responsible with your blades, no matter what the size is :)
Click to expand...

I think your family could at least come around. Not even any older relatives that carry? Most of my relatives do, although I guess I wasn't clear, while my friends don't freak out or find it weird, they also do not carry. I can't really think of any friends that carry any on a regular basis (at least, that I've seen) but some have been glad I've had one and some have found them kind of cool depending on what I have that day.

Edit: In fact if my dad asks me if I have one of my knives with me and I don't, for whatever reason (rarely), I'm chastised for it because he "raised me better than that." ;)

Opinel is hands down one of my favorite knives ever by the way. With so many sizes and different woods for handles you can actually build up a collection of them. I tend to carry other knives but I'm always drawn back to the Opinel quite often. Phenomenal slicing power. (also no matter what size you get, super super light forget they are in your pocket kind of knives).
 
RedLynx said:
I think your family could at least come around. Not even any older relatives that carry? Most of my relatives do, although I guess I wasn't clear, while my friends don't freak out or find it weird, they also do not carry. I can't really think of any friends that carry any on a regular basis (at least, that I've seen) but some have been glad I've had one and some have found them kind of cool depending on what I have that day.

Edit: In fact if my dad asks me if I have one of my knives with me and I don't, for whatever reason (rarely), I'm chastised for it because he "raised me better than that." ;)

Opinel is hands down one of my favorite knives ever by the way. With so many sizes and different woods for handles you can actually build up a collection of them. I tend to carry other knives but I'm always drawn back to the Opinel quite often. Phenomenal slicing power. (also no matter what size you get, super super light forget they are in your pocket kind of knives).
Click to expand...

Haha my sister just saw the picture I posted on Instagram of the ambitious and said I was weird for collecting knives and such :P
 
FreshFish said:
Haha my sister just saw the picture I posted on Instagram of the ambitious and said I was weird for collecting knives and such :P
Click to expand...

Don't let it getcha down man. Yeah in this day and age, it's "weird" to carry knives, for some people. For me it's one of the oldest tools ever and always useful. Even if I don't cut much in a particular day, grabbing a knife is the same for me as a wallet, cell phone or watch.
 
RedLynx said:
I would also recommend for your budget:

Buck Vantage
Ontario Utilitac II
Opinel (not a modern tactical folding knife however)
Kershaw Thermite
Cold Steel Recon/Voyager/Tuff Lite (for a smaller knife)
Any in Spyderco's economy line-up.
Click to expand...

Wish I had your positive experience. The Pardue Folder from Ontario proved difficult to keep an edge despite the decent steel. The Thermite was simply to large for EDC on my work which is general construction. Large knives don't get a 2nd glance around here but that Thermite just wasn't very comfortable for either carry or regular use. Likely just me so YMMV

The Ambitious is a total pleasure to use for anything. The jimping feels like it was made for my exact hand and the overall dimensions are just right.
 
Kershaw Skyline is a good choice for price under $50, It is lightweight and built very solidly. In my opinion, it's the best EDC knife for the money.
 
For just a bit more than $50 you can get a Delica or Endura, two of Spyderco's most popular models. The difference will be noticeable.

The Spyderco Delica is the most knife you can get for the price.
 
The Ambitious/Persistence/Tenacious/Resilience line is awesome. I carried and used the Persistence every day for over a year and still love it. The A and P are great working blades since their blades are less intimidating in length than many. Great blade shape, good slicing capability. The grips aren't especially comfortable for extended use in a hammer grip, but they work great for moderate length of use, and they are great with the thumb riding the blade ramp and gimping.

I actually prefer the Ambitious and Persistence over the Tenacious and Resilience. I don't need a longer blade for cardboard or plastic at work. If I were looking for a defensive tool, I wouldn't consider the Tenacious or Resilience.
 
Get a Kershaw Leek! It was my first good knife long long ago and now there's about a zillion different ones to find, from color to blade steel.
 
I'm not crazy about it. It's just so..... meh. I have a resilience though and it is awesome for the price. I had a blue tenacious but it was stolen, by a police officer!
 
I'm not a fan of the short, wide, pug-nose blades, w/but a few exceptions. I would 2nd the Delica, if you're looking for something larger in Spyderco. Of course, the the two blades on your average SAK are quite useful also, along with other tools in various offerings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top