Spyderco Ambitious or Persistence

todayilearned · #1

Hey guys, I'm looking for a new EDC and have narrowed it down to the Ambitious or Persistence. I've looked up reviews and the Ambitious looks oddly wide due to the thumb hole. Does anyone have comparison pictures?

I believe one is 2.25 inch blade and the other is 2.75 inch blade which is the major difference between the two.

razorsharp · #2

I don't have the persistence but have the ambitious, and let me tell you, its a lil workhorse

todayilearned · #3

razorsharp wrote:I don't have the persistence but have the ambitious, and let me tell you, its a lil workhorse

Have you noticed any issues with the width or it rusting?

razorsharp · #4

Mine has not rusted at all, not even stained, but i clean the blade of plant residue and moisture if it gets on it. The handle is pretty ergonomic, its only 3 and a half finger grip for me lol, but I have large hands, I know people with smaller hands who say its perfect but for me id suit the persistence more.

The knife is great for slicing small fruits through to performing tasks like collapsing several large heavy duty windscreen boxes.

The edge goes through to the handle on both knives, meaning your pretty much choked up all the time on them.

The blade starts at 3 mm from the spine tapering down to a sharp edge, I sliced my thumb open the day I got it :rolleyes: . When I opened it, being my first spydie i though "WOW even cooler in person". The wide blade imo, is quite cool :)

addylo · #5

I've got all four of the family (Ambitious, Persistence, Tenacious, and Resilience). There's only an inch difference (overall) between the Ambitious and Persistence (1/2" blade, 1/2" handle). Other than that they're identical. The width difference is hardly enough to notice.

Have you looked at the Cat? It's just between the two in size but lighter than both. Yes, it's a bit more costly but it has better steel IMO (440C vs 8Cr13MoV). It also has a wire clip. Good bang for the buck.

Ambitious
length overall 5 13/16 in. (148 mm) blade length 2 1/4 in. (57 mm) blade steel 8Cr13MoV
length closed 3 19/32 in. (91 mm) cutting edge 2 1/4 in. (57 mm) weight 3 oz. (85 g)
hole diameter 15/32 in. (12 mm) blade thickness 1/8 in. (3 mm) handle material G-10

Cat
length overall 5 15/16 in. (151 mm) blade length 2 7/16 in. (62 mm) blade steel 440C
length closed 3 9/16 in. (90 mm) cutting edge 2 1/8 in. (54 mm) weight 2.5 oz. (71 g)
hole diameter 1/2 in. (13 mm) blade thickness 3/32 in. (2.5 mm) handle material G-10

Persistence
length overall 6 13/16 in. (173 mm) blade length 2 3/4 in. (70 mm) blade steel 8Cr13MoV
length closed 4 1/8 in. (105mm) cutting edge 2 3/4 in. (70 mm) weight 3.3 oz. (102 g)
hole diameter 1/2 in. (13 mm) blade thickness 1/8 in. (3 mm) handle material G-10

Blerv · #6

It looks odd and tall because it's short. I highly doubt it's a solid 4 finger grip compared to the Persistence.

That said I'd personally go with the Ambitious. The competition for a 3" or so blade has stiff competition.

dgulbra · #7

Personally I prefer the Persistence. My hands are on the larger side and find it a little awkward opening and using the ambitious comfortably

gbelleh · #8

I have all of this family but the Resilience. Between these two, for EDC, I would prefer the Persistence. It's not much bigger in the pocket, but provides more blade length and a better grip. I find it just about the perfect EDC size.

I use 8Cr13MoV quite a bit around the house for really dirty cutting tasks, and I haven't had a problem with rust (but I make sure to clean and dry immediately after use).

todayilearned · #9

Saw the Cat and love it but it seems to be discontinued?

There seems to be a CF handle version. Anyone know if I can find this anymore... I would love to have it considering the blade steel and handle material.

The Deacon · #10

todayilearned wrote:Saw the Cat and love it but it seems to be discontinued?

There seems to be a CF handle version. Anyone know if I can find this anymore... I would love to have it considering the blade steel and handle material.

The CF version of the Cat was discontinued due to QC issues. A G-10 version of it is now available.

addylo · #11

The CF version was discontinued but the new G-10 version is out on the shelves. CS has it for ~$37. It's actually a great little EDC blade. Personally I prefer it over the Persistance.

I own both Cat versions. The CF version was dropped not long after it hit the market due to QC issues. It was a helluva great deal. S30V and carbon fiber for under $50 when new! You can still find a few on the reseller's market but you're going to pay a hefty premium.

BAL · #12

I used the persistence as a farm work knife and it is a little beast. YOu might look at the Tenacious though. It is a little bit bigger but not too much. I prefer the Tenacious, but both are great values.

ATV1116 · #13

BAL wrote:I used the persistence as a farm work knife and it is a little beast. YOu might look at the Tenacious though. It is a little bit bigger but too much. I prefer the Tenacious, but both are great values.

I like the Tenacious as well beings that I use it as my EDC. Also used for odds and ends around the house. Opening letters, cutting open packages, string, cardboard and those tough plastics that many things come in that you can never open unless you have a Spidy around :p