Which Sage to get?

ViperGTS · #1

Guys I'm relatively new to Spyderco. It's been about a year or so since I got bit by the Spyderco bug.

So far I've gotten a Delica 4 ZDP, CF Chaparral, FRN Dragonfly, and a Persistence.

I've really been eyeing the Sages lately. The Chap is my favorite by a long shot and at times something a little bigger would be great. It's perfect for EDC and I'm a big fan of the leaf shaped blade. Seems like the Sage is just a larger Chap (with diff lock setups)

Anyways, being that nowhere around me allows me to handle them all, I need to get one online. Why not today? :) .

I've read a bunch of posts about Sages, but which do you think would be a good starter? I'll probably get them all eventually (like I plan to with the Chaps)

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!!!!

The Deacon · #2

Hard choice. If you're comfortable with the Persistence, then the Sage I is the closest to the Chaparral in terms of weight and handle texture. If you prefer a midlock, and cost is not a factor, the Sage IV would be the one to choose. OTOH, if you're looking for something similar, but also totally different, you could go with either the Sage II or III. I own all four and the Sage IV is the one I carry However, if I were right handed, the Sage I would be my favorite.

kbuzbee · #3

No bad choices. My son has a 1 and loves it. Carries it every day. My personal favorite is 2. But they are all great.

Ken

jackthedog · #4

I would say the Sage 2 is my favorite. I had and sold a Sage 1, which I regret, and would like to get again.

gbelleh · #5

The Sage 1 would be the perfect place to start, especially if you like the Chaparral and are planning to get all the Sages eventually anyway. Having said that, my Sage preference in order is: 4,2,3,1. But you can't really go wrong with any Sage.

gull wing · #6

You are in good company with Sages.

sir_mike · #7

I had the Sage 1, 2 and 3 at one time but the Sage 2 is the only one I kept. That is the one I would tell you to get but any Sage is a very good knife. :D

IrishSpyder22 · #8

I have all the sages except the 4 which I'm ordering in the next week or so. They are all unique in their own way,and all are a great value for the materials that you get. That being said my favorite in order is sage 2, sage 1(a very close second), sage 3. Good luck with your choice!

jackknifeh · #9

Since you like the Chaparral you know what to expect with the Sage1. But you will have a slightly larger Chaparral and that's it. Of course that is great but if you want something different all I can and do recommend is the Sage4. I have never used the 2 or 3 so I can't comment on them. I've never read or heard a bad review on them. The Sage4 is a VERY STRONG Sage1 IMO. I say that because when using a knife you don't care about the lock which is different of course. If you don't need a TOUGH knife there is nothing smoother than a Sage1. Don't get me wrong, the Sage1 is plenty strong. I've used it for some pretty tough cutting in my yard. They lock solid with no blade play and are easily adjusted to give you the pivot tension you like. The Sage4 also locks up with no blade play. It has a new design in the pivot that will prevent vertical blade play from developing over time which is somewhat common in back locks. One thing about the titanium bolsters on the Sage4 is titanium shows scratches easily. I don't mind but if you want your knife to stay brand new looking over time I don't think a Sage4 is a good choice. I like the Sage4 type of beauty. It screams beautiful without any words like "pretty" or "cute" IMO.

Good choice in any Sage.

Jack

Rutgrr · #10

I only have the Sage 2 and I love it. Ergos are great for my hand. Chaparral is a nice knife too.

Coulro · #11

The Sage 1 is my favorite but I sold my chaparral because they were too similar, the sage 2 would be my recommendation it's a great knife and will give you more variety.

ViperGTS · #12

Great feedback guys. thanks.

As of now I'm leaning towards the Sage 2. (the titanium is intriguing as well as a new type of lock)

The Sage 1 (which I'll get someday soon, seems kinda similar now that you guys point it out)

Next might be the 4. (simply for beauty reasons)

PTree · #13

Sage 2 is my favorite but my sage 1 is extremely smooth

ViperGTS · #14

Sage 2 on its way!

Infinite Zero · #15

My order is 4,3,1. I don't have the 2

Being a lefty, the fully-ambidextrous nature of the 4 and 3 are very appealing and put them firmly in the lead for me. The 1 is very lightweight and the carbon fiber is nice and grippy. I really don't have much interest in the 2.

waterford · #16

That cheap looking paper clip style pocket clip on the Sage line really cheapens the look and is a deal breaker for me. Come on Spyderco, why did you cheap out on the pocket clip??

jb_slc78 · #17

waterford wrote:That cheap looking paper clip style pocket clip on the Sage line really cheapens the look and is a deal breaker for me. Come on Spyderco, why did you cheap out on the pocket clip??

I think the clip on the sage is one of the best innovations to come to an EDC type knife since I have been carrying. I don't think saving money had anything to do with the design. It was obviously made to ride low in the pocket and be very inconspicuous. Something a lot of us appreciate. I prefer the paper clip style over any other type. I carry a Caly 3.5 and I can't think of any other 3.5 inch knife that can go completely unnoticed clipped inside my pocket. Thanks to Spyderco for creating such a great design!

gbelleh · #18

I believe Sal has mentioned that the wire clips are more expensive to produce than the standard hourglass type. I find the wire clips to be strong and very secure, and I like the discreet look in the pocket.

The Deacon · #19

gbelleh wrote:I believe Sal has mentioned that the wire clips are more expensive to produce than the standard hourglass type. I find the wire clips to be strong and very secure, and I like the discreet look in the pocket.

Yes, he's mentioned that more than once. And, IIRC, he's also mentioned that the wire clips used on the models made in Taiwan are made in Golden.

Personally, I have mixed emotions about wire clips. If I were going to carry a knife clipped, I'd love them, because I'd prefer the more discreet carry they provide. At the same time, they don't allow for tip down carry and, on the rare occasions I carry clipped, I prefer tip down. Also, since my preferred method of carry is loose in my pocket, the channels they leave when removed irritate me, because I find them 10X more unsightly than the screw holes on models using the three screw hourglass clip.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #20

The Deacon wrote:Yes, he's mentioned that more than once. And, IIRC, he's also mentioned that the wire clips used on the models made in Taiwan are made in Golden.

Personally, I have mixed emotions about wire clips. If I were going to carry a knife clipped, I'd love them, because I'd prefer the more discreet carry they provide. At the same time, they don't allow for tip down carry and, on the rare occasions I carry clipped, I prefer tip down. Also, since my preferred method of carry is loose in my pocket, the channels they leave when removed irritate me, because I find them 10X more unsightly than the screw holes on models using the three screw hourglass clip.

I agree with everything you said here....