Spyderco Forums

Which should I get? The handle/grip should not be less that 4" which if I remember the specs right should be good to go for all four. I need something big enough to fit my hand. The Native FRN is just big enough if I choke up on the choil which is about 4 inches.

If the Caly 3.5 or Stretch why one over the other I understand the Manix vs the two. But for the two why one over the other?

Or for the completely different what about the Matriarch or Lil' Matriarch vs the other listed?

If the Manix over the other 3 why? I guess just back up your thoughts, is all I am asking. For some reason we only have have one dealer here in town and, they only have the Native, Rescue, Delica, and Endura. So I can only base it off measurements and your thoughts, to a large degree.

These will be in a EDC rotation, and weight is not a matter but lefty friendly does matter.

Thanks for your help

I like the Stretch for work cause it is just a great do-all blade and decent SD if you need one. Plus, my FRN version I won't cry over if beat up or lost, cheaper to replace than my Caly 3.5. For non-work, Caly all day long IMO.

The Caly carries best. The Stretch is slightly better for hard work imho (I have both). Prefer both these of the Manix 2 (gifted or traded the ones I had), which I find to heavy, too wide and I prefer the back lock to the ball. A FFG sprint Manix would be closer and preferable for very heavy duty.

If you are going to thump on the knife, than a Manix 2 is probably the one to go with.

If you want great EDC knives that slice very well and are light-weight then I would recommend the Caly 3.5 or the Stretch. IMO, the Caly wins because of its wire clip, more acute point and G10 scales. Still, if you want to save some cash then the Stretch is a great option. It has a bit of belly, which is really nice with food prep, and it slices very well also. If you have large mitts then the Stretch is probably the safer bet, IMO.

The only thing that is similar to those is relative size. Ergos, aesthetics, and general feel is completely different. I would pick the one you like the looks and story of most:

Stretch: full-figured handle with a slicing blade, partial choil grip.

Caly3.5: pocket-conscious dimensions and slicing blade, deep carry clip, choil grip.

Manix2: Wide in pocket, sturdy in use, not as much of a slicer. Choil or non comfortably.

Matriarch/Lil Matriarch: same handle as Endura4/Delica4 but with aggressive serrated reverse S. Much slimmer in pocket than Manix2, slightly slimmer than Stretch (especially the Lil), less slim per blade inch than the Caly line. Non-choil grip.

I'd go Stretch for general purpose, but 3.5 fits me better for EDC.

Matriarch would be good for self defense i wouldn't use it for EDC because of the tip you would be better off with any of the other 3 for EDC.

The tips on the newer Matriarch2 and Lil Matriarch are sturdy enough for EDC. There are some folks who could snap the tips off but they could probably do it to any knife.

Caly 3.5 for EDC because ergos are incredible, carries nice and deep. I would recommend ZDP-189 version or Super Blue.

My vote is for the Stretch, as it is a slicer, it is good-looking, and it is robust. A winning combination.

My vote is for the Stretch, as it is a slicer, it is good-looking, and it is robust. A winning combination.

Here's my take. Among those four, the Matriarch is worst for general EDC, unless most of your cutting is rope, vines, or similar materials. OTOH, it's arguably the best for SD, as long as you understand that it is heavily optimized for slashing but nearly useless for stabbing.

The Manix 2 has the thickest blade, so it's quite probably the most abuse resistant, but the trade off for that is that the Stretch and Caly 3.5 will be better slicers. So, again, it's important to determine your most common uses. Personally, I find the finger separator in the grip area annoying and the jimping on the handle a bit too tacticool, but that's just me.

Between the Stretch and the Caly 3.5, the biggest difference is the handle. Both are excellent "general purpose" EDC knives, both are optimized for slicing. The Stretch is my personal choice, because it has a more structured handle, which fits my hand perfectly. However, since your initial post implies that you have large hands, it may not work as well for you as the less structured grip area of the Caly 3.5 would.

Matriarch is the least universal out of all four. So if your needs correspond to it's abilities in SD and very special tasks in cutting fiberous materials, this is you knife, otherwise it is the last choice.
Manix2, I would prefer M2 lightweight due to FFG blade. Probably would take more beating than Stretch or Caly3.5, but will take more room in your pocket and the steel is less wear resistant.
Caly3.5 and Stretch both are great knives. I carry VG10 Calys for ages and no expirience with Stretch. I had original for about a week. I didn't like the blade shape and sold it to Paul.
Caly3.5 is an excellent EDC, very compact in the pocket, considering 3.5" blade. To the best of my knowledge the grind on Calys is thinner than on Stretch, so Caly should be slightly better at slicing. Ergos on all: M2, Stretch and Caly3.5 are fantastic.

Among the choices you list, I choose the Caly 3.5 and Stretch. (I own all the models on your list)

Between these two I choose the Caly 3.5. I strongly prefer the deep pocket carry clip for discreet carry; I like the narrower folded width so it doesn't take up as much pocket space; and it has the same blade length as the Stretch.

The Caly 3.5 ten to one over the others. I don't care for the grind on the Manix or the lock plus the Caly has almost the same blade length with less than half the bulk. I looked at a Stretch a few days ago at SMKW and I really like the ergos of the handle but don't like the blade. I hate to say it but I wouldn't have s Matriarch if you gave me one free because I'm likely to use my knife to peel an apple and I want something that you can sharpen easy. A razor sharp plain edge will do anything a serrated edge will do.

I would go with the Caly 3.5 I had a stretch and just couldn't warm up to it.

The Matriarch family is the closest thing Spyderco has to fantasy blades. While I'm sure you can use it for utility purposes and could use it in a defense scenario, it would be last on my list.

The others are all great knives. The Manix 2 is an awesome EDC while it's in your hand. In your pocket it may feel large and heavy. The lock is nice (once broken in) and it's the surest grip on a folder I've found. Though I'm sure the others are about just as good, it just depends on what appeals to you and maybe the size of your hand.

I have been eyeballing the Matriarch for quite a while and I'm just about ready to pull the trigger. One sick blade and the design looks like it will rip through leather jackets and heavy clothing like butter.

Interesting all the perspectives on the Matriarch.

Personally...at least 90% of my cutting involves pull-cuts. Usually opening boxes, bags, cutting threads, etc. For that purpose serrated curvy blades work SO much better than normal blade shapes with less than blistering sharpness.

if you carry tip down-Stretch