Smoothest Spyderco

[dgebler]

I was just playing with my knives I decided to obsessively open and close every knife I have in my collection numerous times, noting detent, smoothness, lock release, blade play (or lack thereof) . After playing with them all, I have to say out of 20+ spydies (i know...beginners collection) the Vallotton has to be the smoothest by far. No bearings, no fancy lock, just one incredibly smooth action on a very well done liner lock. Not to mention the feel in hand. If I didn't wear thin slacks to work on a daily basis this could be my favorite knife (for now the Caly 3.5 still reigns supreme). I just was impressed all over again how such a straightforward design could be so perfectly executed...it really does feel like butter.

So, what do you think is your smoothest knife?

[bearfacedkiller]

Sage3 is my smoothest. Absolutely amazing.

[Kylems11]

I have not played with the vallotton, but i agree with bearface, sage 3 is my smoothest also and i cant see any other being any smoother.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

my gb is so smoooooth.

[remnar]

Sage3 is my smoothest. Absolutely amazing.

Same here!

[Clip]

Anything from Taichung is incredibly smooth, my PPT, GB, Domino, Techno, but my 83mm Manix, forum N5 and Lil Temp aren't fa behind. I think my PPT is the smoothest.

[Nick Herrera]

My Breeden Rescue is actually my smoothest Spydie I own. Atleast in my opinion :D

[xceptnl]

I have found that of my new knives (un-broken in) the blades with more mass "Feel" smoother because of the weight assisting the action. The Superleaf for me was one of the smoothest out of box that I can recall. One the other side of the coin, amongst my well used and well broken in knives, my old (hump-back) Rescue, Superhawk, Caly 3 SB, and Caly Jr. are by far the smoothest. If I had to pick the least smooth from my collection, it would likely be my Forum Native 5. I am not saying it isn't smooth, but relatively speaking it seems to be in a different category vs. all of my others. YMMV!

[PayneTrain]

my gb is so smoooooth.

+1. My Gayle Bradley is easily the smoothest and most satisfying knife I own. Why can't all knives be this good?

[kbuzbee]

All of my liner locks are very smooth but I have to vote Phoenix. There is just some "quality" to that smoothness that's hard to explain/define, but I like it. A lot!

Ken

[tvenuto]

My original Manix XL is the smoothest one I own, even better than the Southard. It feels like oiled glass.

[Therealtwitch]

My yo2 is decisively smoother than any of my other spydies

[IG-88]

The smoothest I ever had was the PM1 Foliage Green D2 Sprint, uber smooth! The second would definetely be the Sage 3 Smurf.

[Strong-Dog]

It may not be the best flicker, but my CF Stretch is literally almost frictionless. If the backock wasn't putting pressure on it, it would swing back and forth freely all day.

[jackknifeh]

I just tried my GB, Chaparral 2, Manbug and D'fly2. The D'fly 2 has a handle I made so maybe it shouldn't count. It has phospher washers instead of the molded FRN washer alternative so it's not an original design. However, all 4 are perfectly smooth. Absolutely smooth. No difference in resistance at one point of the blade position. All are made with outstanding precision IMO. Some may also be considering the AMOUNT of resistance but I have the pivots all adjusted to increase the resistance just a bit. I like smooth but I don't care for the blade that when the lock is released are swinging in the air looking for skin and bone. If I'm not moving the blade myself I want it to stay put in any position. They all flick open (except manbug) easily but none of the blades just drop down when the lock is released like most Manix2's. My Sage1 used to do that also. So, with the pivot tension adjusted the way I like it I have to say all mine are equally smooth. I think this is a statement of quality. Not only are Spyderco's smooth, they are easily adjusted to personal preference.

Jack

Edit: Wait a minute. I just held the Chaparral 2 horizontal and open. I released the lock and the blade DID just drop down. Has no blade play when open/locked or closed. Great knife. I'd like to mention that I have never once adjusted the pivot on this knife I'm pretty sure. It came like I like it but now it seems to have "broken in" and while locking up like a rock there is less resistance to movement. May need to tighten the pivot a fraction of a frog's hair. I think I'll wait though to see how it does in more time. I do like this knife.

[phillipsted]

My smoothest Spydie of all time is the original C15 Terzuola from the 1990s. That was the first knife that Sal installed washers on, and once I got the pivot is adjusted after I got it, it opened like butter. And it is still my smoothest-opening Spydie twenty years later... That's saying something about quality...

TedP

[Sharktooth]

My Sage3 is smoother than a cashmere codpiece

[78lilred]

I do agree with xceptnl about blade weight momentum, my Southard/GB/etc are very smooth but for path of least resistance it would be my Air.

[mikerestivo]

I would have to say, in order - Gayle Bradley, Sage 1, Vallotton.

[paladin]

Tmag, so smooth it's almost as if it didn't have a lock or backspring or anything at all...oh wait it minute-- it doesn't :p

But seriously it is bizarre how easily it opens...one of my all time favorite knives...

For the true lockers, the lil' Temp is amazingly low friction...

And I agree with Ken, the Phoenix is a great opening experience, all the uncaged BBL are about the same also! :spyder: