Essentialism: what are your "vital few" Spydies?

[Sharp Guy]

I always have trouble answering these kinds of threads because I have several different models and I really like them all. That's why I bought 'em. I guess if I had to whittle down my collection to the bare essentials I'd keep:

Manbug ZDP-189
Dragonfly HAP40
Delica (w/Lil' Para scales)
Mantra
Chaparral
Manix 2 LW or GB1 or Stretch or Native 5 or PM2 or ....

I'm glad this is only a "what if" scenario because it's like having to choose favorites among your children.

[Bloke]

Hard question for a knife hoarder who loves cutting stuff. If you held a gun to my head I'd make arguments for keeping all my knives but, I'd have to keep two Spyders at least.

I'd keep my ZDP Manbug to cut little things and my S30V Millie till I get an S110V Millie so I could cut big things! Now having said that there are many Spyders I'm unfamiliar with. :rolleyes:

[SpyderNut]

If I answer truthfully, the number of "vital few" would be one or two. I have gotten used to having only a Ladybug for my EDC for the past many years and really don't require a lot beyond that, sadly enough.

However, I am a collector (hoarder) of Spyderco's knives and will continue purchasing designs that pique my curiosity and interest.

[Spook410]

Odd that only a few mention models in terms of the function they perform.

- Small EDC: Gayle Bradley Air
- Large EDC: Paramilitary 2 (S110V in my case)
- Chores: M390 Mule (we'll see if Maxamet replaces it)

[Tdog]

If I could only have a "few", they would include the Caly 3.5, SE Pacific Salt, Southfork, and S110v Para 2. Would add the 204P Millie if that stays within a "few" :D

[Sharp Guy]

If I answer truthfully, the number of "vital few" would be one or two. I have gotten used to having only a Ladybug for my EDC for the past many years and really don't require a lot beyond that, sadly enough.

True here too. I use my Manbug more than anything. I don't hunt anymore, fishing is usually catch & release, & my girlfriend isn't into campimg so I don't do that much anymore. I cut my chicken breast I had for dinner with my Chap (works well!) but could've used a steak knife just as easily. Truth is I really don't need any of these bigger knives. I got along just fine for many years with only a small Buck folder and that sat in my toolbox unused for most of the time. That said, at least for me, having a variety of different knives is a luxury that I enjoy and unless I'm having a financial hardship they aren't going anywhere.

[bdblue]

Well yes all of mine are essential.

I have 4 versions of the PM2, 1 version of the Military, 4 versions of the Manix 2, 2 versions of the Manix 2 XL, a Vallotton, a Dragonfly, a Tenacious, and a Bradley Folder. I have spares for a couple of these, I have a good group of Mules, and my daughter took my Endura and Delica.

My essentials would be a couple of PM2s and a couple of Manix 2s.

[paladin]

VG10 Caly Jr. .... my constant blade companion...lot of utility in a almost "not there" footprint...plus the fishscale FRN is my favorite texture

Cruwear Military...a joy to sharpen, just enough patina to look classic...total USA mid/large blue collar blade

Native 5 s35vn LW.... kinda redundant with the Caly Jr. but the s35vn touches up like a champ for me on the SM ceramics and the refined lock is one of the best CQI's Golden has engineered!

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I would have to say the Endura knives and also some others.

[MichaelScott]

Every day I have a Dragonfly 2 and a Gayle Bradley 2 on my person. I could get along fine with those two. If I could, I would add a Delica Wharncliffe as the mid-size folder. My current work environment in a small family clinic suggests the Delica would be more appropriate than the Bradley with the non-knife folks. So, that makes three. Don't have call for fixed blades much, but when I do, my Helle Eggen fills that role.

For me the Dragonfly and Chaparral are tops in the small EDC category. If I didn't have the GB2, I would likely go for a Stretch in HAP40.

So, 1,2,3 would be DF2 or Chaparral, Delica (holding out for the Wharncliffe blade), and GB2 or Stretch HAP40.

[Evil D]

I only buy users and pre need backups, so almost all of mine get used at some point, some less than others but they all get pocket time. If I had to whittle it down, I would probably keep some form of a Military, Manix 2, Dragonfly, and Ladybug. That's a very very hard list to boil it down to as it crosses off many of my favorite knives, but if we're talking only keeping the essential users, those are the ones.

[Brock O Lee]

Light carry - Stretch Superblue
Office - Sage 2
General EDC - PM2 M390
Tough knife - GB1
Just because - Military 52100
Kitchen - 6 inch utility K04 SE

If I can only have one of these, probably PM2.

[ChrisinHove]

Large - Military
Small - Kiwi 4
Goldilocks - PM2
Keys - MB zdp
Motorcycle keys - LB2 Rescue
Foreign travel - Caly3 SE
Legal - Urban BB Elmax
Garden beater - UKPK CE
Shed beater - Chicago
Toolbox beater - Squeak
Walking home alone at night - Lil'M
"Integrity is doing the right thing when no-one is looking" desktop reminder - N5 Forum

.... it's not working, is it?

[shunsui]

I could get by with just the Endura. Have an ATS-55 Endura3 in my pocket today.

[Ncmiked]

I would keep,

Native 5 or dragonfly
PM2
Maxamet mule

[ThePeacent]

I also have many more than I need, they're just too awesome not to try, carry and use.
I enjoy all my Spydies, from smallest to largest, most used to most babied, but if I had to pick:



Pacific Salt SE - Like Gringo, it's my EDC, always with me. My work knife, at home knife, gardening knife, improvised kitchen knife, almost all knife chores are handled by it



Aqua Salt - As much as I love the Jumpmaster and Rock Salt, this one's the keeper, and the fixed blade I use the most. It is my best, most carried and loved fixed of all brands I own, a true all around blade for almost every task and job



Spyderhawk - Hard use, and secondary job/gardening folder, as well as possible self defense tool. Love it, have three of them, they are true workhorses



But being realistic, if it had to be for my entire life, a fixed and a folder would suffice (Pacific and Aqua)



Post pics, guys! :spyder:

[ejames13]

I only own 3 at the moment, and they are all essential:

- Military CTS-204p
- Paramilitary 2 CPM-M4
- Delica 4 HAP40

Would like to add a SE Dragonfly Salt and a Gayle Bradley 1 to that list eventually.

[akaAK]

Delica 4 (HAP 40 or VG10) just about perfect everyday carry.
Elmax Para2 (any Para2 variation including the s30V would work)

CE Millie just about perfect for most of my uses

K390 Mule, in cases where a fixed blade is needed

[SG89]

I only own 3 at the moment, and they are all essential:

- Military CTS-204p
- Paramilitary 2 CPM-M4
- Delica 4 HAP40

Would like to add a SE Dragonfly Salt and a Gayle Bradley 1 to that list eventually.

Quite the lineup- great choice of steel... :)

[tangent]

Pac Salt Serrated
Native 5 LW
Delica 4 (Orange!)

(still need to try stretch)