"As close to perfection as possible" folder from Spyderco?

[bryan123]

Since the best pocket knife is the one that is in your pocket, and the blade restriction length here is 2.5", I'm picking the Dragonfly 2 and the Roadie.

[ZrowsN1s]

Police 4 K390
Fluted CF S90V Native 5.
CF S90V Chief

The stock S30V Shaman is as close to a perfect Base Model as I think it gets.

And the Dragonfly in all it's iterations as a small knife platform is pretty close to perfection. Only thing that could make it better is a G-10 PE Hawkbill in K390 or S90V.

[SG89]

Hard to beat a native 5

[Molle Ninja]

Sage lightweight m4 BHQ model.

[pleadnotguilty]

I vote native chief

[Keljian]

Registered just to post here, long time reader, first time poster.

I’ve handled a lot of spyderco knives as I used to do a lot of sharpening for the Australian spyderco group on Facebook.

My first spyderco was a zdp delica. Spyderco wise I currently have a domino, a hap40 delica and (most recently) a s110v pm3.

The delica is a fine knife and has been my go to for years, literally my only complaint is the somewhat pointy back part of the blade (the bit that is a 90 degree angle)- this has destroyed a number of mobile phone screens over the knife’s life. Regardless of this, I have reached for it for years.

More recently I found myself looking for something that would hold an edge longer. I love the pm2 and have had a couple, but it is (as Nick Shabazz says) a bit murdery for an edc. The result was me getting a para 3 in s110v.

Early days yet, but so far I am really liking it. I have ordered a deep carry clip as it rides high in the pocket. Other than that, I really have no qualms. I really do love the compression lock. I am very tempted to get some flytanium scales, but I don’t want to add to the weight, it’s a well balanced unit.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Keljian:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[TkoK83Spy]

It's really hard to beat this knife. No customization and you get a great, iconic model that's got an improved lock, a combination of high end scale materials and a fantastic all around steel. This is easily the nicest, high quality knife I've handled from Spyderco right out of the box.

[PStone]

I asked an AI what the perfect Spyderco is. Here’s what it came up with:

NGL, I am really digging the middle right.

[Mushroom]

I asked an AI what the perfect Spyderco is. Here’s what it came up with:

NGL, I am really digging the middle right.

That’s hilarious! I’m fond of the bottom left design.

[PStone]

I asked an AI what the perfect Spyderco is. Here’s what it came up with:
[img]
NGL, I am really digging the middle right.

That’s hilarious! I’m fond of the bottom left design.

Right on! It's like a LavaXL Wharncliffe.

[benben]

This is a rabbit hole question, it has more to do with everyone's personal preferences than how good the knife really is, because I guarantee you what's close to perfect for me will be totally different from what's close to perfect for many other people and visa versa.

I agree with this, so instead of plugging a particular model, I'm going to plug the build, fit and finish of a particular model. My plain jane ole bland vanilla Yojimbo 2. I have a good collection of Spyderco's, and all are nice, just as I expected when I put them in my cart and clicked go!

But this particular Yojimbo, MY Yojimbo is absolutely perfect! The centering, the lock up, the action, everything, you just can't find anything wrong with it! And the fact that it fits my hand perfectly doesn't hurt one bit. Golden hit it out of the park with this one! I know the Yojimbo isn't for everyone, and for anyone who actually doesn't care for this knife....you'd still be very impressed and appreciate the build quality after handling it, so hats off to the Golden crew!

[Xformer]

Native 5 LW.
Shaman.
Dragonfly 2.

I wouldn't change a thing. I'd take more chamfered scales for the Native 5 LW, but that's it.

[BLUETYPEII]

Old Original Manix and new Siren . Dan

I like it…

I’ve always said the Siren is an awesome knife. Unfortunately I’ve never experienced an original backlock Manix but I really enjoy my Manix 2 XL, so much I bought another one.

Although the new Military with the compression lock may give them all a run for their money.
I wonder if Spyderco is going to make left hand versions.

[Blerv]

Probably a Stretch2 FRN. I don’t have other variations but every time I hold and use mine it immediately reminds me of how Spyderco is different.

[apollo]

Old Original Manix and new Siren . Dan

I like it…

I’ve always said the Siren is an awesome knife. Unfortunately I’ve never experienced an original backlock Manix but I really enjoy my Manix 2 XL, so much I bought another one.

Although the new Military with the compression lock may give them all a run for their money.
I wonder if Spyderco is going to make left hand versions.

Dan those pictures are as beautiful as always! I am starting to like the Siren because of you. But as always ALL HAIL KING MANIX ( OG )

[Manixguy@1994]

Old Original Manix and new Siren . Dan

I like it…

I’ve always said the Siren is an awesome knife. Unfortunately I’ve never experienced an original backlock Manix but I really enjoy my Manix 2 XL, so much I bought another one.

Although the new Military with the compression lock may give them all a run for their money.
I wonder if Spyderco is going to make left hand versions.

It would be great to see another lefty in the future Military and must say rather disappointed that the Para3 does not have one in the lineup. The Siren is such a great knife , feels great in hand and in pocket . Dan

[elena86]

Hi Bolster,

Thanx for the thread. It does give us an idea of what our customers think is close to ideal for them.

Talkin' Story,

The Caly 3.5 is a very special design for me, keeping in mind that I'm biased. I'm looking forward to the FRN version of the 3.5, (which is designed to be screw construction), which I feel will be the ultimate variation of the concept. T

sal

It’s a wonderful design Sal but you might want to do something about that Seki backlock. It’s so frustrating when they develop blade play. I owned 3 Caly 3.5 in ZDP and they all came with significant vertical blade play from the factory. I had to sell two of them and only keep one for my collection. Too bad … I understand your loyality for the maker but maybe it’s time to move the Caly family to Taichung or to Golden.

[Blerv]

It’s a wonderful design Sal but you might want to do something about that Seki backlock. It’s so frustrating when they develop blade play. I owned 3 Caly 3.5 in ZDP and they all came with significant vertical blade play from the factory. I had to sell two of them and only keep one for my collection. Too bad … I understand your loyality for the maker but maybe it’s time to move the Caly family to Taichung or to Golden.

Vertical play is baked in to many lockbacks and seldom (in my experience) gets worse; it’s either subtle or noticeable out of the box. The solution is easy: Make sure the knife is really sharp. Less pressure needed = less play you feel.

Lateral play can be a problem, with pinned construction not much you can do except maybe a prayer and a light hit to the pivot with a hammer.

The real answer to anyone very frustrated with the nuances of lockback is to pick another lock and avoid much of the shopping cart dice-rolling. It’s only mildly irritating to me but I’d rather keep my Persian, Caly’s, and the much anticipated Ayoob. The designs are worth it, IMHO.

I won’t speak for Spyderco but they have kept a lot of small shops fed for decades and maintained those relationships by not swapping production houses on models unless absolutely necessary. It’s also allowed them to do sprints and micro runs of very odd and lovely products without risking as much. Taking it all “in-house” and streamlining it’s model line sounds good in theory but it often creates boring results. Knives like the Caly were designed by and for aficionados. It likely wouldn’t exist at all if if not for these quirky relationships.

[JRinFL]

The real answer to anyone very frustrated with the nuances of lockback is to pick another lock and avoid much of the shopping cart dice-rolling. It’s only mildly irritating to me but I’d rather keep my Persian, Caly’s, and the much anticipated Ayoob. The designs are worth it, IMHO.

I won’t speak for Spyderco but they have kept a lot of small shops fed for decades and maintained those relationships by not swapping production houses on models unless absolutely necessary. It’s also allowed them to do sprints and micro runs of very odd and lovely products without risking as much. Taking it all “in-house” and streamlining it’s model line sounds good in theory but it often creates boring results. Knives like the Caly were designed by and for aficionados. It likely wouldn’t exist at all if if not for these quirky relationships.

Well said, thank you.