Have Persistance value folder looking to step up?

[MickM]

I've had my Persistance for a few weeks now and think it's the best knife I've ever owned, small enough for EDC, large enough blade to be usable and now getting the hang of opening it. But after starting to read on the forum I realize that Spyderco make better? Knives and think I would like to step it up to maybe better blade or action? I'm thinking Para2 but don't know how much bigger it is(no stores where I live) Would like to stay under $150, any suggestions? The persistence does seem the right size and is it worth upgrading?

[swigert]

Let's see. For under 150 dollars you can quite a few great knives.

Take a look at YouTube videos and threads here for pic comparisons.

I would look at:

Para 2

Native 5

Manix 2 either g10 or the blue lightweight with s110v (in my opinion the best value in production knives)

Delica is definitely in your price range. Should be 60 or under.

Those would be the 4 I would look out out of the current line up.

[swigert]

All my above recommendations have longer blades than the persistence but I think you would like a little more blade. I think when just starting out it's good to get multiple blade shapes and lengths, blades with and without choils etc. that way you find out what you really like and are drawn to.

[tvenuto]

I think the PM2 suggestion is a good one. It's a larger package but the lock is different without being too different than a liner lock, if you like that mechanism.

For carry-ability I love the Delica, and it'll feel very refined coming from the somewhat chunkier Persistence, even though the blade is longer. Coming from a liner lock some people find the back lock less fun to play with, but I definitely love my spyderco backlocks, so you can't go wrong there, just wanted to mention that.

If you wanted to stick with a liner lock the Sage 1 gets rave reviews, and has a choil. The Sage 3 with it's bolt action lock is just superb, and is quite an underrated knife.

[gbelleh]

How about the Domino (flipper might be easier to open). It's probably a little over the $150 price though, unless you find a nice pre-owned one. Or if you want to stay closer to the Persistence size, the Dice. As mentioned, the Para 2 is great, so is the Native 5, and Manix 2 (but the lock might not be as easy to close). The Sage series might be good too.

[Holland]

I would look for a delica in superblue while they are still possible to get. If you don't like non stainless steels I would look into the chaparral 1, Native 5, sage 1 or caly3 depending on what style you like. The para2 and manix2 will be a big step up size wise

[MickM]

Native 5 looks interesting. Will I see/feel difference from my Persistance? Native 5 vs. Para2?

[Blerv]

The Sage1 would be a nice upgrade from the Persistence. About $100, same lock and blade length but with a choil and wire clip.

The F&F from Taichung on the Sage knives is mindblowing.

[tvenuto]

Native 5 looks interesting. Will I see/feel difference from my Persistance? Native 5 vs. Para2?

Yes? I'm not sure what you mean by this, they are different knives with different ergos which is discernible both visually and via touch (tactilly?). I think you will notice an increase in quality of the G10 in both cases, the US peel ply feels much more high quality and a bit more grippy.

[gbelleh]

The Native 5 is a lock back with a pretty strong spring. The Para 2, Manix 2 or Sage 1,2,3 would probably be easier to open.

[Surfingringo]

Many good suggestions here. It's pretty hard to go wrong with the pm2.

[zhyla]

I don't have a Persistence but there's the smaller Ambitious in my pocket this week. I don't believe Spyderco necessarily makes a better folder than the Ambitious unless you're having issues with edge retention. For a light EDC it's small, has good grip, and is very well built. I'm sure the Persistence is no different.

If you are having edge retention issues then every small Spyderco (Dragonfly, Native, Delica, Sage line, Techno, etc) is going to rock your world. Most of them are going to feel a lot smaller because the Ambitious has a very chunky grip for its size. The Native is most likely to feel familiar, especially the Native 5 (G10 model).

The larger knives (Manix 2, Para 2) are going to have a familiar grip feeling. The blade size may or may not feel awkward. Around the office I'm very happy with my Ambitious. Out in the yard a 3" or 4" blade has its merits. Pretty much every person will have a different preference about that sort of thing.

Enjoy your next purchase!

[mastiff]

We need some more info.

How do you carry your knife?
I carry mine in the change pocket in my jeans, the Para Military2 won't fit unless I cant it. That makes extraction a little harder/inconvenient. My Delica, both Manix 2s, and Tenacious all fit perfectly.

What do you use your knives for?
I use mine cutting boxes, bottles, zip ties, wiring, puncturing foil seals, and anything else tha't I think I can.

What size hands do you have?
I wear a large size glove, every Spydie fits me perfect that I have except the Delica, my pointer finger doesn't curl enough to get traction at the top of the handle.

$150 will get you a lot of different Spyderco folders. If I had to pick a favorite it'd be the Manix 2, I've never had a knife fit my mitts better. I liked it so much that I have 2, one in satin and one with the DLC black coated blade. Even though the length is only slightly shorter than the PM2, it fits in my pocket much better. It's built like a brick outhouse. It's only downside(though not for me, I've never noticed it) is it's a heavier folder at 5 ounces. My second favorite is the Para Military 2, even with the little problems it's a great folder, it's also lighter by an ounce than the Manix 2.

I've got a Stretch and Sage 3 in the mail, both of which are recommended on a regular basis as being very good folders. I can't recommend them but others do, I'm sure they'll be great. One of the reasons I like Spyderco is the quality to price ratio, you get a lot for your money. $150 will get you a **** fine knife, or you could get 2 really good folders. Either way, it's a win/win!

[Skidoosh]

If you look around you can find a quality pre-owned Caly 3 in ZDP that is fantastic.

[ChrisinHove]

These are all great knives....
Something to bear in mind, perhaps, is whether you will want to actually use a knife that takes up your whole budget: Everyone's "that-cost-X-so-I-don't-dare-use-it" threshold is different. Spyderco is great, not least because you can pitch into the range wherever you are comfortable within that size/quality/cost equation.

[Tdhurl1103]

The Sage1 would be a nice upgrade from the Persistence. About $100, same lock and blade length but with a choil and wire clip.

The F&F from Taichung on the Sage knives is mindblowing.

My first Spyderco (after being away from Spydercos for 20 years) was a Persistence. I love it still but I have upgraded since. My next Spyderco was a Sage 1, which is my everyday business suit knife. Then a bit later I got a PM2 which is what I carry on my days off. The Persistence is now in backup mode and rarely gets any finger time.

[BTG]

I'd go Native 5, but I'm partial to it...was my first lust for knife, hard to find at first when I wanted it, hasn't lost its #1 spot since I got it...although the Para 2 is a close 2nd, I really like the 3 inch blade size, and 4 inch closed seems to work for me. A Ti Damascus Delica would be a great choice also, or any Delica Model for that matter.

[kennethsime]

For $150 buy a Stretch 2 and Dragonfly 2 in FRN, preferably with ZDP-189 (but the VG-10 is great too). They go great together, and are a big step up in terms of steel quality and fit/finish.

[apollo]

From all of those spoken of above i would pic a Pm2 or a manix 2.
Both are a bit larger then yours so will give some handy extra blade lenght.
Both have superior locks and steel and have a great value for the money racio.
The native 5 is also in that little group but for some reason i find it more "limited" but i can not explain why. :)

[Nate]

The Persistence was my first Spyderco as well. I liked it so much that I almost immediately picked up a Chaparral and Para2, then pretty much never used it again, lol.

Anyway, I thought a size comparison pic might be helpful. Here is my Persistence with some of the suggestions mentioned in this thread: