What were your first five Spydercos and why?

[bgoode315]

What knife hooked you? And what did you immediately follow it with? Were you trying to fill different rolls with different knives in those first five? Or were they variations on a theme? Mine were all trying to find THE edc work always everything knife- delica, endura, centofante 3, alcyone, caly 3.

[Sharp Guy]

My first two Spydies were a black Dragonfly FRN and a Persistence. I wanted somthing small and fairly inexpensive. I've since gifted those two but I have plenty of others including a couple of other Dragonflies.

My next three were a Sage 1, Sage 2 and a Manix 2 G10. Shortly after I bought the first two, a friend from back home offered to send them to me to check out. When I told him how much I liked them he offered them to me for a price I couldn't refuse. I still have those three and a whole bunch of other Spydies.

[vivi]

Delica 4 - It was the #1 recommended knife when I asked for pocket knife recommendations on a message board 15 years ago. Hated it to be honest. Too small for me to comfortably grip and the saber ground blade didn't cut anywhere near as well as my swiss army knives I EDC'd. I really liked the opening hole, however, and I felt the build quality was high...but the design was poor in my eyes. I went out in search of other Spydercos that worked better for me.

Native - This was my next Spyderco. This was suggested when I reported that the delica didn't work for me. Cheapest S30V folder at the time ($40 walmart native). I liked the light weight and the blade shape but I didn't like how the grip behind the choil felt. I sanded the handle down to be shaped more like the future Native 5, but in the end decided it was still too small for me. I used it enough to appreciate S30V's increased edge retention over swiss army knife steel.

Military - This is the first Spyderco I liked. This one impressed me with the size to weight ratio. It was one of the single liner 440v versions. With a thinned out edge I found the cutting performance much higher than the saber ground delica. The handle was incredibly comfortable in all sorts of grips. The Military is still a favorite to this day, and I find it one of the most ergonomic folders on the market.

C95 Manix - This was the second Spyderco I really liked. Like the Military, it felt built for man-sized hands, as opposed to the Delica which felt like a kid sized knife in my hands. The ergonomics really impressed me, and I felt the Manix was an incredibly capable bushcraft folder. I've pretty much always had a Manix / Manix XL of some sort in my EDC rotation since buying that first C95.

Cara Cara - The original G10 Cara Caras blew me away. I liked them enough I sold the four knives above (Regret selling the Millie & Manix...), bought four Cara Caras in G10, then pocketed the change. The price point was very attractive as I didn't feel guilty using them for rough work like roofing or slicing grip tape for my skateboard. The ergonomics fit me very well. It was the most compact Spyderco I had tried up to that point that felt like a full sized knife built for adult hands. I usually EDC higher end knives now but I still own some Cara Caras and use them here and there. I'd have no issues going back to one as an EDC, though these days I prefer the rust proof Pacific Salts.

I've since learned that most people on knife message boards have smaller hands than me, which isn't something I realized 15 years ago. I now know to take ergonomic and sizing comments with a grain of salt, because it often ends up being the opposite for me. People here talk about para 2's being too big and bulky for EDC and I can't imagine EDCing such a small knife. I've tried. Went back to the Military / Police. Even using my Pacific salts I sometimes wish I had my Police 3's blade length instead. Would have been a much different journey knowing that beforehand.

[anycal]

PM2, Manix2, PM2, Native 5, Military.

Because I got the PM2, and after that all i wanted was Golden made knives.

I have dabbled with Japan made blades since.

[embry386]

Haven't got five Spydies yet, just two -- a pair of DLC Native 5s, one serrated and black-handled, the other plainedged and orange-handled. Probably going to get a Cara Cara and some backup Natives next. I like that orange way more than I thought I would.

[Candyman]

Native, Embassy, Para 2, Spyderfly, Manix XL( sold it quickly due to the size)
No particular reason other than I just wanted to try them out.

Rich (Candyman)

[thomashoard1909]

My first knife was a Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark 2. I just love that blade's design :D

[SharpieB]

Cool, I can play as I only have 5.

New to good knives and my first Spyderco was a Manix 2 a few weeks ago. Since I have added a Ladybug, Tenacious and a couple of Byrds (Meadowlark and Cara Cara 2).

Many more to come though likely. I am a big fan of all things Spyderco!

[roger-roger]

Subject to revision (bad memory)

Delica Gen 1
Moran upswept
Moran upswept
Forgotten early 2k folder model, G10 scales w/ 3" to 3"+ bowie style blade
NOS Delica Gen 2

[nicked.onaut]

First five Spydercos were all Workers (six actually).
That's what was out at the time. Gave five away "check out this knife!!!"
Next were SE and PE Mariners, followed by Hunter--preferred the less-pointy tip than the Worker for more purposes--and the Executive. Smaller size, lighter weight facilitated carry in dress slacks.

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

First 5...

Delica VG10... November 2012. Lots of Forum reading led me to Spyderco and this particular model that kicked it all off. I actually got this, plus a Buck Vantage Pro and a Persistence. Returned the Persistence. The price was right and EVERYBODY loved their Delica. This one has since been given to a great friend, but I still own and carry various Delica Sprints.
PM2 S30V... January 2013. This was back prior to the factory expansion and PM2s were hard to come by. I wanted to see what the S30V fuss was about. Happened upon 1 from a 3rd party on Amazon at a good price and jumped on it. Mine originally came pretty tight and I didn't adjust pivots then, and also didn't know anything about free dropping blades yet. Still have this one, but it now wears aluminum scales from Casey Lynch.
DF2 ZDP-189... February 2013. Wanted a knife that I could carry to work (slacks) and this one fit the bill. Debated alot on ZDP vs VG10. Ultimately settled on ZDP. Great choice, and out of these 5, this one sees the most regular use.
Sage 1... April 2013. Accomplishes some person goals, and so this was my 'rewards'. Wanted to see the renowned Taichung craftsmanship, and this Sage didn't disappoint. Carried this one today, in fact.
Sage 2... June 2012. Ah the pace of Spydies was picking up. Scored an excellent deal on this one from Amazon Warehouse (really before I switched primarily to the online knife stores) and got this for about $135. Loved my Sage 1, and now wanted to get some Titanium. Carried (and sharpened) this guy yesterday.

Overall those set the course and are still some of my favorite Spyderco patterns

[brj]

My first 5 were 1 Pacific Salt & 4 Millies :)

Back in the spring of 2007 I was looking for a rust-resistant folder and decided to go the route of the Pacific Salt. I liked it's flatness and ease of carry, even clipped IWB in swimming shorts. Oh, and the steel was indeed as formidable as advertised.

A month later I've got a plain S30V Military, instantly loved the neutral grip and the blade profile and I knew this was the be all, end all folding knife for me. The next 3 Spydercos were Millies as well - the D2, BG-42 and S90V sprint runs available at the time.

[Doc Dan]

My first Spyderco was a Viele. I loved the looks but I got rid of it because the handle was very slick and had no guard...and yes, ouch! I did not go back to Spyderco for a long time, though I really appreciated the build quality of that first Spyderco. Finally, I was sick of knives that did not fit my hand and I wanted something the size of a Leek but not a frame lock or flipper (came open in my pocket once to often). I found a Caly3 and the handle was exactly the same size as the Leek and just as thin. I as very happy. I carried that one a lot for a while in rotation with a BM Mini Grip. The MG handle was too small for my hand and when my wife's MG opened on her when she dropped it and narrowly missed stabbing her in the foot, I started looking at Spyderco, again. I found a Delica 4, which had fixed all of the things I did not like about previous Delicas and had a handle that actually fit my large xxl hand (The Delica handle actually has a tad more room than a Manix). After that I bought a G10 Dragonfly followed by a Nishijin Dragonfly.

[Ric]

The first 5 Spydies did not matter.
Persistence
Resilience
Ladybug
Honeybee
Grasshopper
PM2 was the bait, hooked by PM3.

Where I live its hard to hold Spydies in my own hand. The few shops have only very limited models.

[eddiebob]

Delica - VG10, seemed like a good place to start.
Ladybug - ZDP-189, had to have one after getting one for my wife.
PM2 - SV30, I read too many great reviews.
PM2 - 52100, well, I'm in trouble now.
PM2 - M390, I have fallen off into the rabbit hole!

[bh49]

My first Spyderco was a Sharpmaker. After some research and recommendations from several BF members I decided that this sharpening system fits my needs and budget the best. Today after 12 years of use, it still goes strong.
My first Spyderco knife was Native. Back than (2005) S30V was a super-steel. Native was the only affordable option to try it. So I got it. $40 at Walmart.
The Spyderco, which hooked me up is Kopa Cocobolo. I was stunned with beauty of this knife, so I decided to collect entire set. Which I did. Sold half of them later.
Still carry Kopa Cocobolo once in a while. But recently under Landon's influence I started to carry it almost every day again.

[Eee]

I started with a Forager. I was far more interested in fixed blades at that point.
I’m struggling to remember the chronology after that, but I think it went:
Catbyrd
440v Military
Gayle Bradley 1
Terzuola Slipit

I still own the Military and the GB1, which is funny, because if you asked me, I’d say I don’t really like liner locks. They are so good though!

[jlw]

This seems like a pretty good thread for a first post, so here goes...

1. PM2 (S30V, satin blade, black handle):
I didn't own a Spyderco (duh) and wanted to try one that was especially well regarded. I'd been carrying mostly a Rat 1 and a ZT 0560, so I was into that sized knives at the time. I debated between the PM2 and the Military for a while. PM2 won on price and also on my being curious about the compression lock. I liked it a lot but I didn't carry it too often...kind of babied it (seems silly now). I ended up gifting it, which I decided to do after getting #5 and already having #3 (on this list). It definitely got me interested in trying another Spyderco.

2. Gayle Bradley Air:
I didn't really have any small folders (except a Kershaw Scallion that I didn't enjoy so much) and I kept reading about all of Spyderco's great small knives. It ended up being between this and a Techno. Price again played a role in the decision, but also I just thought the Air was prettier. I didn't think the no-clip would bother me but it was one reason I didn't carry it much initially. The other being corrosion paranoia. I eventually got over both of those hang-up and often carry it loose in my coin pocket whether it's the only knife on me or I have another larger one too. Sometimes I carry it in a slip, but usually it's just loose. I love carrying it when I dress up all fancy. If Spyderco ever did an "Air XL" that was 10% bigger in every way except stock thickness, and had a nice clip, I would probably get it.

3. PM2 (S110V):
Late night purchase. Was I intoxicated? I don't remember. Ended up loving it and carrying it almost every day for quite a while. I like the color—it's bold without being loud or goofy. The detent on it is a little weaker than the other PM2 (but still plenty strong) and I think it made it a little more fun to open and close (Yes—I admit I've opened and closed my PM2 just because it felt good). I carry it less now because of #5 and #7.

4. Sage 1:
I'd tried a big and small and I wanted to try in-between (maybe hoping it would be "just right" and I'd never need to buy another knife again. Heh, heh.) I was eying used Sage 2s but the prices were still pretty high for me. Sage 1s were going for a lot less so I got one. Loved the feel in the hand but other than that I just didn't get attached to it. Always wanted the blade to be less chubby. I'm saving it to give to one of my sons. I would say I almost never carry it.

5. Gayle Bradley Folder:
I was originally looking into getting a GB2 to replace the ZT 0560 as my bigger folder, but of course if you're learning about the GB2 you'll also end up learning about the GB1. It had quirky good looks and seemed so loved and respected that when I saw what looked like a deal on a pre-owned one I got it. I love it. I love it with every part of me EXCEPT my right thumb, and even he's finally coming around. Every time I cut something with it it's like the blade is carving a smile onto my face. It's magic. The blade is a wonder, and it's wonderful. As I wish they made the Air 10% bigger, I also wish they made this 10% smaller.

6 & 7: Since this completes my "collection" I'll mention them briefly...

6. DF2 (G10):
Like it, but don't love it. A little too small for my tastes and as a 2nd smaller knife to carry the Air almost always wins. Comes is handy when I visit <2.5" cities. I have a friend I'm going to try to give it to. If that happens I might get a Roadie as my XS as I current don't have (but am curious to try) an Italian-made or non-locking Spyderco.

7. Caly 3 (CF, ZDP-189):
Love, love, love it. Feels great. Cuts great. Got it used with a little ding in the CF that I sanded smooth. Between that and the scratched and scratchable 420J2 I never feel like I'll de-perfect it since that's already out of the way. I probably carry it more than the GB just because the size is SO just right for me.

What's next? I don't know but I've decided to take a little break (again: heh, heh) and just see what new things come out in the next year or so. I've thought long and hard about a Slysz Bowie, but the price always keeps me away (please don't mentally add up the prices of these 7 and tell me how many I could already have). Like many here, I've concocted Franken-Spydies in my head that would be the ultimate. I'd like to see another Gayle Bradley designed folder even if it's not one of the sequels I imagined above (did I mention that I also think I'd love a 3.25" non-flipper Advocate?). I'd also like to try one of the fixed-blade knives, but none of them have called to me just yet.

And as a "first post" sign off, thank you to everyone who shares on this forum and thank you to Sal Glesser and everyone else at Spyderco for bringing us and standing behind such a variety of well designed and well made products.

James

[ZMW]

Assist - I was taking a Fire Fighter Academy, so it made sense. (I later sold it, and then bought it again)

Matriarch 2, emerson wave - I wanted a self defense knife, so I gave it a try. I liked it, but later sold it since I never carried it

Persistence - Solid budget folder, recently gave it to my nephew

Delica 4 - my favorite EDC. Recently lost it, I am still on the hunt to find that sucker or I will buy the next sprint run that comes out

PM2 - S30v basic black G10 model. I enjoy the knife. It is not my all time favorite, but a very good knife

[The Mastiff]

1) Endura 1 G2 steel ( gin 1) SE
2) Endura 1 G2 steel PE
3) Delica 1 G2 Black blade PE (bought to take swimming in the pool)
4) Delica Aus 8 SE ( bought to give to my brother as a gift)
5) Ladyfinger SE G2

All except the gifted are still here and usable. The FRN clip is there but doesn't hold the knife anymore on No.1. I bought a few other SE models but never really used them much like I did the first one. After I bought my first the rest followed quickly. Within a month or two. I believe I finally gifted the Lady finger to my son as he liked it since he was probably 7 or 8 and tried to trade for it more than once. My brother was gifted a second Delica in VG 10 after he showed me he still had the first one about 15 years later, and had taken care of it but pretty much wore those serrations out.

I'm not sure what came next. I bought too many over the years . I still get as excited as I ever was when buying a new model. Usually a sprint or new model like the P4 in K390, or a 52100 P2.


Joe