Here are the Spydies I currently have:
- Delica 4, VG-10 gray
- Walker, AUS-8
- Kapara
- Spydiechef
- Squeak
- Native
The Kershaw has a nice action, but by the time the action is nice and smooth, the blade centering is off; pushed to the side by the locking liner. It's nice and slim, and the blade length is just about perfect for me. Steel is 8Cr --> meh.
The Buck has a tight action; requires some wrist action or a very deliberate flip. Also, its grip only accommodates 3 fingers. Nice little knife, but we're connoisseurs here. "Good enough" is actually NOT good enough for us.
What I want is something:
- in the 2.75" 3.5" blade range
- Good flipper action; no wrist needed
- Good blade centering, even when the pivot screw is loosened a bit for smooth easy opening
- Good detent; neither of my current flippers have a detent that is strong enough that it just flies open the way it should.
- Price: < $200, preferably closer to $150.
Things that make me hesitate about each of them:
Mantra 3 - has the cheesy laminate CF. I'd might rather have plain ol' G10 or even smooth G10 than laminated CF? Same size as my Delica; would be a bit of overlap.
Mantra 2 - Odd blade shape, might not be good at slicing, due to how narrow and wedgy it would be? Should be slim in the pocket though...
Sliverax - Odd shape handle, but looks comfy and the Spyder hole wouldn't be protruding oddly; slim in the pocket
A.G. Russell - They don't like to really use top class blade steels, (9Cr is their best) and they're made in China. (although with good QC)
ZT - Everything looks good on this, only it's not a Spyderco.
Sorry for the long post; thanks to those who got through it.
Thoughts?