recommend a spyderco to a knife enthusiast

[Monty]

If you were going to recommend one Spyderco knife to a knife enthusiast, someone with Benchmades, Hinderer, ZT, Microtech, customs etc... What model past or present would you choose? This is mostly for fun, but I'm also birthday shopping and looking for ideas. I'm currently thinking Police 4.

ETA... It's not for my birthday, that will be the cruwear Shaman... hopefully.

[SG89]

Gayle Bradley 2
Smock
Kapara
Nirvana

[Tucson Tom]

The PM2 is always the first thing that comes to my mind as a first Spyderco.

[JonLeBlanc]

If you were going to recommend one Spyderco knife to a knife enthusiast, someone with Benchmades, Hinderer, ZT, Microtech, customs etc... What model past or present would you choose? This is mostly for fun, but I'm also birthday shopping and looking for ideas. I'm currently thinking Police 4.

You would probably love the Police 4, mostly because it's lovable, but you can't go wrong with any Golden, CO model, such as PM2, Native, Manix etc... So much to chose from, so much to suggest!

Do let us know what your decision comes to!

[Mushroom]

I think a knife enthusiast with that experience would really enjoy the Drunken, but it's a pricey option. They might also like the Gayle Bradley Advocate, which is a nice flipper option.

[SG89]

I think a knife enthusiast with that experience would really enjoy the Drunken, but it's a pricey option. They might also like the Gayle Bradley Advocate, which is a nice flipper option.

Great suggestions!

[Bloke]

The Mighty Military would be my pick. :)

[soc_monki]

Amalgam, PM2, or Manix 2, which is what I own!

[ZrowsN1s]

Fluted Carbon Fiber Native in S90V can stand shoulder to shoulder with anything, great material, fit and finish, design, and steel. And it's a production knife so they are readily available for a reasonable price (around $230)

You could also get him one of Spyderco's production super steel offerings. Even with high end knives from some of the other companies you mentioned, he won't have steels like these....
S110V Para3 (or S110V Military, Manix, Native, PM2), Maxamet Manix Lightweight (or Maxamet Native lightweight) , K390 Police4, there's also still some ZDP-189 Caly's and ZDP-189 G-10 Stretch's floating around at some dealers.

Design wise the Shaman is my favorite. The S30V version will stand up to any work knife he's got.

Hope that helps :D

[Doc Dan]

Delica. There is a G10 version out there. I changed from all the ones the OP mention to Spyderco because of the humble Delica.

[koenigsegg]

I would get the Kapara I think it's probably the best thing they're making at the moment under $200, police I've heard has a pretty rough finish from factory

[ZrowsN1s]

Delica. There is a G10 version out there. I changed from all the ones the OP mention to Spyderco because of the humble Delica.

Great suggestion! It slipped my mind that you can still get the Fradon Lock (Safe and Lock Store) Carbon Fiber Delica with Hap40. (Not the humblest of Delicas, but a very fine knife worthy of any collection).

I would get the Kapara I think it's probably the best thing they're making at the moment under $200, police I've heard has a pretty rough finish from factory

I've heard there were some issues, mine was great other than needing a drop of oil and proper sharpening.

[koenigsegg]

I would get the Kapara I think it's probably the best thing they're making at the moment under $200, police I've heard has a pretty rough finish from factory

I've heard there were some issues, mine was great other than needing a drop of oil and proper sharpening.

I got one from the second wave directly from SFO aside from the centering being slightly off I can't fault it. My last few Taichung models have been laser sharp, the Ikuchi and now Kapara. The scales are super smooth and feel great in the hand I haven't been carrying much else since I got it.

[Naperville]

Native 5 in Maxamet.

[wrdwrght]

What is the knife meant to do?

[ZrowsN1s]

I would get the Kapara I think it's probably the best thing they're making at the moment under $200, police I've heard has a pretty rough finish from factory

I've heard there were some issues, mine was great other than needing a drop of oil and proper sharpening.

I got one from the second wave directly from SFO aside from the centering being slightly off I can't fault it. My last few Taichung models have been laser sharp, the Ikuchi and now Kapara. The scales are super smooth and feel great in the hand I haven't been carrying much else since I got it.

I've had an issue with a previous Taichung release, but the Kapara was flawless. Are they even in stock anywhere though? *edit* I see DLT still has them. That's where I got mine.

[JuPaul]

I third the delica! But if you want something truly unique, the smock is a good call, too.

[TkoK83Spy]

If talking about the Delica, I think the KC exclusive with the Pakkawood scales is the top of the line for the Delica (if still available)

[JD Spydo]

The PM2 is always the first thing that comes to my mind as a first Spyderco.

I think the PM 2 for a "non-Spyderco" knife fan would be about as universal of a design that I could also recommend.

One in the past that I thought fit that description was the old ROOKIE model. For years I've thought it was one model that most any knife lover could really like for an every day user.

[JonLeBlanc]

The PM2 is always the first thing that comes to my mind as a first Spyderco.

I think the PM 2 for a "non-Spyderco" knife fan would be about as universal of a design that I could also recommend.

One in the past that I thought fit that description was the old ROOKIE model. For years I've thought it was one model that most any knife lover could really like for an every day user.

Aww man I so wish the Rookie was still around! Not that I was around to see it, but at any rate... :rolleyes: