Back in the Spyder Web
- MichaelScott
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- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:42 am
- Location: Southern Colorado
Back in the Spyder Web
After a long absence dealing with my health issues and selling off most of my knives, I am now back on the forum if not consistently at least somewhat regularly. My cancer is doing what they normally do but we’ve managed to slow things down somewhat. Thinking about my restricted activities these days I decided that having three knives for various purposes was the best choice I can make right now. So, I am keeping two of my Great Eastern Cutlery traditional slip joints, and I have just ordered a new Para 4, S30V, plain edge, black and black. In my experience this will be the best larger, in comparison to my slip joints, knife that will serve me well on a day-to-day basis.
So now I will get to comment on it and some of the other posts and ideas that cross this form. I have missed conversations with many folks here and although I can’t make up for lost time I can certainly jump back in the deep end.
So now I will get to comment on it and some of the other posts and ideas that cross this form. I have missed conversations with many folks here and although I can’t make up for lost time I can certainly jump back in the deep end.
Overheard at the end of the ice age, “We’ve been having such unnatural weather.”
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Good to hear from you Michael! Keep fighting it! We're here if you need anything
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
- MichaelScott
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- Location: Southern Colorado
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Thanks a lot. Support from my friends really means a lot these days. And remember, you are the one responsible for me getting this new Para 3. I’m sure I said it before but, thanks again, really appreciate it. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Michael
Michael
Overheard at the end of the ice age, “We’ve been having such unnatural weather.”
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
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- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Good to have you back Michael! Your contributions have been missed.
Glad to hear things have settled down a bit for you!
Glad to hear things have settled down a bit for you!
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
MichaelScott wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:40 pmAfter a long absence dealing with my health issues and selling off most of my knives, I am now back on the forum if not consistently at least somewhat regularly.
I am still rather new to this forum compared to many others, but we´ve already chatted a bit in the past as far as I remember and I always liked your posts, what you have to say and the way you do that!
Glad you´re back, hope we´ll read quite a bit from you in the coming time! :)
All the best to you,
Gernot
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back, I was worried when you went dark.
Glad you're still on the right side of the dirt!
Glad you're still on the right side of the dirt!
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
- Surfingringo
- Member
- Posts: 5833
- Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:02 pm
- Location: Costa Rica
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
What’s up MS? Good to see you! That para 3 is a great choice. Bigger than the slippies without being a “Big” knife. Personally, I much prefer the LW version but I like frn over G10 in most designs. Enjoy it! Simple pleasures are the best kind.
- legOFwhat?
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- Posts: 3161
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2018 5:58 am
- Location: Kentucky; Earth
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back Michael! Great to hear you're still fighting the fight!
-Larry
Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
MNOSD #0049
Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
MNOSD #0049
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back!
"You never know what lonesome is, 'til you get to herdin' cows"
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Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Michael, I'm still fairly new here too, but I'm glad you're back and Godspeed to you sir!
Barry
Bonne Journey!
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword
Do what you can, where you are, with what you have! Theodore Roosevelt
MNOSD member 0032
Bonne Journey!
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword
Do what you can, where you are, with what you have! Theodore Roosevelt
MNOSD member 0032
- SpyderNut
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- Posts: 8431
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Hoosier Country, USA
- Contact:
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back, Michael. Was just thinking about you the other day. Glad to hear you’re doing better and getting back into the fray. :)
:spyder: -Michael
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
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- Location: Mission, KS
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Glad to have you back in the web!
- MichaelScott
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- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:42 am
- Location: Southern Colorado
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Thanks, everyone. It is good to be back. I’m making every day a good day. Nothing like an incurable condition to focus your mind and separate the meaningful from the bull droppings. I’ve had more time to write (see my Ace Hotel Notebook link in my signature line if you are interested) and, as Lance so ably pointed out, the simple things are the best.
I intend to manfully resist my former addiction to acquiring ever more knives. That could of course change should our disposable income take an unexpected bound upward, but I won’t be trading in that futures market. Having had a number of Spyderco knives over the years I have been fortunate to have actually experienced which are suitable for me and my requirements. You can’t tell that about a knife by looking at the pictures. Or, god help us, at the vast majority of the long and rambling so-called review videos on the internet. I think the best informative knife review was when Lance whipped out his new Waterway and set about immediately filleting a mackerel on his pickup’s tailgate. Told me everything I needed to know.
I digress. Last year I believe it was, when the Para 3 controversy (it is great, it sucks, what’s it good for, love, hate, blah, blah,…) I was interested in it but had a difficult time finding what I considered objective opinions. Well, that is self-contradictory. Let’s say reasonable opinions. Then Sharp Guy popped up and sent me one of his Para 3s to just try out for as long as I needed. I found that most of the objections and some of my pre-conceptions were wrong, for me. In a few weeks I tearfully dropped it the post for its return journey home. Much later I did buy a Para 3 lightweight, attracted mostly by the lower cost. Another lesson learned. Yes, it is a close relative of the original, but not the same. Not worse or better, but not the same and as it turned out, the original is the one I prefer. Even now, I can close my eyes and recall the feel of both in hand. They feel different. They have different hefts. I like the original, so that is what I ordered.
I think different folks have different needs; different wants too, that is for sure. Bloke likes his big (to me) Military and it suits his needs. I like them too, but not enough to get one. When I go outside these days it’s with the assistance of a 4 wheel walker with a seat. No need to sacrifice comfort I say. What would I do with a Military or a Shaman? But I’m glad there are Militaries and Shamans, Bugs and Ikuchis. The world would be a lesser place without them.
Ok, time to put this screed to bed. Glad to be still on this side of the grass and waiting for a new Spyderco to arrive.
Thank you all again.
I intend to manfully resist my former addiction to acquiring ever more knives. That could of course change should our disposable income take an unexpected bound upward, but I won’t be trading in that futures market. Having had a number of Spyderco knives over the years I have been fortunate to have actually experienced which are suitable for me and my requirements. You can’t tell that about a knife by looking at the pictures. Or, god help us, at the vast majority of the long and rambling so-called review videos on the internet. I think the best informative knife review was when Lance whipped out his new Waterway and set about immediately filleting a mackerel on his pickup’s tailgate. Told me everything I needed to know.
I digress. Last year I believe it was, when the Para 3 controversy (it is great, it sucks, what’s it good for, love, hate, blah, blah,…) I was interested in it but had a difficult time finding what I considered objective opinions. Well, that is self-contradictory. Let’s say reasonable opinions. Then Sharp Guy popped up and sent me one of his Para 3s to just try out for as long as I needed. I found that most of the objections and some of my pre-conceptions were wrong, for me. In a few weeks I tearfully dropped it the post for its return journey home. Much later I did buy a Para 3 lightweight, attracted mostly by the lower cost. Another lesson learned. Yes, it is a close relative of the original, but not the same. Not worse or better, but not the same and as it turned out, the original is the one I prefer. Even now, I can close my eyes and recall the feel of both in hand. They feel different. They have different hefts. I like the original, so that is what I ordered.
I think different folks have different needs; different wants too, that is for sure. Bloke likes his big (to me) Military and it suits his needs. I like them too, but not enough to get one. When I go outside these days it’s with the assistance of a 4 wheel walker with a seat. No need to sacrifice comfort I say. What would I do with a Military or a Shaman? But I’m glad there are Militaries and Shamans, Bugs and Ikuchis. The world would be a lesser place without them.
Ok, time to put this screed to bed. Glad to be still on this side of the grass and waiting for a new Spyderco to arrive.
Thank you all again.
Overheard at the end of the ice age, “We’ve been having such unnatural weather.”
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Again, glad you are back! :) And I hope you have many "simple things" to enjoy and your Para 3 is one of them ("simple" meant positive here of course)
Some interesting points in your post:
- you tube "reviews": You are totally right, those are almost always first impression vids at best (which is totally ok, but still just that).. the "reviewers" seem to never have really extensively (if at all) used the "reviewed" knife, and often times they have so many that they just CAN`T unless using knives all day would be their full time job...
- Para 3 controversy: For me this is rather interesting, cause this knife somewhat highlights how different people are (in a positive sense!) in their preferences and how there is no "wrong or right" no real "better or worse" concerning knife designs...
I can´t remember anyone saying the Para 3 would "suck" exactly, but I am one of those who prefers other models in this size class in Spydercos line up. I think and always say that the Para 3 is a really cool knife, and I certainly would not complain if this was the only small folder I could have (and would still prefer it in this size class over most models of other makers). Still, I just would not have expected that exactly this model would get so much love and so much variants, since just in my opinion and experience other models (Sage 5 LW for example) have more design features that suit a small knife a bit better from a practical point of view...
What initiates many discussions about the Para 3 (or other models) is when people apodictly state that it would be "better" than and an absolute improvement over other models (for example the Delica)... Said it in another post already: Differently to it is let´s say with cars, genious ideas in knife design are very often not about inventing improvements but rather alternatives, so everyone can get what they like out of genuinly equally "good" alternatives...
Regardless, I am glad you found what suits you well with the Para 3! :) Enjoy it!
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- curlyhairedboy
- Member
- Posts: 2621
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:01 am
- Location: Southern New England
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back, we're happy you're still here :)
EDC Rotation: PITS, Damasteel Urban, Shaman, Ikuchi, Amalgam, CruCarta Shaman, Sage 5 LW, Serrated Caribbean Sheepsfoot CQI, XHP Shaman, M4/Micarta Shaman, 15v Shaman
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
- DutchBlades
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- Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:23 pm
- Location: Netherlands
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Good to have you back!
I hope the Para 3 tickles your fancy :)
I hope the Para 3 tickles your fancy :)
A tiger has claws.
A wolf has teeth.
An eagle has talons.
We, have Spyderco.
Grails: Abalone Mini Mariner, Ti ATR, WTC, Ti Lum Tanto
A wolf has teeth.
An eagle has talons.
We, have Spyderco.
Grails: Abalone Mini Mariner, Ti ATR, WTC, Ti Lum Tanto
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Welcome back! I remember your posts well and I have always appreciated your perspective. Welcome again.
Do right always. It will give you satisfaction in life.
--Wovoka
--Wovoka
- MichaelScott
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- Location: Southern Colorado
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
As a non-practicing anthropologist I have for decades been interested in the very early hominid evolution. I consider the ability of those early ancestors to even conceptualize making a tool from certain stones to be indicative of fundamental attributes and cognitive abilities, manual dexterity, the ability to have conceptions of the future and how events might be modified to be cornerstones of human evolution. Fundamental to this I believe was the conception and realization of a cutting edge that could be extracted from certain stones. To my way of thinking the edge, which in later evolved into an edge with a handle, was the earliest purpose made tool by early man. I still study those archaeological reports that deal with those ancient tool assemblages. I think this could be one reason why knives and the love and fascination of them lie so deeply within many of us.
Overheard at the end of the ice age, “We’ve been having such unnatural weather.”
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
http://acehotel.blog
Team Innovation
- kennethsime
- Member
- Posts: 4800
- Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:28 pm
- Location: California
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Hey Michael,
Welcome back!
I took a long break from Spydercos (and knives beyond SAKs) as well, but am happy to be back in good company (both in my knife drawer and on the forum). :-)
Welcome back!
I took a long break from Spydercos (and knives beyond SAKs) as well, but am happy to be back in good company (both in my knife drawer and on the forum). :-)
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Back in the Spyder Web
Very good to “hear your voice”, Michael. I have been wondering, worriedly.
-Marc (pocketing a VG10 JD Smith sprint today)
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”