How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
So, I know many of us here are grateful to the whole Spydie team's efforts in bringing such innovations as we have now to the knife world.
However, I thought it might be a good idea for us forumites to state here how the brand has changed our approach and behaviour towards pocket knives and maybe fixed blades as well, and maybe state what we'd like to see on further offerings of Sal, Eric et al.
For one, I can't really imagine carry a non-locking knife anymore, and one so easy to open. While I may have my eye on many different brands, the Spydiehole is something so evident and so easy it's hard to use something else. The ergonomics are what really got me. The PM2 is one of the most comfortable knives I've held. The Emerson thumb discs would probably be second in terms of easy opening.
That said, as I sharpen free-hand, I find the ricasso point a little too pronounced and wouldn't mind an actual sharpening choil on some models, like many fixed blades have.
However, I thought it might be a good idea for us forumites to state here how the brand has changed our approach and behaviour towards pocket knives and maybe fixed blades as well, and maybe state what we'd like to see on further offerings of Sal, Eric et al.
For one, I can't really imagine carry a non-locking knife anymore, and one so easy to open. While I may have my eye on many different brands, the Spydiehole is something so evident and so easy it's hard to use something else. The ergonomics are what really got me. The PM2 is one of the most comfortable knives I've held. The Emerson thumb discs would probably be second in terms of easy opening.
That said, as I sharpen free-hand, I find the ricasso point a little too pronounced and wouldn't mind an actual sharpening choil on some models, like many fixed blades have.
European amateur knife enthusiast
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
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Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
For me, a couple things I can think of off the bat: one, I no longer think that $50 is a lot of money to spend on a knife, and two, I no longer consider 3" my blade length limit for EDC.
I'm also spoiled by the steel selection, opening hole, and great designs.
I'm also spoiled by the steel selection, opening hole, and great designs.
- 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: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Opening hole, good clips, and ergos - knives that actually fit the hand.
- best wishes, Jazz.
- bearfacedkiller
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- Location: hiding in the woods...
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Spyderco taught me that too much is never enough.
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Yeah, I used to think expensive pocket knives weren't really worth it. Then I looked into it after purchasing the medium stone for a higher price than my most expensive knife at the time. And I understood why. Same goes for instruments.The Meat man wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 7:27 amFor me, a couple things I can think of off the bat: one, I no longer think that $50 is a lot of money to spend on a knife, and two, I no longer consider 3" my blade length limit for EDC.
I'm also spoiled by the steel selection, opening hole, and great designs.
Now they're both tools and collectibles :)
European amateur knife enthusiast
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Now if we could somehow convince our S.O.s of that too... :D
European amateur knife enthusiast
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
My wife doesn't know how much some of my knives cost, and doesn't really care it seems. She just says to anyone who asks that I have a big case full of knives. Lol as long as bills are paid and money is in the bank, it's all good!
Spyderco : Resilience, Tenacious, Persistence, Manix 2 G10, Para 3 G10, Para 3 LW, Paramilitary 2,
BBS Paramilitary 2, Amalgam, Native Chief, Blade HQ Manix 2 XL, S30V Shaman, Gayle Bradley 2, DLC M4 Shaman, Magnitude, Z Wear Shaman, DLC S30V Shaman, Stretch 2, Kapara, CF/S90V Native Chief, Endela, K390 Endura, DLT 20cv Zome Endela x 2, Police 4 LW K390, SNK Native Chief, SNK Manix 2 XL, K390 Stretch 2, Stretch 2 XL, K390 Endela
BBS Paramilitary 2, Amalgam, Native Chief, Blade HQ Manix 2 XL, S30V Shaman, Gayle Bradley 2, DLC M4 Shaman, Magnitude, Z Wear Shaman, DLC S30V Shaman, Stretch 2, Kapara, CF/S90V Native Chief, Endela, K390 Endura, DLT 20cv Zome Endela x 2, Police 4 LW K390, SNK Native Chief, SNK Manix 2 XL, K390 Stretch 2, Stretch 2 XL, K390 Endela
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Traditional folders no more...
CG
CG
So many knives - so little funds!!!
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Heh...soc_monki wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:14 amMy wife doesn't know how much some of my knives cost, and doesn't really care it seems. She just says to anyone who asks that I have a big case full of knives. Lol as long as bills are paid and money is in the bank, it's all good!
It's hard for mine to complain, when she's holding a $1,200 purse.
That's called strategic planning, sirs.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
I always carried a slipjoint and had one knife with a locking blade. After I retired I decided to pursue this interest. I started in 2006 by buying a large lot of used pocket knives on ebay. There were several Kershaws, I got into them a bit, and one very odd looking knife, a Delica. Once I used it I got it.
My rule one with Spyderco: the odder it looks, the more some ergonomic or other functional aspect has been improved. Looks weird = superior performance.
I didn't stray over $100 for a while until an abalone and mother of pearl Kiwi intrigued me. It was the first Spyderco that I thought beautiful and, after months of drooling over it I bought it and was amazed at how comfortable the grip was despite the fact that the handle disappeared in the hand. Increasingly I saw beauty when I looked at great engineering. But the Kiwi was beautiful by any standard as proven by my wife taking my first one, my daughter the second and my sister the third.
At some point I was down the rabbit hole and had over a hundred at one time. Mostly I wanted to handle and understand each design. Constantly buying and selling I experienced over 200 models and variations. I learned what the design trade offs were and which ones I valued most. There is no perfect knife but there are knives that come closer to my personal ideal.
I winnowed down to about three dozen Spydercos and customs and was happy. But I continued to follow new models and recently bought my first new Spyderco in over three years. My experience enabled me to understand how the knife would feel in my hand and work for me by looking at photos and reading about it. As it happened I was accurate in my assessment, edging slightly closer to my impossible ideal.
My rule one with Spyderco: the odder it looks, the more some ergonomic or other functional aspect has been improved. Looks weird = superior performance.
I didn't stray over $100 for a while until an abalone and mother of pearl Kiwi intrigued me. It was the first Spyderco that I thought beautiful and, after months of drooling over it I bought it and was amazed at how comfortable the grip was despite the fact that the handle disappeared in the hand. Increasingly I saw beauty when I looked at great engineering. But the Kiwi was beautiful by any standard as proven by my wife taking my first one, my daughter the second and my sister the third.
At some point I was down the rabbit hole and had over a hundred at one time. Mostly I wanted to handle and understand each design. Constantly buying and selling I experienced over 200 models and variations. I learned what the design trade offs were and which ones I valued most. There is no perfect knife but there are knives that come closer to my personal ideal.
I winnowed down to about three dozen Spydercos and customs and was happy. But I continued to follow new models and recently bought my first new Spyderco in over three years. My experience enabled me to understand how the knife would feel in my hand and work for me by looking at photos and reading about it. As it happened I was accurate in my assessment, edging slightly closer to my impossible ideal.
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
I still grab one of my Opinels for kitchen duty almost every day since they are much easier to sharpen than S30V if dinged on a plate or roughly used. Precision cutting and material processing has me running straight to the PM2.
And I have a Higonokami in my backpack as a backup, but it's going to get switched for the Endura as soon as it gets here :D (though it performs well as a razor in a pinch)
European amateur knife enthusiast
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
- curlyhairedboy
- Member
- Posts: 2621
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:01 am
- Location: Southern New England
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
I can't go back to two-hand opening. My 'need a knife as I'm doing this task' work flow is completely different when I only need one hand to safely open, use and close a cutting tool.
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!
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Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Taught me to look at knives differently and modify what I consider attractive in a knife. Instead of judging a knife purely on aesthetics, my taste is now much more informed by ergonomics and performance. I used to find them ugly, but I find Spyderco knives do have a certain beauty of function rather than just being "pretty".
I'd imagine their biggest obstacle is getting potential customers to try the weird lumpy looking knife with the hole in it long enough to realize how much better it works. Once in hand, it all makes sense.
I'd imagine their biggest obstacle is getting potential customers to try the weird lumpy looking knife with the hole in it long enough to realize how much better it works. Once in hand, it all makes sense.
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
1. That funny looking hole really IS useful.
2. Pronounced thumb ramps are a-ok.
3. 50/50 choil is the bomb.
4. Fancy metal spoiled me. Boring steel is just... boring.
2. Pronounced thumb ramps are a-ok.
3. 50/50 choil is the bomb.
4. Fancy metal spoiled me. Boring steel is just... boring.
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Massively... when it comes to folders, Spyderco = knife and knife = Spyderco for me. My last non Spyderco folder (BM Minigrip) is for sale, and that leaves me with solely Spydercos in my folder selection...
That does not mean that other brands can´t or don´t make great knives (they absolutely do!), but I just happen to get everything I want from a folder in the Spyderco-lineup and feel no need anymore to look elsewhere.
That does not mean that other brands can´t or don´t make great knives (they absolutely do!), but I just happen to get everything I want from a folder in the Spyderco-lineup and feel no need anymore to look elsewhere.
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: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
Never was big on ergonomics, key feature for me was a bottle opener. Carried my leatherman or my Swiss army for 10+ years. Ended up working in Iowa and needed something to cut salt bags. Learned that spyderco hole worked best.
Now I have way to many knives and prefer my stretch 2. I have 4-5 new spyderco in the box knives I still have to try. Just hard not to go for the ugly knife with my favorite finger choil and thumb ramp.
I can say I avoided spyderco for years... now I have more spyderco than socks in my dresser...
Now I have way to many knives and prefer my stretch 2. I have 4-5 new spyderco in the box knives I still have to try. Just hard not to go for the ugly knife with my favorite finger choil and thumb ramp.
I can say I avoided spyderco for years... now I have more spyderco than socks in my dresser...
My socks carry tip up MNOSD Member 0021
- kennethsime
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- Location: California
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
This. Form Follows Function.
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: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
spyderco made me realize i can carry multiple knives on me for different purposes. :D
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C36MCW2, C258YL, C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
H2, CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
current collection:
C36MCW2, C258YL, C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
H2, CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
- ChrisinHove
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- Location: 27.2046° N, 77.4977° E
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
That’s it for me, as well. Learning what works for me, and why.Sequimite wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:04 amI always carried a slipjoint and had one knife with a locking blade. After I retired I decided to pursue this interest. I started in 2006 by buying a large lot of used pocket knives on ebay. There were several Kershaws, I got into them a bit, and one very odd looking knife, a Delica. Once I used it I got it.
My rule one with Spyderco: the odder it looks, the more some ergonomic or other functional aspect has been improved. Looks weird = superior performance.
I didn't stray over $100 for a while until an abalone and mother of pearl Kiwi intrigued me. It was the first Spyderco that I thought beautiful and, after months of drooling over it I bought it and was amazed at how comfortable the grip was despite the fact that the handle disappeared in the hand. Increasingly I saw beauty when I looked at great engineering. But the Kiwi was beautiful by any standard as proven by my wife taking my first one, my daughter the second and my sister the third.
At some point I was down the rabbit hole and had over a hundred at one time. Mostly I wanted to handle and understand each design. Constantly buying and selling I experienced over 200 models and variations. I learned what the design trade offs were and which ones I valued most. There is no perfect knife but there are knives that come closer to my personal ideal.
I winnowed down to about three dozen Spydercos and customs and was happy. But I continued to follow new models and recently bought my first new Spyderco in over three years. My experience enabled me to understand how the knife would feel in my hand and work for me by looking at photos and reading about it. As it happened I was accurate in my assessment, edging slightly closer to my impossible ideal.
Re: How Spyderco changed your approach to knives
For me...
- A large folder was something that was worn on the belt in a sheath... the Spyderco CLIPIT showed me that a large folder such as the Spyderco Military could be EDCed quite nicely and securely in the pocket while also being readily accessible.
- A folder with a thumb stud was something that was a bit risky to EDC in the pocket since the knife could sometimes open unexpectedly when the stud got caught on the pocket when retrieving the knife... the Spyderco Round Hole provided me with a means to efficiently and effectively open a folder one handed while also providing peace of mind that the knife would not open unless I wanted it opened.
- A large folder was something that was thick and bulky so as to provide better grip when the blade was deployed... Spyderco showed me that large folders could be slimmer and lighter while still providing a very effective and sure grip without sacrifice to capability.
- A Lage folder was something that had to be a lock back to ensure a secure lockup of the deployed blade... Spyderco showed me that a secure lockup can be achieved by a variety of lock styles.
- A large folder was something that was worn on the belt in a sheath... the Spyderco CLIPIT showed me that a large folder such as the Spyderco Military could be EDCed quite nicely and securely in the pocket while also being readily accessible.
- A folder with a thumb stud was something that was a bit risky to EDC in the pocket since the knife could sometimes open unexpectedly when the stud got caught on the pocket when retrieving the knife... the Spyderco Round Hole provided me with a means to efficiently and effectively open a folder one handed while also providing peace of mind that the knife would not open unless I wanted it opened.
- A large folder was something that was thick and bulky so as to provide better grip when the blade was deployed... Spyderco showed me that large folders could be slimmer and lighter while still providing a very effective and sure grip without sacrifice to capability.
- A Lage folder was something that had to be a lock back to ensure a secure lockup of the deployed blade... Spyderco showed me that a secure lockup can be achieved by a variety of lock styles.
Spyderco WTC #1044
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana, The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress, 1905 to 1906
NEVER FORGET!!!
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana, The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress, 1905 to 1906
NEVER FORGET!!!