Random: General Spydie Chat

[Airlsee]

Where are you in your knife journey?

This forum runs the gamut...

Where are you now, what has changed since you started, and what keeps you coming back to the knife life?

Your biggest change of view since beginning? Or maybe, what you've had right all along that the rest of the knife world has yet to realize...please share with us!

[Mushroom]

Where are you in your knife journey?

This forum runs the gamut...

Where are you now, what has changed since you started, and what keeps you coming back to the knife life?

Your biggest change of view since beginning? Or maybe, what you've had right all along that the rest of the knife world has yet to realize...please share with us!

Spyderco is the only reason I keep coming back to the knife world. Literally, that’s it.

Unfortunately, one change of view I've began to notice with myself is that I didn’t think Spyderco would ever go stagnant but with so many rehashes of old designs in favor of new designs, I feel the stagnation setting in rapidly. I understand why it’s done but it’s just getting very boring as a collector.

I personally do not think it’s necessary to have three or more different blade shapes on so many different models. Redundancy has to be considered. How many resources are devoted to something like a Wharncliffe Police model? Would those resources be used more efficiently if they were put towards something new and more innovative. I see nothing innovative about jamming new blade shapes into existing models. To me it just looks like a money grab. I can’t fault them for that though, because Spyderco is a business after all. If something like a Police Wharncliffe is going to sell better than a brand new design, of course the Police Wharncliffe is the financially safe way to go. It’s just also the boring way to go in my opinion.

(I used the Police Wharncliffe just as an example, please don’t take it personally or as a slight towards that model. Replace it with any number of models with a blade shape variation, if you must.)

[PStone]

Where are you in your knife journey?

This forum runs the gamut...

Where are you now, what has changed since you started, and what keeps you coming back to the knife life?

Your biggest change of view since beginning? Or maybe, what you've had right all along that the rest of the knife world has yet to realize...please share with us!

Where am I now? Still discovering the differences between what I like to buy, what I like to own, and what I like to use. Spyderco is what keeps me coming back. There’s always something new to try whether it’s steel or design.

My biggest change of view would have to be perceived value. Sticker shock was too real. And I would tend to go for “deals”, close outs, and all around cheaper options. But after handling enough cheap/lower priced vs expensive pieces, I understand. So I don’t focus on the price so much these days. I just buy what I think I will like.

[SG89]

I used to go for quantity and sprints and now I go for quality or design. The Native LW for me is the perfect spyderco knife. Any other spydie I buy is just boredom or FOMO. The best knife I own with a spydie hole is a modded Sebenza.

[TkoK83Spy]

Honestly, I feel like my journey is starting to take me away from Spyderco lately. I'm at the point where I know what I like and want...and for Spyderco, I've already got a bunch of great knives that suit my needs. There hasn't been anything coming out that's new that I care for, and it seems a lot of what their going for is LW models (which I don't like) and high corrosion resistant products (which I don't care for)

Sadly, I've ventured into much more expensive knives lately (Just like a few of you posting above me!) They are fantastic, don't get me wrong. But it does feel odd posting more "others" than Spyderco's lately. I'm really here for learning and the great conversations I have with many of you. Even if I don't buy another Spyderco knife...I won't be leaving here!! (unless I get banned)

[Xformer]

Where am I ?

I'm starting to think about making my knives myself. I'm more and more convince that nothing will ever replace a framelock for me, there's just something about them. That's an adventure I want to dive in, making my own framelocks myself. That's why I don't buy that much knife anymore and the one I buy I resell quickly.

I got rid of most of my Spyderco collection and only keep users now. Which are a PM2, a Native 5 and a Techno. I'd take my money out for a Slysz Bowie 2.0 though. That's one of the main reason I'm on the forum.

Honestly, I feel like my journey is starting to take me away from Spyderco lately. I'm at the point where I know what I like and want...and for Spyderco, I've already got a bunch of great knives that suit my needs. There hasn't been anything coming out that's new that I care for, and it seems a lot of what their going for is LW models (which I don't like) and high corrosion resistant products (which I don't care for)

Sadly, I've ventured into much more expensive knives lately (Just like a few of you posting above me!) They are fantastic, don't get me wrong. But it does feel odd posting more "others" than Spyderco's lately. I'm really here for learning and the great conversations I have with many of you. Even if I don't buy another Spyderco knife...I won't be leaving here!! (unless I get banned)

If you need to get rid of some of your collection, lemmiknow

[cabfrank]

I think he posted some for sale on Spyderco Swap.

[EDCknife]

Anyone know if AlphaNet Products LLC is legit? Is their products new or used if it's legit.

[Evil D]

Where are you in your knife journey?

This forum runs the gamut...

Where are you now, what has changed since you started, and what keeps you coming back to the knife life?

Your biggest change of view since beginning? Or maybe, what you've had right all along that the rest of the knife world has yet to realize...please share with us!

Boy that's a large question.

Easier to ask what hasn't changed? I'm 42, and in my time around knives I've seen everything go from Case slip joints and Buck 110 back locks, to the rise and dominance of liner locks, the rise of stainless steel varieties pretty much taking over where carbon steels used to be the best option for a lot of people.

Ergonomics are a major evolution. I remember first hearing that word some time when I was a kid. Back then most things that were ergonomic had handles that looked like a hotdog or something, basically just being more round and smooth was seen as being ergonomic vs a handle that was blocky and squared off.

I got to see the rise of thumb studs and eventually thumb hole openers and pocket clips. When I was a kid most guys had a Buck in a sheath on their belt (most BA types at least). Pocket clips were maybe an even bigger step than one handed openers, I think they're a major part of what pushed people to start carrying pocket knives more.

Somewhat related, I've also seen the birth of the multi tool. Leatherman came onto the scene when I was in middle/high school and it was like a SAK on steroids. If you tinkered with anything, you just had to have one.

Oh and I was also unfortunate enough to witness the absolute onslaught of "Rambo survival knives". I could have lived without this one lol. I will admit though, when I was a kid there wasn't anything cooler.

__________________


So where am I on that journey? Still absolutely lost. Still searching for something to fill a void I guess. It's a constant "grass is greener" situation because there just has to be the perfect design out there eventually. The last couple years I've bought more knives than I did in probably the entire 10 years prior. I grow ever more specific in my preferences which just makes it even harder to find The One.

Biggest change of view for me is definitely regarding serrations...no doubt about it. Another one is being more realistic about what I need and paying less attention to what everyone else is doing...following hype less I guess. I don't immediately lust after every sprint, they each get evaluated and either fit my needs or do not, and most don't. Every new design is in competition with every design that came before it, so new purchases usually go through a process of elimination where they need to do something better or different than other knives I have. I don't like too much redundancy.

A question I'll add to this for everyone else

In what way have you grown or learned the most?


For me it's definitely sharpening and understanding steel better in general. I could muster up a shaving sharp edge freehand before, but I had a lot of bad habits and worse techniques and I've corrected many of them. Still learning, hopefully always will be.

[cabfrank]

So good, D.

[Woodpuppy]

I'm going through a little K390 with drawl myself now...I don't really ask for much when it comes knives, but I'd LOVE to see it in a G10 Manix or Shaman sometime this year if possible!! ( Please not some whacky/bright color handle scales)

Hear me out: Shaman, K390, Green Canvas Micarta.

The color code for K390 is a nice blue shade - how about denim micarta?

[TkoK83Spy]

I'm going through a little K390 with drawl myself now...I don't really ask for much when it comes knives, but I'd LOVE to see it in a G10 Manix or Shaman sometime this year if possible!! ( Please not some whacky/bright color handle scales)

Hear me out: Shaman, K390, Green Canvas Micarta.

The color code for K390 is a nice blue shade - how about denim micarta?

I would also be totally fine with those. I did like the look of terotuf scales that were a blue denim color that I had for awhile, always liked how they looked. Sounds even better for a K390 Shaman!

[TkoK83Spy]

Great post David!

To answer your question about what ways we've grown and learned the most, I also have to agree with you on sharpening and understanding the steels better. I remember 3 or 4 years ago I had the Chap LW. It became dull, and I had a Sharpmaker and struggled mightily. Made a few threads asking questions and I still couldn't get the knack of it. Out of frustration, I ended up lending it to a guy at work that sharpens knives and he scratched it all to **** and rounded the tip. After that, I was set on learning how to properly sharpen on my own.

It's now become one of my most favorite aspects of this hobby. I have pretty simple stuff...a Sharpmaker, a custom 3D printed Sharpmaker, a couple bench stones and a WorkSharp Precision Adjust. I can now manage to put a pretty good edge on any knife I've tackled, in any steel. I know there are people here with WAAYYYYY better systems and a lot more experience, but that just helps me strive to achieve that next level and keep working! I thank you guys for keeping this aspect of the hobby extremely interesting and also so satisfying once you really accomplish what you're going for!

I've come to the conclusion that I HIGHLY prefer the tool steels with above average wear resistance. (S90V has changed my mind a bit these past few weeks though after finally getting my hands on some). Coming to this realization has really helped me cut down on my impulse purchases. Knowing exactly what I'm looking these days. I remember I used to be intimidated by these steels because I was afraid to sharpen them, so it's funny how both aspects have combined to be what I like most.

[Airlsee]

Great answers!!
-

In what way have you grown or learned the most?


In my basic understanding of steels. The chemistry, the process, the edge and knowing how that edge is held, maintained and how different abrasives will interact differently with different steels. That it's impossible to overstate the importance of blade geometry, from spine to apex.

I started accumulating knives 30 years ago around age 5, but didn't start taking the hobby seriously until around 9 years ago.

After having a couple of knives sharpened by a local guy that was using an Edge Pro Professional in 2014, I realized that there was a whole world of sharpness that I had never experienced and 3 months later I bought an Edge Pro Apex. Since then I've gone from reprofiling everything I brought home (sometimes 2-3 hours), to really only sharpening when needed and moving to a much more leisurely approach to my sharpening.

I now freehand most things with the small Venev Centaurs or use the Sharpmaker for light touch ups. In general, I don't like sharpening to feel like work and the only time it really does now is if reprofiling is absolutely necessary.

[Snacktime]

I learned K390 doesn't like 15-15-15 fertilizer... Also learned that K390 police SE my yard tool favorite! Saws through pvc pipe!

[ZrowsN1s]

My knife journey has had many stages. Childhood fascination. Mall Ninja. Aesthetic phase, where I bought knives I thought looked cool. Then I started carrying pocket knives. Cheap Gas station knives. Expensive knives. Sharpening knives. Functional knives. Knife steels. Knife geometry. Then a kindergarten level understanding of metallurgy.

In what way have I grown? I don't ask questions like 'What is the best knife steel' anymore

I've learned that the answer to that depends on a staggering list of variables.

[sal]

Hi Airlsee,

That's a very deep question. I've been a Knife Junky for as long as I can remember and these days, I'm considered old, so the path and learning curve is already a long one.

David's and Rick's answers are good. Especially for young'uns.

As I've said in the past, "the doorway into the knife world is a small doorway, but it opens up into large caverns. I believe that the path is more like grade school. Your first interest is visual, how it looks. Kinder garden. As you learn more, you go into first grade, then second grade, etc. knife types, third grade, history, geography, designs, fourth grade, steel, grinds, etc. etc.

I don't think you can learn it all in one life-time. The main road branches off like a tree, each it's own rabbit hole. I think this is a good place to learn.

sal

[Soanso McMasters]

I echo those who discuss how enjoyable and long the path of sharpening is. I didn’t think I would end up spending entire evenings when my wife and son were asleep messing with different geometries, sharpening mediums, grit finishes, emulsions, pastes and sprays. Nor did I realize how relaxing the entire experience is. There is something very fulfilling in the tactile feedback when you switch stones and feel the edge conform to the finer grits as you progress.

Many thanks to everyone here that has helped me with my questions. In the past year I’ve spent something like $7000 on this hobby, so I dang well better be enjoying it! BTW, I am typing this as I take a break from reprofiling/sharpening my new-to-me 2009 Cat with CF and S30V.

[Cheddarnut]

This forum keeps me coming back, the community of all of us exploring the past present and future of something timeless and real and tangible. I maintain that a good story is character driven, and I’m fascinated with all the characters and their personalities here, human and iron alike. I’ve learned that as much as I love knives, the real fun is knowing that we are all experiencing them in our own way collectively and getting to share the adventure.
Learning: I’m coming to terms with my addiction to thinking I need Hard Use knives. I don’t. I’ve started buying models I’m drawn to despite the steel, as much as my intellect tells me ‘get the rare sprint in xyz steel’ my favourite carry is my Yo2 in s30v. As there is a balance in elements for making steel work, there is a balance for making a knife work-there are variables that lead to a knife going into my pocket, and often I’m working against myself by trying too hard to fit the knife instead of finding a knife that fits me. I WANT to be a Schempp Tuff DLT exclusive, but when I let my gut out I’m still a stock Yo2.

[dodgie02]

Well, I'm calling it. After having used and loved my sprint 52100 military I've decided to give up on it and return to my cruwear military.

Because I freaking lost it. After checking all the nooks and crannies of my home, little shed and messy barn I have to accept it ain't coming back. I'm literally 2 steps from turning 2 bags of trash that accumulated over the last week and a half inside out on the nigh impossible chance it got in there somehow. Lord save me.

https://imgur.com/40Zjfrl
https://i.imgur.com/5wnjEnf.jpeg