Please help me pick my first spydie

[Nate]

Voted GB2 based on the options in the poll, but for the use described I’d probably want a serrated beater like the Meadowlark Hawkbill paired with another plain-edged edc (whatever floats your boat).

[Doc Dan]

To me, the choice comes down to which one cuts better and which one fits my hand best. Simple.

[w3tnz]

If limited to those two, the gb2 based on steel and your stated uses, but have you considered the pm2 cruwear micarta??

[cabfrank]

Get a PM2, not Maxamet. Get a more well rounded steel, and go from there. Your first Spydie won't be your last Spydie. That is my advice.

[Ramonade]

I join Doc Dan on this. Best one for your hand, if you live in the USA you might be able to find a shop somewhere to handle them. It's a very good advantage I'd like to have !

I also support cabrank's reply. If you want a first Spyderco, maybe Maxamet isn't the best for the use you described. It's tough enough to resist vertical forces, but on fences and all you'll most likely incidently hit the edge from many directions and often have to sharpen it. If you chose a little bit less edge retention, you might have to sharpen less often, paradoxally

[kissmyba$$69]

Voted GB2 based on the options in the poll, but for the use described I’d probably want a serrated beater like the Meadowlark Hawkbill paired with another plain-edged edc (whatever floats your boat).

I carry a Leatherman as well as a cheap knife. The Leatherman has a serrated knife and saw, the cheap knife would go dull in less than 5 min so I figured I needed an upgrade.
Thanks for the reply

[kissmyba$$69]

To me, the choice comes down to which one cuts better and which one fits my hand best. Simple.

I'm thinking the GB2 is the winner
Thanks Doc!

[kissmyba$$69]

If limited to those two, the gb2 based on steel and your stated uses, but have you considered the pm2 cruwear micarta??

I saw it on Blade HQ but didn't pay much attention, could be interesting. I'll look into it more, I've heard amazing things about Cruwear as an all around steel.
Thanks for posting

[kissmyba$$69]

Get a PM2, not Maxamet. Get a more well rounded steel, and go from there. Your first Spydie won't be your last Spydie. That is my advice.

Another post mentioned a Cruwear PM2, it will be awhile before I get another spydie because I'm trying to save for a vehicle.

Thanks for the response

[kissmyba$$69]

I join Doc Dan on this. Best one for your hand, if you live in the USA you might be able to find a shop somewhere to handle them. It's a very good advantage I'd like to have !

I also support cabrank's reply. If you want a first Spyderco, maybe Maxamet isn't the best for the use you described. It's tough enough to resist vertical forces, but on fences and all you'll most likely incidently hit the edge from many directions and often have to sharpen it. If you chose a little bit less edge retention, you might have to sharpen less often, paradoxally

Unfortunately the shop about 5 min away went out of business, so I plan on going to a knife show near me. I see your point, I would want something softer than Maxamet as it may chip and need to be sharpened vs a softer steel will just dull slightly.

Thanks for the post, I'm looking at a Cruwear PM2 and GB2.

[ladybug93]

If sold on the two specific knives, GB2 all the way. Maxamet COULD give you problems with chipping...how are your sharpening skills? It's apparently a bear to deal with (I have the Maxamet PM2 myself, in a warehouse environment and have only needed touchups) Though I do consider myself better than average at sharpening/reprofiling.

The PM2 does have liners, and the liner lock isn't an issue with the GB2 (I've owned that knife before for a couple years)

What other knives would you recommend besides the two I listed for what I'm doing?

for the purposes you stated, i would personally want a serrated salt. again, my preferences are not the same as yours, but serrations will cut longer, even though the salt steels don't have the highest edge retention. they are also easier to sharpen, so you could easily just touch up the blade occasionally. a serrated caribbean would be great for your applications, in my opinion and it's definitely got a high end and robust feel to it. in my experience, lc200n is tough like a tool steel, basically rustproof, really easy to touch up and keep sharp, and has enough edge retention to get through at least a day of work, especially when it's serrated.

[kissmyba$$69]

If sold on the two specific knives, GB2 all the way. Maxamet COULD give you problems with chipping...how are your sharpening skills? It's apparently a bear to deal with (I have the Maxamet PM2 myself, in a warehouse environment and have only needed touchups) Though I do consider myself better than average at sharpening/reprofiling.

The PM2 does have liners, and the liner lock isn't an issue with the GB2 (I've owned that knife before for a couple years)

What other knives would you recommend besides the two I listed for what I'm doing?

for the purposes you stated, i would personally want a serrated salt. again, my preferences are not the same as yours, but serrations will cut longer, even though the salt steels don't have the highest edge retention. they are also easier to sharpen, so you could easily just touch up the blade occasionally. a serrated caribbean would be great for your applications, in my opinion and it's definitely got a high end and robust feel to it. in my experience, lc200n is tough like a tool steel, basically rustproof, really easy to touch up and keep sharp, and has enough edge retention to get through at least a day of work, especially when it's serrated.

Will take a look at the serrated caribbean.
Thanks for posting!

EDIT: The blade steel and looks throws me off of the knife especially for $217, I looked up the HRC and its says it maxes at 60. Personally I don't care for corrosion resistance and would be willing to give that up for more edge retention. I think I would prefer a non serrated but maybe I'm wrong. But the build quality looks solid on the thing, wish the GB2 was compression locked like this. Sorry if I came across the wrong way but this knife just doesn't appeal to me. Thanks for the input.

[Hopweaver]

DLT PM2 in S90V for the win!!!! I love S90V.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

[kissmyba$$69]

DLT PM2 in S90V for the win!!!! I love S90V.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

I heard its a pain to sharpen but will take a look.
Thanks for the reply

EDIT: How do you like spyderco's DLC coating?

[WilliamMunny]

DLT PM2 in S90V for the win!!!! I love S90V.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

I heard its a pain to sharpen but will take a look.
Thanks for the reply

EDIT: How do you like spyderco's DLC coating?

The DLT PM2 in S90V was also one of my recommendations. S90V can be harder to sharpen but it is easier than Maxamet. Its just how it works. If a steel is made hard and tough to hold an edge, then it will be hard and tougher to sharpen. Generally with these types of steels if you don't let them get too dull then they are easy to maintain. If you let them get totally dull then it can take some time to put a good edge back on.

I have not used a DLC knife but from what I have heard it does not get damaged unless abused. The knife steel is actually softer than the DLC and will scratch easier. Most people just clean it up once a week and it looks new.

[kissmyba$$69]

DLT PM2 in S90V for the win!!!! I love S90V.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

I heard its a pain to sharpen but will take a look.
Thanks for the reply

EDIT: How do you like spyderco's DLC coating?

The DLT PM2 in S90V was also one of my recommendations. S90V can be harder to sharpen but it is easier than Maxamet. Its just how it works. If a steel is made hard and tough to hold an edge, then it will be hard and tougher to sharpen. Generally with these types of steels if you don't let them get too dull then they are easy to maintain. If you let them get totally dull then it can take some time to put a good edge back on.

I have not used a DLC knife but from what I have heard it does not get damaged unless abused. The knife steel is actually softer than the DLC and will scratch easier. Most people just clean it up once a week and it looks new.

How does the S90V PM2 compare to the GB2 and M4 Shaman? This might be the knife I get.

[Manixguy@1994]

This old man would suggest a Shaman in M4 as previously posted . Welcome to the Forum ! MG2

[kissmyba$$69]

This old man would suggest a Shaman in M4 as previously posted . Welcome to the Forum ! MG2

That price tag is what gets me, but at the same time this knife will last YEARS. So 60 bucks doesn't really matter. I will end up going to a knife show and feeling them all in hand and make my decision then.

Thanks for the input MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

This old man would suggest a Shaman in M4 as previously posted . Welcome to the Forum ! MG2

That price tag is what gets me, but at the same time this knife will last YEARS. So 60 bucks doesn't really matter. I will end up going to a knife show and feeling them all in hand and make my decision then.

Thanks for the input MG2

Very wise decision ! I highly recommend it when investing in a higher end Spyderco . Yes the Shaman is a bit more expensive but your edc plan and carry time over years would make that choice irrelevant . Hope you post your knife once you get it to share with us . MG2

[kissmyba$$69]

This old man would suggest a Shaman in M4 as previously posted . Welcome to the Forum ! MG2

That price tag is what gets me, but at the same time this knife will last YEARS. So 60 bucks doesn't really matter. I will end up going to a knife show and feeling them all in hand and make my decision then.

Thanks for the input MG2

Very wise decision ! I highly recommend it when investing in a higher end Spyderco . Yes the Shaman is a bit more expensive but your edc plan and carry time over years would make that choice irrelevant . Hope you post your knife once you get it to share with us . MG2

Ill post whichever knife I decide to get. I will be awhile as I only have $150 to spend so far
Only need another $120 or so if I decide to get the Shaman then happiness will arrive in a package!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU INPUT!!!!