Stainless steel handled Spydies

[wrdwrght]

H-1 Mariner Salt. The rustproof SS handle Spyderco knife.

My skin and palms run a tad oily so I have been SS-leery, even though the earliest Spydies have been beckoning me.

Got an SS Harpy last year (where’s yours, Yab?). Sure enough, it’s proven a little slippery, but with the rearward-cuts it wants, the problem is minor. Just before the Harpy, I got a Co-Pilot (where’s yours, Yab?), and because it locks into my hand, slipping, even on forward-cuts is no problem. A few days ago, I finally got my first Worker (not as old as Yab’s). What a spectacular design and execution this splinter-picker is, but it does not lock into my hand, so I must extra-careful.

All to say, the larger SS models that are being recommended to you may well work for your large hands. But if you run oily, consider a handle shape that can lessen the slip.

As Yab’s photo shows, handle-choice is limited, so stippling or engraving may be just the ticket.

[Wartstein]

....

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All to say, the larger SS models that are being recommended to you may well work for your large hands. But if you run oily, consider a handle shape that can lessen the slip.

Or try (talking to the OP) what I thought about and mount a spare, single FRN (or other, "nicer" material) Endura scale on one side (I know, first you´d have to source one). Should work with screws through the clip screw holes (both the stainless steel Endura and of course the scale have those) and perhaps additional glue.

This might not look pretty, but on the other hand perhaps still even cool - a bit like those "one side Micarta, one side Titanium"- frame lock folders....

And it will make the handle not only grippier, but also thicker and by that additionally more stable in hand.

[elena86]

Try some translucent grip tape. I love my old school SE Police with or without this mod.

[Cl1ff]

I like them, but it’s actually just brushed satin metal handles in general that I like.
Could be Titanium, Steel, Copper, Brass, Aluminum, etc.

Spyderco’s brushed Titanium in the past doesn’t seem that much different from their stainless steel.

[yablanowitz]

H-1 Mariner Salt. The rustproof SS handle Spyderco knife.

My skin and palms run a tad oily so I have been SS-leery, even though the earliest Spydies have been beckoning me.

Got an SS Harpy last year (where’s yours, Yab?). Sure enough, it’s proven a little slippery, but with the rearward-cuts it wants, the problem is minor. Just before the Harpy, I got a Co-Pilot (where’s yours, Yab?), and because it locks into my hand, slipping, even on forward-cuts is no problem. A few days ago, I finally got my first Worker (not as old as Yab’s). What a spectacular design and execution this splinter-picker is, but it does not lock into my hand, so I must extra-careful.

All to say, the larger SS models that are being recommended to you may well work for your large hands. But if you run oily, consider a handle shape that can lessen the slip.

As Yab’s photo shows, handle-choice is limited, so stippling or engraving may be just the ticket.

That picture was just the ones I had laying around at that moment. The PE and SE Harpies were not out. The Co-Pilot is one I've never had.

[wrdwrght]

H-1 Mariner Salt. The rustproof SS handle Spyderco knife.

My skin and palms run a tad oily so I have been SS-leery, even though the earliest Spydies have been beckoning me.

Got an SS Harpy last year (where’s yours, Yab?). Sure enough, it’s proven a little slippery, but with the rearward-cuts it wants, the problem is minor. Just before the Harpy, I got a Co-Pilot (where’s yours, Yab?), and because it locks into my hand, slipping, even on forward-cuts is no problem. A few days ago, I finally got my first Worker (not as old as Yab’s). What a spectacular design and execution this splinter-picker is, but it does not lock into my hand, so I must extra-careful.

All to say, the larger SS models that are being recommended to you may well work for your large hands. But if you run oily, consider a handle shape that can lessen the slip.

As Yab’s photo shows, handle-choice is limited, so stippling or engraving may be just the ticket.

That picture was just the ones I had laying around at that moment. The PE and SE Harpies were not out. The Co-Pilot is one I've never had.

Figured. I look to you as the SS (oops, that doesn’t sound right) stainless-steel guy. You must have reasons for not having a Co-Pilot, but, wow, is it a tiny but ergonomic tank!

[yablanowitz]

The Poliwog is an ergonomic tank. The Spin is simply too small to be useful in my hands and the Co-Pilot is much the same. When your fingers are as long and your joints as arthritic as mine, tiny knives have little or no appeal.

[aicolainen]

I’ve been itching for a SS for quite some time, but knowing how little use it may see, it’s easy to direct funds to more pressing matters.

It has definitely moved up on my priorities after the Police moved to a screw construction. While I generally much prefer the serviceability of screws, I want to bag my SS knives while they’re still made with pins.
I believe the Harpy will be first.

[RamZar]

My Spyderco folders with Stainless Steel handles. The Native II was the very first Spyderco I purchased in 2000. A folder designed by an American company, made in Japan and purchased in Germany.

• Native II AUS-10 CE SS Japan (2000)
• A.T.R. VG-10 SE SS Japan (2005)
• Endura4 VG-10 SE SS Japan (2006)
• Ladybug3 VG-10 PE SS Japan (2013)
• Foundry CTS-XHP PE SS USA (2015)

[TheGiant80]

Hey thanks for the input everyone! Some of you reeeeally like the stainless steel models, and I have a feeling I’ll be joining your ranks soon. My E4 is sitting in the mailbox at home; time needs to hurry up so I go check it out.

[Pneumothorax]

So, this is probably not the post to ask this question, but my searches didnt find closely related posts. I have two SS navigators (my alltime favorite Little Big Knife) and I want to change the scales out for G10 or CF. This is tricky since SS is pinned and I want to go screw assembly (if possible). Does anyone know anyone who will do that type of mod? Yeah, I know it will be expensive, but am striking out on options. Any thoughts welcome.

BTW, good to be back, my first post in probably 10 years...

[RamZar]

So, this is probably not the post to ask this question, but my searches didnt find closely related posts. I have two SS navigators (my alltime favorite Little Big Knife) and I want to change the scales out for G10 or CF. This is tricky since SS is pinned and I want to go screw assembly (if possible). Does anyone know anyone who will do that type of mod? Yeah, I know it will be expensive, but am striking out on options. Any thoughts welcome.

BTW, good to be back, my first post in probably 10 years...

Good luck on your search.

That was your first post since May 11, 2015! A welcome back is in order.

[Pneumothorax]

Thx. I was very active for about 4 years and then life got complicated. Nothing horrible, got laid off in 2012 and then jumped into a time consuming startup that took me out of the game.

[Pete1977]

45 minutes with a triangle and round jewler’s file adds gives an excellent grip. The steel handles are fairly soft.

One of my SS Police models.

[JD Spydo]

I've always had an affinity for many of Spyderco's great stainless handled models. My very first Spyder was mid 90s MARINER, full SE GIN-1 model. I found the full SE Mariner to be an extremely durable folder that could take a lot of punishment. I did however find another Stainless model that I really love and I still have and still use to this day. It is a late 90s Stainless Handled RESCUE with a fully serrated ATS-55 blade. They only made that Stainless RESCUE for about 2 years from what I was told.

I still use that Stainless RESCUE quite often. That model was built like an Abram's Tank and it is virtually indestructible. I've used it hard for many years and it shows very little signs of wear. I've owned and used several of Spyderco's stainless handled knives over the years and for hard usage I find them very dependable.

[aicolainen]

I’ve been itching for a SS for quite some time, but knowing how little use it may see, it’s easy to direct funds to more pressing matters.

It has definitely moved up on my priorities after the Police moved to a screw construction. While I generally much prefer the serviceability of screws, I want to bag my SS knives while they’re still made with pins.
I believe the Harpy will be first.

I can see now that I failed to update this thread.
My first SS arrived in late January: