if you could only own a 5 Spyderco knife collection:

[JSumm]

Rather than look at my Top 5 because that is impossible for me to choose, I would select one to cover different "categories" that I want.

In no particular order:
1.) Gayle Bradley 2 - One of my favorite Spydies that I could not live without on the larger side.
2.) Caly 3.5 - One of my favorite Spydies that I could not live without on the small medium side.
3.) Military - To have a large work model on hand with good ergos.
4.) Manix 2 - To have a small medium work model on hand with great ergos. I actually prefer shorter blades for a lot of the home improvent/construction work I get into. I like to have the tip of the blade not too far extended. A lot of models have worked great for this (typically 3" blade models), but the Manix is short enough with so many other great attributes that it would be my #1 worker.
5.) UKPK Salt - I wanted a smaller model with thinner blade stock on this list, but I also knew I needed a Salt model in my only 5 too. For a 3" model, the UKPK has my favorite ergos. Thin blade stock and salt proof. One hand open and close with a strong close bias. Fits a couple of desires for me in an only 5 list.

[anycal]

My top three have been locked in for a while. Of the next top 5, GB2 and Sage 5 are it right now.

[ChrisinHove]

Based upon my most commonly used/carried/appreciated:

UKPK salt SE
Manbug Wharnie SE
Native V g10 M4
Lil Matriarch (*although I think I may have recently lost it)
D’Allara WTC

*1st reserve: Kapara

[JackRussell]

One from each country --

PM2 (LH)
Endura CE w wave
Chaparral FRN
Roadie
Uptern

[Bolster]

4.) Manix 2 - To have a small medium work model on hand with great ergos. I actually prefer shorter blades for a lot of the home improvent/construction work I get into. I like to have the tip of the blade not too far extended. A lot of models have worked great for this (typically 3" blade models), but the Manix is short enough with so many other great attributes that it would be my #1 worker.

Exactly so. For house construction work, it's nice to have a tip that's easily controllable, and 3" generally hits that target for me, too. When choked up on the choil, the Manix tip is right at 3". I would never take a Native Chief to a construction site! Would be unwieldy for me. Sometimes I've taken smaller knives for this kind of work, and have wished I had a bit more. Yes, the Manix is nearly ideal for construction-type work, IMO.

[Naperville]

1 - Stuart Ackerman's Sustain
4 - Spyderco Native Chiefs

LOL! I guess you know what you like!!

[Naperville]

100 pacer xhp
Mule rex76
Polestar Bd1n
Pm2 Crucarta
Leaf Jumper k390

I'd put 15V on the list but I have customs from triple b to scratch that itch.

I like the 100 Pacer in XHP and I hope that Spyderco brings it back with a backlock.

[bdblue]

It would be interesting to let this thread run until it slows down, then put all of the models in a list and determine statistics such as what percentage of different lock types, what percentage of different models and different steels.

[Cowboyfromhell]

Pm2
Manix 2
Pacific salt serrated
Endura
Shaman

[ladybug93]

It would be interesting to let this thread run until it slows down, then put all of the models in a list and determine statistics such as what percentage of different lock types, what percentage of different models and different steels.

paging bolster...

[vivi]

4.) Manix 2 - To have a small medium work model on hand with great ergos. I actually prefer shorter blades for a lot of the home improvent/construction work I get into. I like to have the tip of the blade not too far extended. A lot of models have worked great for this (typically 3" blade models), but the Manix is short enough with so many other great attributes that it would be my #1 worker.

Exactly so. For house construction work, it's nice to have a tip that's easily controllable, and 3" generally hits that target for me, too. When choked up on the choil, the Manix tip is right at 3". I would never take a Native Chief to a construction site! Would be unwieldy for me. Sometimes I've taken smaller knives for this kind of work, and have wished I had a bit more. Yes, the Manix is nearly ideal for construction-type work, IMO.

I'm used to 10" gyutos for my most frequently used knives. It's all relative. The tip control difference between a mini manix and police for me is 100% negligible.

[JSumm]

4.) Manix 2 - To have a small medium work model on hand with great ergos. I actually prefer shorter blades for a lot of the home improvent/construction work I get into. I like to have the tip of the blade not too far extended. A lot of models have worked great for this (typically 3" blade models), but the Manix is short enough with so many other great attributes that it would be my #1 worker.

Exactly so. For house construction work, it's nice to have a tip that's easily controllable, and 3" generally hits that target for me, too. When choked up on the choil, the Manix tip is right at 3". I would never take a Native Chief to a construction site! Would be unwieldy for me. Sometimes I've taken smaller knives for this kind of work, and have wished I had a bit more. Yes, the Manix is nearly ideal for construction-type work, IMO.

I'm used to 10" gyutos for my most frequently used knives. It's all relative. The tip control difference between a mini manix and police for me is 100% negligible.

Well sure for food prep I wouldn't want a Manix, but for reaming out a pipe or cutting into some nasty thick material with a lot of pressure or cutting any material in an attic with your father-in-law right next to you I typically don't grab my Native Chief. Native 5 or Para 3 were go to beaters. Utility knife would probably work best, but that's no fun and what stories can I bring to the table here with a utility knife.

[Steeltoez83]

100 pacer xhp
Mule rex76
Polestar Bd1n
Pm2 Crucarta
Leaf Jumper k390

I'd put 15V on the list but I have customs from triple b to scratch that itch.

I like the 100 Pacer in XHP and I hope that Spyderco brings it back with a backlock.

The pacer was never a big seller for spyderco and the rhino was just too small for me. I don't think spyderco would be able to sell 4inch trailing point blades especially with all the 4 inch blades rolling thru the pipeline. The cold steel talwar has been on my radar as an alternative. The serrated 5.5 inch specifically.

[Naperville]

100 pacer xhp
Mule rex76
Polestar Bd1n
Pm2 Crucarta
Leaf Jumper k390

I'd put 15V on the list but I have customs from triple b to scratch that itch.

I like the 100 Pacer in XHP and I hope that Spyderco brings it back with a backlock.

The pacer was never a big seller for spyderco and the rhino was just too small for me. I don't think spyderco would be able to sell 4inch trailing point blades especially with all the 4 inch blades rolling thru the pipeline. The cold steel talwar has been on my radar as an alternative. The serrated 5.5 inch specifically.

Hinderer does not have a problem moving a variety of 4 inch knives for $750 to $950 ea.

Make a 4 inch blade, various types, include a liner, S45VN/S90V/M390 and they should sell.

Just copy Hinderer's M.O. 4 inch heavy use knife, throw in full Ti once in a while, premium steels...beat him on sales numbers. If the knives are excellent, I think Spyderco will find buyers.

[Coastal]

I thought I had posted, but I don't see it. Here goes again:

Manix 2 15V
Chaparral
Schempp Bowie
Pacific Salt 1 PE
Military Model 52100

That wasn't as hard as I thought.

[ZrowsN1s]

P'kal
Police4 G-10 K390
S90V CF Shaman
15V TripleB Manix
Dragonfly Salt

[cycleguy]

The one Spyderco I couldn’t get by without is the Delica! I’d take two: a plane edge and a salt 2 PE wharncliffe. Still playing with SE but not yet on the bandwagon.

After that, two kitchen knives - one about 4” and the other about 7”-8”. Picked up the Spyderco Murray Carter petty super blue to compliment a Murray Carter understudy Fukiyama whatever they be called!

Then at least one more for the kitchen: a minimum of 5-inch serrated. Henkel’s tomato is my guy! Tried a pointed serrated z-cut but like the Henkels more.

And a general purpose fixed blade around 7”-8” overall length, This one currently goes to Buck and BRK.

Well, looks like I’m limited to six.

If I can push it to seven, then a compact bone cutter. Spyderco doesn’t do this, wish they did. Using a Buck and Gerber, but eyeing the Castrom.

CG

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

Dfly Salt H2 SE
Pacific Salt H2 TiCN SE
Leaf Jumper k390 PE
Manix 2 lw BD1N…magnacut
DLT Endela Cruwear PE
Native 5 Salt Mag PE
Salt 2 wharnie LC SE
Caribbean LC PE
Just couldn’t do five

[kennethsime]

Dragonfly
Stretch 2
Military 2
PM2
Shaman

I feel bad excluding the Leafjumper here but I haven’t actually had a chance to try one, and the Rockjumper is too task-specific. I also feel bad excluding the Stretch 2 XL, but I probably only need one 4” folder and the Millie 2 wins.

[Bolster]

It would be interesting to let this thread run until it slows down, then put all of the models in a list and determine statistics such as what percentage of different lock types, what percentage of different models and different steels.

paging bolster...

Bolster was thinking the same (of a much smaller project, just tallying the most frequently occurring)... Hey, if anybody else wants to tally, don't let me stand in your way...go for it!