My three favorite Spyderco folder designs

[vivi]

nice seein some well loved spydies in this thread!

[northmanscall]

For me these 3 are the GOAT.

Tenacious was my first 15 years ago. Still the best cutting edge to handle ratio.

The Para-Military 2 was a gamechanger for Spyderco 15 years ago. Well deserved. And really affordable back then in germany.

The Military Camo Black Blade was my first grail. This iconic 90s Design is still outstanding today.

[northmanscall]

On the other hand i always love solid full size folders.

[CDEP]

1. Native 5

2. Para Military 2

3. Shaman

[RazorSharp86]

1. Siren
2. Stretch 2
3. Police

All fit well in hand, are solid, and built to cut!

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

#1 Chaparral LW SE
#2 Pacific H2 SE
#3 Harpy SE*

*The Harpy is a recent addition, and I just want to add how happy I am that I took a chance on it. While I'd still prefer some type of texturing on the steel handle, the ergos are by far my favorite of the Spyderco/Byrd hawkbills (still need to handle a Gooney but I'm waiting for SE). I also feel like the slightly-handle-heavy design gives me a greater feeling of control vs. something like the Tasman, which is of course the more blade-heavy of the two.

[NHKnives]

1. Sage 1
2. Tenacious (loving the titanium handle, a real lightweight)
3. Goddard Lightweight

[ZrowsN1s]

Hawkbill Dragonfly
Shaman
Police4
All the Seki Wharncliffes

[Kleon]

Almost impossible to narrow this down...I have a bit of a Spyderco collecting problem... based on pocket time / usage hours over the last few years:

Military (CF S90V and 440V full serrated main users)

Police 4 LW K390

Lil Temperance 3 LW - serrated VG10

So many others find my pocket in a years time but these have been workhorses.

[Tgmr05]

1: Dragonfly. Little big knife perfection. Sal nailed it with this one.
2: Chaparral. Small, slim, tough for its size, great slicer, stop pin lock stability, aesthetic options/choices. Perfect gentlemen’s knife that can actually do some incredible tasks for its size.
3: torn for the 3rd best design. Maybe the police.

I admit I have a bias/preference for back lock designs.

[FK]

Delica 4 with HAP-40 Wharncliffe
Stretch 2 XL with K390
Military CQI with 52100 and dark green G2

Regards.
FK

[8th_Note]

Its hard to pick just 3 but here goes

1: PM2. This is objectively the best all around folding knife ever made.

2: Leafjumper. The handle fits my hand perfectly and the high edge to handle ratio is ideal. Also, best action of any back lock knife I've ever owned. The K390 version is particularly amazing. Great bang for the buck.

3: Military 2. Whats not to love? Big ol' honkin blade with a compression lock. It's essentially a PM2 XL

[MrGibson]

Kind of all over the place size-wise:

1. Lil Temp (all varieties—but particularly the original)
2. Cricket/Balance (it’s a tie)
3. Military 1/2

[Kango]

1. LW Chaparral SE
2. Shaman Z-carta
3. Sage 5 LW

[holokai]

Pacific Salt - started with the SE H1 version and currently carrying the SE LC200N version. This model convinced me that SE is feasible for EDC and awesome for outdoor use (mostly fishing)

Sage 5 LW - compression lock, Taichung fit and finish, and an excellent blade size for EDC. Enjoy the SPY27 and MagnaCut versions and am contemplating either Maxamet or REX121

Chaparral LW SE - super slicey (redefined how good SE can be with thin geometry) and my favorite back lock action. Perfect for 5th pocket carry; it’s sleek enough to be used as a gentleman’s folder but sturdy enough for harder use if needed.




Honorable Mention - UKPK in either MagnaCut or SPY27. Super light and convenient. This lives in my pocket at home and in lighter weight shorts as it nearly disappears in the pocket or waistband.

Honorable Mention - Stretch 2 straight spine in K390. Basically my favorite “version” of a PM2. Prefer the handle/ergos over the PM2 G10 and the Seki K390 is my favorite next to 15V as far as tool steels go.

[Tristan_david2001]

Calypso jr
Kopa
Caly 3.5

[JBoone]

Delica comes to mind first but I have had one since the mid 90s
I am afraid that I can’t narrow down other two. Would be 4-5 others than I could not chose between. Sage 5, stretch and stretch XL, military, PM2, most any variation of the FRN K390 including endela and police…..I will stop there but could keep going.

My tastes also change. I go in and out of “love” with various models.

[Fharing45]

Ayoob Cruwear SE

Spidie Chef

Subvert 20 cv Carbon Fibre

[jwbnyc]

1) Aquasalt SE

2) Delica Wharnecliffe

3) Endura Stainless partially serrated

Two and Three could be just about any and all of the Signature knives, really. I went with the Delica because, no matter how many knives I try, it comes out on top for day to day cutting, and the Wharnecliffe, in particular, because it shines just a little bit brighter as a task knife.

The Endura stainless PS gets the nod as a do-anything knife with some beef in the blade. It’s not going to let you down.

The Aquasalt is my favorite Spyderco. It epitomizes the top attributes I want in a knife. Sharp, tough, lightweight, but not overbuilt.

Spyderco generally delivers those attributes in most of their offerings, anyway.

The Aquasalt happens to be the best.

I’m not even going to say, “imo”.. Come at me.

[Team Sick]

I have to go top 5
1-Manix 2
2-Sage 5
3-Para 3
4-Manix 2XL
5-GB2
I will say that I also like the lightweight versions of the Manix 2, Sage 5, and Para 3.