What are your top 5 Spydercos right now?

[Rezimus]

In no particular order

1. Police 3 - This is an amazing design. And possibly the best fit and finish to ever come out of Seki. I'd put it up against any Taichung model. Just a beautiful and balanced large folder.

2. Manix 2 XL - A great hard use knife. The handle design locks into the hand perfectly.

3. Para 3 S35VN DLC - my go to for EDC at work. It does everything well and is easy to carry.

4. Endura 4 HAP40/SUS410 - This is a super slicer. The HAP40 just keeps cutting and the working edge lasts forever between sharpening

5. Gayle Bradley 2 - I've heard others call it the Spyderco Sebenza. That's not far off the mark. Beauty and brawn and world class action.

Is the Gayle Bradly 2 hollow ground?

[Paul Ardbeg]

1. Nirvana
2. MagnaCut Native 5 with Fluted Ti scales
3. Fradon Lock Manix 2
4. Schempp Tuff
5. S90V Shaman CF

That' a beautiful linup! Love the Native 5 in fluted Ti

[8th_Note]

In no particular order

1. Police 3 - This is an amazing design. And possibly the best fit and finish to ever come out of Seki. I'd put it up against any Taichung model. Just a beautiful and balanced large folder.

2. Manix 2 XL - A great hard use knife. The handle design locks into the hand perfectly.

3. Para 3 S35VN DLC - my go to for EDC at work. It does everything well and is easy to carry.

4. Endura 4 HAP40/SUS410 - This is a super slicer. The HAP40 just keeps cutting and the working edge lasts forever between sharpening

5. Gayle Bradley 2 - I've heard others call it the Spyderco Sebenza. That's not far off the mark. Beauty and brawn and world class action.

Is the Gayle Bradly 2 hollow ground?

Yes, its a beautiful deep hollow grind and its oh so thin behind the edge. I love the GB2.

[vivi]

what are your favorite tasks for the k04?

I think the K04 is a great general utility slicer, suitable for non-knife people and family kitchens.

It excels for cuts that makes sense for a serrated edge. At 6.5 inches long, it is long enough to be exceptionally versatile. The 4.5 inch K05 is a bit short IMO. I don't mind the wear caused by serrations on our cheap cutting boards. It slices all kinds of fruit, veggies, crusty breads, fibrous foods etc.

The serrated edge requires so little maintenance, but unlike plain edges, it remains sharp enough to get most jobs done. For example, I have not touched it up in more than 3 months, but it still slices a tomato cleanly. And it gets used by the whole family, often multiple times a day.

For quick breakfast scrambled eggs this morning:
- sliced a plastic vacuum packed package with sausages in half, to use half of it
- sliced up the sausages
- sliced up half an onion
- fried with scrambled eggs
- quartered a tomato

It can be left dirty overnight and would not rust, but we hand-wash them. It just works, does need to be babied, and comes back for more. This one is going on 10 years.

thanks for the reply. I may order one for work. We have a $10 dexter russell serrated house knife and I keep a SE zcut and tojiro bread knife in my roll. The DR is quite dull so maybe I'll order a Spyderco to replace it. I suppose in the meantime I should bring my sharpmaker and diamond rods in to work.

[aicolainen]

Late posting, but this was harder to determine than I expected.

What is a favorite? I believe I have some Spyderco's in my drawer that I'm less inclined to part with than at least a couple of the ones I've chosen here. But, you gotta preach as you live and vice versa. And these ones are frankly my 5 most used and carried Spydercos.

#1: DF2, k390, wharncliffe. My workhorse. If I'm on or off jobb and wearing regular clothes, this will be in my back pocket 90% of the time. I've explained many times why, so I won't get into the weeds here, only to say it's the best compromise I've found for package opening, light electrical work and working in tight spaces. And it does that while also being a very lightweight, comfortable and unassuming knife to carry.

#2: This should be a Native 5 Salt, PE, but I'm using the S90V, fluted CF as a stand-in as I just gave my N5 salt away to a very dear friend. It will be replaced as soon as I can source a new one at a reasonably good price.
I have a weird relationship with the N5, as it isn't really a great ergonomic fit for me. Not bad, just not great. Apart from that it's a stellar knife that hits a very good balance of features and attributes I appreciate in a folder primarily that's intended for outdoor use. And as a consequence it has been my most carried knife (fixed or folding) for hunting, fishing and general outdoor for quite a few years now.

#3: Salt 2, FFG, PE. While I have a slight preference for the N5 Salt for outdoor use, the Salt 2 is my preference for outdoor carry. Sometimes you don't expect to use the knife as much, and this is the most comfortable knife to carry while still being decently capable. It's even preferable over the N5 for food prep. And the light weight combined with a sheepfoot-esque blade also makes it my first choice for mountain SAR deployments.

#4: Endura 4, VG-10, FFG, CE (Thin red line). My first attempt at CE was the corresponding Endela version. The CE blade was a positive experience, but I wasn't totally convinced by the Endela as a platform, so I decided to get a similar Endura while they were still around. Bingo!
It's a great allround folding knife, but where it really shines for me is work. The real kind. Construction, home renovation, yard work etc. but due to its versatility I've also enjoyed using it for outdoor stuff and road trips.

#5: Waterway. Lance describes it as a do-it-all knife for outdoor adventures. And he's not far off the mark, especially if fishing is involved.
I have some reservations using it for batoning, so I'll rather pack my Fällkniven F1 or similar if I expect that to be a substantial part of the work description. But except for those cases this is my favorite fixed blade for combined fishing, food prep and light fire prep.

Honorable mention; I could name a handful, but I want to highlight the Stretch 1. If this came in the form of a linerless Salt I think it would have made both my N5 Salt and Salt 2 mostly redundant. Ergonomics are great, blade shape and geometry is so so good for outdoor use, and the efficiency (edge vs handle) is among the best for Spyderco backlocks. I have the S2 and S2XL as well, but like so many movies - the OG is the one to beat.

[Red Leader]

This is tough, because several of my favorites I don't even own. But after handling them several times, I realize that they are going on the list and I'll probably want (need) to pick up, haha.

1. Manix 2
I have two, one 15V lightweight, which is already awesome, but I can't even imagine how better it will be with a med spring and AWT kit.
My other Manix is extremely modified, w/ a different lock and shortened and it is so fun. I've probably flicked it open 3-5k times and it just keeps asking for more (but I do need some loctite because the screws keep coming out lol)

2. Stretch 2 K390
What a fantastic knife! Super balanced, pretty light, and I'm a huge fan of K390. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

3. Canis
I don't own one of these, but have probably handled 5-6 of them, and they amaze me every time I pick one up. Absolutely one of the most under-rated and sleeper knives in the whole catalog. Would love to see this in some different steel options

4. Sage 6
Another one I don't own, but this is probably Spyderco's best knife to date, looking at all aspects. Stellar design, geometry, and the little details as well. Very lefty friendly.

5. UK Penknife
This one surprised me. I don't own this one either, but with its design, geometry, and simplicity, it is simply brilliant. If you have written off 'non-locking knives' like I used to, you might try getting this one in your hands, you'd be surprised.

[Actinolite]

Top 5 today.

1) Kapara S90V, burlap micarta. Just got it, and it is beautifully made. We’ll see if it can retain this position.
2) Chaparral Lightweight SE, because it fits 5th pocket so well and slices better than any other knife I own.
3) Para 3 Crucarta. It feels great in hand, near perfect fit and finish, and it makes a great EDC.
4) Lil Native, CPM 10V. My favorite 5th pocket knife before the Chaparral. Still works great.
5) Sage 5 Salt, RGT micarta scales. A great EDC when it’s wet out or I’m working or playing near salt water.

Honorable mentions: Dragonfly 2 K390 Wharncliffe. Great knife, not my first Spyderco, but it really got me started.
Sage 1 Maxamet. Because it’s Maxamet. It’s also as well made as the Kapara.
LeafJumper K390 SE. A true workhorse.

[toml4185]

Para 3 Crucarta - perfect winter carry for almost all occasions. Satisfying to use and solid as ****
Para 3 LW SPY27 - summer carry, fidgety and very easy to touch up and keep razor sharp
Stretch2 LW K390 - If I want something beefier and I know I can keep it clean, I'll go with this one
Native 5 Magnacut - my fishing or beach companion. If I think I'll encounter water, I'll grab this
Chapparal LW - love this for more formal occasions, weekend away with the wife etc.

Runner up would be Manix 2 LW REX45. There are just so many and they are all great in their own way

[Cletus]

1) Military 2 in BBB 15V. One of the best overall knives I have ever used.
2) Dragonfly K390 Wharncliffe. The cardboard champion. Little workhorse.
3) Kapara. What a beautiful knife.
4) Native Chief. Another beautiful design.
5) Yojimbo. And yet another superb design. Useful in so many ways.
Honorable mentions: Military 2 Salt, Smock, Native 5, Endura, and Delica.

[Infinite Zero]

1. Dragonfly Wharnie K390
2. G10 Native 5 BBB 15v
3. Manix 2 205p
4. Stretch 2 K390
5. Salt 2 Wharnie LC200N

Honorable Mention: S90v Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5 (too nice to carry)

[TkoK83Spy]

1. Dragonfly Wharnie K390
2. G10 Native 5 BBB 15v
3. Manix 2 205p
4. Stretch 2 K390
5. Salt 2 Wharnie LC200N

Honorable Mention: S90v Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5 (too nice to carry)

No way, put that baby to use!! Too great of a blade/steel combo to let go to waste.

[aicolainen]

1. Dragonfly Wharnie K390
2. G10 Native 5 BBB 15v
3. Manix 2 205p
4. Stretch 2 K390
5. Salt 2 Wharnie LC200N

Honorable Mention: S90v Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5 (too nice to carry)

No way, put that baby to use!! Too great of a blade/steel combo to let go to waste.

Agreed! Too nice to not use.
I'll be the first to admit I haven't used mine a whole lot, but that's only because I had the N5 salt that does most of what I need a knife for even a bit better. But now that I'm without a N5 salt for a while, the S90/CF will fill in for every use that isn't directly salt water related.

[Infinite Zero]

I just always found myself grabbing the Magnacut version instead of the fluted s90v if I wanted a Native (I also have the s90v Forum Lightweight Native from several years back). With the 15v now as well, the fluted just feels more like a safe queen these days.

[LorenzoL]

Top 5 today.

1) Kapara S90V, burlap micarta. Just got it, and it is beautifully made. We’ll see if it can retain this position.
2) Chaparral Lightweight SE, because it fits 5th pocket so well and slices better than any other knife I own.
3) Para 3 Crucarta. It feels great in hand, near perfect fit and finish, and it makes a great EDC.
4) Lil Native, CPM 10V. My favorite 5th pocket knife before the Chaparral. Still works great.
5) Sage 5 Salt, RGT micarta scales. A great EDC when it’s wet out or I’m working or playing near salt water.

Honorable mentions: Dragonfly 2 K390 Wharncliffe. Great knife, not my first Spyderco, but it really got me started.
Sage 1 Maxamet. Because it’s Maxamet. It’s also as well made as the Kapara.
LeafJumper K390 SE. A true workhorse.

Agree with the Kapara, it’s also my favorite one, also because S90V is my preferred steel choice.
Then I would say: Manix II S90V, Manix C95 FG, Subvert CF, Poliwog SS.

[barnaclesonaboat]

Top 5 today.

1) Kapara S90V, burlap micarta. Just got it, and it is beautifully made. We’ll see if it can retain this position.
2) Chaparral Lightweight SE, because it fits 5th pocket so well and slices better than any other knife I own.
3) Para 3 Crucarta. It feels great in hand, near perfect fit and finish, and it makes a great EDC.
4) Lil Native, CPM 10V. My favorite 5th pocket knife before the Chaparral. Still works great.
5) Sage 5 Salt, RGT micarta scales. A great EDC when it’s wet out or I’m working or playing near salt water.

Honorable mentions: Dragonfly 2 K390 Wharncliffe. Great knife, not my first Spyderco, but it really got me started.
Sage 1 Maxamet. Because it’s Maxamet. It’s also as well made as the Kapara.
LeafJumper K390 SE. A true workhorse.

Agree with the Kapara, it’s also my favorite one, also because S90V is my preferred steel choice.
Then I would say: Manix II S90V, Manix C95 FG, Subvert CF, Poliwog SS.

Jumping in to join the other Kapara proponents. I'm glad this was limited to "...right now?", so that way I can change my mind tomorrow and not feel like I'm living a lie.

Top 5, not necessarily in order (but sorta):
1. Kapara S90V burlap micarta - my most refined-feeling Spyderco, my fave steel, my ultimate gentleman's carry for now.
2. Military 2 15V - I simply cannot believe how much I like the Military 2, but the PM2 was my favorite model previously, so I'm probably the only one surprised. And of course 15V is like tool steel nirvana. Military 2 is actually taking over the coveted PM2 top-spot.
3. Paramilitary 2 S90V - the Spydie that got me firmly back into being a knife nut after a 15ish year hiatus, carried sooooo many times, and the teal color disarms so many people it is fun to hand to folks - even grandma's are like "oh, I like this cute knife" when you hand it to them to carve up a peach.
4. K294 Mule Team - K294 with thin geometry is just nuts. This is my most-used mule; even though I like to pretend I like the 15V mule better, I tend to cut with this one 10:1 compared to all other fixed blades I use.
5. Stretch 2XL PD#1 - I'm really just smitten with the S2XL platform as a work knife right now. Given another month of use, my new K390 S2XL may push this one out, but we did say "...right now?"...

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

Stretch 2 XL (H2 SE)
Chaparral LW SE
Dragonfly Hawkbill
Lil' Native Wharncliffe
Gooney

[Sharp Guy]

I usually don't do these types of threads because I have a hard time picking favorites.

Top 5 right now in no particular order....

1. Paysan
2. Mantra
3. Sage 5
4. Native 5 Fluted CF
5. Kapara

I had to leave a whole bunch out. My preference changes daily. So maybe I'll post another 5 tomorrow

[JMM]

.
My top 5 (PE) Spydies I carry the most . . . are all in AWT scales - list is in order of pocket time

#1 - Native 5
#2 - Para 3
#3 - Sage 5/6
#4 - Shaman
#5 - Manix 2

. . . I also carry an SE Spyderco every day, either FRN Chap, Hawkbill Ti DF3 or Ti UKPK.

[horzuff]

Mine right now would be:
1. Military 2, hard to choose between my reground s110v and the 15v, both are great in their own ways
2. Kapara S90V
3. Stretch 2 XL LW, for now the pd#1 version, though I think I'll get the SPY27 soon
4. Police 4 LW K390 after regrind
5. Bodacious, SPY27 with slightly modified handle scales, can't wait for further iterations of the model as I came to really appreciate the platform after getting it in hands

[steelcity16]

1. delica wharnie
2. endela
3. delica
4. manbug wharnie
5. dragonfly salt