Came here to pick a fight!

[Evil D]

Man I would really be into a Chinook 1 sprint. There's been some talk lately about playing with 3V heat treats, this would be an excellent model for it.

[RustyIron]

Look at you all bowed up and screaming in RED!

I have an embarrassing admission....I've yet to ever own a Military,

Well if the plan is provocation, I'm your huckleberry. I didn't own a Military until the 15V's came around. I like it, but I'm not sure if it's because it's the perfect knife, or if I'm just suffering from a bit of New Knife Stoke. Ask me again in a year and I'll know for sure.

[Manixguy@1994]

MG2

[benben]

MG2

Quite the pair, wondered where you’ve been?

[benben]

Man I would really be into a Chinook 1 sprint. There's been some talk lately about playing with 3V heat treats, this would be an excellent model for it.

I like everything about this post! I’ve had a Chinook 3 for over a decade, definitely not a 1 or 2 but I get the gist of that model / series. For some reason I think I’d like a C95 more? But I’d definitely be on board for a Chinook 1 sprint!

[HolySteel]

Gayle Bradley 2, but the Schempp folding Bowie and the Subvert are absolutely high-end tanks. Another that I owned briefly was the Carey Magnitude - that was a high-quality beast.

[Jeb]

Man I really want a C95 in the PE blade, but I have yet to find anyone willing to sell it to me lol. I got to nibble on one that someone loaned me that was a partial SE blade, they are a tank for sure...

[Fastidiotus]

The best one I've ever had is an example of the Knife Joy exclusive Para 3 in Pink/s45vn. I'll preface this by saying I don't love the PM2 at all(there's a fight). I also don't think the Para 3 is the best Spyderco of its size. I do mildly enjoy the Para 3, unlike the PM2, but I still only carry one a few times a year. The second I took that pink knife out of the box I knew it was one of those rare objects blessed at the factory before it went out. Perfect centering, unreal action, even edge bevel, the absolute nicest example of any Spyderco I own. I wanted to keep it in the box so I could feel the satisfaction of holding a perfect object from time to time. It however promptly went to my GF for her birthday. She uses it to scrape modge podge crafts, cut linoleum squares for lino prints, and commit other assorted atrocities among other things around the house...



I am hugely impressed by s45vn though. Between that Para 3, and the SE Military 2 I gave my dad. I'm starting to think there must be something mystical or possibly witchcrafty about it. R.I.P Crucible

[benben]

The best one I've ever had is an example of the Knife Joy exclusive Para 3 in Pink/s45vn. I'll preface this by saying I don't love the PM2 at all(there's a fight). I also don't think the Para 3 is the best Spyderco of its size. I do mildly enjoy the Para 3, unlike the PM2, but I still only carry one a few times a year. The second I took that pink knife out of the box I knew it was one of those rare objects blessed at the factory before it went out. Perfect centering, unreal action, even edge bevel, the absolute nicest example of any Spyderco I own. I wanted to keep it in the box so I could feel the satisfaction of holding a perfect object from time to time. It however promptly went to my GF for her birthday. She uses it to scrape modge podge crafts, cut linoleum squares for lino prints, and commit other assorted atrocities among other things around the house...



I am hugely impressed by s45vn though. Between that Para 3, and the SE Military 2 I gave my dad. I'm starting to think there must be something mystical or possibly witchcrafty about it. R.I.P Crucible

I had never owned anything in S45VN, I now own three Medford’s (well two now) in S45VN, I like that steel a lot. Don’t know where it’s at on the Rockwell Scale but it’s hard!

[Bolster]

Not your favorite, not your prettiest, not your oldest, most sentimental Spyderco, your best built, most solid, the one that for years has made you say, man what a tank!

If the measuring stick is "solid," combined with useful, I'd have to say: Manix. I own "tankier" Spydercos (thinking of Chinook, or larger Persian) but they're not as useable.

That said: I don't go out of my way to find tanky knives. I'm more into pocketable knives.

[Wartstein]

...
Here’s the question….what’s your best Spyderco? Not your favorite, not your prettiest, not your oldest, most sentimental Spyderco, your best built, most solid, the one that for years has made you say, man what a tank!
..

Since this thread obviously is not about the objectively and absolutely"tankiest of tank Spydies" (in the sense of beefy and indestructible) I´ll have to say (again):

Chaparral FRN (SE).

For their superthin and slim footprint the overall folder, handle and actually also blade are "what a tank" indeed.

- Construction with steel liners, steel backspacer, (of course) steel lockbar and internal stop pin make for a super solid, rigid overall construction. And both of my Chaps have flawless fit and finish.

- And the blade... well, for just 2.5 mm stock and ffg it is pretty strong too, cause rather short and in stout, tall leaf shape.

The Chap can´t be my overall favorite folder cause it is just too small for that, but for me it is the best folder Spyderco makes.

And I think also with one of the best "footprint/size to performance" ratios.

[JoviAl]

Crikey, this is awkward, as clearly by any measurable metric the best Spyderco ever made is the Jump Master 2

… but seriously…it is awesome.

Honourable mention to the Chaparral LW SE - that thing punches far above its weight.

[Wartstein]

...
Honourable mention to the Chaparral LW SE - that thing punches far above its weight.

... and its size..

[JoviAl]

...
Honourable mention to the Chaparral LW SE - that thing punches far above its weight.

... and its size..

If Spyderco get some ‘Chaparral LW SE Fan Club’ merchandise made I’d buy it

[Aladinsane]

My “best built, most solid” Spyderco is my Lil’ Temperance LW.

EDIT: My Chaparral LW is a close second, but because of the nasty stuff I cut at work, and the stouter, thicker handle and blade, the LT LW is first.

[benben]

My “best built, most solid” Spyderco is my Lil’ Temperance LW.

I have the K390 version, and I have to agree with you, very tough little / big knife!

[Paul Ardbeg]

Maybe not a tank like the original Manix, the GB1 is as solid as they come, especially for a linerlock.

From left to right the liners of the Military, GB1 and GB2. GB1

[TkoK83Spy]

That's a really nice trio right there Paul!

[Evil D]

There are some less obvious "tanks" if that's what we're after here, the Vallotton is as stout as any of these others. It has just as thick liner lock as a GB1 and is basically a sharpened bar of steel. It's a textbook iron fist in a velvet glove. You'll never look more dapper while stabbing car doors.

[aicolainen]

You'll never look more dapper while stabbing car doors.

How did I not think of this. That’s my primary use case