Ready to buy first H1, which one?

2cha · #1

I have a boye cobalt folder--the cast blade worries me so I don't like to carry it-- but I'm looking to buy my first spyderco H1 knife for general use in salty and sandy beach environment--could be for anything from cutting rope off a prop to cleaning smallish fish, from time to time. I'd like to be able to carry it, so a folder is best. Generally, I've stayed away from SE knives, but I have a sharpmaker now, so I'm not averse to giving one a try.

ChapmanPreferred · #2

Pacific Salt if you do not have blade length limits, or Salt 1 if you do.

Shanklick · #3

The only Salt folder I have is a PE Pacific. I've used the serrated side of my Warrior a few times, mmmm. I can verify expected nice performance on nylon rope but haven't done any fish cleaning work lately. There are quite a few folder blade types to choose from now at least that are sure to fit your needs but I don't have first hand experience with them.

I know it isn't a folder but I just got an Aqua Salt and it carries really nice. If your area allows a 5"+ fixed blade I cant recommend it highly enough. It is listed at 4 11/16" but a little extra inventive blade measurement prevention that can get you thrown in jail does not hurt.

Edit: It is the Rock Salt that is nice clipped in the front pocket. The Aqua is nice loose in a front pocket or clipped in a back pocket pushed away from the center line.

2cha · #4

Thanks for the responses so far. In light of the shiny footprints thread, which I finally just read, please don't misconstrue my worries regarding the boye folder as criticism. I really like the knife and have purchased several as gifts over the years. (actually just bought a little boye friction folder over the holidays) I'm just ready to move on to H1.

ozspyder · #5

My Salt I gets abused and it is small enough to be a great EDC. I also have a Rock Salt :) But that is for around the kitchen, BBQ & gardens.

I say get the Salt I and if you like it then get more :D I am still astounded as to the relative 'quietness' this H1 steel has ie: why are people not flocking to this ?! And where is the media on this fantastic invention !

tonydahose · #6

this one http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=438 don't ask why, just do it, trust me on this.

Tank · #7

+1 on the Spyderhawk SE. If you have size limitations then I would say the Tasman SE.

telemeister · #8

I found the Hawkbill shape is very useful when working from boats and in the water, so I'd go with the Tasman or the Spyderhawk.

I have a Tasman and a Salt I which are small enough to clip to the back pocket of my boardshorts and still large enough to cut pretty much anything I come across.

thebestnoobcake · #9

tonydahose wrote:this one http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=438 don't ask why, just do it, trust me on this.

I dunno, but that don't seem like a fish cleanin' knife ta me.

tonydahose · #10

thebestnoobcake wrote:I dunno, but that don't seem like a fish cleanin' knife ta me.

i am not a big fish eater :p actually i mainly the read the title, missed the fish cleaning part :o now that i see that i say the pacific pe with a regrind. the thinner the better in cleaning/cutting fish, right? i am surprised they havent made a catcherman in H1 yet.

2cha · #11

I was trying to imagine doing things like cleaning a fish--or slicing a tomato--with a hawkbill. I've never owned one, though I do have a P'Kal. The heavily curved knives seem like they'd be great for cutting rope/fabric, or maybe sharpening a stick, but I can't imagine their utility beyond those types of tasks. I guess I'll have to buy one sooner or later to find out.

hickster · #12

thebestnoobcake wrote:I dunno, but that don't seem like a fish cleanin' knife ta me.

It'll gut 'n head a Sockeye plenty fast. I'm sure of that!
I used my SE Pacific Salt last year. CAN'T WAIT to use my SE H1 Spyderhawk this dipnetting season. :D
Here's a pic from a few years ago.

That's around 25-30, 7-10lb reds in the cooler. I head/gut them at the river and fillet them at home. I have a good fillet knife for that.

hickster

RIOT · #13

for Salt water fishing i use my Tasman H-1, chummed literally 50 mackerels, knife went through them like butter

if i was carrying an H-1 Spyderco id most likley carry the Salt-1, like the size, the hole and the jimping

Naga · #14

ChapmanPreferred wrote:Pacific Salt if you do not have blade length limits, or Salt 1 if you do.

+1

And I agree with everything everyone else has said, also :D

JaM · #15

Naga wrote:+1

And I agree with everything everyone else has said, also :D

another +1 :)

RIOT · #16

are you guys saying the Pacific or the Salt-1 ?

edit: go with your hand size, if you have a smaller hand go with the Salt-1, it has the Delica3 handle, if you have a bigger hand go with the Pacific, it has the Endura3 handle.

JaM · #17

Exactly that.

I have a Salt 1, and like it. However, I like the Endura 3 handle better.
So if bladelength isnt a problem go for the Endura ehm... Pacific.

PE if you want to clean fish.

Take a Tasman SE or a Spyderhawk in SE if you have to clean rope from the engine regularly... But a PE could do that, too.

Hope this helps,

JaM

Nifty_Nives · #18

ChapmanPreferred wrote:Pacific Salt if you do not have blade length limits, or Salt 1 if you do.

Its [pacific salt] a surprisingly light and long for what it is, and its one of my favorite knives. if you are going to cut fish, i would recommend a full or combo serration. For the money, its one of the toughest blades out there.

JaM · #19

It doesnt come in CE. If it would THAT would be my hiking/camping knife for sure. Rust free and versatile ?? Oh yeah !! And the Pacific blade is long enough for a CE... anyway:

I think, depending on the size of the fishies, you might be better off with a PE. You dont want to cut up the gall-bladder (if that's the right translation anyway) inside of the fish.
A SE can cut too much, a PE will give a cleaner cut and thus cleaning the fish more easily.

Just IMHO, YMMV. :)

phaust · #20

I have a Pacific, Tasman, and Atlantic (bought in that order). The Atlantic Salt I've carried daily since I got it. I love the size (a bit smaller than the Pacific), the ergos, the choil, the wharncliffe, the steep thumb ramp, and even how it looks closed; the tip flows right into the butt, the thumb ramp curves into the handle-part of the choil, even the middle bump of the handle ends right where the hollow grind is. In all honesty, I haven't thought about buying another folder since.