One knife, for EDC use, that I could use for the next 50 years. And hopefully still be good enough to pass down to the next generation. Or take with me to my grave. Whichever is more appropriate at the time.
What knife would you recommend.
I want
For starters, I think that this would work with most of the knives from Spyderco, with the possible exception of the purely FRN handled knives like most of the SALT line. They should last quite a while though, too.
I vote for something with Full SS scales. Pinned construction (so no screws to go AWOL), no plastic anywhere, virtually indestructable.
Dragonfly SS, Delica4 SS, Endura4 SS, Police SS come to mind. Depends on your preferred size; IMO, the Endura is the perfect EDC size and will be big enough for most tasks that will pop up in the next decades, although the Delica will do that just as well for 95% of these chores.
Personally, I would consider the H1 Mariner... This thing won't rust in 100 years (even if you take it with you 6 feet under), but maybe SE is not the best for such a long lifespan.
Persian, although not completely SS, would be a great choice too. Sturdy AS ****.
Dennis
I vote for something with Full SS scales. Pinned construction (so no screws to go AWOL), no plastic anywhere, virtually indestructable.
Dragonfly SS, Delica4 SS, Endura4 SS, Police SS come to mind. Depends on your preferred size; IMO, the Endura is the perfect EDC size and will be big enough for most tasks that will pop up in the next decades, although the Delica will do that just as well for 95% of these chores.
Personally, I would consider the H1 Mariner... This thing won't rust in 100 years (even if you take it with you 6 feet under), but maybe SE is not the best for such a long lifespan.
Persian, although not completely SS, would be a great choice too. Sturdy AS ****.
Dennis
jezabel wrote:A Persian of course!
+1 on Persian, especially if you want to pass to next generation or take to the grave.butterknife wrote:One knife, for EDC use, that I could use for the next 50 years. And hopefully still be good enough to pass down to the next generation. Or take with me to my grave. Whichever is more appropriate at the time.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf"
My top choices Natives5, Calys, C83 Persian
My top choices Natives5, Calys, C83 Persian
As mentioned, I would expect any (inc the FRN models) to make this if they are not abused. So I would simply pick the model I liked most (good luck with THAT one! ;-) ) and take reasonable care of it.
All the rec are good. The recs for the ti and ss handled models are "probably" "technically" the most durable but you are really splitting hairs. I would not let that swing your decision.
I would probably stay away from a BBL or CBBL as we don't know how the springs will hold up 50 years from now. Don't get me wrong, those are my favorite locks, by far, and I would expect them to last but something like a frame lock sage is more certain. Fewer parts is always better from a reliability POV. Honestly, for your quest, that would be my choice.
Ken
All the rec are good. The recs for the ti and ss handled models are "probably" "technically" the most durable but you are really splitting hairs. I would not let that swing your decision.
I would probably stay away from a BBL or CBBL as we don't know how the springs will hold up 50 years from now. Don't get me wrong, those are my favorite locks, by far, and I would expect them to last but something like a frame lock sage is more certain. Fewer parts is always better from a reliability POV. Honestly, for your quest, that would be my choice.
Ken
玉鋼
EDC where and for what types of work? Are you going to open boxes and letters or cut some twine? Or, are you an electrician, plumber, trekker, EMT, police officer? Do you have any blade length limitations or preferences? Do you want an effective brute or do you want something a little more upscale? I think Kopas make the best "heirloom." If you want when, get it now, they're not gonna get any less expensive.
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ChapmanPreferred
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In the current production runs of Spyderco knives I would say maybe the good ole venerable G10 Military. Or a Kiwi of any description :)
If you are able to get one of these then get them :p
1) Persian - Large or Mini
2) Caly in micarta
3) Kopa
4) Kris
If you are able to get one of these then get them :p
1) Persian - Large or Mini
2) Caly in micarta
3) Kopa
4) Kris
Cheers
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
Ti Military! It's taken over ten years for that thing to come out and it will probably keep its value for a very long time.
If you need something smaller, the knife I actually intend on carrying for the foreseeable future is the ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Caly 3. Pretty much everything on that knife hits the sweet spot with me. The blade steel, the feel of the handle shape, the way the clip carries, and it looks great.
If you need something smaller, the knife I actually intend on carrying for the foreseeable future is the ZDP-189 Carbon Fiber Caly 3. Pretty much everything on that knife hits the sweet spot with me. The blade steel, the feel of the handle shape, the way the clip carries, and it looks great.
Cannot Die Happy Without The Maxamet Yojumbo
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Pneumothorax
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My first response would be Caly 3 (any flavor, but I have CF/ZDP). Great ergos, good mid-size blade, classic Spydie design. But only issue I have there is that you cant take it apart to clean and do maintenance (50 yrs is a long time). While Ive stated that I am more a smaller knife EDC due to office environment...if I could only have ONE knife that would be it.
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2011: G10 Dragonfly ^ Breeden Rescue ^ Bug ^ Honeybee ^ Centofante 3 ^ Woodcraft Mule ^SFO Visit Buys = Frn Stretch & Native 4 CF!! ^ Salt 1 ^ Burgundy Calypso ZDP-189 ^ Walker Blue Almite ^ Native 5 ^ Squeak ^ Chaparral ^ Urban Olive Green ^ STREET BEAT!!...
2012: Caly Jr (vintage/NIB!), SS Navigator-fave LBK of all time, Jester, Orange Dodo, CS Orange PM2,Techno, Bradley! AIR!!
2011: G10 Dragonfly ^ Breeden Rescue ^ Bug ^ Honeybee ^ Centofante 3 ^ Woodcraft Mule ^SFO Visit Buys = Frn Stretch & Native 4 CF!! ^ Salt 1 ^ Burgundy Calypso ZDP-189 ^ Walker Blue Almite ^ Native 5 ^ Squeak ^ Chaparral ^ Urban Olive Green ^ STREET BEAT!!...
2012: Caly Jr (vintage/NIB!), SS Navigator-fave LBK of all time, Jester, Orange Dodo, CS Orange PM2,Techno, Bradley! AIR!!
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butterknife
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I'm a graphics designer. But I tend to do a little bit of everything. Yes, there's boxes and letters that need opened, but there's also wires that need cut, wood that needs whittled, tape that needs scored, ropes that need cut, lines that need severed, lives that need rescuing, wimps (me) that need defending, y'know. Just the average, everyday needs of your average everyman.EDC where and for what types of work? Are you going to open boxes and letters or cut some twine? Or, are you an electrician, plumber, trekker, EMT, police officer? Do you have any blade length limitations or preferences? Do you want an effective brute or do you want something a little more upscale? I think Kopas make the best "heirloom." If you want when, get it now, they're not gonna get any less expensive.
Of all the knives Spyderco makes, my vote for the one you will pass on or pass away with, is the UKPN.
Locks wear out. I don't expect any liner or framelock to see 50 years of use. I give a good liner lock 10 years, and frankly from what I have seen, not sure I would give a good framelock much more.
Back locks wear out also. Depends on how you use them, and more importantly how you open them.
And as one poster put it, most of the newer lock designs just don't have the years on them yet to make any judgements about longevity.
The slipjoint has been with us forever. We all have examples our grandparents gave to us that still work after decades of work. Honestly, for the better part of a century our grandpa's (in the US) fought a few global wars, farmed, worked the mills, and factories for a century of hard work. We forget that most of what we have today, was built by men (and women) who had a slipjoint in thier pocket, and did not have the means or money to have and "EDC rotation."
Locks wear out. I don't expect any liner or framelock to see 50 years of use. I give a good liner lock 10 years, and frankly from what I have seen, not sure I would give a good framelock much more.
Back locks wear out also. Depends on how you use them, and more importantly how you open them.
And as one poster put it, most of the newer lock designs just don't have the years on them yet to make any judgements about longevity.
The slipjoint has been with us forever. We all have examples our grandparents gave to us that still work after decades of work. Honestly, for the better part of a century our grandpa's (in the US) fought a few global wars, farmed, worked the mills, and factories for a century of hard work. We forget that most of what we have today, was built by men (and women) who had a slipjoint in thier pocket, and did not have the means or money to have and "EDC rotation."
As long as it's legal, I definitely recommend the Military.butterknife wrote:I'm a graphics designer. But I tend to do a little bit of everything. Yes, there's boxes and letters that need opened, but there's also wires that need cut, wood that needs whittled, tape that needs scored, ropes that need cut, lines that need severed, lives that need rescuing, wimps (me) that need defending, y'know. Just the average, everyday needs of your average everyman.
While the blade is a full 4" long, it also has a fine tip and very efficient cutting geometry (not a prybar). The handle is large and very comfortable, good for extended periods of cutting thick material.
With a keen edge you will also find that it puts most of your kitchen knives to shame.
Cannot Die Happy Without The Maxamet Yojumbo
There are 20 year old FRN pinned Spydies still going strong. Of course, they occasionally need sharpening unless your standard for "sharp" isn't very high. As you are a graphic designer, you probably are used to seeing unclean edges on cards and brochures. Having some way to sharpen it will be a good thing unless you want to mail it in every so often for a complimentary Spyderco sharpening.butterknife wrote:I'm a graphics designer. But I tend to do a little bit of everything. Yes, there's boxes and letters that need opened, but there's also wires that need cut, wood that needs whittled, tape that needs scored, ropes that need cut, lines that need severed, lives that need rescuing, wimps (me) that need defending, y'know. Just the average, everyday needs of your average everyman.
Of the materials I would be tempted as some have mentioned to go with a Salt knife. H1 doesn't rust and there isn't anything that needs lubing/cleaning really. It's also able to be smacked around a bit as FRN is flexible and very tough as is H1 to some degree (over steels that chip often).
I bold-faced the "wire cutting" because if you put a hard blade against even a thin wire it's possible to chip/roll the edge where it contacts it. Some steels will hold up to it much better (like M4 with the Gayle Bradley) but the best way to cut wires is with shears or snips.
Given this information, I'd still go with the Kopa, the Persian is also a good suggestion. Or, you could wait around a bit for the Ti UKPK. We all know that a well made slipjoint not subject to excessive abuse can last for a 100 years--and a decent knifemaker could also make a new spring for it even if it does fail and Spyderco can't fix it or doesn't exist anymore (bite my tongue). As stated, I don't believe that linerlocks are forever knives. I disagree about backlocks--I have several that have seen tons of use.butterknife wrote:I'm a graphics designer. But I tend to do a little bit of everything. Yes, there's boxes and letters that need opened, but there's also wires that need cut, wood that needs whittled, tape that needs scored, ropes that need cut, lines that need severed, lives that need rescuing, wimps (me) that need defending, y'know. Just the average, everyday needs of your average everyman.