Must have models

[quattrokid73]

Here's a long list of must haves:

Delica FRN
Endura FRN
Stretch FRN
UKPK
Salt 1 SE (YELLOW!!!)
Dodo

I left out a bunch but only because they are not lefty-ish.

[MCM]

Folders?
In no order........

Dodo
Yojimbo
Military (S90v)
Large Manix
M4 Gayle Bradley
FFG Manix2
CF Sage
Lum Chinese Folder
CF Stretch
CF Michael Walker

Is where I would start.........
But everyone is different.......
Get the one's you like best!

[JLS]

As much as I like the Native design, the Native 4 is much better in nearly all respects. It's a very comfortable design, yet slim in the pocket. The Native 4 (currently just in CF but coming soon in other less expensive flavors) gives us a flat ground blade with a 4-way clip option. The hole is still slightly covered, but I can live with it for everything else it does well.

I haven't had a regular Native in years and don't remember it having an usually soft action, but mine were an early Gin-1 model and a BF "blue" Native. The Native 4 is quite solid to me regarding lockup.

Other must haves are a Military, a Calypso Jr - either micarta or FRN, a Cricket, a Moran and a Mule. These are the ones I end up using most often and are still fairly available if not still standard production. As much as I don't want to see the day, I could survive with these quite happily. If you don't need a needle-sharp point on a big knife, the Stretch is a great alternative to the Military.

[Ookami]

I can't believe nobody mentioned the good old Police model. :eek:

Together with the Worker model this is *the* classic Spyderco knife.


Ookami
________
Honda motocompo history

[JLS]

I'm taking the "user oriented" approach, where the original Police doesn't do it for me. The Police 3 is another story that is better in nearly all respects, at least for me. But I still heavily favor the Military over the P3.

I've never had a Worker, but have recently started looking...just because.

[Dagon]

Since the OP has a Caly 3, I wouldn't suggest the Sage at this stage since it's very close in size.

What I recommend:
- smaller: Kopa or Kiwi
- somewhat bigger: Stretch 2, any version you like.
- quite a bit bigger: Military

With this set you can in essence take on anything!
2 more recommended specialisations:
- Manix 2 or Gayle Bradley for a heavy duty workhorse folder
- Chokwe is my favourite ethnic-inspired model, and it's still available

[bh49]

Discontinued ones to get if possible:
Persian - large or mini

Daniel,
I am not sure what "or" means. Is it translated from Australian to English as "and"? :) :D I am shocked that you didn't say:"Multiple"

Also I am quite surprised that nobody mentioned Bob T slipit, Bob Lum Tanto folder and fixed, Lil Temperance.
Future runs of Caly3.5, G10 FFG Native4, Shabaria, Matriarch, Junior,

[v8r]

Chinook II, Native II, Kris, and Military.......and I forgot a Tuffram Civilian,or Shabaria,Spydercard................how many choices do we have? :D

[ChapmanPreferred]

Sharpmaker with diamond rods, something Plainedge, something Spyderedge (Serrated), Military, Endura/Pacific Salt sized, Delica/Salt 1 sized, Cricket/Dragonfly sized, Hawkbill (Tazman/Spyderhawk), Collaboration (at least one with Ed Schempp), Rescue model (any size), something with a ball lock of some sort, a fixed blade, and a sprint run.

[ozspyder]

Daniel,
I am not sure what "or" means. Is it translated from Australian to English as "and"? :) :D I am shocked that you didn't say:"Multiple"

LOL Roman, was waiting for you to pick up on the nuances there :p

As they are both discontinued I felt it was wiser for me to say either one hence the use of "OR". In my case multiples of both are a necessity of course :D

When advising for knives that you must have I find it is easier to satisfy an enquiry for current or easier to find models. Models such as Mr Shabaria and Mr Persian surely are an adventure to find.

I have also found that while the rare and very sought after Spydies are excellent in their own right, it is the classic EDC style folders that end up doing a lot of EDC work. eg: My Millies are getting a **** of a lot of pocket time along with Caly 3.

[bh49]

Models such as Mr Shabaria and Mr Persian surely are an adventure to find.
My Millies are getting a **** of a lot of pocket time along with Caly 3.

That is true. But what can be better than adventure? :)
It took me long time to pick-up Shabaria PE at affordable for me price, now situation is a little different: with coming sprint I would relax and wait. With Persian is quite different. It is a great user, so I would watch secondary market for user. Just few days ago one was sold on-bay for little over $100. It didn't have a clip, other that this, judging on pictures it was in good condition. And 75 mm Persian shouldn't be a big problem now, but most dealers sold out.

[ChrisR]

I'd say that everyone should try at least 1 of the SLIPIT range - so the UKPK would be my recommendation :) Don't assume that locks are necessary until you have tried the ease of use of a SLIPIT :D

[captnvegtble]

Rock Salt... I know it's not great for everyday use, but it is one **** of a knife. Great ergonomics, comfortable, and is great for outdoor activities.

[padwan08]

In the currently available category, I'd say a

1. Stretch II in FRN
2. Delica FFG in whatever color agrees with you
3. Mariner Salt - I'm no longer a fan of serrations but the Mariner (more than the Police) is what I associated with Spyderco way back in the late 80s. To me, it is an iconic knife in their catalog. I have one on order.

In terms of the coming-soon-at-vendors-near-you classification, the following look interesting:

1. Blackie Collins Sage
2. Super Leaf
3. Paramilitary 2
4. Dialex Junior

[ace]

A solid top five that doesn't include anything too one dimensional would be:

1. Paramilitary, plain edge (its sort of the best concept they ever came up with, except the new version will rock better than the previous. A better choice than the too huge Military)

2. Sage, Carbon Fiber (with the very low rider clip and overall comfort and size, this is a super great EDC)

3. Persistence (a better knife in several ways than its big brother Tenacious, and very cheap to buy. Pound for pound the best value in a Spyderco)

4. Delica 4, g10 handles (a very solid light EDC and nice back lock option)

5. Dragon Fly (this a mini version of a Delica or Caly 3 but is not too small to be very useful. Love this knife and it is one of my most carried. WAY better option than something like the Chicago for a mini EDC

[thebestnoobcake]

I vote for the..

Stretch
Kiwi (more ergonomic than you might imagine)
Tenacious (proof that cheap knives aren't all rubbish)
Caly 3

[daundu]

Forest Green SE Jester
Black FRN PE Delica
Rock Salt
SS Police SE

And maybe a Matriarch.

[Reeper22]

Military
Paramilitary
Any Stretch
Manix 2 (any variation)
Any H1 knife
Delica or Endura
Ladybug
Warrior (for the hardcore)

[marcus1]

Of course it depends on your intended use, but I think for an all around great working EDC knife you need the classic Endura Full Serrated (or combo I guess). If you can't carry that size of knife then the Delica is a good alternative. I've carried an Endura for 12+ years and only recently started to carry alternatives.

If you want a FFG, I'm loving my Caly3 ZDP; but they do now have Delica's that would be a good cheaper alternative.

[HellHound]

Im a fan of the cheaper line the tenacious,endura,delica and native.Those are some beautiful,functional and most importantly cheap knives.