Spyderco under $60

[.357 mag]

I am leaning toward the Delica, but I really don't like the painted clip. I makes me think of a much cheaper knife.
I like the clip on the Cat or Dragonfly much better or maybe if the clip wasn't painted at all.

I polished my clip on my delica. Some 150,400,1500 grit is all you need.

[dbcad]

I am leaning toward the Delica, but I really don't like the painted clip. I makes me think of a much cheaper knife.
I like the clip on the Cat or Dragonfly much better or maybe if the clip wasn't painted at all.

Welcome Deal4, Enjoy the forum :)

I second what folks have said about a Delica Saber ground or FFG. For me it's a price it can't be beat :)

[Drkknight614]

Yea if this is your first spyderco and or first good knife....delica is the way to go.

[Minibear453]

If you want something a bit longer... Endura? Exactly the same, well almost, but it's just longer overall.

[Cave Dave]

Of the ones mentioned I actually prefer the Cat.

[Deal4]

Agreed. I like the wire clip better from a design perspective. The standard clip is very tough though. Didn't enjoy the black clip on my pink Delica4 either. But some paint remover took care of the black paint and now the clip is a nice, understated matte grey color. I intentionally left it unpolished and left some of the color in the spyder logo so it stands out a bit.

Wow SuzieQ, I like what you did with your pocket clip! Very sharp! :D I like the matte finish. Will have to think about that a little harder!
I do have a question. How is the Delica 4 on your pants pockets? I have a number of knives that after a while start to shred the edges of my pockets. I like how grippy the FRN handles look but seems they would really wear my pockets out fast!
Thoughts?

[Deal4]

I echo all the good sentiments about the Delica.

However, if you have a tight budget and want a good knife, the Byrd Meadowlark or Cara Cara will not disappoint. Even though I own two Delicas and Enduras, I'm very impressed with the like Byrd offerings. I'd even say I prefer the ergonomics of the Cara Cara over the Endura. The Endura has better steel and comes in nice colors and is worth the extra money. But if you buy and carry a Cara Cara you will not feel like you have a bad knife at all. You could order both a Meadowlark and Cara Cara and still spend less than ordering one Delica. That's what I'd do if my budget were tight.

Yeah, I have thought about this as well. I do like the design of the Cara Cara 2 over the Endura as the Cara Cara 2 has the finger choil so I can choke up on the blade.
Also with the funds as tight as they are this possibly could be my entry in the Spyderco line. In time, providing I do like the Cara Cara 2, I will branch out into the regular Spyderco line.
Still kicking stuff around.
Thanks for all the thoughts! Very encouraging for a noob like myself! :)

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Deal4,

With the Cara Cara 2 and Meadowlark 2 you'd get two knives very comparable to the Endura 4 and Delica 4 for less than the price of a Delica 4 alone. Well under your $60 budget total, with money left to save up for your next Spyderco. Another good side is the ergonomics. Like you, I adore the better finger choil on the Byrd offerings and am surprised I actually prefer them in hand.

The downsides are in the blade steel and brand name cache. 8Cr13MoV isn't bad steel at all, but it's a bit less corrosion resistant than VG-10 and also doesn't hold an edge as long. This is partially compensated by the fact that it sharpens up quite easily. Personally, I find 8Cr13MoV quite acceptable for a working blade, but I'm not a sophisticated steel afficianado either. On the brand name cache side, you might be left wanting a "real Spyderco" at some point.

Food for thought,

Moe

[jackknifeh]

Making a choice of so many great selections is difficult. For a "one and only" knife from the ones discussed I'd go for the Delica4 FFG or Native lightweight which are both around or under your money limit. For me I would go for the Native because I like the choils and handle better. Other than that I think the Delica4 or Native would be better than the others mentioned even though thay are all great only because of a little larger size. I know you mentioned "around 2 1/2"" but a little extra length may come in handy from time to time. Just me think out keyboard. :)

Good luck,
Jack

[Taonari]

I'd start with a Delica 4 FFG. They come in plenty of colors and make a super lightweight EDC blade. The Delica is one of Spyderco's top sellers and has an excellent reputation. The steel is great, the ergonomics are great, and the FRN handle is great.

[jackknifeh]

I'd start with a Delica 4 FFG. They come in plenty of colors and make a super lightweight EDC blade. The Delica is one of Spyderco's top sellers and has an excellent reputation. The steel is great, the ergonomics are great, and the FRN handle is great.

Are you trying to say the Delica4 FFG is great? :D Just kidding. :)

Jack

[Bill1170]

The FRN handles combine excellent grip with kindness to your pockets.

Somewhere on this planet there may be a soul who used a Delica and then regretted getting it, but I have not met him! Delicas are classics for a reason. They get so many things so right and are greater than the sum of their parts.

[jackknifeh]

The FRN handles combine excellent grip with kindness to your pockets.

Somewhere on this planet there may be a soul who used a Delica and then regretted getting it, but I have not met him! Delicas are classics for a reason. They get so many things so right and are greater than the sum of their parts.

I got a Delica and regretted it. Now you have met one Bill. I should have gotten two. :) I have not carried a Delica4 for a while to use something else. Even though it isn't my absolute favorite knife I remember why I like them whenever I pick one up. Great knife.

Jack

[M55]

One more vote for the Delica! Delica 4 FFG, to be precise.

When I first got into Spyderco I actually avoided both the Delica and the Endura models for months, as they looked "weird" to me from the pictures I saw online; then one day I was at the local knife store and the guy mentions that some colours of the Delica 4 and Endura 4 FFG were on sale, I asked him to show me one of each. Soon as I held a Delica 4 FFG in my hand I *knew* I had to have it! The design is amazing and if you have any kind of eye for functional design, you'll appreciate this knife. Add to all that a nice VG-10 steel, fully customizable pocket clip and torx construction, the package becomes complete. I got 2 of both the Delica 4 FFG and Endura 4 FFG now.

[Evil D]

The Delica is sort of like a good old ash baseball bat...there are those nice high tech aluminum bats that might be prettier, but they don't necessarily do the job any better. Simplicity is an overlooked feature.

[Tdog]

The Delica FFG is a great knife. If you don't like the black clip you can order a silver one from Spyderco outlet.... only a few bucks. Or as another poster said you can polish the existing one. You'll be pleased with the Delica. Razor sharp out of the box.

[Deal4]

Wow, you guys (and gals) sure are passionate about your favorite :spyder: knives aren't you! :D
Well, I hope you all won't hate me :eek: , but as the funds are tight and I don't need a fancy knife at this time, (my family and I are missionaries) I think I have narrowed it down to the Byrd Cara Cara 2 G10, the Persistence, or the Tenacious. This will be a work knife, not a show knife.
What first caused me to look at Spyderco knives is the lack of a thumb stud. Maybe my jeans will last a little longer now!
I really would like to have a Native or Delica, but I need to remember that it is just a knife, and the cheaper knives will do the job.
So, if you were going to buy one of the 3 earlier knives, is there one that jumps out at you?
Thanks all! :)

[Minibear453]

Well, Persistence and Tenacious are almost the same, except size, so I'd look at that. Aside from that, Tenacious. I prefer the G10 scales, and the liner lock, rather than than the Cara Cara 2. However, the Cara Cara is almost identical to the Endura except for steel and texturing. Either way, they both work. They're spydercos after all.

[Deal4]

Well, Persistence and Tenacious are almost the same, except size, so I'd look at that. Aside from that, Tenacious. I prefer the G10 scales, and the liner lock, rather than than the Cara Cara 2. However, the Cara Cara is almost identical to the Endura except for steel and texturing. Either way, they both work. They're spydercos after all.

Thanks Minibear453,
Of the Tenacious or the Persistence, I prefer the Persistence as it closer to the size I am wanting.
The Cara Cara2 I am looking at has G10 handles. The Cara Cara2 is a large knife, but quite thin so is seems smaller than it is.
Just my 2 cents.
Eventually I would like to get a Manix 2! I love the design! Maybe next Christmas if I save all my pennies till then. I really like the Sage 3 too, but that one is way down the line!
Have a good one everyone!

[SuzieQ]

Well, I hope you all won't hate me :eek: , but as the funds are tight and I don't need a fancy knife at this time, (my family and I are missionaries) I think I have narrowed it down to the Byrd Cara Cara 2 G10, the Persistence, or the Tenacious. This will be a work knife, not a show knife.
What first caused me to look at Spyderco knives is the lack of a thumb stud. [...]
So, if you were going to buy one of the 3 earlier knives, is there one that jumps out at you?
Thanks all! :)

Since I quite like the size and overall ergonomics of my Endura I would put in my vote for the Cara Cara. It's a little larger than I would want to carry around on a daily basis but if I'd have to choose only one knife from my collection this would probably be it.

As for the handle material, I actually find the FRN on my Spydies more pocket friendly than the G-10. Somehow the G-10 seems more abrasive and less healthy for my pockets. I would also take the weight difference into consideration. FRN makes for a fantastic lightweight knife in this size range. I find 30 grams more or less actually make a difference on an EDC blade.