Spyderco under $60

[Enkidude]

Looks like the other members gotch covered. I concur with the Delica and the Centofante3!! Can't go wrong.

[Deal4]

I checked out the Centofante 3, and it is a very nice knife, but it seems more like a gentleman's knife than a EDC. Anyone every used it in an EDC role? The blade seems pretty thin to really be beating on it. I am wanting a good tough blade.
I still like the Native as a good tough knife, but is out of my price range. Can a person ever find it for around $40? That is my price limit. This is going to be my Christmas present from my wife! It is awesome to have a wife that doesn't think I'm weird that I love flashlights and knives! I am a blessed man!

Still looking at the Byrd Meadowlark in G10 or the Persistence, if I can't find anything else in my price range. I've got a couple more days before I order one.
Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!

[jackknifeh]

I checked out the Centofante 3, and it is a very nice knife, but it seems more like a gentleman's knife than a EDC. Anyone every used it in an EDC role? The blade seems pretty thin to really be beating on it. I am wanting a good tough blade.
I still like the Native as a good tough knife, but is out of my price range. Can a person ever find it for around $40? That is my price limit. This is going to be my Christmas present from my wife! It is awesome to have a wife that doesn't think I'm weird that I love flashlights and knives! I am a blessed man!

Still looking at the Byrd Meadowlark in G10 or the Persistence, if I can't find anything else in my price range. I've got a couple more days before I order one.
Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!

If you want a tougher knife I'd go with the Persistance. I had a Meadowlark and it's a nice knife. My son got the Persistance along with a Delica4 and Bob T. and a couple of others. He carries the Delica or Bob T most of the time but has mentioned several times how the Persistance is always there to rely on as a knife that he can use rough and if it gets a little scratched or something he doesn't care like he would if the Bob T got a big scratch. Plus, he told me once he hadn't come across a task that the Persistance couldn't handle.

You will also need to sharpen the knife from time to time so think about what tools you have for that. The least expensive and great tool to get IMO is the Spyderco Double-Stuff sharpener that I've used. With it you can keep any knife sharp as a razor. To re-profile an edge you will need something more.

On a personal note, your wife probably recognizes that men who like knives and flashlights are a great find. I think it was the early 70s when women wanted to demonstrate their equality with men they either burned their bra or bought a knife. When I saw them getting knives I knew we men were in real trouble and would have to give them the vote soon. :) Good jobs too. :D

Jack

[Deal4]

If you want a tougher knife I'd go with the Persistance. I had a Meadowlark and it's a nice knife. My son got the Persistance along with a Delica4 and Bob T. and a couple of others. He carries the Delica or Bob T most of the time but has mentioned several times how the Persistance is always there to rely on as a knife that he can use rough and if it gets a little scratched or something he doesn't care like he would if the Bob T got a big scratch. Plus, he told me once he hadn't come across a task that the Persistance couldn't handle.

You will also need to sharpen the knife from time to time so think about what tools you have for that. The least expensive and great tool to get IMO is the Spyderco Double-Stuff sharpener that I've used. With it you can keep any knife sharp as a razor. To re-profile an edge you will need something more.

Jack

Thanks for your thoughts Jack!
Good to know about the Persistence.
I guess the only thing that is keeping me from jumping on the Persistence is that I have a Kershaw that is very similar in design. It has been discontinued and I cant think what they called it, but it has a full flat ground blade with similar dimentions.
If it weren't for that I would already have a Persistence. O well, I still have a couple more days to make us my mind!: :rolleyes:
Sometimes the hunt is almost as much fun as figuring out what you want! :D
As for a sharpening system, I already have a lansky sharpening system. I know it's not as good as Spydercos, but it works for now. I can't complain.
Shad

[Blerv]

The Cento3 is a solid knife for all duties except prying. Honestly I was paranoid too since it was my 2nd knife. Now I realize 99% of the time I wish my blade was thinner because they just slice great and sharpen easy. A thin knife is still very thick vertically, just don't twist through a cut or try and pull staples with it, hehe.

[ValueKnifeLover]

If its down to the Meadowlark or Persistence: I'd vote the Persistence all day. That whole line of knives is awesome. I like my Byrd knives but theres just something about them... I prefer the Tenacious family over the Byrds. Plus you get the joy of it saying "Spyderco". The opening hole looks better IMO and I think you will find it far outperforms the super low price you paid....

i have to admit I skipped a lot of posts so not sure what happened to you considering the Delica... but it's the knife that if people tell me they only want one knife with a reasonable price tag that I suggest 100% of the time now. I've used mine so much and it's pretty much the perfect EDC utility blade. I think everybody should own one! haha just my 2cents

[Deal4]

If its down to the Meadowlark or Persistence: I'd vote the Persistence all day. That whole line of knives is awesome. I like my Byrd knives but theres just something about them... I prefer the Tenacious family over the Byrds. Plus you get the joy of it saying "Spyderco". The opening hole looks better IMO and I think you will find it far outperforms the super low price you paid....

i have to admit I skipped a lot of posts so not sure what happened to you considering the Delica... but it's the knife that if people tell me they only want one knife with a reasonable price tag that I suggest 100% of the time now. I've used mine so much and it's pretty much the perfect EDC utility blade. I think everybody should own one! haha just my 2cents

Hey ValueKnifeLover,
I hear what you are saying. There are a couple other things that I haven't mentioned earlier about my choice for a knife. Being a missionary, I really don't want to look too aggressive, in fact, if no one knew I had a knife on me that would be great! It's not illegal to have a knife here, but it's not always seen as a good thing to the locals. Because of that I ruled out the Cara Cara. It's a big knife.
I already have a number of knives and my main EDC is a Kershaw that has been discontinued, but has almost the exact same demensions that the Persistence has. The Kershaw is not quite an 1/8 of an inch longer. The idea of getting a new knife is to have one that you don't already have. I know, the Kershaw isn't a Sypderco, but it is still a very nice FFG blade that I really enjoy using. :) It would be hard to use the Persistence when the Kershaw is made in the good ol USA, and is so similar.
I think the Meadowlark 2 in G10 will be a good entry into Spydi land for me. I'm sure before too long, I will have to man up and get a real Spyderco. I would love a Native, or even better a Manix, but this should be a doable knife for now. If I was to lose it it would stini, but not quite as bad as a really expensive one.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply and share your ideas! I have appreciated hearing from you all.
Shad

[paisa777]

If $40 is your limit, have you thought of getting the Endura Combo Overstock Special from Cutlery Shoppe? It's $40 shipped. Here is the link for it: http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/delica4lwt ... dge-1.aspx

[Evil D]

I checked out the Centofante 3, and it is a very nice knife, but it seems more like a gentleman's knife than a EDC. Anyone every used it in an EDC role? The blade seems pretty thin to really be beating on it. I am wanting a good tough blade.

As with anything else, this is gonna vary from one person to the next, as far as what "beating on it" includes. I have the Centofante 4 (wharnie version of the Cento 3) and i've used it to cut tons of corrugated boxes, which can be upwards of ~3/8 thick, and i have yet to feel that the knife is too weak for doing it. I wouldn't go splitting 2x4 boards with it or cutting car tires apart, but for typical (typical meaning reasonable) EDC, it does just fine.

The thing about a thin blade that you have to consider is, for cutting and slicing, a thinner blade will have less resistance so it doesn't have to be as strong as a knife that would be used for bushcraft or heavy outdoors type stuff.

That said, the Cento 4 is one of my all time favorite Spydies. I was really let down to see it get discoed.

[Deal4]

If $40 is your limit, have you thought of getting the Endura Combo Overstock Special from Cutlery Shoppe? It's $40 shipped. Here is the link for it: http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/delica4lwt ... dge-1.aspx

Yeah, that is a very good deal! :) Just wish it wasn't a combo edge. I actually considered it, but decided against it as I try to stay away from combo edges. I stink at shartening them!

[Drkknight614]

Just buy a delica or endura already, they both in your budget. Or spend $12 more and get the satin manix 2.

[spyderfan123]

Delica 4, persistance or the ambitious that looks a bit like the salsa in my opinion

[Deal4]

Thanks everyone for your time and advice!
I really would have liked to have gotten a Delica4, but with funds as they are I went ahead and ordered a Byrd Meadowlark 2 with G10. I won't be too upset if this knife gets banged up as it gets used and abused.
I know, you say it's not as good as the Delica 4, but it does have a finger choil that the Delica does not, and it was considerably less than $60. I could have gotten 2 for that price easily, but I am trying to be wise and not buy more than I can afford at this time :) .
Although you guys do make it quite hard to be satisfied. :D
Again thanks and I look forward to seeing what the future brings!
Shad

[Deal4]

Well, it has been a while now and I have really liked my Meadowlark 2. It really fits my hand and is very well built. It wasn't the smoothest knife I have every bought initially, but with time playing with it/working with it, it has smoothed out nicely. I have been quite impressed with this knife from the Bryd line. I will definitely recommend this line to others looking for a high quality work knife that isn't expensive!
My only complaint it that the pocket clip has quite a bit of play side to side, and it feels that if I try to tighten the screws down any further they will strip out.
Well I have been pleased with the Meadowlark, but it has convinced me I need a REAL Spyderco! I just bought a Native on-line and am now waiting for it to be shipped to me from family in the States. I live in Asia Pacific so it may be a while before it comes here.
I am really looking forward to the Native as I really like the design and size of the knife! Perfect for EDC in my opinion!
Any words of wisdom in sharpening the S30V steel? I am still using the Lansky system. Anyone have any experience using the Lansky with the Native?

[Clip]

Don't have a Native, but I used the Lansky for all my knives until I got an Edge Pro. IMO it's a great system as long as you take care to position the clamp in the same place each time, and use light strokes. I hear a lot of people say S30V is a bit harder to work with, but I've never had problems getting a good edge with the Lansky stones.

[Deal4]

One nice thing about the Native for the Lansky sharpening set is that since it isn't FFG it will get easier to clamp it together.
Anyone have any hints how to clamp a FFG blade with the Lansky system? The FFG blades always want to tilt one way or the other. Other than that, FFG knives are my favorite.

[Bill1170]

I've only read the first page but I add my testimony to the chorus of "Get a FFG Delica. You won't regret it." I own several and they are just wonderful, slim and light, insanely capable knives. VG-10 is a really great steel for EDC use, too.

Edited to add: Oops! Didn't check the dates to realize this was an old thread. I already posted I it last year. Oh well.