Spyderco Addiction: somebody shoulda warned me... (long post)

[mnk241]

Oddly David, I think you and I were bit by the bug at around the same time. 6 months ago, had you asked me about Spyderco knives I would have said they all look like ugly birds! Then....a month or two ago I started drooling over the Manix 2 xl...I was broke so all I could do was drool over the youtube reviews. All Of Them!...then, an extra 100 bucks, and suddenly it was at my door..The Mega Manix..Its just cool. Sorry, I'm from the midwest and of a certain age and, well 'cool' is all I got for an adjective...love this knife. Can't wait for the sprint runs!!...What the heck are those?..Ya, I woulda thought a 'sprint run' was a charity jog two months ago..So I'm with ya brother. Mike

[fliktrik]

The Mega Manix..Its just cool. Sorry, I'm from the midwest and of a certain age and, well 'cool' is all I got for an adjective...love this knife.

Groovy! (See... you could've done much worse than 'cool')

[Shakyamuni]

Welcome to the forum David.

But I can't decide between the Caly 3 and 3.5. With the Colorado length restrictions, I think I should get the 3.5, but I *really love* the feel and handling of the Caly 3. And ooh... ZDP-189.

So you like the length of the Caly 3.5, but you like the carbon fiber and ZDP of the Caly 3? Guess what? You can have both! http://spydercollector.wordpress.com/20 ... 3-5-zdpcf/

[tonydahose]

lol...here use this gasoline to put out that fire :p

[peacekeeper]

So thats enough guys,now i'm really sick..αgain..explain that please to my wife..again !!!!!!

[peacekeeper]

Iam very sorry,welcome to the forum !!
I think i'm the only guy not beeing sick anymore on the forum??
next month we talk again!!
Of course about spidies what else,but i'm not sick,ok!!!

[DCDesigns]

Welcome, and Im afraid that is how it happens. You are hooked... Now just wait til you handle some of their premium models. You have not a chance my friend!

As for your sharpening skills, that will come only with practice. What bench stones are you using? You might want to think about investing in a good set of bench stones like some Nortons, Naniwas (if you have the $, one of the best synthetics), shaptons, or on the natural stone end, Hard Arkansas stones are cheap, Japanese naturals are expensive. I have one Nakayama Asagi stone (a 5+ in hardness, and over 25k grit, probably finer), that I use especially for my straight razor's finishing laps that set me back $200, an that was a considerable DEAL!! You think sharpening knives is hard, try razors!

If you find you cannot master the angles and consistancy needed to sharpen freehand, and you get really serious about seeing what sharp is, you can invest in a guided sharpening system like the wicked edge or similar. I believe they start at $400 though, so start saving change...

Your needs would be easily served by a Norton 220/1k stone. There is rare need to go higher. You can polish the edge cheaply by stropping with compounds if you like, or not so cheaply by buying higher grit stones. I have whelsh slates, scottish slates, belgian coticules, Black Surgical Arkansas stones, J-nats, Thuringians and many more. My hone collection is getting to be larger than my knife or razor collection.

[Pinetreebbs]

I want to make sure you know I was joking about the kids and bills. :) My attempt at humor.

Jack

Oh yes and was the same with my reply.

Just saw this sorry for the late reply.

[jackknifeh]

Welcome, and Im afraid that is how it happens. You are hooked... Now just wait til you handle some of their premium models. You have not a chance my friend!

As for your sharpening skills, that will come only with practice. What bench stones are you using? You might want to think about investing in a good set of bench stones like some Nortons, Naniwas (if you have the $, one of the best synthetics), shaptons, or on the natural stone end, Hard Arkansas stones are cheap, Japanese naturals are expensive. I have one Nakayama Asagi stone (a 5+ in hardness, and over 25k grit, probably finer), that I use especially for my straight razor's finishing laps that set me back $200, an that was a considerable DEAL!! You think sharpening knives is hard, try razors!

If you find you cannot master the angles and consistancy needed to sharpen freehand, and you get really serious about seeing what sharp is, you can invest in a guided sharpening system like the wicked edge or similar. I believe they start at $400 though, so start saving change...

Your needs would be easily served by a Norton 220/1k stone. There is rare need to go higher. You can polish the edge cheaply by stropping with compounds if you like, or not so cheaply by buying higher grit stones. I have whelsh slates, scottish slates, belgian coticules, Black Surgical Arkansas stones, J-nats, Thuringians and many more. My hone collection is getting to be larger than my knife or razor collection.

I decided one day to spend more money on one quality knife than I ever had before. I was SHOCKED at the prices as I looked around. Finally spent $60 on a knife. After I recovered from my heart attack I knew I was hooked and in the boat. :) Alas, another shock was coming. The cost of good sharpening tools. I've spent over $500 (easily) in the past 6 years on them. You don't have to spend that much thanks to this forum. You can get all kinds of information from people who have used the tools before you decide on what to get. I believe you can get by with spending $100 and have a great setup. Depending on how serious you get the "basic" setup of any system is usually only the beginning. I use an Edge Pro and a "basic" system is around $170. You can expand over time. The Wicked Edge is the only other system that is in the Edge Pro category on performance. I think it is a little more expensive but it depends on what you get used to as to which one you like best. The EP is great and so is the WE based on what users of the WE report.

What I found was that after getting better knives with better steel blades the old coarse and fine Arkansas stones I had been using for about 20 years wouldn't sharpen the edge at all. Just too old. I didn't know how to maintain them either. Another thing to consider is diamond sharpening tools. I'm used to DMT products. The quality is really good. Guess what. NOT CHEAP. If you want to free-hand sharpen I suggest a DMT set that I got recently. 4 grits in the same set of 2"x6" stones in a wooden box for $80. That is a great deal for the product if you want it. Got it from knifesupply.com I think.

So, don't do like me, purchasing so fast (or as fast as I could afford :) ) that I ended up with tools I don't use much or at all. Good luck and please ask questions. Lots of people here eager to help because we have nothing else to do. I mean because the folks here are great guys (and girls). :D

Jack



Jack

[fliktrik]

Re. sharpening tools: I ordered a Spyderco Sharpmaker just a few days after I bought that first Delica. I've had the Sharpmaker for a couple of weeks now, and so far it meets my needs very well. I haven't yet succumbed to the crazy-sharp temptation... just arm-hair-shaving-sharp has so far been good enough for me. But I know where to go if I ever get lured down that path!

[fliktrik]

Welcome to the forum David.



So you like the length of the Caly 3.5, but you like the carbon fiber and ZDP of the Caly 3? Guess what? You can have both! http://spydercollector.wordpress.com/20 ... 3-5-zdpcf/

Thanks! Actually, I did decide on the Caly 3 and ended up buying that one... that may not have been too clear in my original post. The Caly 3 seemed like the best fit (for me) as an EDC knife. At present, the Caly 3 (carbon fiber / ZDP) is the most expensive knife I've ever purchased. Of course, I've had a few second thoughts since coming home with the Caly 3, and would still like to have the 3.5 someday. The ultimate long-term solution will be as you suggest... both! :eek:

[dbcad]

Re. sharpening tools: I ordered a Spyderco Sharpmaker just a few days after I bought that first Delica. I've had the Sharpmaker for a couple of weeks now, and so far it meets my needs very well. I haven't yet succumbed to the crazy-sharp temptation... just arm-hair-shaving-sharp has so far been good enough for me. But I know where to go if I ever get lured down that path!

Pretty soon, when the buying slows down, the edge temptation will strike. Having a well built, ergonomic tool with top notch materials will no longer be enough :eek: You will want your blades to be as sharp as you can possibly make them :D

I'm not buying too many new knives lately, my latest is a Centofante3(2mm blade HG, $53). It came sharp, but getting the edge crazy sharp has been quite enjoyable :D It doesn't shave hair, the hairs jump out of the way as it approaches :D 2 years ago I couldn't sharpen a thing :o

It can be quite enjoyable to dabble in "the dark side" :D :D

[Sapho]

Unmentioned in the story above is my other new little habit... flicking the Spyderco knives open with one hand. These days when I'm sitting at home reading or watching TV, I usually have a Spyderco in hand... practicing the thumb flick trick. My wife tolerates it, but it seems to alarm our dog. I'll have to be sure not to unconsciously do this around visitors... I'm sure it'd look absolutely mental to the uninitiated...

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I do the exact same thing with my Spyderco knives while watching TV. My girlfriend doesnt like it but I remind her I am practicing for the day when the world gets overrun by zombies :p . Of course if that happens, not even a Spyderco will save us .

[fliktrik]

Pretty soon, when the buying slows down, the edge temptation will strike. Having a well built, ergonomic tool with top notch materials will no longer be enough :eek: You will want your blades to be as sharp as you can possibly make them :D

I'm not buying too many new knives lately, my latest is a Centofante3(2mm blade HG, $53). It came sharp, but getting the edge crazy sharp has been quite enjoyable :D It doesn't shave hair, the hairs jump out of the way as it approaches :D 2 years ago I couldn't sharpen a thing :o

It can be quite enjoyable to dabble in "the dark side" :D :D

lol.... thanks for the warning!