Very hard choice but after some thinking is this my top 5 from my current collection:
1. Southard: Awesome fit and finish. Great action, you can't stop playing with it. The best knife Spyderco ever produced. Also the steel is amazing just strop now and then and it stays wicked sharp
2. Kumo: This knife keeps amazing me. Its very elegant and the fit and finish are very good. And the wrap gives it that extra
3. Caly 3 Damascus: Stunning looking knife. The elegant forms of the Caly are always pleasing to the eye. And the damascus blade and CF scales with bolsters give it a very classy look. I would have prefered to see the bolsters in Ti but it stays an epic knife.
4. Original Starmate: This knife needs no introduction, a true piece of Spyderco history.
5. Techno: Chubby little tank! Very nice fit and finish. I love the thick blade. Also the shape and proportions of the knife a awesome.
Current EDC: Techno, Squeak, Southard Flipper, Caly 3.5
top 5 spyderco knives? now that is a tough call! here goes, but not in any order: 1. stretch zdp-189, native g-10, chapparal titanium, gayle bradley, superleaf. wow!!! did i pass over the starmate, sage 1&2, native fluted titanium, dragonfly g-10, valloton, leafstorm, and so many others? impossible question!!!
Short version:
1. Dodo
2. Native5
3. Lava G10
4. Spyderfly
5. Dragonfly (recent FRN and G10 models)
Long version.
1. Dodo: Total funk!
2. Native 5: Perfect size, shape, and visual lines.
3. Lava G10: Total funk! More Sprints please!
4. Spyderfly: A weird version of a balisong. Not like all the others. Different = cool.
5. Dragonfly: I haven't quite figured it out. It's like the bombshell model girlfriend with no brain. I love it for the looks. :D
Aqua Salt SE -- Great all around knife, and Rust Proof!
Bushcraft (seconds) -- best erganomics of any knife I've held
Chokwe -- A very unique design. Best fit/finish I've seen. Smooth as butter, and a great slicer.
Endura SB sprint -- quickly becoming one of my favorites. Great Steel and all around knife.
Lil' Matriach -- amazing cutting power for such a small knife!
Funny I didn't think others would include the Aqua Salt but it is also in my top 5 In no particular order cause they're ALL GREAT: Aqua Salt, CF Caly 3.5, Para, Sage 1, Domino Hard to stop at 5, I could probably go to 25 Can I please add the D&D Dragonfly and Delica must stop, must stop, must stop :spyder:
1. Southard -- Has yet to be displaced from my dresser or pocket, carry 4-5 days/week
2. Caly 3 Series -- Favorite: Damascus. The Caly is the most ergonomic series IMO
3. Salt I -- Amazed at the neglect (not abuse) it can take. Salt water Proof and easy to sharpen!
4. Delica -- Favorite: Super Blue, cuts like a laser!
5. Techno -- Least ergonomic of my top 5, but still love it for its Tankiness (the paraphrase,Phineas and Ferb, Tankiness, the most underrated of all the "ness"es)
Honorable Mention: Gayle Bradley, Jester and Lava
Glad you resurrected this thread. I was wondering how everyone's top Spyderco's have changed over the last year.
"The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself" John Stewart Mill
I've only got 3 but
-Caly 3. It's ruined me for other knives. Every time I think about buying another I ask myself why, caly 3 has it covered.
-Mule CTS-XHP Love the steel, love the performance
-D-Fly disappears in the pocket
Caly series (3, 3.5, Jr) - slicing machines
Lil' Temp - overbuilt, perfect fit
PPT - Taichung quality
20CP Para - a knife's knife
Forum Native - symbol of Spyderco's strong customer bond
All of these knives share amazing ergonomics, impressive fit and finish and are fine examples of steel done right.