Sage 6 first impressions

[Eroc223556]

So far I love mine which I received yesterday at 10:30…. Ive had a chance to use it and compare to my sage 5 in rex121 and it made me love the button even more! Its a great knife design and can’t wait for the s90 one to drop so I can pick it up as well. Spyderco hit it out the park again!

[sal]

Hi Eroc,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[gk4ever2]

I recently received an S30V Sage 6. I was going to wait for the S90V version, but decided to try the regular one – it looks very similar to a Sage 1 (except for obviously the different locks). So what's my opinion of the Sage 6 lock - it's a huge improvement to the comp lock! The button works smoothly, and requires only moderate pressure to unlock the knife. Importantly, the grips are even where the thumb rests (there's no dished out portion on one side to access the comp lock lever).

Here's a funny story: just prior to handling the Sage 6 for the first time, I was also trying an Autonomy 2 (an auto knife with a button release to actuate the blade). I also have some other side-opening automatics, so when I picked up the Sage 6 I almost pressed the button to open the knife before I reminded myself it's not an auto (I think this falls into the category of trying to teach an old dog a new trick ).

In summary, the Sage 6 lock is a huge improvement, and makes this knife a keeper for me! I hope to see this lock replace the comp lock on other knives (when will the Military 3 be available? ).

[hobbyist]

Speaking of wrong muscle memory, how many people have the Sage 5 muscle memory ingrained in them? I just got my Sage 6. It's got amazing quality, but I keep trying to operate it like a Sage 5! :)

[Soban]

I recently received an S30V Sage 6. I was going to wait for the S90V version, but decided to try the regular one – it looks very similar to a Sage 1 (except for obviously the different locks). So what's my opinion of the Sage 6 lock - it's a huge improvement to the comp lock! The button works smoothly, and requires only moderate pressure to unlock the knife. Importantly, the grips are even where the thumb rests (there's no dished out portion on one side to access the comp lock lever).

Here's a funny story: just prior to handling the Sage 6 for the first time, I was also trying an Autonomy 2 (an auto knife with a button release to actuate the blade). I also have some other side-opening automatics, so when I picked up the Sage 6 I almost pressed the button to open the knife before I reminded myself it's not an auto (I think this falls into the category of trying to teach an old dog a new trick ).

In summary, the Sage 6 lock is a huge improvement, and makes this knife a keeper for me! I hope to see this lock replace the comp lock on other knives (when will the Military 3 be available? ).

its for sure superior to regular comp lock. im gonna leave my 2nd detent in cause it gives the action a liner lock..y feel to it vs a standard free swinging button lock though i am a little curious what mods can be done. i lubed second detent and that helps a lot with action. a button comp shaman would be fantastic.

[EssKay]

I'm brand new here (and to the hobby in general), but have had my Sage 6 for about 10 days now and can't put it down.

I have a Para 3 as well and that was my first Spyderco that I had for about 2 weeks before the Sage 6 (also have a slipit Lil Native).... The compression lock on the Para 3 is so great that I wanted to get another and the button of the Sage 6 intrigued me.

So now the button compression lock has won me over! Its my favorite part of the knife. It convinced me to buy a Smock as well, (which I received today) - but the Sage 6's size/ergonomics is really what makes it my favorite knife. Its a perfect combo of usability/carry-ability and fidget-factor.

I am actually glad I got a "basic" S30V one as I just want to carry it every time I leave the house.
I can't want for the Sprints and hopefully some exclusives of the Sage 6 to hit market so I can buy more.

And REALLY hope the button-lock makes it onto other models. The Smock is cool, but I prefer the ergo's of the more traditional handles better.

[da1cyclist]

@Esskay What do you think between the Smock & Sage6? I have both too & was surprised by the one I like more.

[Wartstein]

@gk4ever2 @Soban @EssKay have not tried a Sage 6 myself, but from all I can see I also wish that the button lock will make it to other models... or even replace the "regular" comp.lock wherever the overall shape and design of the knife allows for that.
(I´ll probably actually only try the button lock if it comes in a larger Spydie than the Sage is (but not the Smock))

And yes, a "Millie 3" with the button would be amazing!

[olywa]

Button Bodacious would be awfully hard to resist.

[mikey177]

Likewise, a button lock Shaman may eliminate the complaint that some users have regarding the nub hitting their finger when closing the knife.

[Michal O]

I would love K390 version.

[EssKay]

@Esskay What do you think between the Smock & Sage6? I have both too & was surprised by the one I like more.

I've had the Smock for like 24 hours and haven't carried or used it to cut anything yet - so this is purely from ergo's and just opening and closing the two....

Sage 6 is by far more comfortable in my hand (XL gloves, longer fingers). The 'taller' and curved handle suit me a bit better. But I have not perfected my 'spidey-flip' opening technique yet. I usually open it using what I believe people call the "drop flick" technique (again - I am really new!).

The Smock opens much easier because of the flipper. And closes the same as a Sage 6 right now. But it just doesn't feel as natural in the hand. My instinct is to put my index finger in the front finger choil - which is a bit uncomfortable on the Smock for me (would have sacrificed some cutting edge for more of a rounded feel like the Sage). And the shorter overall profile just isn't as perfect for me. I also got the all-black aluminum one so the grip isn't as secure as G10 on the Sage 6.

Overall - Smock is the looker and the Sage 6 is the user for me. Nothing wrong with that!

[Wartstein]

Button Bodacious would be awfully hard to resist.

It would be indeed and very much so, but I think technically they probably could not implement a button comp.lock in the Bodacious in the current form and shape - ? (Tall blade without any choil/cutout and button lock would not fit into that comparably narrow handle?)

[destroid]

A combination of the great ergonomics of the Dragonfly scaled up with the function and quality materials of the Smock

[Wallach]

I just got my S90V sprint run Sage 6 in the mail about an hour ago. It's even better than I expected - probably the most perfect EDC knife I've ever seen come out of Spyderco. The carbon fiber is so well done, they have some kind of peel-ply texture milled into the surface giving it great grip compared to almost any other carbon fiber I've handled (even though I can confirm the scales are pure carbon fiber on this model).

Also, removing the second detent was extremely easy and I highly recommend doing it if you get any of these Sage 6 models. Simply unscrew the show side scale hardware (2 body screws + the pivot on that side, all T8s) and carefully remove the show side scale. A small hole is drilled into the scale internally to hold a tiny spring; this spring is what gives the second detent bearing tension. Remove that spring with tweezers (no glue or anything holds it) and then shake out the second detent ball from the inside of the tang (or use a magnet to pick it up) and keep them in a baggie for safe storage. The action returns to the same as the Sage 5 - by far the best washer knife action of any Spyderco model:



As for the button, it's done pretty flawlessly from what I can see. I can't seem to make it activate on accident in any of my actual grips. My other question about this button was could I actuate it while it was in my pocket, because the button (on a right-hand pocket clip setup) would be against my leg. But the way the button sits while closed, it requires force applied directly onto the button to push the compression lock lever anywhere; if you apply force across the button (so there is also force against the scale), you can't seem to release the blade, even just with your thumb much less a surface that would press against the entire scale like a leg.

Wonderful upgrade to what I think was already their best overall EDC knife. Gonna be hard to kick this one out of my pocket, I think.

[Red Leader]

Completely agreed. If you are looking for a 'one and done' this is it. The ones we tried at the SFO (they had both the S90V and the S30V variants)...it is hard to imagine a more complete package, the very definition of the 'ideal EDC knife'.

If someone started their Spyderco collection with a Sage 6 in either variety, they would be hard pressed to improve upon their initial decision. In my mind, it is the most recommendable Spyderco knife currently in existence.

And yes, on the new S90V version, the scales look identical to the S30V peel-ply version, but they are carbon fiber all the way through.

[endura3]

Man this is a beautiful knife - thanks all for the photos and updates.

I'd be curious if any left-handed owners could describe the ease of use? I'm mainly interested in whether the button lock interferes with grip or can be accidentally disengaged in use, and at the same time whether it can be easily disengaged & closed one-handed with the left hand.

I've used autos with the button in a similar place mostly without issue so I feel like the design would work for me by "pinching" the button with my left index finger and either dropping it shut or closing it against something. It also sounds like the Smock (which I've never handled) is popular for lefties. So overall I feel like it would work great for me, but I know we've all been surprised by a new knife's ergos before.

[Red Leader]

Man this is a beautiful knife - thanks all for the photos and updates.

I'd be curious if any left-handed owners could describe the ease of use? I'm mainly interested in whether the button lock interferes with grip or can be accidentally disengaged in use, and at the same time whether it can be easily disengaged & closed one-handed with the left hand.

I've used autos with the button in a similar place mostly without issue so I feel like the design would work for me by "pinching" the button with my left index finger and either dropping it shut or closing it against something. It also sounds like the Smock (which I've never handled) is popular for lefties. So overall I feel like it would work great for me, but I know we've all been surprised by a new knife's ergos before.

Of course, there is no substitute for getting the knife in your hands to evaluate for yourself. With that caveat, I would answer yes and yes. While I don’t own one, I am left handed and have handled the Sage 6 a number of times, the most recent being yesterday so it is pretty fresh in my mind.

Our hands are undoubtedly different, but to me it handles BEAUTIFULLY as a left-hand implement, so much so that I would strongly prefer it to the dedicated left-hand knives like the lefty PM2.

The first time I handled one, I gripped it as hard as I could, to the point of discomfort, to see if I could disengage the lock - no dice. There is always the off chance that a weird hand position or an object could bump it and close the knife, but to me the chances seem remote enough to be negligible in my mind over any other lock.

If I had to start all over, this one would be at the very top of my list, along with a Manix 2 LW in 15V when it comes out and something in K390.


$300 is a tough pill to swallow when you have other knives and want to buy other knives, but if you just want one and and are sort of thinking ‘light duty EDC’ there is no better option on the planet, especially for lefties.

100% we will see this button lock on other knives to come, probably like the PM2 and Para 3. Its too good for it not to.

[endura3]

Of course, there is no substitute for getting the knife in your hands to evaluate for yourself. With that caveat, I would answer yes and yes. While I don’t own one, I am left handed and have handled the Sage 6 a number of times, the most recent being yesterday so it is pretty fresh in my mind.

Our hands are undoubtedly different, but to me it handles BEAUTIFULLY as a left-hand implement, so much so that I would strongly prefer it to the dedicated left-hand knives like the lefty PM2.

The first time I handled one, I gripped it as hard as I could, to the point of discomfort, to see if I could disengage the lock - no dice. There is always the off chance that a weird hand position or an object could bump it and close the knife, but to me the chances seem remote enough to be negligible in my mind over any other lock.

If I had to start all over, this one would be at the very top of my list, along with a Manix 2 LW in 15V when it comes out and something in K390.


$300 is a tough pill to swallow when you have other knives and want to buy other knives, but if you just want one and and are sort of thinking ‘light duty EDC’ there is no better option on the planet, especially for lefties.

100% we will see this button lock on other knives to come, probably like the PM2 and Para 3. Its too good for it not to.

This is super helpful feedback - thanks so much! Exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think I'll definitely have to try one of these out at some point.

[Red Leader]

You bet!