8Cr Alternative

[Blerv]

The alternative to low carbon and low carbide steels is quality serrations to those steels.

I’ve never had issues with the Tenacious while some Byrd’s were clunky/gritty (it was expected without the round hole). I hope the new serrated Gooney is different though as it looks like a weird and wonderful value for a beater knife.

[Red Leader]

I am not the target audience for the value line of folders (although I was for a long while in the past), so any comments I make in this thread or others should be taken w/ a grain of salt. I do think that the online Instaface comments about these knives have an element of truth despite our reactions, but how far they extend into the non-enthusiast 'normie' crowd just looking for a basic knife, I have no idea - Spyderco's sale figures would bear that out. The real win for the value line is getting into the basic Spyderco design language for less $$.

Regarging 8CR, I think what some might be forgetting is that performance here doesn't matter - perception does. And that is a hard concept of a lot of Spydie afis because steel performance and heat treatment is our bread and butter. But go back to human nature. While the 'show and tell' social media knife crowd is in the overall minority, compared to them, WE are the minority. 8CR w/ some magical HT recipe could best 15V and it wouldn't matter because the numbers game (i.e. 3CR, 7CR, 8CR 'bigger is better') will win every time.

14C28N > 8CR every time. Why? Because it meets expectations. 8CR does not.

That said, if these knives all sell like hotcakes, I will not be disappointed because it is helping Spyderco to stay relevant and successful, although a big part of me wishes they would forego the China manufacturing altogether.

[sal]

Ok just caught up. What a strange thing to do. The old Mantras were titanium handled flippers. Strange to reuse that product name on a non-flipper. Looks like an interesting design, always happy to see some non-Tenacious knives from China.

Hi Zhyla,

The Mantra 4 is a flipper.

sal

[MrGibson]

I like the white g10 mantra 4. I don’t have any Chinese knives, but I’m going to get the Mantra 4.

It’s silhouette is very reminiscent of Eric’s Charisma.

[Blerv]

I think Spyderco should release a mystery Mule and let people speculate before they release its identity.

Not to say knife steel is placebo…but if people can tell chemistry with a variety of different grinds and treatments they are the upper echelon of user. I am fine admitting I’m not that person despite having a healthy variety of steels and knives. I can mostly tell when I’m trying to sharpen out a chip but even that might be the perception based on the laser etched blade.

[zhyla]

Hi Zhyla,

The Mantra 4 is a flipper.

sal

Cool! I was looking at the BladeHQ listing and it doesn’t mention it being a flipper except in the middle of the full description. A budget front flipper from Spyderco! That’s wild. I’m in.

[Mushroom]

I noticed that Spyderco called it a "front flipper" in the reveal catalog as well but the flipper tab is on the back of the knife. Why does the Mantra 4 qualify as a "front flipper?"

[Deadboxhero]

I noticed that Spyderco called it a "front flipper" in the reveal catalog as well but the flipper tab is on the back of the knife. Why does the Mantra 4 qualify as a "front flipper?"

[Deadboxhero]

@Mushroom It certainly looks interesting.

I really like the design.

[Mushroom]

I noticed that Spyderco called it a "front flipper" in the reveal catalog as well but the flipper tab is on the back of the knife. Why does the Mantra 4 qualify as a "front flipper?"

Is that not that back of the knife?

[Deadboxhero]

I noticed that Spyderco called it a "front flipper" in the reveal catalog as well but the flipper tab is on the back of the knife. Why does the Mantra 4 qualify as a "front flipper?"

Is that not that back of the knife?

I was just pointing out what you were talking about

[Mushroom]

I noticed that Spyderco called it a "front flipper" in the reveal catalog as well but the flipper tab is on the back of the knife. Why does the Mantra 4 qualify as a "front flipper?"

Is that not that back of the knife?

I was just pointing out what you were talking about

Ah, gotcha! Wasn't sure if my understanding of front flipper was the cause of my confusion. Appreciate the assist though, definitely helps to illustrate the point

[zhyla]

Wasn't sure if my understanding of front flipper was the cause of my confusion.

Front flippers have a flipper tab or surface towards the front of the handle that your finger can get a grip on. It’s just a term. The function is the same.

[Mushroom]

Wasn't sure if my understanding of front flipper was the cause of my confusion.

Front flippers have a flipper tab or surface towards the front of the handle that your finger can get a grip on. It’s just a term. The function is the same.

Right. I guess I didn't know "front flipper" was just a blanket term for any knife with a flipper tab. I guess my mistake was assuming "front flipper" meant the flipper tab was on the front of the knife, not the back. My mistake.

[Red Leader]

Wasn't sure if my understanding of front flipper was the cause of my confusion.

Front flippers have a flipper tab or surface towards the front of the handle that your finger can get a grip on. It’s just a term. The function is the same.

Right. I guess I didn't know "front flipper" was just a blanket term for any knife with a flipper tab. I guess my mistake was assuming "front flipper" meant the flipper tab was on the front of the knife, not the back. My mistake.

I share your same understanding - everywhere I've seen the term 'front flipper' used, as opposed to just 'flipper', it is specifically in regards to a raised spot with jimping that will allow one to use their thumb. If one just searches 'front flipper knife' on youtube, the same flipper location presents itself, usually on the underside of the handle, opposite of the 'push button' or 'light switch' flipper.

[zhyla]

Right. I guess I didn't know "front flipper" was just a blanket term for any knife with a flipper tab. I guess my mistake was assuming "front flipper" meant the flipper tab was on the front of the knife, not the back. My mistake.

No, your understanding is correct, but the most common “front” flipper is that front corner. It’s a subtle distinction I guess.

[Mushroom]

Right. I guess I didn't know "front flipper" was just a blanket term for any knife with a flipper tab. I guess my mistake was assuming "front flipper" meant the flipper tab was on the front of the knife, not the back. My mistake.

No, your understanding is correct, but the most common “front” flipper is that front corner. It’s a subtle distinction I guess.

I have come to the conclusion that I am now thoroughly confused.

I don’t mean to hijack this thread so maybe I’ll start another one to learn more about it.

[GarageBoy]

Regular flipper - CRKT M16 Style

Front Flipper - open it with the same action as flicking a lighter

You can give social media knife nerds grief for buying by features, but Spyderco is also the brand that has built a mantra (pun intended) on using the most advanced materials, maximizing materials, and always looking ahead.

I'm curious what the price increase would be if they used 9cr or even 10cr (which is what Chinese brands sell as VG10)

[Snacktime]

8cr13mov is a bad choice in the current knife market. I have no issues with the steels performance it's solely marketing. Pretty much every fake D2 knife is 8cr13mov which is pretty well documented on YouTube. Can't shake that "Gas Station" connotation even with a spydie hole.

[horzuff]

VG-10 has a chinese counterpart - 10Cr15CoMoV, widely used by many chinese makers, I think it would be a decent upgrade over 8Cr. Or the recent laminated 140Cr used by SRM, touted as an S35VN analog with the additional pizzaz of lamination. SRM manages to use it in way-sub-100$ knives (some are around 65$), so should still land somewhat under 100$ unders Spyderco