I hate to say it but even some "knife people" might question that $100 price tag once they get it in hand. This knife is impressively THIN!!! Blade stock and handle. The handle feels like 75¢ worth of FRN. (At least the prototype at BLADE Show felt that way. I believe they may have increased the blade stock thickness since that prototype, so the knife most likely feels different now)...
This is the bucket I'm in. In photos I've seen, the Charisma looks unimpressive - inexpensive and plasticky. Would prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size. Not even a fan of the steel. Yet I fully intend to spend a Benjamin to obtain one, since I'm a Spyderhead and I do like thin, lightweight knives. In this case, perceived utility outweighs perceived build quality for me. Being Spyderco is Spyderco, they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years--I put more faith in their design ability than in my own judgment of it.
So much here to refer to :
inexpensive and plasticky. = that is what people keep telling me they don't like about the regular size basic Griptillian .
I say they don''t appreciate the design which is : big handle / strong enough / plenty light (only gives the impression of plasticy because of the way the hollow handle sounds while handling it . I LOVE THAT KNIFE !
looks unimpressive = so does a scalpel . ( I actually like looking at the sleek Charisma )
prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size.= yep could be a failure point ( we have to assume they tested the bajeezes out of it , like they always do and it will be just fine (with this steel alloy ) .
they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years = well said .
I hate to say it but even some "knife people" might question that $100 price tag once they get it in hand. This knife is impressively THIN!!! Blade stock and handle. The handle feels like 75¢ worth of FRN. (At least the prototype at BLADE Show felt that way. I believe they may have increased the blade stock thickness since that prototype, so the knife most likely feels different now)...
This is the bucket I'm in. In photos I've seen, the Charisma looks unimpressive - inexpensive and plasticky. Would prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size. Not even a fan of the steel. Yet I fully intend to spend a Benjamin to obtain one, since I'm a Spyderhead and I do like thin, lightweight knives. In this case, perceived utility outweighs perceived build quality for me. Being Spyderco is Spyderco, they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years--I put more faith in their design ability than in my own judgment of it.
So much here to refer to :
inexpensive and plasticky. = that is what people keep telling me they don't like about the regular size basic Griptillian .
I say they don''t appreciate the design which is : big handle / strong enough / plenty light (only gives the impression of plasticy because of the way the hollow handle sounds while handling it . I LOVE THAT KNIFE !
looks unimpressive = so does a scalpel . ( I actually like looking at the sleek Charisma )
prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size.= yep could be a failure point ( we have to assume they tested the bajeezes out of it , like they always do and it will be just fine (with this steel alloy ) .
they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years = well said .
@Wowbagger
Forgive me if I’m being dense, but do you like the Charisma, or maybe want to give it a try?
looks unimpressive = so does a scalpel . ( I actually like looking at the sleek Charisma )
I said the Charisma HANDLE looks unimpressive. Reminds me of a Victorinox paring knife. I like the shape of the blade and the overall sleek lines. I like that it nods in the direction of a trad pocketknife.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 4:38 pm
by cabfrank
I really don't need one because I'd almost exclusively carry it as a second Spyderco.
Of course I'll probably get one anyway .
I think this is going to be kind of the Dragonfly of the next few years. Most of us don't need one, but most of us will probably get one if it's in the color they like.
I hate to say it but even some "knife people" might question that $100 price tag once they get it in hand. This knife is impressively THIN!!! Blade stock and handle. The handle feels like 75¢ worth of FRN. (At least the prototype at BLADE Show felt that way. I believe they may have increased the blade stock thickness since that prototype, so the knife most likely feels different now)...
This is the bucket I'm in. In photos I've seen, the Charisma looks unimpressive - inexpensive and plasticky. Would prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size. Not even a fan of the steel. Yet I fully intend to spend a Benjamin to obtain one, since I'm a Spyderhead and I do like thin, lightweight knives. In this case, perceived utility outweighs perceived build quality for me. Being Spyderco is Spyderco, they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years--I put more faith in their design ability than in my own judgment of it.
So much here to refer to :
inexpensive and plasticky. = that is what people keep telling me they don't like about the regular size basic Griptillian .
I say they don''t appreciate the design which is : big handle / strong enough / plenty light (only gives the impression of plasticy because of the way the hollow handle sounds while handling it . I LOVE THAT KNIFE !
looks unimpressive = so does a scalpel . ( I actually like looking at the sleek Charisma )
prefer no (or smaller) opening hole on a blade this size.= yep could be a failure point ( we have to assume they tested the bajeezes out of it , like they always do and it will be just fine (with this steel alloy ) .
they may negate my expectations with a quality feel in hand that I'm not expecting. They've earned this sort of trust over the years = well said .
@Wowbagger
Forgive me if I’m being dense, but do you like the Charisma, or maybe want to give it a try?
No you are not dense !
I'm being wishy washy .
Or my favorite Douglas Adams word : ineffable .
Let us see if we can not eff it after all .
I believe part of a WC Fields line that comes to mind can apply here :
_______ . Ahhhh _________ .
__________ are like elephants ; nice to look at wouldn't want to own one .
The word I left out is not a bad word . Far from it . But the phrase might offend some of our readers .
Not at all what I want to have happen .
PS : as a bicycle commuter of over fifty years might I suggest plugging in the word " automobile" .
There that should take some of the heat off .
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 3:32 am
by Flash
There’s a potential weak point caused by the hole size on such a thin stock, it’s a particular concern of mine after snapping a Z-cut across the Spydie hole like I did.
I’ll be buying my Charisma from the same easy to deal with distributor as I did with the Z-cut, even though their prices are usually higher than everywhere else.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 3:59 am
by brj
I'm solidly in the 'I want one' camp.
In fact, only 3 models perked me up somewhat these days (the other 2 being the Dyad Jr. and Retract).
Grip-agnostic no-choil handle? Checked.
Thin blade stock? Checked.
Spyderco's heat treat on a decent EDC steel? Checked.
Yup, definitely getting one.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 4:03 am
by brj
double post
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 5:26 am
by Manixguy@1994
Yes , definitely will be a future buy . Definitely a knife of many hats : edc , occasional carry , back up, and emergency situations. MG2
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:13 am
by Jayrod1980
I want one too. Hope it sells well so we can get a few with a more premium steel.
I want one too. Hope it sells well so we can get a few with a more premium steel.
I'm guessing with the hole taking so much real estate, we'd be looking at premium steels that lean toward "tough" rather than "hard." Can you imagine that knife in Maxamet or Rex121?
I want one too. Hope it sells well so we can get a few with a more premium steel.
I'm guessing with the hole taking so much real estate, we'd be looking at premium steels that lean toward "tough" rather than "hard." Can you imagine that knife in Maxamet or Rex121?
One of the reasons I was not more interested in the Nand, which also happened to be in M398.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:16 pm
by M_J87
Love how slender the profile is. Not to add to the list of "XL everything", but I wouldn't mind a 3.5" version even at the expense of some thicker handles/blade stock. To me, a 3.5" version would fix all the problems I have with the benchmade 940. Lockback>crossbar, opening hole>thumbstud, thinner/better blade shape, thinner/lighter handle. A slender handle like the charisma seems to be severely under represented in the knife world, I don't know why there aren't more knives with a similar handle. Looks like it'll be as easy in the pocket as a knife can get.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:44 am
by eventhorizon
While I applaud Spyderco for adopting the concept of really thin blade stock (finally!), I surely won't be able to bring myself to spend €130 (=$154) for a sub 3" knife with FRN scales. I'm sorry
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 10:26 am
by bearfacedkiller
It looks interesting. Love the blade shape and thin stock. I usually like bigger knives but do sometimes carry smaller knives. Hopefully the lock is solid like a Native5. If I can find one for a good price I’ll probabaly jump in it.
To me, this is exactly what Spyderco was missing from its lineup. They needed a dedicated pen, knife, and this is it. I'm already saving my pennies.
This sums up my excitement too. I’m battling my impatience for this one! I’ve always liked neutral handles, 4” or so of grippable area, and slender thin blades. I’ve already “preordered” it in black, red, and blue. From videos I’ve seen, the Amsterdam meet video by @Mr Blonde, and all the pics I’m pretty sure this is going to be pretty darn close to my dream EDC.
I had a chatbot recolor the black handle photos to red referencing a few other red spydercos, and it looks fantastic.
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:14 pm
by Paul Ardbeg
Really appreciate a thin blade like this. For daily (light) use but als for food prep when camping or traveling. Small and light weight you will not notice it in your pocket or backpack...i'm getting more excited for the Charisma!
Re: I've got to have a Charisma!
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 10:39 pm
by Doc Dan
Here are two of my favorite pocket knives. They are so slim that they disappear in the pocket, and the thin blades really cut well. Looking at these, one can see why I am excited about the Charisma.
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