The Species ( or type) Of Spyder That Hooked You?

[Wartstein]

The first movie I recognized a Spyderco in was Cliffhanger that I saw in the late 90s.

Right! You just made me remember the scene, where that old mountain rescue guy draws his I'm quite sure fully serrated Endura..

Being a climber, of course I watched that movie: I recall, that the close up Stallone climbing scenes are totally ridicoulos, while the wide shots where he is doubled by Ron Kauk (an American legendary climber) and Wolfgang Guellich (an equally legendary German climber) are very good...

[JD Spydo]

As a child, I fanticised about owning the Pro-Grip/Pro-Venator, the Impala, and a couple of others that I saw in some mail-order catalogs.

The first movie I recognized a Spyderco in was Cliffhanger that I saw in the late 90s.

In 2001, I was on an overseas trip, during which, one of the leaders had a black FRN Spyderco of some kind. I never found out what model it was. I admired its thin blade and became enamored with it, despite not even getting to use it.

Finally having some money to spend during my time of service, I bought a CE saber ground Delica 4 and an original Native. Those two were the beginning of the eventual snowball. The HAP40 Endura sprint got the ball rolling.

You've mentioned two Spyderco models that frankly I'm surprised that both of them didn't become permanent models like the Delica and Endura models did. Speaking of the Pro-Grip and IMPALA models which both have been favorites of mine over the years. The Pro-Grip was truly one short bladed model I actually liked and the IMPALA was in my humble opinion the best hunter/folder that Spyderco ever made. Now both of those models are highly sought after to the point to where Spyderco at the least should consider Sprint Runs for both models IMO. Also the IMPALA model with the guthook variant was one of the very few Hunter/folders that had a gut hook that I really liked and could get to work well. If nothing else they should try to get Ed Scott to design them another Hunter/Folder.

But many of these models we're speaking of were truly the gateway for many here to become Spyder-heads :cool:

[Evil D]

I got hooked by the Walmart Native lightweight. First it was the thumb hole, which just seemed so ingenious and better than the thumb studs I was used to. Then I got home with that knife and did some research on the brand and came across the old Edge-U-Cation info about serrations and decided that I needed one in SE instead of PE so I ended up with a SE Native. It's ironic that 15 years and about 50 Spyderco's later I've come full circle to carrying almost nothing but SE again.

[JD Spydo]

I got hooked by the Walmart Native lightweight. First it was the thumb hole, which just seemed so ingenious and better than the thumb studs I was used to. Then I got home with that knife and did some research on the brand and came across the old Edge-U-Cation info about serrations and decided that I needed one in SE instead of PE so I ended up with a SE Native. It's ironic that 15 years and about 50 Spyderco's later I've come full circle to carrying almost nothing but SE again.

I'm curious do you still like the GOLDEN made NATIVE model? Because for years I've thought it's almost a "bulldog" of a folder. I also believe it's one of the better Spyderco models for a newbie to start out with. Also it's available in SE & PE both which could give a newbie a sample of the best of what Spyderco has to offer.
With Hawkbill blades I still think that either the Hawkbill Dragonfly or the HARPY models would be the best to start with IMO.

[Evil D]

I got hooked by the Walmart Native lightweight. First it was the thumb hole, which just seemed so ingenious and better than the thumb studs I was used to. Then I got home with that knife and did some research on the brand and came across the old Edge-U-Cation info about serrations and decided that I needed one in SE instead of PE so I ended up with a SE Native. It's ironic that 15 years and about 50 Spyderco's later I've come full circle to carrying almost nothing but SE again.

I'm curious do you still like the GOLDEN made NATIVE model? Because for years I've thought it's almost a "bulldog" of a folder. I also believe it's one of the better Spyderco models for a newbie to start out with. Also it's available in SE & PE both which could give a newbie a sample of the best of what Spyderco has to offer.
With Hawkbill blades I still think that either the Hawkbill Dragonfly or the HARPY models would be the best to start with IMO.

I do, and I still use that same Native all the time. I've been thinking about the Native Salt a lot lately. I think the Native is basically everything I want from a Dragonfly XL, it's just a bit bigger and stout enough. I'd really like to have a Native Salt wharnie.

[JD Spydo]

I got hooked by the Walmart Native lightweight. First it was the thumb hole, which just seemed so ingenious and better than the thumb studs I was used to. Then I got home with that knife and did some research on the brand and came across the old Edge-U-Cation info about serrations and decided that I needed one in SE instead of PE so I ended up with a SE Native. It's ironic that 15 years and about 50 Spyderco's later I've come full circle to carrying almost nothing but SE again.

I'm curious do you still like the GOLDEN made NATIVE model? Because for years I've thought it's almost a "bulldog" of a folder. I also believe it's one of the better Spyderco models for a newbie to start out with. Also it's available in SE & PE both which could give a newbie a sample of the best of what Spyderco has to offer.
With Hawkbill blades I still think that either the Hawkbill Dragonfly or the HARPY models would be the best to start with IMO.

I do, and I still use that same Native all the time. I've been thinking about the Native Salt a lot lately. I think the Native is basically everything I want from a Dragonfly XL, it's just a bit bigger and stout enough. I'd really like to have a Native Salt wharnie.

I find that really interesting because the GOLDEN made Native is the very first Spyder that I used with the belief that I was going to destroy the knife on the job I was going to use it on. But much to my pleasant surprise the knife is still in great working order and I still use it on occasion. It's mindblowing how rugged that NATIVE model is. I guess that could also be said about all the GOLDEN,CO USA Earth made models.

But I'm now starting to believe that the NATIVE is the ideal model for a non-knife person or a newbie to start out on.

[James Y]

I own two Natives; a Native 5 lightweight and a G10 Native 5, and although good knives, for me they aren't as comfortable or natural to work with as other models. It kind of forces the hand into using the choil, which I don't always want to do. The other position feels unnatural to me.

It's one reason I much prefer the Delica, or a knife with a less-pronounced choil, like the Para 3.

Jim

[Evil D]

But I'm now starting to believe that the NATIVE is the ideal model for a non-knife person or a newbie to start out on.

At the time I was pretty strict about sticking with 3 inches or less blade, and I wanted a handle no bigger than my hand was wide. I grew up with small Case knives so the idea of a large folder felt unruly to me. That has changed over the years and now the Native feels tiny but I still like it for the same reasons.

[JD Spydo]

But I'm now starting to believe that the NATIVE is the ideal model for a non-knife person or a newbie to start out on.

At the time I was pretty strict about sticking with 3 inches or less blade, and I wanted a handle no bigger than my hand was wide. I grew up with small Case knives so the idea of a large folder felt unruly to me. That has changed over the years and now the Native feels tiny but I still like it for the same reasons.

I know exactly what you mean>> because about 10 years ago I was carrying models like the ZDP-189 Caly Jr and ZDP-189 Delica. But after I totally fell in love with the C-60 Ayoob and Military models I seen that a longer blade in most cases really helped. Since then the NATIVE is about as short as I will tolerate. Stuff like the Cricket, Dragonfly and Copilot are truly child's play for me anymore. The PM2 is really about as short as I want for a hard user EDC.
Here in the state of Missouri they allow for a 4 inch folder in most parts of the state. I think the city of St. Louis has some draconian knife laws from what I"ve been told. But I don't go there very often anyway. I'm also that way with my companion full Spyderedged unit>> for that I've still been carrying the ATS-55 full SE Stainless handled RESCUE model and that knife just can't be destroyed by daily usage. It's a tank of a knife for sure. With that said it seems like many of the larger models are also better made in many cases.

[Baron Mind]

I'm relatively new to the knife world, been obsessed for about 2 or 3 years now, but it was the Para 3, in s110v specifically.

Googled "best pocket knives", first article I read listed PM2 and Sage 1 as best knives in any price category. I loved the aesthetic right away. I told myself I'd never spend over $100 on a pocket knife, but I was curious WHY they were so expensive. I started reading Spyderco's description of their engineering, ergonomics, handle materials, and finally blade steel. I'd really never considered any of that prior to entering the hobby, but I found it all fascinating, and still do.

I pretty quickly stepped up to buying an s110v Para 3 after a few less expensive knives, and never looked back.

[FullFlatMind]

My first Spydie was a Tenacious but the knife that got me interested in Spyderco was probably the Native. When I got the Tenacious I thought that would be the most I would spend on this brand. I sure was wrong. Ten Spyders later and I'm still wanting to add more.

My current favorites to carry are the PM2, Para 3, and Manix 2 LW.

[JD Spydo]

My first Spydie was a Tenacious but the knife that got me interested in Spyderco was probably the Native. When I got the Tenacious I thought that would be the most I would spend on this brand. I sure was wrong. Ten Spyders later and I'm still wanting to add more.

My current favorites to carry are the PM2, Para 3, and Manix 2 LW.

Hey you're new school on the Spyderco landscape>> but that's cool because a guy has to dive in at some point in time. Even with many of those newer and less expensive models a lot of the guys tend to rave about I still say that a GOLDEN made NATIVE model is ideal to start your journey to Spyderco's best.
In the past 3 years I've been leaning more and more on GOLDEN made models. You just can't go wrong no matter how you look at it.

[Woodpuppy]

Hate to date myself here...the original C01 Worker. It was in a display case at a local cutlery hope, brand new release. Connected with it immediately. Been a Spyderco fan ever since.

Yep, me too.

[steelcity16]

Hate to date myself here...the original C01 Worker. It was in a display case at a local cutlery hope, brand new release. Connected with it immediately. Been a Spyderco fan ever since.

Yep, me too.

Do either of you still have it?? Lets see some pics!! :)

I REALLY want Spyderco to do an FRN Worker LW Salt in H1 SE and PE. The Worker blade shape is amazing and it is a tragedy that it isn't a permanent fixture in the lineup. I think blacked out Worker LW Salts could easily sell enough to be production models. Especially with a nice deep carry wire clip.

Or at the very least, maybe they can throw some TiCN H1 SE and PE Worker blades into the black Salt 2 or Salt 1 handles for a very special sprint run?? Please??? :D

[Woodpuppy]

Nope. Sold mine years ago. Now the oldest spydie I have is the remote release. Part of why I love the para3 is because it is like a worker on steroids.

[Extra330SC]

Camo Black blade Tenacious set the hook....and the Gayle Bradley 1 reeled me in! :cool:

James

[ladybug93]

i guess i would say it was the pacific salt. it was my return to spyderco after many years and felt very much like a grown up version of my childhood ladybug. i couldn’t believe how lightweight it was for its size and loved the ability to carry a knife on me in the ocean. from there, my collection began growing quickly (well, in normal people terms, but not compared to this group) and the manix 2 lw in xhp really won me over. now i’m just stuck waiting for a manix 2 in lc200n.

[Mako109]

Hate to date myself here...the original C01 Worker. It was in a display case at a local cutlery hope, brand new release. Connected with it immediately. Been a Spyderco fan ever since.

Yep, me too.

Do either of you still have it?? Lets see some pics!! :)

I REALLY want Spyderco to do an FRN Worker LW Salt in H1 SE and PE. The Worker blade shape is amazing and it is a tragedy that it isn't a permanent fixture in the lineup. I think blacked out Worker LW Salts could easily sell enough to be production models. Especially with a nice deep carry wire clip.

Made this quick photo just moments ago. This is the Spyderco that started it all for me. It once had a needle nose tip which I accidentally snapped off doing something I shouldn't have about 25 years ago. It was just a tiny bit so no big deal. Had it reground and now it's stronger than before. Polished out most of the scratches and resharpened to hair shaving sharp.

[steelcity16]

Made this quick photo just moments ago. This is the Spyderco that started it all for me. It once had a needle nose tip which I accidentally snapped off doing something I shouldn't have about 25 years ago. It was just a tiny bit so no big deal. Had it reground and now it's stronger than before. Polished out most of the scratches and resharpened to hair shaving sharp.

Wow! Beautiful! Do you still carry it and use it??

[bearrowland]

I love that knife!!