Sage 6 first impressions

[EssKay]

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.

Lol - that was me! Sort of. I had a custom Para 3 from bladeswelove and then opted that the next one I wanted was the (only one currently available at the time) S30V Sage 6. I loved it so much that I have since followed it up with two Smocks!

The Sage 6 is the one that goes in my pocket everytime though. I have bought a Manix 2 and a PM2 as well but the regular compression lock is no where as fun or easy to work with as the button compression lock.

I think I will buy almost every Sage 6 that comes out as long as it gives me some sort of "different" feeling to the standard S30V version I already have. I realize the steel of the S90V is a big upgrade, but the look/feel is the same so I am passing on that one. Its nice to have a "cheapo" version of one I don't mind getting use and abuse.

[Red Leader]

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.

Lol - that was me! Sort of. I had a custom Para 3 from bladeswelove and then opted that the next one I wanted was the (only one currently available at the time) S30V Sage 6. I loved it so much that I have since followed it up with two Smocks!

The Sage 6 is the one that goes in my pocket everytime though. I have bought a Manix 2 and a PM2 as well but the regular compression lock is no where as fun or easy to work with as the button compression lock.

I think I will buy almost every Sage 6 that comes out as long as it gives me some sort of "different" feeling to the standard S30V version I already have. I realize the steel of the S90V is a big upgrade, but the look/feel is the same so I am passing on that one. Its nice to have a "cheapo" version of one I don't mind getting use and abuse.

Ha! Pretty cool!

You know, it is nice to have several different 'mainline' type Spydercos in the collection, simply to better refine one's preferences. After having an Endura 4, Manix 2, Para 3, Native 5, and Sage 5 in the collection, I've found that I really like the Manix 2 ergos yet have reservations about the CBBL, love the size, ergos and looks of the Native 5, but dislike the deployment, enjoy the 'jack-of-all-trades' nature of the Para 3 while favoring the ergos of some of the other knives more, and like just about everything about the Sage 5/6 for a 'light' EDC (it feels a little 'dainty' coming from carrying some Cold Steels).

In short, if someone either starts out w/ a Sage 6, or recommends a Sage 6, as either a primary or first knife to start off, you are going to be so far ahead of the game it won't even be close.

And I hear you on the S90V version...I'm not sure it's worth it for the $100 or so premium, and truth be told, the S30V version of the Sage 6 at the SFO the other day felt better than the S90V version (it may have just been broken in a little bit more). It was as close to perfect as I could ever imagine a knife to be in the feel/quality dept. There are two Spydercos that I've felt were the nicest feeling (quality, fit, finish, smoothness, etc) knives I've ever held...one was my son's 15V Para 3, which I instantly bought as soon as I picked it up, it was *that* good, and this S30V Sage 6. A PM2 Cruwear and a certain Canis they had also come to mind. Also felt a really, really nice Smock in the cabinet as well. Those were from visits past. All these were at the SFO. If you are a true knife 'afi', that is where a trip to the SFO really pays off. Instead of it being luck of the draw, you get to handle maybe a few of them and find the one you like best. And occasionally, you stumble across a really, really great one. That is sort of the 'handpick upcharge' I have found is worth it as the SFO, as opposed to a slightly better price at an online retailer.

I don't have a Sage 6 (but I do have a Sage 5), and truth be told, there are other Spydercos that are higher on my list than a Sage 6 (mainly for vain reasons - ahem, Canis!), but I'll be honest and say that I don't think any other Spyderco model can beat it, especially in it's size class.

Funny thing is...now that I sort of want one, my son wants one even more, EVEN THOUGH I'm left handed and could probably appreciate the nearly ambidextrous nature of the knife moreso, but I just can't undercut him like that haha. So I'm gonna let him have 1st dibs...but we are going to go to the seconds sale this year and if we happen to stumble across two of them...GAME ON! lol

[Synov]

Just got my S90V Sage 6. Spyderco should put instructions to remove the second detent in every box. It's a night and day difference once I removed it and it's now exactly what a button compression lock should be. Almost as good as the shark lock!

[Wartstein]

...
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.

Just can reiterate: As far as I can tell a PM2 or even better a "Millie 3" with that button lock would be a true upgrade in my book, kind of a like a "game changing cqi" for me...

(And also again: Kind of a pity that they probably could not fit that lock into the two comp.lock Spydies I am attracted to the most: Bodacious and Caribbean...)

[Mushroom]

There is an aftermarket mod from BladesWeLove using left hand PM2’s. He calls it the PM2 Ultra mod.



I would be surprised if there wasn’t eventually an official version from Spyderco.

[Red Leader]

...
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.

Just can reiterate: As far as I can tell a PM2 or even better a "Millie 3" with that button lock would be a true upgrade in my book, kind of a like a "game changing cqi" for me...

(And also again: Kind of a pity that they probably could not fit that lock into the two comp.lock Spydies I am attracted to the most: Bodacious and Caribbean...)

Yeah, I see the ‘handle forward’ being a dilemma with having enough clearance for the button, but with some creative redesign, maybe slight moving of the pivot so the blade doesn’t sit as deep in the handle, it could be done.

[Red Leader]

Just got my S90V Sage 6. Spyderco should put instructions to remove the second detent in every box. It's a night and day difference once I removed it and it's now exactly what a button compression lock should be. Almost as good as the shark lock!

I haven’t had a chance to try the shark lock, although I’d totally be game for a shark lock license for a few Spydies (I’ve heard the hang up is on Demko’s end).

What are your thoughts on the lock? I’ve heard some describe is as painful to operate, in the same way we hear people talk about the Manix 2 as painful sometimes. Personally, I’d love to try one and continue to welcome any ambi-locks to the knife world.

[Mrj]

There is an aftermarket mod from BladesWeLove using left hand PM2’s. He calls it the PM2 Ultra mod.



I would be surprised if there wasn’t eventually an official version from Spyderco.

Ok let’s button them all? Maybe just the Shaman for the nub haters

[Wallach]

I didn't find the Shark Lock painful to operate except on the Shark Cub. That model the lock bar is just too small, and it makes the edges way sharper. But even that was not the biggest issue to me. What I disliked more about my Demko knives was that with the Shark Lock there basically isn't even an attempt at detent force, and it makes opening them any way except the lock itself feel pretty bad.

[Synov]

What are your thoughts on the lock? I’ve heard some describe is as painful to operate, in the same way we hear people talk about the Manix 2 as painful sometimes. Personally, I’d love to try one and continue to welcome any ambi-locks to the knife world.

It's definitely my favorite lock. It only took a few moments of fiddling before I got the movement, and then it feels very natural in both opening and closing, but especially closing. Much easier to operate than the CBBL. I don't really see how it can be "painful," unless they mean that using it over and over in rapid succession may leave a bruise on your index finger. I've had three AD20s and they all had the same smooth action.

Demko has partnered with several companies that have produced shark lock knives, so maybe the issue is just money? He definitely wants a mass appeal knife brand, he just came out with kitchen knives.

[Wartstein]

Yeah, I see the ‘handle forward’ being a dilemma with having enough clearance for the button, but with some creative redesign, maybe slight moving of the pivot so the blade doesn’t sit as deep in the handle, it could be done.

Now it seems like it most likely could indeed...looks like I really overestimated how much space the button comp.lock actually takes up in the handle (see this thread viewtopic.php?p=1836562#p1836562)

[Red Leader]

Yeah, I see the ‘handle forward’ being a dilemma with having enough clearance for the button, but with some creative redesign, maybe slight moving of the pivot so the blade doesn’t sit as deep in the handle, it could be done.

Now it seems like it most likely could indeed...looks like I really overestimated how much space the button comp.lock actually takes up in the handle (see this thread viewtopic.php?p=1836562#p1836562)

I hope we see a Bodacious, PM2, PM3, with a button comp lock. Also, I hope we will one day get a Native 5 with a comp lock, and heck make it a button comp lock while you are at it. I actually prefer the ergos of the Native 5 line compared to the Para 3 and Sage line, but the slightly obscurred Spydie hole combine with the resistance of the backlock sort of fight you when opening it. A Native 5 with a beautiful feeling detent and comp lock would be crazy good. We have a mini Native (Lil' Native) with a comp lock, we have a large Native (Shaman) with a comp lock, so why not the Native? One of the best designs ever, but slightly outdated.

[Snacktime]

I am pretty content playing with my smock here and there. I wouldn't say it gets enough carry time to warrant me grabbing a Sage 6. The Sage was the right choice to put a button on, it's just to small for me to daily carry

[Wallach]

Just wanted to follow up after like a week or so of carrying the Sage 6 S90V/CF sprint. My opinion of it really hasn't changed, it seems like the most perfect EDC knife to ever come out of Spyderco. I think the only "criticism" I could think of with this knife is that the detent ball is a little far in the open position. You don't really notice this on a Sage 5 because you kind of naturally move the compression lock fully out of the way before even starting to close it. With the button, you tend to start the closing motion a little earlier, so you kind of feel a bump in the action as you push past the detent ball about 40 or 45 degrees from the open position. This doesn't really matter at all, because it isn't like a frame lock or a liner lock where you could "double clutch" and wind up having the knife lock back open instead. It's just something you notice if you don't push the button in completely before starting to close it. I'd also say maybe the edges of the pocket clip milling on the show side are a little bit rough, which you'll occasionally feel with your pinky while in use.

That's how hard I have to look to find anything I could criticise with this knife. It isn't the last knife I'll ever buy or anything - I already picked up a Divo Binge because I love wharncliffes, and I still want a couple larger knives like the CruCarta Chief if that ever gets released - but it's definitely set a very clear new bar for other knives to try and earn a spot in my pocket.

[Wright.88]

I got my Sage 6 S90V last week and have really been enjoying it. A para 3 LW with aluminum AWT scales has been my go to knife for the past couple years and love it. And I think I like the sage 6 at least as much. The CF scales don’t feel that much heavier than a para 3 LW. And the button lock works very well and is very fidget friendly. The thinner blade stock of the Sage is also better.

I do have one issue with it however. I removed the second decent ball which allows the knife to drop shut more easily. If I depress the button lock with my fingernail it drops shut effortlessly. But if I press the button with the pad of my finger it seems to stall/stick when closing. I believe what’s happening is that the pressure from my thumb and index finger are pushing the top of the scales together near the pivot and pinching the knife blade so that it doesn’t freely open. I’ve replicated this by putting a little pressure on the scales near the pivot and that also stops the knife from dropping shut when depressing the button lock. I think when I press the button with my fingernail it’s a small enough area of pressure that it doesn’t compress the scales. Has anyone else noticed this? I’ve attached a video trying to show what I mean.

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[Wallach]

That is actually just the detent being low like I mentioned in my post. You aren't actually pushing the button all the way in, so the detent is still in the way of the tang a little bit.

[Wright.88]

That is actually just the detent being low like I mentioned in my post. You aren't actually pushing the button all the way in, so the detent is still in the way of the tang a little bit.

I don’t think it’s that I’m not pushing the button in all the way. I can push the button in all the way with my finger nail but if I also apply a mild clamping force around the button the blade still won’t release and open or close. Maybe the lower detent ball makes it easier to compress the ball with slight pressure on the scales around the button?

[Wallach]

That is actually just the detent being low like I mentioned in my post. You aren't actually pushing the button all the way in, so the detent is still in the way of the tang a little bit.

I don’t think it’s that I’m not pushing the button in all the way. I can push the button in all the way with my finger nail but if I also apply a mild clamping force around the button the blade still won’t release and open or close. Maybe the lower detent ball makes it easier to compress the ball with slight pressure on the scales around the button?

That clamping force against the scale is stopping your thumb from going as low as if you use your fingernail. If you just use the tip of your finger and don't touch the scale at all, but intentionally don't push the button in all the way, it will do the same thing. The button has to go slightly below the scale for the detent ball to be fully out of the way of the tang.

[abbazaba]

It was well worth the wait! So glad Spyderco went with the Smock Lock instead of a classic plunge button lock, and I don't mind the second detent as it offers just enough resistance. Well done Spyderco!



It's just gotten even harder to imagine a better all arounder to recommend to people. I still remember being blown away the first time I handled a Sage1 in a knife shop while on vacation a very long time ago. That Sage experience is probably what solidified my interest in Spyderco more than anything else. Funny that I couldn't justify the cost at the time... look at me now lol.

[Wright.88]

That is actually just the detent being low like I mentioned in my post. You aren't actually pushing the button all the way in, so the detent is still in the way of the tang a little bit.

I don’t think it’s that I’m not pushing the button in all the way. I can push the button in all the way with my finger nail but if I also apply a mild clamping force around the button the blade still won’t release and open or close. Maybe the lower detent ball makes it easier to compress the ball with slight pressure on the scales around the button?

That clamping force against the scale is stopping your thumb from going as low as if you use your fingernail. If you just use the tip of your finger and don't touch the scale at all, but intentionally don't push the button in all the way, it will do the same thing. The button has to go slightly below the scale for the detent ball to be fully out of the way of the tang.

Yeah I see how not pressing the button all the way down will keep the knife from free dropping closed. But I don’t think that’s the only thing going on here. If I press the button in all the way with the my nail it drops closed. But then if I lightly pinch the scales just above the button with my other hand, while still pressing the button in all the way, the knife no longer drops shut.

[media] [/media]