Spyderco Forums

Foehammer wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 1:28 pm

Evil D wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 4:39 am

"Currently available" is a bummer of a limitation for this, because there are so many options for this question that are sadly no longer made, like the equivalent of an entire catalog worth of options vs a couple pages by today's standards. I think I would have to look into what's available on secondary and try to find a reasonable price on a Kopa/Kiwi or maybe a One Eyed Jack.

Another thing you may want to consider if you're up for it is modifying an existing model, especially if you find something you like in G10, they can almost always be sanded down and polished and it really changes their aesthetic a lot.


Ouroboros for example





You can polish any G10 but can only contour some. Think about some models you like, especially ones offered in different colors, some of them would look amazing polished.

Wow. That Ouroboros looks great! May I ask for some details on the process of sanding it to look like that?

Used a Dremel and sandpaper barrels to shape it and then just the usual sandpaper grit progression until it's smooth enough to start shining. The catch is how much shaping you can do on a given model, because you can't contour the G10 as much with nested liners before you end up grinding through to the liner and make a hole in the G10. The Ouroboros has very minimal liners that don't extend down to the bottom of the handle which allows a lot of contouring, and that's what exposes the different layers of G10 and gives you the wood grain effect. I couldn't contour it nearly as much on the top of the handle. On nested liner knives like a Para 2 you can polish it and soften the corners but it won't show as much of that cross grain. It'll still make a tactical knife look a lot more classy/dressy.


Here's a Kiwi 4, same concept but this knife used solid full liners so the G10 can he rounded all the way down flush with them. It's also pinned which was another obstacle that limited what I could do.





Lots of knives can be dressed up like this.

z1r wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:39 am

Imma have to get me a fluted Ti N5!

It was my grail knife when I first found Spyderco a few years back



Watch out for fakes. ^ This one's real but there's some counterfeits that are really close to the authentic ones


When I think of classy Spyderco knives the Chaparrals come to mind.



These two are at the top of my list of classy Spyderco knives





I think any of the Ti models are classy











Carbon Fiber is always nice too







I'm sure I have pics of my Kapara, Gayle Bradleys, CF Chaparral, Caly 3, Caly 3.5 CF etc but I'm out of time to dig for more pictures

Baby Horn needs a mention though



I don't have any of the Kopas, Kiwis, or the jigged bone Delica but they're some of the classiest Spyderco models there are

Yup, baby Horn is one I am in search of. I like my CF Mantra too. sleek.

Nice assortment you have there Sharp Guy!

Yes, impressive collection!

z1r wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 2:01 pm

Nice assortment you have there Sharp Guy!

cabfrank wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 2:45 pm

Yes, impressive collection!

TY!

There's a few others that I thought of while I was out running errands

This little Cricket is really nice. Not sure why it doesn't end up in my watch pocket more. I have a McBee too but rarely carry that one very often either



Smock with the smooth black G10 is classy



SpyOpera should be considered as well



And while we're at it...the PITS sprint run I just got from the online seconds sale is pretty classy too

I had the PITS and SpyOpera in hand at the second sale but had to relinquish them in favor of others. For me, the Pattadese won out over the SpyOpera. If the PITS shows up again at another 2nds sale, I'll make sure to get one.

Don't forget that the Harpy was at one time made with a G-10 handle and about 4 year after that they did a limited edition with a fabulous Carbon Fiber handle.

I would also have to cast a big vote on the newest edition of the C-60 Ayoob. It was a classy model to begin with but this newest Cruwear Sprint run in SE & PE is really classy. This is a most interesting thread so far.

toxophilus wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:20 am

Beautiful…

capt.carl wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:00 pm

For current production imo the swayback. Maybe one or my favorite looking knives ever

That really is pretty pure. Definitely would pass muster in almost any situation.

I would 2nd z1r, in the Vallotton
An Italian Stallion by Sal & Butch Vallotton.....already wearing a Tuxedo
Sorry, this isn't the best pic I have....

The chaparral fits very well in my suit jacket

MacLaren wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 4:19 pm

I would 2nd z1r, in the Vallotton
An Italian Stallion by Sal & Butch Vallotton.....already wearing a Tuxedo

i'm very impressed with my vallotton, but it's a heavy knife. between that and the ikuchi, i'd rather have the ikuchi when dressed up and i'd rather have the vallotton if i was actually james bond and might have to do crazy stuff in a tux.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:27 pm

MacLaren wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 4:19 pm

I would 2nd z1r, in the Vallotton
An Italian Stallion by Sal & Butch Vallotton.....already wearing a Tuxedo

i'm very impressed with my vallotton, but it's a heavy knife. between that and the ikuchi, i'd rather have the ikuchi when dressed up and i'd rather have the vallotton if i was actually james bond and might have to do crazy stuff in a tux.

Ya know, I've really been interested in the Ikuchi for a while now. I'm gonna have to pull the trigger I believe

MacLaren wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:30 pm

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:27 pm

MacLaren wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 4:19 pm

I would 2nd z1r, in the Vallotton
An Italian Stallion by Sal & Butch Vallotton.....already wearing a Tuxedo

i'm very impressed with my vallotton, but it's a heavy knife. between that and the ikuchi, i'd rather have the ikuchi when dressed up and i'd rather have the vallotton if i was actually james bond and might have to do crazy stuff in a tux.

Ya know, I've really been interested in the Ikuchi for a while now. I'm gonna have to pull the trigger I believe

hope this helps...



eta: weight is 2.4 oz (ikuchi) vs 6.2 oz (vallotton)

Geez, I think I want a Vallotton. Classy yet stabby through a car doory.

Size comparison of some dress knives:



Chap Sun & Moon
Spy Opera
Native 5 Ti
Native 5 CF
Viele Phoenix
Centofante 3
Watu
Patadese
Smock
Ikuchi
Kapara
Bradley 2

Out of ones I've personally owned, I'll go with this:



Micro-dyad in jigged bone with attractive bolsters. Merging modern and classic in a compact size that will be disarming to anyone.

Still no mention of the bolstered, Damascus caly 3 cf?

JSumm wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 7:07 pm

Geez, I think I want a Vallotton. Classy yet stabby through a car doory.

definitely one of those knives i scrolled by a thousand times and then absolutely needed once i noticed it. i've only carried it once because i have a plan for it that requires it to be in perfect condition. once i accomplish that plan, i may put it in the rotation.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:19 pm

JSumm wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 07, 2022 7:07 pm

Geez, I think I want a Vallotton. Classy yet stabby through a car doory.

definitely one of those knives i scrolled by a thousand times and then absolutely needed once i noticed it. i've only carried it once because i have a plan for it that requires it to be in perfect condition. once i accomplish that plan, i may put it in the rotation.

Auto Conversion? I know that’s something on my long list of wants!