Spyderco Forums

tonijedi wrote: ↑

Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 pm

Bill1170 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 25, 2024 9:55 am

Increasingly I’ve taken to carrying a SE Spyderco locking folder plus a SAK for plain edge and “other tool” duties. Cargo pants make this a reasonable option and I carry a 100mm Knipex adjustable pliers in rear pocket, too.

We may be an ocean apart, but we think exactly the same.
Knipex has been sitting at home lately, but definitely a good tool. Can't dress on cargo pants on my job, have to find those "undercover" cargo pants that look like jeans

Pockets on the inside? could be awkward to access contents!

Bill1170 wrote: ↑

Fri May 09, 2025 10:50 am

tonijedi wrote: ↑

Thu May 08, 2025 3:29 pm

Bill1170 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 25, 2024 9:55 am

Increasingly I’ve taken to carrying a SE Spyderco locking folder plus a SAK for plain edge and “other tool” duties. Cargo pants make this a reasonable option and I carry a 100mm Knipex adjustable pliers in rear pocket, too.

We may be an ocean apart, but we think exactly the same.
Knipex has been sitting at home lately, but definitely a good tool. Can't dress on cargo pants on my job, have to find those "undercover" cargo pants that look like jeans

Pockets on the inside? could be awkward to access contents!

It's some tactical jeans, gotta check it out.
I'm just a normal guy, but I carry 2 phones, 1 car key, 1 flashlight, 1 Spyderco Salt 2, 1 Victorinox Waiter, 1 thermographic camera...

Over two months ago, I decided to try Spyderco SE knives for EDC. When using any knife for EDC, I have a few criteria:
Blade 3-inches or under
Not scary looking for non-knife people (I spend too much time in town)
Less than 2.75oz
Lockback or compression lock

Of my small handful of SE knives, I eliminated the Salt 2 Wharncliffe and Byrd Hawkbill for EDC in town...at the upper limit of blade length, too eye-catching, and too likely to cause paroxysms amongst the more "sensitive", especially the Hawkbill. Not to worry, the Salt now lives in my truck, and the Hawkbill does garden duty.

I carried either a Dragonfly 2 Salt SE or a Lil Native SE for a month. There were things I liked, things I didn't.
LIkes: opening boxes was no problem, though it wasn't as smooth as cutting with a sharp PE. On the plus side, after a month, they still cut the same, while a PE usually required at least stropping to cut smoothly.
Rope, twine: Better than PE. The thicker the rope, the more advantage for the SE.
Opening mail: Not as good as PE. Tends to tear envelopes instead of cutting. I don't need a knife to tear open an envelope.
Removing labels from boxes or scraping labels from jars: Sucks. Sorry. I never came up with a technique that worked even as well as a dull PE.

By the end of the test month, I bought a brand new Chaparral SE. I put away the other two SEs and started carrying the Chaparral.

A few days ago, I realized my Chaparral test month was up....and, it's still in my pocket. I'm not saying it replaces my favorite PE knives, but I certainly like it enough to put it in rotation with my favorites. It does EVERYTHING better than the other SE Spyercos I tried, and it does some things better than PE. As for envelopes, it cuts almost as smoothly as a sharp PE and much better than a dull PE.

There is an exception: I still prefer a PE, even a butterknife, for scraping labels off glass or metal, or even removing labels from boxes.

In the end, I have to agree with the title of this thread:
SE performance is more than simply teeth vs no-teeth.

Given the sharp-toothed SEs (like the Dragonfly and Lil Native), I prefer a PE for most things.
Given the rounded-tooth SE (Chaparral), I can't decide whether I prefer SE or PE. But the SE Chaparral has some real advantages.

Thanks to Evil D for starting this thread. I might not have tried SE for EDC had not read these posts.

Just joined and was on the fence but I think I’m going to pick up a serrated edge Spyderco !

Do it. You won't regret it.

Oh, and WELCOME!

I think the size and shape of the serrations needs to vary depending on what we are cutting. I don't think there's a "one size fits all" serration. Spyderco serrations snag on practically everything, yet my fully SE Delica is perfect for getting the climbing vines off my wood fence. On the other hand it will shred a piece of bread. My wife has a Victorinox tomato knife with very fine serrations. It slices bread--and tomatoes--smoothly and perfectly. I think I'd like a finely serrated Spyderco, at least for what I do.

Rob-F wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 09, 2025 9:47 pm

I think the size and shape of the serrations needs to vary depending on what we are cutting. I don't think there's a "one size fits all" serration. Spyderco serrations snag on practically everything, yet my fully SE Delica is perfect for getting the climbing vines off my wood fence. On the other hand it will shred a piece of bread. My wife has a Victorinox tomato knife with very fine serrations. It slices bread--and tomatoes--smoothly and perfectly. I think I'd like a finely serrated Spyderco, at least for what I do.

Finer serrations have benefits in cutting some items, but I don’t want a pattern so fine it can’t be maintained on the 204 Sharpmaker. The edges of the triangular rods need to be able to slide into all the scallops to touch every bit of the edge.

Bill1170 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:16 pm

Rob-F wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 09, 2025 9:47 pm

Finer serrations have benefits in cutting some items, but I don’t want a pattern so fine it can’t be maintained on the 204 Sharpmaker. The edges of the triangular rods need to be able to slide into all the scallops to touch every bit of the edge.

Very good point!

Hey Rob,

Our serrations are good mix of size and shape. Finely sharpened on the Sharpmaker will get to the point where they don't snag. Getting the teeth "right" is the purpose of this thread that Dave created. We're always trying to get the factories to get them right and we're getting closer. The new Chaparral's teeth are very good and the Golden teeth do well, but that fine tuning by the Sharpmaker will make a difference.

sal

Hi Sharky,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:10 pm

Hey Rob,

Our serrations are good mix of size and shape. Finely sharpened on the Sharpmaker will get to the point where they don't snag. Getting the teeth "right" is the purpose of this thread that Dave created. We're always trying to get the factories to get them right and we're getting closer. The new Chaparral's teeth are very good and the Golden teeth do well, but that fine tuning by the Sharpmaker will make a difference.

sal

OK then Sal, I am now on the lookout for an SE Chaparral! And I will have to learn how to fine-tune its teeth on my Sharpmaker . . .

Rob-F wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:09 am

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:10 pm

Hey Rob,

Our serrations are good mix of size and shape. Finely sharpened on the Sharpmaker will get to the point where they don't snag. Getting the teeth "right" is the purpose of this thread that Dave created. We're always trying to get the factories to get them right and we're getting closer. The new Chaparral's teeth are very good and the Golden teeth do well, but that fine tuning by the Sharpmaker will make a difference.

sal

OK then Sal, I am now on the lookout for an SE Chaparral! And I will have to learn how to fine-tune its teeth on my Sharpmaker . . .

The Chap LW SE is one of those ‘far greater than the sum of its parts’ bits of engineering. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Rob-F wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:09 am

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:10 pm

Hey Rob,

Our serrations are good mix of size and shape. Finely sharpened on the Sharpmaker will get to the point where they don't snag. Getting the teeth "right" is the purpose of this thread that Dave created. We're always trying to get the factories to get them right and we're getting closer. The new Chaparral's teeth are very good and the Golden teeth do well, but that fine tuning by the Sharpmaker will make a difference.

sal

OK then Sal, I am now on the lookout for an SE Chaparral! And I will have to learn how to fine-tune its teeth on my Sharpmaker . . .

Just use the sharpmaker normally, as per the instructions for serrated edges.

Great thread! I really enjoy seeing the variety of Spyderco knives people collect and use. The blend of practical design and innovative features always makes their knives stand out.
Does anyone have a favorite model for everyday carry? I’m curious which ones hold up best over time.

Potaka wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:25 am

Great thread! I really enjoy seeing the variety of Spyderco knives people collect and use. The blend of practical design and innovative features always makes their knives stand out.
Does anyone have a favorite model for everyday carry? I’m curious which ones hold up best over time.

This will sound like a typical fanboy answer but I don't think they make a knife that won't hold up over time. There are 30+ year old models that are still plenty usable. These knives will last a lifetime if you don't abuse them, or at least to the point of sharpening the blade down to a nub.

Ironically I bet more of Spyderco's budget knives see more hard use than the expensive ones, meaning that even their cheapest options can hold up to daily use. Every tool needs proper routine maintenance though.

Hi Potaka,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

Potaka wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:25 am

Great thread! I really enjoy seeing the variety of Spyderco knives people collect and use. The blend of practical design and innovative features always makes their knives stand out.
Does anyone have a favorite model for everyday carry? I’m curious which ones hold up best over time.

Pacific Salt SE. A favorite for good reason, definitely try one

Potaka wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:25 am

Great thread! I really enjoy seeing the variety of Spyderco knives people collect and use. The blend of practical design and innovative features always makes their knives stand out.
Does anyone have a favorite model for everyday carry? I’m curious which ones hold up best over time.

Leafjumper in K390 steel. It’ll develop a beautiful patina over time and the steel is incredible. It’s the best FRN scaled knife that I have and I carry it daily since I got it.

Just stopping by to say WOW- Chap SE lives up to the hype. It's my 3rd SE folder (tenacious and pac salt h2) and out of the box this thing is a slicer.

With the pac salt and tenacious I saw the benefit of SE for plant matter but I struggled to get them tuned up to my satisfaction for edc/general utility. Not so with the chappie- this thing is going to be a contender for major pocket time.

Thank you Sal and team for continuing to improve SE. This thing is a little beast.