a little knife help

[Jack_sloane333]

Hello all

I'm new to collecting Spydercos, so I was wondering if any member here can help me pick a new Spyderco. I got my PE Native III about 3 weeks ago and need a new :spyder: .

I thought about the paramilitary but know nothing about compression locks.
The lil Temp is tempting but again I know nothing of the lock.

I just need a folder that has a blade under 5" and can take abuse. This knife will have to do many things from food preperation to self defense. I demand alot from my knives so i need something that will last.

thanks, any suggestions will be appreciated :)

[severedthumbs]

WELCOME :spyder:

what do you need to know about the compression lock?
It works, it keeps the knife open want it open, and it is very simple to figure out how to close.

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha and welcome!

I'd say SS Endura w/ grip tape on scales, or just go for the Military. Heck, i had a FRN Endura G2 PE that is STILL going strong, but I gave it to a co-worker who uses his knives pretty hard everyday around his small "farm". I used that Endura for EVERYTHING!!! From abuse like throwing, to SD and EDC use. I liked it because it was not too expensive, and if I destroyed it somehow, or lost it, I could easily replace it...

I haven't used my Military enough, but I am confident in it's ability to last...

As for comp-locks, well, I honestly don't like 'em too much.

[Jack_sloane333]

thanks for the welcome and the info

I thought my Native would do all the things i needed it to do, but unfortunately i can barely open the knife with the hole being where it is.

Severedthumbs, i wanted to know how it works, I already know how to close it, just didnt know how it worked. I heard it was basicly like a liner lock, except you unlock it from the back.

Daywalker, I had thought about the military before, I just cant seem to trust a liner lock.

Oh well, i guess I'll just get the endura and para, that way i can find out how g-10 scales feel, and i can experince the compression lock. I can get the military next month. :)

333

[The Deacon]

If you don't mind a bit of weight the Manix is a great HD folder with the same type lock as your Native III. Great steel, smooth opening, solid lock-up, and the flat ground blade let it slice well despite being 4mm thick. Clip can be mounted for tip up or down, right or left carry. If you want something a bit lighter, take a look at the Persian, again with the same front lock as your Native, a tad less rugged than the Manix but still very strong. If you want lighter yet, then perhaps the Stretch, once again a front lock. Feels great in the hand and has a flat ground blade for superior slicing and dicing.

Edited to add - the thumb holes on all three of these are well placed and large.

[UK KEN]

If you want one of the easiest smoothest openers out there, go for the Lil' Temp.

It is a great all round knife. You will not be disapointed!

Regards, Ken

[JD Spydo]

My first recommendation would be the Manix or even the Dodo. The more I use Eric Glesser's designs the more I like them. If you just want an everyday utility knife capable of a myriad of everyday chores then the little "S" Razor (Dodo) is the way to go. If you need something a little bigger and even more ridgid then I would say the Manix for sure. Actually both of them would indeed be justifiable. :)

[Zrexxer]

i wanted to know how it works, I already know how to close it, just didnt know how it worked. I heard it was basicly like a liner lock, except you unlock it from the back.

Welcome, Jack. I'll take a "stab" at telling you a little more about the compression lock than "it holds the knife open." The lock release is situated on the handle spine like a lockback, but it operates similar to a liner lock. Think along the lines of an upside down liner lock, although it doesn’t quite function as a traditional liner lock would. Basically, the Compression Lock relies on the lock bar wedging itself between the blade tang and the blade’s stop pin. The forces trying to close the blade are compressing the lock bar - squeezing it in between the blade tang and stop pin. Here's an exploded diagram that might help explain this better:

[HoB]

Aaaah, since you said it yourself: Go with the Lil'T!!!! Awesome knife and probably the most sturdy folder I have ever held. The compression lock, especially the one on the Lil'T (a bit different from the newer compression locks) is a lock that is IMHO as good as it gets. Not to mention that it is easily MBC rated (strongest compression lock Spyderco makes).

[Jack_sloane333]

Thanks for the illustration Zrexxer, i understand it better now. :)

I thought about the Manix, but the main online store i buy from hasnt recieved them. and unfortunately there are no spyderco sellers in my town or around it.
(i buy most knives "blind" never actually handleing them, so suggestions and reviews are needed for me)

I'll probably get the lil temp next month along with the Millitary

Thanks for the suggestions, but now I want them all.

[fret]

Zrexxer, is that an exploded drawing of the Pro-Venator and Pro-Grip?

[Zrexxer]

Fret, the Pro-Grip is a lock back so I'm not real sure what the heck that picture's of... Anyone?

[spyderknut]

Fret, the Pro-Grip is a lock back so I'm not real sure what the heck that picture's of... Anyone?

Looks like a Vesuvius or Cento III, both lockbacks. I don't think this knife exists (yet).

[Jack_sloane333]

I forgot to ask about that knife, I've researched a few of the spyderco knives.
never saw anything like that.

Then again as Spyderknut said "I don't think this knife exists (yet)"

333

[DAYWALKER]

Spyderknut is right in that they are Centofante designs...but, they DO exist!

The one with that inlay is a variant of the true "blue" Vesuvius, and the black one is the "now a lockback" Cento III with the paladium :spyder: in the scale.

God bless!

[vampyrewolf]

I abused my frn/pe ats-55 delica for 3yrs, and then gave it to my buddy when I upgraded to the military....

haven't had a chance to abuse my military as much as I did the delica(put a shed up with it, shingle cutting and all... and landscaping in our yard), but I know it'll hold. The delica's lock is only rated for 1/2 of what the military is... and thats the high end compared to the low end. If my memory is working after over a month off work, the delica is rated (medium duty) 50-80lbs /inch, and the military is 150lbs/inch (minimum).

The only concern with linerlocks is twisting at all, but if I need to pry with my edge at all, the ss 'fly does that nicely(if not the slipjoint in my pocket).

Had 3 salsa's before, the "lab rat" stage of the compression lock. Ended up trading them for other toys. it likes to bite me opening it. Waiting now on one I won over on kfc... It'll probably end up as a bday gift for either my father or my buddy.

[severedthumbs]

Never fear a well executed liner lock. I would like to see a compression lock test to know exactly how strong it is. I showed my para to our dean of engineering at school, and he and the head of the physics department did a few tests and crunched a ton of numbers, and they said it was questionable. It definately works but is it really any better than a liner lock or frame lock and their conclusion was no. So with that said I would like to see a real test of the lock, something like Coldsteel does.

[l33trade]

My experience with the compression lock on a EDC Salsa has become a show stopper. It functions well and opens easily, however, it has developed vertical play. I believe it is the nature of the design to develop vertical play due to wear from opening and closing. My guess is the wear reduces the width of the compression tab, thus introducing vertical play. Lockbacks are generally good but have their shortfalls too. The spring tension can cause drag during opening. If lint or dirt gets in the lock it may not engage securely. The locks I like best are integral or frame locks, ball bearing locks and axis locks.

[Jack_sloane333]

hmm... I hadnt thought about vertical blade play. I wonder how much "wear" is needed before its noticeable. I tend to open and close my edc knife literally hundreds of times a day (nevous/bored habit). I have had my native III for about a month now, and have noticed it has already devoloped an odd clicking sound when pressure is applied to the edge as well as a very small amount of blade play.
Sheesh i only have until this coming monday to decide what to buy. A Para, a Lil Temp, millitary, police, a Bm42.
Desicions Desicions. :confused:

[Senate]

Sheesh i only have until this coming monday to decide what to buy. A Para, a Lil Temp, millitary, police, a Bm42.
Desicions Desicions. :confused:

and when you're done choosing the knife, you'll have to choose the type of finish/blade