Spyderco Forums

ive not come on here to critisise but i just cannot get on with the looks of the spderco hole blade it looks deformed.

the only one im close to liking is the manix but every time i go to buy ,the hole puts me off.

do spyderco do a version of there knives with thumbstuds.
or am i missing the whole point of these knives.(or point of hole lol).

i really like the spyderco company they have great customer service and customer reviews great catalog and packaging,they use top quality materials,have their own forum.
it just the deformed blade look that puts me off.

i will admit ive never held a spydrco in my hand.

what do you guys think of the hole and blades of the spyderco range.

the hole, for me, is faster and easier on the thumb then a conventional stud. the bigger the hole the better (leave those sly remarks in your head)

I'm pretty sure that Spyderco has never made a knife with a thumb stud. I know that a few knives have been made by their japanese maker with thumb studs and then sold through Spyderco catalogs, but that was some time ago.

The biggest complaint I hear from my non-spydie owning knife buddies are that spyderco knives "just don't look right" (or that they're too expensive). The true beauty of a :spyder: knife is in using it. The ergronomics of the handle and the shape of the blade combined with a premium steel and a trustworthy lock are the hallmarks of any spyderco knife. I know that many of their models look strange (Like the Dodo, cricket, Lava, CoPilot, Kiwi, Salsa, Scorpius, and Native for some examples), but I can attest for the ease and comfort of use of each of the models I've mentioned.

I know the Spydie hole isn't for everyone, but if you'd like to try it without buying an expensive knife like the manix (a very, very nice expensive knife though), you could always try something like a Delica, Dragonfly, or Cricket (which I highly reccomend, it cuts like a much larger knife and is "cute" enough to be people friendly).

Short and simple, yes, you've missed the point. I can't remember the last time I used a folding a knife which did not have the Spyderhole opener. I can think of no good reason to do so. It is the most efficient opening device there is.

But, I can understand your feelings, I'm sure I've deprived myself of some excellent food, tools, and toys because I could not get past their looks.

For me at least, I never found thumbstuds as easy or comfortable as the Spyderhole.

I would also suggest, getting an "entry-level" Spydie to try. Maybe a tenacious (expectantly awaiting mine from Spydieguys!!) or a native especially if you have a walmart nearby. I bought my first Delica in high school on a whim and knowing nothing about Spyderco and I've been hooked ever since.

yup, the hole is the way to go all the time if at all possible. I have 2 knives with thumbstuds, they don't get carried often. more comfy, quicker for me, easier to use as well. Most thumb stud knives put the stud too close to the handle, whereas almost all spydies have the whole out and away from the handle so it's easy to use.

If you've never held a spydie, you defiinitely won't get it, they just feel perfect, UKPK, Para, Delica, Endura, Native, any of them, it just feels right in your hand.

I have had my thumb slip off a thumb stud but never out of the spydie opening hole. It`s the hole for me.

wertyu2007 wrote:i will admit ive never held a spydrco in my hand.

Therein lies your problem.

They might look a little funny at first, but when you hold them and use them, you will understand.

Most here will tell you there is nothing (thumbstuds, AO, flipper, automatic) they prefer to a simple spyderhole. It's not because we're blind fanboys, it's because it works.

I suggest you pick up a Native or Delica and give the hole a try. It may well grow on you.

I am new to the forums but felt like I needed to add my piece here. Back last year when I first started looking for an EDC knife I purchased the flatbyrd. I didn't know much about knives, still don't but I wanted it because, like the name says, it was flat. After carrying that for just a day I realized how useful the opening hole was. After I lost it I could not wait to get the real thing and purchase a real Spyderco.

I did think the Spyder hole (byrd hole?) looked a bit funny at first but until I got them in my hands I could not fully understand how smart and easy the design was. Now when I look at a folder with a thumb stud I think they looked deformed. The Spyderhole is very ingenuous in my opinion. Why add something to a knife when you can take something away, make it lighter, reduce the profile, and have it function better?

The Spyderhole seems to be a point that sets people off until they get them in their hands. Like others have said, get an entry level Spyderco and you will never go back. They are just so much better then the competition.

Hmm,

I read the OP comments and just presumed this was a troll. Maybe I need to relax...

thanks for all the intelligent feedback ,like i say i was not criticising spyderco but looking for a reason to buy as they are obviously a class company.

anyway ive just ordered the tenacious which i cant believe the price of hopefully itll give me a feel of what these knives are like but at that price £35 i wont be expecting the same as the manix.

ps i wish i had a walmart nearby, i live in england the only things we can get over the counter are slip joint knives and low power airifles.
ive heard you can buy a rifle at the same time as a knife and a loaf of bread out of a walmart.

i will add that ive always considered spyderco as v reasonable price wise considering the materials used.

ill tell you my honest thoughts as soon as i get hold of it.

thanks baz

I've always liked the look of the Spyderhole. As another poster said, "the bigger the hole the better". It works well, you can open it with your thumb or you can grab the hole and spydiedrop it open. I can reach in my pocket and grab the hole with two fingers, then as I take it out, I just flick my wrist and in one fluid motion the blade is out and locked.

wertyu2007 wrote:thanks for all the intelligent feedback ,like i say i was not criticising spyderco but looking for a reason to buy as they are obviously a class company.

anyway ive just ordered the tenacious which i cant believe the price of hopefully itll give me a feel of what these knives are like but at that price £35 i wont be expecting the same as the manix.

ps i wish i had a walmart nearby, i live in england the only things we can get over the counter are slip joint knives and low power airifles.
ive heard you can buy a rifle at the same time as a knife and a loaf of bread out of a walmart.

i will add that ive always considered spyderco as v reasonable price wise considering the materials used.

ill tell you my honest thoughts as soon as i get hold of it.

thanks baz

Well, you may very well have gone and gotten yourself an expensive habit, there, mister! Ask me how i know...

Here's a little story in return for your humble and intelligent approach.

When i was a lot younger than i am today i was working in a storehouse. I used a box-cutter everyday, but i wanted a *real* knife.
Went to a nearby store and looked at several, had money and bought into the "proof" and ended up with a Cold Steel folder.
Much to the owner of the stores dismay. He truly believed i would be better off with a Spyderco.
Having bought a knife which was ok, i thought i'd buy another one, and this time there was no going back for the owner of the store. He told me i'd get the Spyderco for free if i didn't like it. I ended up paying him a whole lot more for new Spyderco's...
I was visiting him today. He's one of my very best friends ;-)

My Old SE Dragonfly i bought that day are retired to exceptional events only.
I carried it when i flew over to the first Spyderco meet in Leeds.

Thumb studs get in my way when sharpening. The beloved Spyderco trademark round hole is brilliant. The byrd comet is also brilliant.

Best wishes,

Doug

One of the nice features of the hole is that it will not get hung up when with drawing from your pocket. The hole in the blade is superior to thumbstuds because the hole will not get in the way.

RKH

First off, welcome to the forum, Baz!

In a way, I envy you in that you are going to experience that first 'oh my' feeling of handling a Spyderco product. You will be amazed at the way the knife feels like an extension of your hand, as well as the speed and function of the Spyder Hole. Make no mistake, others have copied Spyderco 'firsts', such as the Spyder Hole and pocket clip, but there is nothing that compares to a Spydie.

I have used and collected knives from all of the top manufacturers and have found the greatest design, function, quality, ergonomics and value, is to be found in a Spyderco product. I have no doubt in my mind that you will come to the same conclusion. Welcome to the world of Spyderco.

First off, I prefer the Spyderhole type opening

When I open a knife with a Spyderhole,

I never flick or propel it open. I always follow the path of the hole all the way through with my thumb. IDK, but I guess that i feel like that is more reliable. Reliability and repeatability over speed i guess...
I like the Spyderhole, I think its a better way of opening.

With the thumb stud knives, it always feels like the best way to open it is to "Flick" or propel it open. And the flicking does open the knife faster.

So, IDK it sorta is a personal preference thing.


I will say, That the hole is the blade, does somewhat limit the design of the knife. The hole has to be of ample size to be useful. Too small and its just too difficult to open... IMO
There has to be room enough for the hole to be exposed when the blade is closed. So therefor you need a hump in the blade, or shape the handle to allow room for the hole.

Look at the Native series for example. The hole is relatively small. And when closed, the hole is partially occluded. This IMHO makes the Native somewhat difficult to open.
And although I don't want to see anythumb studs on ANY Spyderco's... I think that the Native is a design better suited for use with a thumb stud.

Thumbstud opening also allows for designs with thinner profiles when closed. Like the Kershaw Leek, Blur, Avalanche and BM's 710, Kulgera, Stryker...

But then again, If the thumb stud is too close to the handle... its just a PITA to open. Take the BM 710. The Thumbstud is almost touching the handle, and its difficult to get your thumb in there.


So... Take that however you want.

But, The spyderhole is bound to grow on you.. And you will start looking at thumb stud openers and say... "boy that knife looks strange"


But its all Personal opinion and preference.


-Clockwork

I think once you handle a Spydeco and open and close it a couple of times you will see.

I will not buy a knife that has a thumb stud. I play with my knives alot and constantly open and close it. After a few minutes with a thumbstud I have worn off the tip of my thumb. With the spyderhole I can open and close my knife all day long with no problem. Another reason the hole is excellent is the ease of working the knife left handed. (another reason I like that so many Spydercos have a lockback).

I doubt you will not like the function of any Spyderco you buy, and even if you do selling it especially a Manix would be easy.

DM

Netsquash wrote:I am new to the forums but felt like I needed to add my piece here. Back last year when I first started looking for an EDC knife I purchased the flatbyrd. I didn't know much about knives, still don't but I wanted it because, like the name says, it was flat. After carrying that for just a day I realized how useful the opening hole was. After I lost it I could not wait to get the real thing and purchase a real Spyderco.

I did think the Spyder hole (byrd hole?) looked a bit funny at first but until I got them in my hands I could not fully understand how smart and easy the design was. Now when I look at a folder with a thumb stud I think they looked deformed. The Spyderhole is very ingenuous in my opinion. Why add something to a knife when you can take something away, make it lighter, reduce the profile, and have it function better?

The Spyderhole seems to be a point that sets people off until they get them in their hands. Like others have said, get an entry level Spyderco and you will never go back. They are just so much better then the competition.

Exactly! The Spyderco hole is the safest and "surest" opener there is - bar none. After I got used to the look of it not being "normal", I find Spydercos to be gorgeous knives and that's all I use now. :spyder: :D The hole isn't in the way and doesn't catch on a pocket accidentally, either.

- best wishes, Jazz.