Meant to Only BE USED by design

[JD Spydo]

I think it's fair to say that a huge percentage of us on this great Spyderville Forum have a big collector interest in Spyderco blades. Many of the good folks here only use maybe at most 5% of the Spyders that they own. I know because I truly fit that description as recently as 2 years ago. But things are changing for me as I'm getting into survival mode.

My point is that some of the great Spyder models never were ever meant to be collector pieces at all. No there are some Spyders I believe that it's a sin and a crime not to use them to their utmost abilities. For instance the great Spyderco Catcherman model really hasn't attained much collector status to speak of>> nor should it be. But it is a "deluxe user blade". One of my very favorite users to be exact. Also the first fixed blade Temperance model ( PE & SE) was never destined to be a safe queen, grail knife, elusive special collector model>> NO!! it was mainly meant to be a "USER SPYDER" and it's meant to be used hard and I mean very hard>> because it can take it believe me :cool: .

On the opposite side of that spectrum there are models I just can't bring myself to use. My Micarta Dyad Jr for instance of which there were very, very few made as well as some of the original CArbon Fiber models. I can't bring myself to use those types of Spyders at all. I could name off many more that fit that description and so could most of you.

Nor do I think any of the Spyderco kitchen/culinary models were ever intended to be collector icons. And most certainly all of the Salt Series are intended to be used, abused and even punished to prove their ruggedness.

OK I've named 2 great USER Spyders. I want you all to name some Spyders that you believe are truly meant to be USERs and not collector Gems.

[rycen]

The original Manix.

[vampyrewolf]

****, I just touched up the edge on my Micarta Dyad Jr on friday. It gets used, just not hard. Touched up my bone kiwi about a month ago.

My Glasshart dragonfly doesn't get used (still factory edge after all this time), and I still haven't used my frn or g-10 dragonflies.

I dumped a good deal of my spydies when I was in school, pretty much anything that was just sitting there not being used. Even traded off a couple of my rarer ones (micarta zowada, grey caly jr...) in the same period. I rotate my knives & multitools depending on what tasks I expect to be doing, don't think I go more than a month without carrying most of them.

[kbuzbee]

I want you all to name some Spyders that you believe are truly meant to be USERs and not collector Gems.

All of them. I don't collect but I do have some that never seem to call out "pick me". Eventually I'll sell or trade those if I'm totally convinced it isn't for me.

But in the spirit of the question, my Gayle Bradley is my most "user" knife to date. That thing ROCKS!

Ken

[JD Spydo]

I know that there are a few of you all like Brother Yablanowitz who uses almost every Spyder they have. Albeit he is the exception in most cases :cool: And there ain't nothing wrong with that at all. When I go down to live in the woods this spring and summer I'll probably be getting closer to his philosophy :D

But I'm willing to almost bet that very few out of the Salt Series will ever become collector jewells like the C-54, C-60 and original CF Police model.

But there is a good comparison right there. BEcause most of the Stainless Police always get used whereas their G-10, CF and Ti models rarely see hard duty. Almost all of the FRN Spyders end up being hard users. The FRN Spyders that attain serious collectibility are rare and infrequent at best.

I feel so priviledged and GOD-Blessed to have a user FRN, PE, Blue Spyderhawk. Some people think I'm sinning against the Spyder-GODS by using that bad boy :rolleyes: :D

But again on the other side of the Spyder world there won't be many K-04 or K-05 Spyder kitchen blades in serious collections.

And Hey BRother Rycen makes a great point about the Manix>> that is a good example of a Spyder that should be used. The Manix is a beast of a blade for hard use

[rycen]

Forgot to add the Military

[monsterdog]

All my Spyderco knives get used, at least once in a while, this include ones like the CF/S90V Manix 2 and D2 Para.

[JD Spydo]

Forgot to add the Military

I 100% agree with both the Manix and Military for Hard Use designation. One of my favorite all time hard users was a 440V, SE Military model that I traded. It's one of the very few trades that I deeply regret.

I'll go out on a limb and say that the Golden Colorado made Spyders should be hard Users. "You just got to buy one for the collection and one to use". Spyderco should use that last phrase for a sales slogan :D

[AKWolf]

G.Bradley CPM M4 hardest using folder to date...I sure hope they continue the series with some refinements...;

[aj1985]

I as well use all my spydies. I even wanted to put in my pocket the workers from the Evo set, but couldn't bear to. Just so pretty. Everything that doesn't get used has to go.

I think Ayoob is a fantastic kitchen knife. I gave mine to Girl who just loves it. She uses it daily. The pistol grip, The belly and SE. It just screams to be used.

aj

[kbuzbee]

All my Spyderco knives get used, at least once in a while, this include ones like the CF/S90V Manix 2 and D2 Para.

My next two favorite users behind the GB. Awesome knives!

Ken

[gull wing]

I've been here a long time, I thought most of us used most of our Spidies. If this were a collectors only club I would not be here. I consider myself as a "User/Collector" = one who has a bunch(in no particular order) and uses them for a while, then puts then back in the box for a time.

Para
Stretch
Sage
Calypso Jr

[The Deacon]

Although I use some Spydercos others might consign to the "shelf queen only" category, and collect others which some might consider strictly users, to me the ultimate "made to be used" model is the Stretch.

[Hector Castro]

Harpy G-10, Spyderhawk or Tasman are users for sure. The spydersaw, Hossom Forester, Endura, Police G-10 or stainless, are also users.

[Pneumothorax]

I use all my Spydies for 'regular' stuff like taking down boxes, mail/package opening, whittling, but I have to admit, I dont like the idea of submitting them to really hard use that might damage them. Having said that, after carrying and using my Manix 2, I have designated that one my 'work' knife that I would use for anything knife related - 1) it is a beast - solid as a rock and 2) it is reasonably priced (I have the 154cm one) that I wouldnt worry about it. Last add: I have no safe queens.

[Mr Blonde]

All my spydies get used, even my WTC Rescue, but I'm a city boy so there aren't many spydies in my collection who get to see 'real heavy use'.

The Schempp Khukuri is also IMHO a real user.

Wouter

[Slick]

There are users and then there are collectors. And then there are the mixers. I am a hard core user. I can not-not try out a knife I own. Every colletable I own has been decreased in value. I do not care. I do not buy collectables on the after market.

I am dissapointed when a knife I would like to own is released in small quantities. I do not pre-order (been burned).

My Wally World Natives and Caly 3's and Kiwi get 90% of pocket time. I will keep the rest for sentimental value and occasional carry.

[Rhiney]

All my spydies are users. My usual EDC is a D2 Military, swapped out with a PE D'Allara or a CF Sage -- sometimes an Emerson. The only knife I own that has NOT seen use is my Manix. Not because it's a safe queen -- because it is my "end of the world knife." I want one clean factory edge for when the zombies come...

[Donut]

The Captain is a user, but I love how it looks so much, that I rarely use it.

[2cha]

Bought the pacific salt on forumsters advice. Plan to use the heck out of it. Couldn't imagine putting it somewhere safe to look at once in a while.
Have considered a Phoenix, because its cool, not to use.
Mostly I accumulate--use and rotate--and don't collect. I don't have the self-restraint to collect. I even ruined the collector value of my pilot release leafstorm by using it (pity, because after use, I decided I don't like the way it uses!).

Here's why the Pacific Salt is a user, and should be a user! No need to fear snow!