New to this forum and to Spyderco

[MichaelScott]

By way of introduction I am seventy-two, live in a very small town in southern Colorado, retired, father and husband, Navy vet and a writer and lover of history. I spent a few growing-up years in north Texas in a town called Bowie where my father and sister were born. Being named after James Bowie, knives were always a favorite topic and I suspect I first developed my knife interest there. I've had knives of various sorts ever since. They especially came in handy on board ship. I went from a large Case folding knife with a large blade at one end to a marlin spike at the other to a good, sharp fixed blade on board. A concern at sea detail or underway replenishment was getting caught up in a moving line and I figured a fixed blade sheath knife would be a faster deploy.

Anyway, I've been through a lot of knives, settling on folders these days. A couple of years ago hearing more about Spyderco knives I bought a Delica 4 in brown. Hmmm... Odd shapes, interesting blade and steel. The more I used it the better liked it, especially the edge performance bolstered by the ergonomics of the handle. So, liking small knives too, I bought a Dragonfly 2. Instant affinity. After a few months with that one I came to the tentative conclusion that it is the best EDC knife on the planet. Of course, I lost it. Grumble, curses and other bad words. I tried a Byrd Meadowlark. But, it arrived damaged and obviously used. Sent it back and bought an Orange handled Dragonfly 2 from Amazon. Nice....
Then I lost it too.
In the interim I researched and learned a great deal about Spyderco the company, their philosophy and dedication to quality and customer support. Now I am even more impressed and have decided that I will just stick with Spyderco products from now on.

So, being limited in funds as we live basically on social security, I am picking up the occasional Spydercos as I can. I can't really be a collector since I use all of my knives so I tend to follow the forum experiences on Spyderco models but buy what I can that appeals to me. I got a new Ambitious to fill in for the Dragonfly and I have a Tenacious with the plain edge coming tomorrow.

One last note: three years ago I stopped working as one moderator on a gun forum. We had over ten thousand members and five mods. The owner sold it so we all resigned. It was a balanced, non-hostile place, but we had to work hard to keep it that way. I am impressed with the general level of courtesy and community I have observed here and hope to be a contributing member.

[Ankerson]

Welcome. :)

Small world, I used to live just outside of Sunset TX, left when I was still a kid, but still have family in the area.

Not very far from Bowie, that was the bigger town. :)

[remnar]

Welcome to the forum MichaelScott! :)

[Johnnie1801]

Welcome to the forum Michael. I hope you have a good time on the forum. As you are in Colorado you may wish to save a few $'s for the seconds sale at the SFO in November, I'm sure some of our Coloradan members will fill you in on the details :)

[Razzle]

Howdy, Michael....welcome from your neighbor down the road in Arizona.

[jmh58]

Welcome!! John :)

[DutchBlades]

Welcome to the forums! Always nice to hear a person's story and it's just as nice to see the community grow :D

[Donut]

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy your stay.

[The Mastiff]

Welcome sir. This is a great place to hang out and even learn things. Lots of experienced folks who can keep even us retired folks learning and moving forward

Joe

[Holland]

Welcome to the forums! I look forward to seeing you put your spydercos to work! :D

[MichaelScott]

Welcome. :)

Small world, I used to live just outside of Sunset TX, left when I was still a kid, but still have family in the area.

Not very far from Bowie, that was the bigger town. :)

I think my current town, La Veta, is bigger than Sunset and smaller than Bowie (as it was then). I had a school friend who lived in Sunset. Used to go visit now and then.

[Ankerson]

Welcome. :)

Small world, I used to live just outside of Sunset TX, left when I was still a kid, but still have family in the area.

Not very far from Bowie, that was the bigger town. :)

I think my current town, La Veta, is bigger than Sunset and smaller than Bowie (as it was then). I had a school friend who lived in Sunset. Used to go visit now and then.

Haven't been back for awhile myself. :)

The family had a good sized farm until a few years ago, used to go back and help during cutting season, coastal hay.

I heard the area has been growing quite a bit as of late.

[Doc Dan]

Welcome to the forum and to our addiction. I see you found what we all have, that these weird looking Spydercos really to work well and are more comfortable to use. The Dragonfly cannot be beaten for a small knife. I gave up my traditional knife for a G10 Dragonfly, the only thing that ever qualified as a replacement. I have a purple one in my pocket now. Try Knifeworks.com, as they have great prices on Dragonflies, if you don't mind me saying so.

[MichaelScott]

Thanks for the advice about Knifeworks. I'm not keen on buying from eBay sellers, although I've sold a lot of things there and maintained a 100% rating over the years. There are many questionable sellers there and I don't know enough about fake Spydercos to feel secure if I should ever spend serious money on one.

I was surprised at my reaction to the Dragonfly 2. I think it is the equal of bigger knives, and even more, has, for me, the right combination of ergonomics, blade shape, cutting edge and weight. I like the FRN versions. I'm still hopeful that my little orange one is somewhere in the house and will turn up when least expected. Could happen. A Tenacious is due to arrive today so I'll be carrying that one around, getting the feel of it for a few days. So, I guess my "collection" has begun: Delica 4, Ambitious, Tenacious.

[Ankerson]

That's a good start. :)

Let us know what you think about the Tenacious once you get it.

[SpyderNut]

From one Michael to another--welcome aboard! :) It's always good to see a fellow knife enthusiast here.

Take care,
Michael

[sal]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to our forum.

I'm seventy two. And a sailor (small sailboats) and a knife afi.

Hope you enjoy your time here,. Lotsa good folks and the discussion doesn't cost a dime.

sal

[ChrisinHove]

Hello! Judging from what you've posted so far, you're clearly sane and level headed.... so a big welcome from me,too!

[rodloos]

Welcome to the forum. I have not yet made it to visit Bowie, TX. Isn't it strange how Texas of all places specifically prohibits carrying a Bowie knife (though they don't even define *what* constitutes a "Bowie" :) ).

Of course not too far away is Weatherford, home of Gayle Bradley. If you haven't had a chance to examine his Spyderco collaborations, do check them out!

[Blerv]

Welcome to the forums! :D