Had you bought it first...

[wrdwrght]

Had you bought it first, what Spydie in your collection do you imagine would have lessened your urge to acquire others, simply because this knife now checks all the boxes your collecting has shown are important to you?

For me, it’s the Delica4.

Eight years as a Spyderco fanboi, I got my first Delica just a few weeks ago.

I could go on about what an evolved knife this Delica is, and perhaps I will if others play this mind-game.

Just to be clear, I’m not asking what your favorite knife is, I’m asking what your unique collection has taught you to prize most in a single knife.

[ZrowsN1s]

Fluted CF native S90V

[SG89]

Lil native comp lock

[twinboysdad]

Dragonfly

[abbazaba]

Not sure I'd be on this forum every day if I already found it :p

[Nate]

My first three Spydies were Persistence, Chap cf, and a stain/camo PM2.

I let the Persistence go, but today the Chaparral lw and Lefty PM2 are among my most carried, so I'm not sure I could have changed much that would have done me any good. The search and accumulation goes on anyway. :)

[anycal]

My first :spyder:, still my favorite and most used, hasn't changed a thing. I have been through some dozen different models since. Nothing has displaced it.

I am perfectly happy with most choices I made since the first one. Like them, use them. But nothing has bumped my favorite from the top spot.

[Water Bug]

The :spyder: that, had I bought it first, would've lessen the likelihood of me acquiring other Spyderco knives...? Actually, that happened...

My very first :spyder: was the smallest version of the Spyderco Jess Horn (Baby Jess Horn?) that I purchased years ago. The blade tip was so exposed when closed into the handle that it would really give my fingertip a really bad slice whenever I reached into my pocket to retrieve it... never carried that knife again and got rid of it shortly thereafter. It wouldn't be until several years later when I came upon the Spyderco Endura SE with the integral clip that I really started appreciating Spyderco knives... this particular Endura had its tip nicely nestled inside the handle and out of the way of my fingertips when closed and was a pleasure to use. Since then I've been more than happy to aquire Spyderco knives.

[TomAiello]

Manix 2 LW (Maxamet)

[MichaelScott]

“…what Spydie in your collection do you imagine would have lessened your urge to acquire others,…"

Most likely the Dragonfly and the One-Eyed Jack. The Dragonfly is about perfect for an extremely light weight knife and the One-Eyed Jack satisfies all of my requirements for a larger, quality medium size carry knife. Plus, it is just beautiful and the ergonomics seem to improve with my experience of it.

[curlyhairedboy]

Definitely my PM2, especially if I had encountered it early.

[Sharp Guy]

I like variety, so there isn't really one model that would've slowed my buying.

[Evil D]

For me this wouldn't have worked unless maybe the Sliverax were available from the start. The reason is because it has taken all these purchases to really feel out what I like and what works best for me. My favorite models outside the Sliverax are the Manix 2 and Military, and both of those models I really did not like at all when I first came across them and I slowly came around to loving them. I guess maybe if I came across a Military from the start and had no choice but to use it I may have come to the same conclusion.

[Daveho]

There are two spydercos that jump out at me as fitting the bill.
FRN chapparal and the dragonfly.

[colin.p]

Actually that's the reason I bought the PM2. I was looking for a lock that was comparable (in action) to the Axis lock. I briefly considered the Manix 2 but was more drawn to the compression lock. I am not a huge fan of liner/frame locks and really don't like back locks at all. So I decided to get what some considered to be the "best" all around Spyderco and I think they're right. However, I also bought (at the same time) a Para 3 and I actually like it better and is carried more than the 2. I don't have a burning desire to buy any more. Except, I did buy the Positron and even though it is a nice knife, I still prefer my PM2 and Para 3 more.

[wrdwrght]

For me this wouldn't have worked unless maybe the Sliverax were available from the start. The reason is because it has taken all these purchases to really feel out what I like and what works best for me

You’ve rephrased exactly what this thread was meant to highlight. It’s the ruminating on one’s own collection that renders the epiphany somewhere along the way. “Wow, if I’d only known, I would not have gotten those”.

Except, of course, that’s no fun.

So, while I now think the Delica4 is the distillation of everything a folder should be, I would not think to unload all the other Spydies that have led me to this conclusion. I like them all too much for one reason or other.

Weird how that works.

Coincidentally, you and I exchanged some thoughts on the Millie’s tiny, but effective choil. That got me to shed my devotion to choils, per se. The Delica4 has just enough of an indent to safeguard my index finger.

[Evil D]

Coincidentally, you and I exchanged some thoughts on the Millie’s tiny, but effective choil. That got me to shed my devotion to choils, per se. The Delica4 has just enough of an indent to safeguard my index finger.

I'm really interested in the Caribbean...no choil but your finger is closer to the edge than most other designs, it practically eliminates the need for one.

[Sumdumguy]

Native 5, I swore by the PM2 until I bought an S110V Forum Native. It's like it was tailor made for me.

I buy knives still, but the N5 is my glove. I have 2 identical N5s and if the deal popped up again, I would buy a third. My grandkids will be using them. I want to get the Ti one, but I dont think I would use it.

[murphjd25]

I honestly can’t answer this question. I like variety in my life!

[xceptnl]

For me, had I held a Caly 3.5 before discovering any other Spydercos, it's (slightly) less likely I would have amassed the collection I have. That knife (and subsequently the Caly family as a whole) hit all the checkboxes for my needs as a knife lover, collector, user and AFI.

That being said, I wouldn't give up my Dragonflys, Delicas, Manixes or Millies at this point. Knowing what I have learned now after years of knife infatuation, my most enjoyable revelation is that I like variety and trying new things almost as much as my favorites.... almost.