If (in my albeit limited experience so far with Spydercos) the Byrd line is a good budget offering and the Delica(4) is a great no frills Everyday knife, what is the Ambitious?
Simply put, it’s the best inexpensive Small Knife Spyderco. At 2.25 inches, the blade is similar to that of my CRKT Squid, a short, squat, robust knife I EDC’d for years, because it was a small yet sturdy knife that was both inoffensive to the easily frightened, and still had enough blade to be effective for many everyday tasks, and was definitely sturdy enough. In fact, the overall approach to the knife seems similar, except for one thing: Spyderco just did it better.
There were three problems with the Squid, for me anyway; 1) no reversible pocket clip, 2) it was heavy (especially for its tiny size) and 3) the thumb studs were hard to open especially given how tiny it was.
The Ambitious solves all these problems; the spyderhole is, as usual, since I tried it, the easiest non-assist, non-flipper type of opening for me. The knife has not only a reversible (left and right) pocket clip, but a four-position one. And with its full flat ground blade and open-back design, skeletonized liners, and G10 handle scales, it is far lighter in the hand and the pocket.
I liked the Squid enough that I got two, when I carried it daily. Will the same hold true for the Spyderco Ambitious? I’m already thinking yes, if not more so.
Overall impressions:
First, the knife is solid and well-made despite being made in China. Lockup is sure and swift, blade centering is spot on, liners and grip are fitted perfectly, and nothing feels off. And unlike some of the Byrd knives (also China-made) which I own, the pocket clip screws are not stuck, so I was able to move the clip to my preferred tip up, left side carry. The knife is surprisingly light given that even though it is short, it is stoutly built, and proportioned.
The 8cr13mov steel (as on the Byrd series) may not be as hard or corrosion resistant as VG-10, but it comes sharp, is easy to touch up, and hasn’t rusted yet on either of my Byrds despite hard use. So far the Ambitious is showing the same quality that belies the entry-level nature of the steel. Speaking of entry level, the knife can be found for around $30, so when you consider what you get, it is light years ahead of many other small or sub-EDC knives.
Normally lefties are kind of screwed with frame or liner locks, inasmuch as they are designed for the lock to be depressed in only one direction – usually with the right hand. This is one of the things I love about “typical” Spyderco knives like the Delica etc. the lockback is centrally positioned and easily operated with either hand. Linerlocks are not as easy to operate lefty; you can do it lefty, but it then means flicking the blade around edge on towards your hand. But the Ambitious is so short, this isn’t a problem. Another place lefties are often out of luck with linerlocks is opening the blade; the liner is cutout in the vicinity of the thumb stud or hole (as in this case) on the right side only. However, although it is not as easy to do it lefty, it isn’t as hard as it could be; Spyderco added a bit of scalloping to the edge of the handle scales on the opposite (left) side. This is probably intended to aid in grip, but makes getting a thumb in the Spyderhole for us southpaws easier.
Really there is only one thing I am not liking about this knife, and that is the lack of a finger groove at the base of the blade, or even a safe spot to put your finger that isn’t a proper groove, as the Delica has. This was probably a deliberate choice by Spyderco; doing so would either increase the overall length of the knife, tweak the handle-blade proportions, or cause them to give up some cutting edge length. In short, long as I can remember not to put my forefinger on the base of the blade, I’m happy with their decision, but it is the one thing that really took getting used to.
Overall, this is probably one of the best budget small knives out there. For most people it’s probably smaller than a normal EDC knife, but that may have advantages too. If you think about it, the best knife isn’t just the one that is best in an abstract sense; at the end of the day the best knife for the task is the one you have on you when you need it. And the small size and nonthreatening looks of the Ambitious make it a knife that can be carried literally anywhere.
For those abiding by the notion, “do not go anywhere without a knife”, this may indeed be the ideal thing to have. Maybe not as an EDC knife, but as a knife to keep in your desk drawer or backpack or toolbox for when you might not be able to carry your normal EDC. It is inexpensive, well made, can be carried pretty much anywhere without being remarked upon by the easily startled, and has enough blade to do many daily tasks.
Of course, this is only my second Spyderco (first was the Delica4), third if you count the CaraCara and Meadowlark by Byrd. I have much to learn, and many more knives to try, but so far this is my favorite small knife!
Lonerider
