best unique vg10 model?

[ladybug93]

i'm thinking about grabbing a spyderco in vg10 because the only example i have currently is damascus over a vg10 core in my delica zome.

i really prefer the more unique models, so i'm not looking for a standard dragonfly, delica, endura, etc.

models i'm considering:

blacked out assist (thinking about this or a clipitool rescue for each vehicle)
blacked out matriarch ii wave (i've really wanted to hold out on this one in hopes of it getting made in h1... fingers crossed)
wharncliffe endura
rockjumper (kind of waiting to see the leafjumper)
stretch xl (i'd almost rather wait for this one in a different steel, honestly)
street beat (how is vg10 in a fixed blade vs folder? might wait for the subway bowie instead)
ayoob (i'll definitely buy this one in vg10 if it comes that way)


looking at these models, i'd probably want all of them in se except for the stretch. what are your thoughts on these models and/or others i might have missed for consideration?

[JSumm]

Depending on how you view your collection, you may want to get the Rock Jumper. It sounds like they will be discontinued. Sal mentioned sales were not what they had expected. It also sounded like the Leaf Jumper project was moving forward. Carrying my RJ today.

[Giygas]

The Q-ball is my only VG-10 model, and I love it.

Best is subjective so I'd never make that claim, but it's certainly one of the most unique.

[Danke]

If you can find it; this one.

[Wartstein]

I''d say get a Stretch 1 in VG10 - should still to be found.

This knife is the reason why I did not have a Manix 2 LW for quite some time (these days I know I "need" at least one though), cause the Stretch 1 did most things even a bit better for me than the roughly same sized Manix.

I read in another post that you were surprised how long of an edge/blade the Caly 3.5 has compared to the Manix.
The Stretch 1 has almost the same edge to closed length ratio as the Caly 3.5
And is a shorter closed package than the Manix, but offers even a hair more grip area behind the choil and about 10% more cutting edge.
The ergos of the Stretch 1 are great too. In real hard use (gripping the handle firmly) for me better than the Manix'

[steelcity16]

I'd go with the Endela Wharncliffe or blacked out Manbug Wharncliffe. I carry mine often. Two of the best performing knives in the Spyderco lineup and can only be had in VG-10. Hopefully that changes soon and we see some exclusives in these. Not that VG-10 is bad, but I like having multiple variations of my favorite models. :)

[Matus]

If you can find it; this one.

I second this. It is a very well made knife. I should have kept it. I would love to see a sprint in some nice tool steel.

[wrdwrght]

Have at your list, by all means, but the truly unique VG10s are in the past AND available on the secondary market. One of the reasons I have so much VG10.

[ladybug93]

Depending on how you view your collection, you may want to get the Rock Jumper. It sounds like they will be discontinued. Sal mentioned sales were not what they had expected. It also sounded like the Leaf Jumper project was moving forward. Carrying my RJ today.

i try to keep my collection pretty diverse. i definitely favor corrosion resistance and toughness over edge retention, so the knives i have tend to hang out around s30v and lower in edge retention. i have multiples in h1, lc200n, s30v, etc. but, for the most part, i try not to have multiples of a specific model or steel if i can help it. in that vein, i also don't want models that i see is too similar. the rockjumper is on my list, but i just haven't been able to convince myself to pull the trigger knowing that there is a plan for a leaf shape, which i generally prefer to wharncliffe blades. i kind of wish i could get my hands on the vg10 caly 3.5. i think that would be sweet.

[ladybug93]

The ergos of the Stretch 1 are great too. In real hard use (gripping the handle firmly) for me better than the Manix'

i held a g10 stretch 1 once. it was definitely a comfortable knife, but nothing matches the ergos of the manix for me. that knife fits my hand like it was made for it, and in multiple grips. it's the most perfect knife handle i've ever experienced (in a folder at least).

[benben]

Get yourself a stainless Harpy while you still can.

Stainless steel construction, very solid, rigid, just built like a small tank!
VG-10.
Hawkbill.
Serrated.

These 4 features could cover a lot of firsts for some guys, besides Hannibal would never steer you wrong!

[Wartstein]

The ergos of the Stretch 1 are great too. In real hard use (gripping the handle firmly) for me better than the Manix'

i held a g10 stretch 1 once. it was definitely a comfortable knife, but nothing matches the ergos of the manix for me. that knife fits my hand like it was made for it, and in multiple grips. it's the most perfect knife handle i've ever experienced (in a folder at least).

Yep, the Manix LW has great ergos indeed. It's really just when "squeezing" the handle hard that for me the FRN Stretch 1 has an advantage, probably due to the less blocky handle, "softer" edges and more chamfering.
The G10 Stretch 1 (as opposed to the FRN version) you owned though is perhaps even "blockier" than the Manix. Don't know, never owned a G10 Stretch.

Anyway: Since you're familiar with the overall Stretch 1 design, another "unique VG10 model " would certainly be a more compelling choice...
Centofante?

[JSumm]

The ergos of the Stretch 1 are great too. In real hard use (gripping the handle firmly) for me better than the Manix'

i held a g10 stretch 1 once. it was definitely a comfortable knife, but nothing matches the ergos of the manix for me. that knife fits my hand like it was made for it, and in multiple grips. it's the most perfect knife handle i've ever experienced (in a folder at least).

Yep, the Manix LW has great ergos indeed. It's really just when "squeezing" the handle hard that for me the FRN Stretch 1 has an advantage, probably due to the less blocky handle, "softer" edges and more chamfering.
The G10 Stretch 1 (as opposed to the FRN version) you owned though is perhaps even "blockier" than the Manix. Don't know, never owned a G10 Stretch.

Anyway: Since you're familiar with the overall Stretch 1 design, another "unique VG10 model " would certainly be a more compelling choice...
Centofante?

Oh, that is a great idea Wartstein! Centofante and similar blade style on the Gayle Bradley are my favorite looking Spyderco blades. Hollow Grind on top of the cool profile. Centofante in its thin profile sure seems to be a high performer. Also, I believe it has the same edge length as the PM2.

[knivesandbooks]

Get yourself a stainless Harpy while you still can.

Stainless steel construction, very solid, rigid, just built like a small tank!
VG-10.
Hawkbill.
Serrated.

These 4 features could cover a lot of firsts for some guys, besides Hannibal would never steer you wrong!

Is it slick? I've got a stainless delica and it is too slick. Great fit and finish and lock up. A very nice knife. But I can't keep it in my hand.

[bobnikon]

If you want VG10 and Unique, you can't really beat the Pheonix.

Just sayin...

[ladybug93]

If you want VG10 and Unique, you can't really beat the Pheonix.

Just sayin...

that's a little too unique for me and way too expensive.

[JRinFL]

New VG-10 knife or a classic? If classic, I like to got the online catalog archived models, then search by steel type. After that it is just a matter of hunting one down. Lots of cool and unique old models that were discontinued.

[ladybug93]

New VG-10 knife or a classic? If classic, I like to got the online catalog archived models, then search by steel type. After that it is just a matter of hunting one down. Lots of cool and unique old models that were discontinued.

i was thinking new, but i'm open. i'd like to have a dodo too, but the problem with the older models like that is i'm never going to pay what people are asking for them. i don't think i want any knife enough to spend over $200 on it, unless there is something very specific that makes it special to me. but paying $200 for a used knife in vg10 seems insane to me.

[TkoK83Spy]

Matriarch 2 is pretty awesome...frn and all

[ladybug93]

The ergos of the Stretch 1 are great too. In real hard use (gripping the handle firmly) for me better than the Manix'

i held a g10 stretch 1 once. it was definitely a comfortable knife, but nothing matches the ergos of the manix for me. that knife fits my hand like it was made for it, and in multiple grips. it's the most perfect knife handle i've ever experienced (in a folder at least).

Yep, the Manix LW has great ergos indeed. It's really just when "squeezing" the handle hard that for me the FRN Stretch 1 has an advantage, probably due to the less blocky handle, "softer" edges and more chamfering.
The G10 Stretch 1 (as opposed to the FRN version) you owned though is perhaps even "blockier" than the Manix. Don't know, never owned a G10 Stretch.

Anyway: Since you're familiar with the overall Stretch 1 design, another "unique VG10 model " would certainly be a more compelling choice...
Centofante?

i haven't owned one... i just got to handle it once. i don't remember how blocky the handle was, but the manix has never bothered me in the regard, so i'm not sure it's something i would've noticed. i just noticed it was really nice and i liked the unique blade shape.

for the centofante, how is the handle? it looks like smooth frn. that's definitely a departure from spyderco's typical frn pattern, which i think is hideous, but beautifully effective. i'm not sure i'd like smooth frn, but that is an intriguing model. you've got me looking at it now.