Help me pick a Spyderco!

LEDBE
T

Torpedo Vegas

Newly Enlightened
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May 23, 2009
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Let me strat out by saying that this will be my first decent knife. I started out reading about the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, but after seeing it in person I think it is a bit big/thick for what I want to EDC. I also looked at the Aphid, but I am really not comfortable with the assisted opening knifes. I will probably buy a Mini Grip anyways just to have :twothumbs

I ordered a Spyderco Ladybug Salt for my keychain and since it came in I have started looking at some of the Spyderco knifes. The biggest problem I have is nobody sells them in my area so I cant go check them out for myself. I look at all the measurments online, but It is really hard for me to see it in my head without actually seeing it in person.

Here is what I am looking at

Delica- I started looking at this one, but it is bigger then the Mini Grip. I have read that Spyderco feels smaller then they really are

Dragonfly- This one looked good as far as size, but it looks kind of cheap with the plastic clip

Urban- I really think this might be the one, but I am really not sold on the no lock.


I know if i could actually see these knifes in person I could make a decision on my own, but since I cant I need some help. If anyone has any suggestions for me, or pictures for size comparisons please post. Anyone own an Urban that could share their opinion?
 
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I would go for the Delica. The Urban is out unless you have a real need for a non-locking knife. The Delica is a nice size and a great first edc Spydie! :thumbsup:
 
The delica is a great knife, But i have been carrying the Salt1 PE for a while now and i absolutly love it. Light, easy to sharpen, and just soaks up the abuse.

The Urban is a neat knife too, and even though it is a slip joint i really like it. The fact that it comes with a 90 degree detent really makes it nice.

Hope this helps....
 
You might want to mention your location as well. There might be a knife store that carries spyderco that you didn't even know about. Around here none of the retailers carry spyderco and there are no knife stores but the local Law enforcement supply shop has a decent selection of the more popular models.

The Dragonfly is probably too small for what you want. I can post a pic next to a Mini Grip. I will also have a Salt I in about a week. I think its the same size as a Delica.

I am also looking for something a bit thinner and smaller than a mini-grip and haven't found what I want yet. A frame-locking Urban would be great.
 
Go for the Caly 3. It is like the Urban but a little longer like the Delica and features a lock and low rider clip. Quite possibly one of the best gentlemans folders around.
 
cave dave said:
You might want to mention your location as well. There might be a knife store that carries spyderco that you didn't even know about. Around here none of the retailers carry spyderco and there are no knife stores but the local Law enforcement supply shop has a decent selection of the more popular models.

The Dragonfly is probably too small for what you want. I can post a pic next to a Mini Grip. I will also have a Salt I in about a week. I think its the same size as a Delica.

I am also looking for something a bit thinner and smaller than a mini-grip and haven't found what I want yet. A frame-locking Urban would be great.
Click to expand...

I live in the US and the dealer location did not find anyone in my area. I also checked out the local law enforcement shop. They had a decent selection of knifes, including benchmade, but did not have Spyderco. The guy that helped me said he thought that he had heard something about them getting them, but did not know for sure. I am going to call back next week and try to confirm

When your Salt comes in would you mind taking a picture with the Mini Grip? I had not considered this knife because the picture is a serated blade, so I never looked at the specs. It looks like it is slightly smaller then the Delica. With everyone recomending the Delica I guess I would prefer this over the Delica. The color of the Salt is a real bonus also, because I think the bright colors look less aggressive to others.

Where do you guys buy from online? Any discount codes? Any good Ebay dealers?
 
carrot said:
Go for the Caly 3. It is like the Urban but a little longer like the Delica and features a lock and low rider clip. Quite possibly one of the best gentlemans folders around.
Click to expand...

That looks like another good one. I really hope the place here in town is going to start carrying Spyderco, because this decision is really getting harder and harder!

Thanks to everyone who posted so far
 
carrot said:
Go for the Caly 3. It is like the Urban but a little longer like the Delica and features a lock and low rider clip. Quite possibly one of the best gentlemans folders around.
Click to expand...

It is becoming clear to me now that I am just going to have to buy more then one knife :twothumbs

I took a look at the Caly 3 and was wondering what model to get. What is the benefit of a Carbon Fiber handle? Does it offset the decreased grip texture? Will I be able to sharpen the blade on the CF model?
 
The Caly 3 feels bigger than the Mini-grip in the hand and the pocket, cutting edges about the same length. The Caly does ride much lower though because of the wire clip. I actually prefer the the Mini-Grip, I like the hand feel, it weighs less and its much easier to close, about the same to open, cheaper too.

Added pics:
Dragonfly, BM Mini-Grip, Caly 3
BMvsC3.jpg


BMvsC3open.jpg
 
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Thanks alot for the pictures CaveDave! The Caly 3 really is alot bigger then I thought. I think I talked to the store owner or manager today, just got off the phone with a Spyderco Rep, and they told me to call back next week and they either will or will not be carrying Spyderco. I really hope they do so can actually see some of these knifes.

Where do you guys buy from online? Any good Ebay dealers?
 
There are lots of good knife dealers. Our own Lighthound had a moderate selection and good prices, yourcornerstore also has great prices, for a large selection I like Knifeworks. New Graham has a large knife selection and is also carrying the 4sevens quark series lights. I was surprised by that.

Spydieguys on ebay has a good reputation, but are auction style so prices depend on opposing bidders.

Edit:
Knifeworks is also carrying some quark lights.
 
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I was in the same position as you.

The caly 3 was a tad to big and heavy, although it is an awesome Knife(one of spyderco's best)

I wanted a small, thin, light knife with a decent size blade so I went with a Spyderco Rookie.

Just a tad bit bigger than a Dragonfly closed, with a blade bigger than the Para-military.

check out the comparison pics in this thread of the rookie compared to the delica and paramilitary

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38265&highlight=rookie
 
dd61999 said:
I was in the same position as you.

The caly 3 was a tad to big and heavy, although it is an awesome Knife(one of spyderco's best)

I wanted a small, thin, light knife with a decent size blade so I went with a Spyderco Rookie.

Just a tad bit bigger than a Dragonfly closed, with a blade bigger than the Para-military.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post! I just checked out the new Rookie Spirit Run and think it is just what I am looking for! Just looking at the picture I thought that it was a much bigger knife.

It is listed on the Spyderco site as C51FG, but I have found several on ebay that are listed as C51GPFG. Is it the same knife or an older model?
 
Well have any of you guys seen the Spyderco 2009 Mid-Year catalog? I have liked the Dragonfly from the beginning, but I was really turned off by the cheap appearance and molded clip. The new Dragonfly in the catalog is just what I was looking for.

Sometime this year it looks like a new Dragonfly will come out with Foliage Green G-10 handle, VG-10 blade, and most importantly a wire clip that can be switched L/R! It looks sweet!

If you have not seen the catalog yet check out the other great ones.
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2009SpydercoSupplementI.pdf
 
I have the version of the Dragonfly with the etched metal handle:

1001872.jpg


1. Benchmade Mini Griptilian
2. Spyderco Dragonfly
3. Boker Subcom
4. Boker Keycom
5. (right) Victorinox Huntsman
 
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