Spyderco Forums

For my next purchase I’m looking at buying one of these two-
I haven’t tried spydercos BD1 and I think these two may get overlooked a great deal.
Those who have them what do you think, extra points for pictures.

Well you know I just bought the polestar. I think it is fantastic so far. Ergos are great for me and the action was smooth after a day. The steel responds well to stropping. I'll be reprofiling this weekend to really get a better sense but it seems good. Seems tough too. I've wanted to try bd1 for awhile but hadn't been able to pick a model that seemed right until this one. I was thinking of it as a budget sage but it really stands out on its own. If spyderco discontinues the pair, I'm hopping on the alcyone.

The Alcyone is wonderful

I bought a Polestar a few months ago and I think it’s a very well executed and useful design. The steel sharpens easily and performs well and the nadir ergos are great. Mine came a bit stiff and though it’s loosened up significantly it still isn’t quite quite as smooth as I like. It’s still plenty “flickable”, it just requires a fair bit of shaking to close when the lock bar is pressed. It will probably loosen up more over time.

I flattened the spine on mine and prefer the “paramilitary” style blade shape to that of the leaf blade that it comes with, but to each his own.

That looks great with the flat spine! You might have just sold one.

Surfingringo wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 20, 2018 4:55 am

I bought a Polestar a few months ago and I think it’s a very well executed and useful design. The steel sharpens easily and performs well and the nadir ergos are great. Mine came a bit stiff and though it’s loosened up significantly it still isn’t quite quite as smooth as I like. It’s still plenty “flickable”, it just requires a fair bit of shaking to close when the lock bar is pressed. It will probably loosen up more over time.

I flattened the spine on mine and prefer the “paramilitary” style blade shape to that of the leaf blade that it comes with, but to each his own.

Haha I do the same to my opinel.
Great photo thanks

Spydergirl88 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 20, 2018 4:39 am

The Alcyone is wonderful

That’s my preference currently for size

Just came from SFO with a new Polestar. I think this a quality design for a fantastic price.

MichaelScott wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 20, 2018 2:12 pm

Just came from SFO with a new Polestar. I think this a quality design for a fantastic price.

I was going to spend my dollars on a book from the US..
Book is $52 then the shipping is a super reasonable $57 to get it here but I think I’m going to buy another knife instead lol

That’s basically outrageous. Unless it’s FexX overnight. Lol

MichaelScott wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 20, 2018 2:31 pm

That’s basically outrageous. Unless it’s FexX overnight. Lol

I wish-
That’s just shipping to Australia..
probably take a a few weeks to get here-

On considering these two blades more I’m actually looking more at the Byrd lineup and specifically the crow 2- it’s about 30% cheaper for the equivalent model and I don’t see spydercos range offering enough to justify the markup-

I like the look of these 2 very much. I have a Manix LW with BD 1 and I really like the steel.

Got this Ploestar at SFO yesterday. I think it is the most unappreciated Sal Glesser design and for the refinements and steel involved it is more than worth the slight increase over, for example, the Tenacious and similar Byrd knives. Functionally, it’s as good as your average PM2 I would say.

My guess is that if it had different G10, a slightly different blade shape, similar to Lance’s modification, and a different name, it would be more appreciated than it is. But, and I say this knowing I will be flamed by some, subtlety is unappreciated by a few. I’m not a master of it by any definition, but age as forced a certain amount on me.

I agree with Michael. If they made this model in Taichung with peel ply carbon fiber, with s30v, m4, or something similar, and charged $150-180, people would be all about this knife.

I wrote a review for NemoKnivesReviewon the Alcyone. You can read it here.

I love the Polestar so much i just bought a second one to keep as a safe queen.Like Michael said,it's the most unappreciated knife Sal designed,but once you get one in hand,you will hold on to it.

Wanted to give this thread a bump, since I asked in another one if the Polestar (and the Alcyone) also would possibly make the change from BD1 to BD1N.

I don´t have either of them, but think they are great designs and very pretty looking, but still don´t get much attention. BD1N instead of BD1 might give these models another chance??

I know, many say that the Tenacious or the Raven 2 are cheaper knives which offer essentially what the Polestar does. But I don´t think so. If I were interested in a linerlock, G10 knife of that size, I´d go for the Polestar, mostly for it´s very nice and classy looking textured G10 (the new FRN Tenacious would make me think twice though).

BD1N would be for some enough "upgrade" over the Tenacious maybe to go for the Polestar?

For reference:
The Polestar is a bit more compact than a PM2, but offers more edge
The Alvyone is a bit more compact than a Para 3, but also offers more edge (and in 2.8 mm bladestock, not 3.7 like the Para 3. Should make it a better slicer)

Does anyone know, if the change to BD1N has been made (or will happen)?

Any comments from owners of these knives on detent strength?

Mine is on the weaker side. Have to flick it with some authority to get reliable lock ups.

BornIn1500 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:59 am

Mine is on the weaker side. Have to flick it with some authority to get reliable lock ups.

Sigh