What is the best Sage model?

[Candyman]

I'm really surprised there's not a lot of mention of the 4 in this thread. My opinion, hands down the best one there is. It is one of the most beautiful knives out there. Gorgeous Arizona ironwood, every pattern is different and the snap when you lock it into place is one of the most amazing sounds there is. Yes sir.....Sage 4 it is.

Rich

[farnorthdan]

I'm really surprised there's not a lot of mention of the 4 in this thread. My opinion, hands down the best one there is. It is one of the most beautiful knives out there. Gorgeous Arizona ironwood, every pattern is different and the snap when you lock it into place is one of the most amazing sounds there is. Yes sir.....Sage 4 it is.

Rich

Always on the hunt for a 4 at a decent price, totally agree with you Rich, the 4 is probably the nicest looking out of all. Unfortunately for me I had just started collection :spyder:'s when the 4 disco'd and started drying up. I'm sure I will find one eventually, they seem to be selling for over 3 bills on the secondary and reasonably priced ones get snapped up almost instantly on the exchange.

I'd love to see some pictures of yours if your willing. :)

[Fred Sanford]

I had a Sage 5 and just sold it because I prefer the smoothness and function of the Sage 1 much more. I really LOVE the compression lock and I love the Para 1 and Para 2 big time.....it's just not my bag on the Sage 5.

Sage 1 for me. :)

[Candyman]

Here they are in all their glory. I'll get some close ups of the wood pattern when I get home.

[tvenuto]

Always on the hunt for a 4 at a decent price, totally agree with you Rich, the 4 is probably the nicest looking out of all. Unfortunately for me I had just started collection :spyder:'s when the 4 disco'd and started drying up. I'm sure I will find one eventually, they seem to be selling for over 3 bills on the secondary and reasonably priced ones get snapped up almost instantly on the exchange.

I'd love to see some pictures of yours if your willing. :)

I managed to snag one in a package deal with some other knives. That kept the cost down. Posted this in the "Show me yer bolsters" thread.

[farnorthdan]

Lookin good guys, that's what I call a dedicated Sage 4 aficionado Rich. :D Awesome package deal, all great pieces tvenuto. :)

[tvenuto]

Lookin good guys, that's what I call a dedicated Sage 4 aficionado Rich. :D Awesome package deal, all great pieces tvenuto. :)

Oh ha that would have been one epic packaged deal indeed, but that was not the package. Those were just all the knives I have with bolsters.

[farnorthdan]

Lookin good guys, that's what I call a dedicated Sage 4 aficionado Rich. :D Awesome package deal, all great pieces tvenuto. :)

Oh ha that would have been one epic packaged deal indeed, but that was not the package. Those were just all the knives I have with bolsters.

Copy that, would be a sweet package deal though(pricey too), out of those I only have the Schempp Bowie, on the look out for the others but man are they hard to find at a decent price. Do you carry the Schempp Bowie very often? Mine has a weak detent so it doesn't get much pocket time.

[tvenuto]

Copy that, would be a sweet package deal though(pricey too), out of those I only have the Schempp Bowie, on the look out for the others but man are they hard to find at a decent price. Do you carry the Schempp Bowie very often? Mine has a weak detent so it doesn't get much pocket time.

Indeed they are, the Kris in particular since it's been gone for so long. And to think that it had a sub $200 MSRP!

It was a gift from my wife, so the Bowie has been my "weekend carry" for a while now. It hasn't had to cut too much, but I do like watching the patina develop on the bolster. The detent is a tad weak, but the blade is nested into the handle to such a degree that it doesn't seem like an issue. I always prefer the self close of a back lock, and were the bowie a back lock it would be closer to my favorite as far as designs go.

[Jazz]

I had a Sage 5 and just sold it because I prefer the smoothness and function of the Sage 1 much more. I really LOVE the compression lock and I love the Para 1 and Para 2 big time.....it's just not my bag on the Sage 5.

Sage 1 for me. :)

Already, bro?

[Pharmagator]

I have them all, and I like them all...

the Sage I - for the money - is one of the best Taichung spyderco knives out there...

I still say the Military and Paramilitary are the best knives for the money on the planet!

[Fred Sanford]

I had a Sage 5 and just sold it because I prefer the smoothness and function of the Sage 1 much more. I really LOVE the compression lock and I love the Para 1 and Para 2 big time.....it's just not my bag on the Sage 5.

Sage 1 for me. :)

Already, bro?

Nope. I just typed all that for fun. Of course, already. I don't keep what I will not use.

[djinnzfree]

Got 1 2 3 4 & pre-order the 5. I love them.

[Flipping Addict]

Sage 2 all the way. Have a Sage 1 and it is just to gritty. No matter what I do I cannot get it to be smooth. Like it but must have got a dud. But both my Sage 2's are perfect. Can't stop fiddling with them. No matter what I carry each day theSage 2 is always on me.

[farnorthdan]

The 5 is really starting to grow on me the more I carry it. I usually prefer a longer blade but am really appreciating the compactness of the Sage. I've always liked the look of the 2 but have held back because of its size but am starting to seriously consider picking one up now after carrying the 5 for a few days.

[Sharp Guy]

Sage 2 all the way. Have a Sage 1 and it is just to gritty. No matter what I do I cannot get it to be smooth. Like it but must have got a dud. But both my Sage 2's are perfect. Can't stop fiddling with them. No matter what I carry each day theSage 2 is always on me.

My Sage 1 had a gritty feeling when I first got it. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't as smooth as my Sage 2. I bought it used and the gritty feeling bothered me so I went ahead and took it apart. Sure enough there was quite a bit of debris in the pivot area. I cleaned everything up and now it's considerably smoother.

The 5 is really starting to grow on me the more I carry it. I usually prefer a longer blade but am really appreciating the compactness of the Sage. I've always liked the look of the 2 but have held back because of its size but am starting to seriously consider picking one up now after carrying the 5 for a few days.

If you get used to the size and you like titanium frame locks than the Sage 2 should be a winner for you. Although I do have to say that, since I got my Mantra, the Sage 2 hasn't seen much carry time. I'll always like the Sage 2 but I just can't get over how crazy smooth that Mantra is.

[farnorthdan]

Sage 2 all the way. Have a Sage 1 and it is just to gritty. No matter what I do I cannot get it to be smooth. Like it but must have got a dud. But both my Sage 2's are perfect. Can't stop fiddling with them. No matter what I carry each day theSage 2 is always on me.

My Sage 1 had a gritty feeling when I first got it. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't as smooth as my Sage 2. I bought it used and the gritty feeling bothered me so I went ahead and took it apart. Sure enough there was quite a bit of debris in the pivot area. I cleaned everything up and now it's considerably smoother.

The 5 is really starting to grow on me the more I carry it. I usually prefer a longer blade but am really appreciating the compactness of the Sage. I've always liked the look of the 2 but have held back because of its size but am starting to seriously consider picking one up now after carrying the 5 for a few days.

If you get used to the size and you like titanium frame locks than the Sage 2 should be a winner for you. Although I do have to say that, since I got my Mantra, the Sage 2 hasn't seen much carry time. I'll always like the Sage 2 but I just can't get over how crazy smooth that Mantra is.

I've had my eye on the Mantra also, already have the Mantra 2 but have only carried it a couple times, just hasn't clicked for me, wish I would have grabbed the Mantra instead. Kinda Mantra shy now :o

[demoncase]

I love my Sage 4. Bolstered ironwood backlock is definitely 'best'*

*For a given value of best. Your mileage may vary :D

[animportant]

Sage 3 - weak self close, could someone explain what this is?

Btw, bladehq ran a test on spyderco lock strength, and sage 3 BAL came out on top.

I seriously regret selling my sage 3! Will be picking up a 5 soon

On back locks, BBL, and BA locks, the locking mechanism interacts with the shape of the blade tang to create a closing force that must be overcome to open the knife. If you open the blade a few degrees and let go, the blade gets sucked back into the handle. Once you pass a certain point, this stops and the blade stays where you leave it. I have found the BA lock and the BBL to have weak self close relative to other back locks.

Gotcha, that would have been my guess on what you meant. For me personally, I like how this works in a bbl or bal instead of a backlock. Once I'm past what I'm used to as the detent, I'd rather it just hang there instead of close like 35% of the way out.