I’d classify most of Spyderco’s most popular knives like the Seki back locks and most Golden models as fairly basic user designs. They’re good user designs but unfortunately aren’t really priced as such anymore. Mostly simple FFG clip point or leaf shape blades, little if any contouring on the scales, pretty basic scale materials, etc. A personal peeve of mine is that on the Taichung knives like the Sage the sharpened edge starts right at the ricasso/choil nub. On several recent Golden purchases there was a pretty significant amount of unsharpened steel before the edge grind started, and then another fairly significant amount of only partially sharpened steel where the grind started. Easy enough to fix but frankly almost $200 knives shouldn’t be leaving the factory like that IMO.zhyla wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:41 pmThis question wasn't directed at me but I will comment. Here is one of my purchases this week, a Vosteed Nightshade. This is a $70 knife with Nitro-V steel, liner lock, bearings, skeletonized liners, and micarta scales.
I'm sending it back because it's actually the wrong version (I ordered the thumbhole version). I don't care for the blackwash but otherwise this knife is really, really impressive. The edge is unbelievably sharp. 0.016" behind the edge. The rough micarta feels great. The scales are contoured, not just flat slabs. The clip is unexciting but works well. Ergos are good. Action is amazing.
The thumbstud version is IMO dangerous. The blade flies out once you overcome the detente and your thumb can trail behind it. Is this why Spyderco doesn't do a lot of knives on bearings?
There has been a lot of talk in this thread about how Spyderco designs have some quality (soul, charisma) and the stuff we see from competitors don't. In general I agree with this intangible. But this knife has soul IMO. It's supposed to channel the famous Shilin Cutter knives from a certain part of China.
Anyway, look at that knife and think: this is what the Astute or Tenacious are up against.
I picked up a Kizer October titanium frame lock model with 20CV blade on sale for $120. It has nice titanium scales with a very detailed pattern, elegant(at least IMO) blade shape, good flipper action on bearings, just overall a very elegant looking knife with great attention to detail. Is the heat treat the best on the market? I have no idea, all I can say is performs very well for what a fancy knife like this is typically used for, which is not cutting cardboard, straps, and rope all day.
For a user I’ve been liking the QSP Penguin line. Very nice user blade shape, and the titanium frame lock/154CM models go on sale for $60-$80 fairly often. There are also some S35VN exclusives with premium handle materials for under $100.
The CIVIVI Vision FG is another very well made and pretty unique design. Not a design I’d personally carry but a refined and pretty unique knife all the same.
There’s a lot of interesting designs out there with “soul” these days.