Other than Spyderco, your next choice

[AllenETreat]

Okay gang.

If left with a choice between :spyder: and another make, which
would you choose?


I'd be first in line for a Kershaw, but for wicked looks, a Microtech
( like the Vector CE SW I've been eye-ballin' for some time )

Truth is, I'll probably get a Civilian this coming month!

So what's your choice outside :spyder: ?

AET :D

[Hannibal Lecter]

Good day.

I have tried other brands of knives and been consistently disappointed. Other than a couple of SAKs, I think I only have one other brand of knife in my collection, an Emerson Karambit. The only reason I bothered with it is because the Spyderco version does not have the Wave feature, something I find quite attractive in a karambit. If Spyderco manufactured such a knife the Emerson would go up for sale tomorrow, not because of any kind of design or quality issue, but just because with Spyderco I know exactly what I am getting and at about a third the price or less than that of an Emerson. Plus, the limited production of Emerson is very problematic for someone not willing to wait months for a dealer to get a special order in.

So, generally speaking, I look at most other manufacturers with a cautious eye, as my experiences with their products when compared to Spyderco have not been all that great. So I stick with what I know and trust.

--------
Hannibal

[Vincent]

Benchmade Mchenry & Williams collection is really nice


actually my faviorate knives.

[i.v]

i'm gonna have to say victorinox, other than them & spyderco, i wasn't happy with any knife i handled..

[Piet.S]

The only ones I get as sharp are Opinels.

[Simple Man]

Spyderco for folders and Swamp Rat for fixed.

[Michael Cook]

The only reason I bothered with it (Emerson Karambit) is because the Spyderco version does not have the Wave feature, something I find quite attractive in a karambit.
Hannibal
:spyder: Have you tried the "Tsunami" mod on any of your :spyder: 's? The waved endura should be coming out soon. If they move perhaps sal can be convinced to wave a few hawkbills! :spyder:

[Mr Blonde]

If I couldn't get a spydie, I'd probably go with a couple of left and right handed small sebenza's. Or any other CRK product. Just to maintain a similar level of performance, even though the ergos are worse.

Wouter

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: There's a Snody/benchmade colab. that looks pretty nice were it not for dedicated tip down carry. Long almost 4 inch whyrncliff blade, wicked! :spyder:

[Hannibal Lecter]

:spyder: Have you tried the "Tsunami" mod on any of your :spyder: 's? The waved endura should be coming out soon. If they move perhaps sal can be convinced to wave a few hawkbills! :spyder:

Are you referring to opening up the Spyderhole to resemble the Wave feature? I have heard many recommend against it (for valid reasons) but might yet do it to my Spyderco Karambit...

Thank you for the reminder - I have a new rainy day project. :D

--------
Hannibal

[greencobra]

Spyderco for folders and Swamp Rat for fixed.
Yes sir, a person after my own heart. My favs right this minute and it's comparing apples and oranges is
Spyderco
Busse Combat/Swamp Rat
Kershaw
Benchmade (but only a few styles)

[davec]

If not Spydie, I'm also a fan of Buck. I have a couple of nice 110's that I really like.
I also have a soft spot for Puma, though the modern ones can be somewhat hit or miss. The stag lockbacks are still pretty nice.

[Vincent]

hey its the fag

[emann]

If I couldn't get a spydie, I'd probably go with a couple of left and right handed small sebenza's. Or any other CRK product. Just to maintain a similar level of performance, even though the ergos are worse.

Wouter If you're saying that CRK's maintain a similar level of performance as Spyderco's then you do realize that you are seriously insulting Spyderco, right? CRK's are very cheaply made knives from everything I've ever read and they've even downgraded to 420J2 steel on some of there knife blades now. Please reconsider your statement. Oh yea and my second choice would be Benchmade by the way.

[Vincent]

isint CRK customs like Sebenza

[greencobra]

CRK's are very cheaply made knives from everything I've ever read and they've even downgraded to 420J2 steel on some of there knife blades now.
I don't know it that statement is all that accurate. From my understanding, the steel downgrade was only made to their bottom end, low cost knives. Everything else will remain the same.

I don't think you've handled many emann because they are acceptable quality for their price range. Myself, this moment in time I prefer Spyderco but not to the point where I'll be blind when it comes to other makers.

I buy what I like, period, to the point.

[Piet.S]

CRK is Chris Reeve Knifes, CRKT is the company that downgraded their models with AUS-6 toAUS-4. Not the same thing at all.

[cheez]

Beat me to it. Reading can be difficult ;)

[greencobra]

CRK is Chris Reeve Knifes, CRKT is the company that downgraded their models with AUS-6 toAUS-4. Not the same thing at all.
Thanks Piet, got confused for a bit. A malady of age I suppose.

But I was under the impression Cris Reeve was a high end maker, is he not?

[JD Spydo]

Any of you here on this GReat Forum who know me as Doctor Lecter and other esteemed Forumites that do know me, know that I am a very Devout Spyder-head. In most ways of evaluating quality, workmanship and just dealing with a great company to me there is not even a close second to the Great Spyder Factory ;) . With that being said I want you all to keep in mind that the only reason I have any other knives at all is because of a void that Spyderco has in it's product line. For instance I have 3 Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri knives for hiking in the woods and doing extremely hard work where a big blade is required. There are 3 Benchmade models that I dearly adore and I do carry one occasionally along side of one of my many EDC rotation Spydercos. Spyderco is as close to being custom without actually being custom.

I will leave it to the "higher ups" at the Great Spyder factory to eventually fill the voids I have for my many blade uses and when they do I will not even look for any other brands. JD :spyder: O

[CKE]

AlMar, Microtech, Strider, Buck are all close seconds. But Spyders rule for me:)

[Michael Cook]

Are you referring to opening up the Spyderhole to resemble the Wave feature? Hannibal


:spyder: yes that's exactly what I mean. ;) :spyder:

[Hannibal Lecter]

:spyder: yes that's exactly what I mean. ;) :spyder:

I appreciate the information. I now have another week-end project. Just what I needed... :rolleyes:

--------------------
Seriously, my thanks,

Hannibal

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: The Emmerson waved police sark is also a very nice not-quite-a hawkbill. :spyder:

[emann]

I don't know it that statement is all that accurate. From my understanding, the steel downgrade was only made to their bottom end, low cost knives. Everything else will remain the same.

I don't think you've handled many emann because they are acceptable quality for their price range. Myself, this moment in time I prefer Spyderco but not to the point where I'll be blind when it comes to other makers.

I buy what I like, period, to the point. You're right I have only owned a couple (a Ryan Model 7 and another model I forget right off hand) but didn't care to much for them. I didn't like the locking mechanism on them as it seemed kind of weak to me. My opinion of them comes mostly from what I've read, and I must say I believe they are the only manufacturer to downgrade to a liner steel for some of there blades? Not a good move for there reputation as AUS6 and even 440A are better steels and not a whole lot more price wise from what I've been told. Heck even Byrd and Red Box Benchmades use better steel then 420J2 and they cost no more then CRKT's. CRKT didn't even lower the prices on the 420J2 knives after changing them over either. As far as being blind to other manufacturers I like Benchmade a lot and wouldn't hesitate to buy a few other brands either. I guess it really doesn't matter though being as I took CRK to be CRKT when in fact it wasn't. Peace.

[Slvgx]

I'd go with Victorinox. I always carry around either a Bantam Alox or a Waiter Plus model in addition to a clipped knife. I like a few BM models, but they all kind of blend together to me.

If money were not an issue I'd get a CRK (Chris Reeve Knives not Colombia River Knife & Tool) Mnandi. They are nice looking knives :cool:

[cmd]

Other than Spydercos, my favorite knives to use are my

CRK (Chris Reeve Knives) - 2003 Large Regular Redwood Sebenza
Benchmade - 806D2, 705BW, 42MC
Opinel - #7, #9
Swiss Army Knife - Super Tinker
Ontario Knife Company - 18" Machete
Messermeister Meridian Elite 10" Chef's Knife

Chris

[spyderknut]

If you're saying that CRK's maintain a similar level of performance as Spyderco's then you do realize that you are seriously insulting Spyderco, right? CRK's are very cheaply made knives from everything I've ever read and they've even downgraded to 420J2 steel on some of there knife blades now. Please reconsider your statement. Oh yea and my second choice would be Benchmade by the way.
Not CRKT but Chris Reeves. I have two (so far). I just can't accumulate them in the massive quantities I consume Spydies. :D

[zackerty]

CRK is Chris Reeve Knives :)

CRKT is Columbia River Knife and Tool :(

[BladeGoblin]

Emann I think you are confusing CRK[CHRIS REEVE KNIVES] with crkt[columbia river knife and tool] the crkt knives are cheaply made. I have handled quite a few of the crkt's and in a word YUCK! CRK makes very fine knives, titanium handles, in the past bg-42 blade steel and now s30v. They are top notch!

[BladeGoblin]

Oops i did not read the second page, already cleared up.

[Jimd]

In addition to liking Spyderco, I'm also a Strider-holic, as many here know. I love Strider's folders, and their fixed blades are nothing short of awesome. Hard to beat 1/4-inch-thick S30V!

I also like Emerson and Benchmade.

[Hapkidoin]

I have Emersons, Cold Steels, Benchmades, Kershaws, K-Bars, Bucks, Becker, Byrd, CRKT's, Corkum's, Smith & Wesson's, Greco's, Shrades' in my collection.....in addition to my :spyder: 's. By in large the Spyderco's are my favorites and appear to be taking over by sheer number.

If I couldn't have a spyderco in hand, I would choose my Benchmade Gravitator. (But dont ask me to give up my prefered choice of Spyderco.

[HoB]

Every time I am eyeballing a non-Spyderco knife (like the Ritter grip), Spyderco brings out the next must have and being on a limited budged I end up with the Spyderco instead.

The Microtech MTX is really sweet...but too expensive for me right now. And the Lightfoot I let me passby aswell :(.

[clovisc]

spyderco reigns supreme in my world...

i own three benchmades that i use and carry pretty regularly... a fecas offsider (if spyderco made a knife that size, however, i wouldn't need the BM), an osborne switchback (i love the thin S30V wharncliffe blade), and a monochrome (while it's really great value, i got the knife mostly so i could mess around with the N690 steel in a smaller blade).

i have a couple cheap sheffield slipjoints that i use as beaters, and a victorinox forester that gets a lot of use.

i really love boye and barminski stuff.

microtech gets the drool going, but they're a little too pricey for me.

[vampyrewolf]

Fixed blade: custom or busse

Folders: old slipjoints from the 50s-80s... so far I have a Sheffield from 51-52[keychain], a Keen Edge from mid 60s[3 blade stockman], a Sheffield from mid 70s[single blade lambsfoot]... and an Imperial (old Schrade) and Schrade that I haven't dug up dates for yet. The Keen Edge has gotten more carry than any other dropped carry lately.

I eventually plan to own a Herman Sliver and Hossom sword.

[999]

I own quite few knives by other manufacturers but it was a very slippery slope after my first :spyder:
It was a FRN SE Delica. The only knives I have carried for some time are Spyderco.

I own a BM Mini-griptilian but their rendition of the opening hole in this case is far inferior IMHO. I have handled other BMs in passaround and nice as they are they don't seem to do it for me. YMMV ;)

The Fallkniven U2 looks interesting and I'm starting to look into fixed blades, so the larger ranges of other companies are getting the once over. The thing is there are more 'specialist' features in Spyderco knives that appeal to me than any other brand. The other brands are just not such good value for money IMHO.

Then again, sometimes I just fancy the look of something and purchase on a whim...

[Simon G]

I have a small collection of Benchmade. Currently in the process of turning these Butterflies into Spiders! But if no Spyderco,(How can you have such a thought!), Benchmade. Perhaps with a little nod towards Kershaw.

God bless,

Simon.

[The Deacon]

I'm so hooked on "the hole" I'm not sure I'd consider purchasing any folder without it. Then again, between Spydies and customs by makers licensed to use it, that still leaves me a pretty wide choice of folders. For fixed Im a lot more flexible, but I've still got a soft spot for Randalls.

[ASmitty]

Gerber and Victorinox. My first knife ever was a Victorinox and my first locking folder was a Gerber. Gerber was also the first brand I was into on a serious basis, so I'll probably always have a soft spot for them.

[liltemp1]

I like Yojimbo but a longer blade would be nice. thinking Benchmade 425 Gravitator. Is the liner Titanium?

[Moon]

Victorinox

[Outlaw]

Benchmade Griptilian 551S & the Benchmade 814SBTRT (a mini AFCK w/ camo G10 handle) But that's it!

[Dodge]

CRKT Stiff Kiss and ABC tanto
Gerber Mark 1
Timberline Woden tactical
Cold steel Spike
Hawg
Kershaw chive 1st run
Fred carter harley folder (Beater)
two cheap Fury balisongs

But the Spyder has me in the web!!!

[RWL]

I really like the Bench Made 5000 I have and Protech makes really nice knives if I did not have a spyderco, but all the Protech's I have are auto's, Micro Tech is right up there also, but the cost of them is why I have just one, I have seen the Chriss Reeve knives, they are great knives, I wish I had a few of his

[dialex]

Well, I don't have too many knives (mostly Spydies), and the non spydies I got (like the Kershaw Chive or the CRKT Rollock) were merely due to my interest in different constructive details. Right now I'd like to lay my hands on a BM Benchmite or a MT Scarab. I understand how they work, but seing for real is a different thing. For instance, I've seen many OTF with a single spring, but the Scarab has two.
These said, I can't think of any other knife but a Spydie as EDC. :D

[WORKER#9]

I Have Developed A Liking For Big Fixed Blades, So Ended Up With A Busse Satin Jacket Which Is Quite Nice, But Nothing Compares To Spyderco Nothing. Just Want Them To Make A Big Fixed Blade 6 To 7 Inch Blade Military Style Fixed Blade, Yes I Know About The New 10 Inch And I Will Buy One Certainly, But Want A Tactical Fixxed Blade From The Spyder Factory!! #9

[Jenner 515]

Spyderco suddenly unobtainable? Well, in the last year I did pick up a nifty little William Henry-Damascus folder I'm fond of. I got a folding Alpha Hunter from Buck I used on an elk I bagged this year. And whenever I go camping not far is a large fixed blade in my case a Tops Smokejumper.

[Dr. Snubnose]

If I had to choose something other than a :spyder: I would have to go custom...maybe another Rob Dalton Switch...I like his knives and designs...Doc

[JDEE]

Not so much the brand but the knife - if Spyderco doesn't have the type of knife I am looking for I start searching the other brands. I probably start with Benchmade as out of the "commercial" makers they seem to have the type of steels I am looking for in a knife. Of course there is a difference between folders and fixed blades - Spyderco have a great range of folders and I am rarely let down when looking for a folder. Probably the one area Spyderco is short on in folders are tantos. When it comes to fixed blades Spyderco don't have too many options and thats when I turn to "semi-production" brands such as Blackjack and Bark River or "production" brands such as Ontario.

[voxnaes]

If you're saying that CRK's maintain a similar level of performance as Spyderco's then you do realize that you are seriously insulting Spyderco, right? CRK's are very cheaply made knives from everything I've ever read and they've even downgraded to 420J2 steel on some of there knife blades now. Please reconsider your statement. Oh yea and my second choice would be Benchmade by the way.
OK, but I still love my downgraded 420j2 Sebenzas and my AUS6 "Green Berets"
BTW, I also like Busse and Fallkniven as well as my Spydies... :cool:

[Ted]

next to :spyder:-co it's Chris Reeve Knives, and Fallkniven.
I just got a bare Fallkniven S1 blade and will attach some curly-birch handles to it. Someday I also want a small Sebenza next to my large one.
Great products, great companies!

[gordonk]

For me, Benchmade is the current alternate. In fact this weekend, I acquired my PE Para Military and a BM Mini-Griptillian (PE/thumbstud/drop point). Love'em both :D I have a BM 550(sheepsfoot/PE) on order. I have a BM Mini Ambush and Mini - Pika and have heard nothing but good comments on the Grip, so I bought one to try. I use the Mini Ambush almost as much as my FRN Delica/Mini Pika doesn't get used at all. I've rotated out the Mini Ambush for the Mini-Grip for a few days to see if I use it as much as my Delica. I ended up making a belt pouch for my Para Miltary to carry on the left side instead of rotating out my Heat. A Centofante III is on the list. After that.....don't know. A Manix is tempting, but I'm going to try wait to hold one first :)

- gord