New member, doing a bit of introduction and asking questions at the same time.

[JaM]

Hi all,

after lurking here quite a bit I decided to join. It looks like a nice and friendly forum, and I've always been a knife-nut... And a bit misunderstood too, about that (friends & family :rolleyes: what do they know).

I recently got my first Spyderco, a Salt I, PE, yellow. Nice knife, used it for foodprep mostly, will see more use (proably when I'll be out fishing, weather permitting). Next one will be the Tasman salt(yellow, too), SE. They will make a nice couple for hiking/camping trips. One for 'normal' use, one for 'emergency'.

I've carried knives for most of my life now (being 33, since, like...age 7 ?), and really see it as a nice and handy tool. for DIY-work on my old house I used an "AirSOG" imitation from Homeij (had to remake the point after it though), and a CRKT "Prowler". the last one is a nice work-knife, but not the kind you like to have on you in an office (where I currently work). I also have an SOG "Flash II", wich is quite nice but too "flashy" for me at the moment. Cant imagine pulling that one out ant peel an orange or something (besides it's nasty to clean, too much little bits and peices).

Therefore, I'd like to have some advice if possible. I am looking for a 'small" knife (got quite big hands thouh), preferebly NOT in SS, but FRN ? or something similar on the handles. Non-serrated, too (I may at some point in the futere carry this in a classroom with 8-12 year olds, no need to advertise an agressive knife there). And a decent steel... but since it will be a :spyder: that will be a non-issue :).
Also, as I am planing a trip to Finland soon, I need an "outdoors" knife... I'll probably stick with the Seal-pup I still have for the fixed blade, but like to have a 'back-up" on me, or in the backpack. I know the Para-milli will do the job, but I might miss some options. I do like the "big opening hole", since I might go there in wintertime also it's kinda mandatory. Care to enlighten me if the Para will 'fit' me ?
I'd rather buy a knife that will do "the job" (any job if possible) without spending too much money (i.e. buying one knife, but finding it too difficult to use, and then buy another one wich you'll use all the time)... but I know quality comes at a price.

Phew... quite a bit of writing/reading, thanks for going through this all, and I'll meet you guys/girls at the forum !

Cheers,

JaM

[Crafft]

Welcome to the forum JaM,

A lot of nice people here. Good to see another "Dutchman"!

As for the smaller Spyderco with a decent steel I'd say FRN Native.

For your back-up to Finland go with the Para. It's my favourite Spyderco. I got a black bladed PE and a regular SE. Both are awesome!!

Enjoy your stay ;)

[Slvgx]

Hi all,

after lurking here quite a bit I decided to join. It looks like a nice and friendly forum, and I've always been a knife-nut... And a bit misunderstood too, about that (friends & family :rolleyes: what do they know).

Welcome to the forums, you've found a good place!


I recently got my first Spyderco, a Salt I, PE, yellow. Nice knife, used it for foodprep mostly, will see more use (proably when I'll be out fishing, weather permitting). Next one will be the Tasman salt(yellow, too), SE. They will make a nice couple for hiking/camping trips. One for 'normal' use, one for 'emergency'.

Excellent starter Spydie, and you've noticed one just won't do!


Therefore, I'd like to have some advice if possible. I am looking for a 'small" knife (got quite big hands thouh), preferebly NOT in SS, but FRN ? or something similar on the handles. Non-serrated, too (I may at some point in the futere carry this in a classroom with 8-12 year olds, no need to advertise an agressive knife there). And a decent steel... but since it will be a :spyder: that will be a non-issue :).

Pick one of the various Kopas. They come in different handle materials (but have SS bolsters), Spydercos best gent's knife IMO. The blade is around 2.5" so it's small enough to go many places and it looks nice. The steel is VG-10, top of the line. Look at the Dragonfly if you don't want to spend so much on a small knife, but I think the Kopa is worth it.


Also, as I am planing a trip to Finland soon, I need an "outdoors" knife... I'll probably stick with the Seal-pup I still have for the fixed blade, but like to have a 'back-up" on me, or in the backpack. I know the Para-milli will do the job, but I might miss some options. I do like the "big opening hole", since I might go there in wintertime also it's kinda mandatory. Care to enlighten me if the Para will 'fit' me ?
I'd rather buy a knife that will do "the job" (any job if possible) without spending too much money (i.e. buying one knife, but finding it too difficult to use, and then buy another one wich you'll use all the time)... but I know quality comes at a price.

You've made a wise choice. The Paramilitary should handle most anything. I don't like large holes, but for your use the 14mm hole is great. The only problem I could see with the Paramilitary (or the other models I listed) is it is made for the clip to be set for a right handed person. Other than that the Paramilitary is a great choice.

[spydutch]

Welcome to the forums JaM :cool:

I would go with the Paramilitary ;)

[JaM]

Well, I am right-handed, so that's no problem :D. As for Kopas; I'd have to look them up I guess, I do have a 'hunting-shop" in my town, but they dont carry a lot of spyders... I'll go look for it though.

Thought that the para came in a combo-edge... guess not. *sigh* Now I have to choose between SE or PE... Guess Ill go SE (easier to clean, easier to sharpen, better for whittling/woodcutting I guess). Probably had the "Native" edge in my head.

Thanks for the advise so far !

[smcfalls13]

Welcome to the forums.

For a small people friendly knife, I'd recommend the Persian 75mm. It's very comfy in the hand, great blade steel, and looks very nice, which won't draw terrified looks from bystanders.

For the outdoors knife, the Para is an excellent recommendation. Large comfy handle, great steel again. Extremely easy to clean with the open construction.

Either would be great choices.

[swissknife]

welcome to the forums and enjoy!

let me put up a warning: this place is highly addictive, so is the stuff talked about.. here since one month and two spyders added already.. :D

[5150]

welcome jam! frn dragonfly should inexpensively do the trick. you cannot go wrong with the paramilitary. :)

[ghostrider]

Welcome to the forum JaM. There are a lot of nice people here and I hope you enjoy your stay.

As for the smaller knife I would recommend the Dragonfly, or if you can find a FRN Cricket, that would be a good choice. The Native is an excellent choice, but it is the same size as Your Salt I. Any of the Kopa’s or Kiwi’s are great small Spyderco’s, but they don’t come in FRN. If you could find a Dyad Jr. that would also be a good choice. With your requirement of FRN, your choices are limited. There are the Jester, and the Ladybug, but they are a little too small for me. How small are you looking for. Since you mentioned a classroom, I would suggest finding a jigged bone Kiwi. I know it isn’t FRN, but the jigged bone gives it the classic “pocket knife” look (making it more sheeple friendly), and the wharncliffe blade make it even less intimidating. IMHO, that sounds like the best knife for what you described. It’s pricy compared to some, but worth it. It’s small, good looking in dress or jeans, non-intimidating, and soon to be a classic since it’s discontinued.

For your other knife the Para is always a good choice. I guess the question is whether or not you think a three-inch blade is enough. I would rather have four inches in a combo edge. I’d say the Military because it offers a four-inch blade in CE. My second choice would be the Endura FRN CE.

P.S.
Forgot to mention. I used to own two CRKT Prowlers. Liked everything about them but the blade steel. Prety cool knife. Good ergos, nice thick blade with LAWKS, and thick enough handle for extended use without tiring the hand. I just didn't like the fact that I needed to sharpen it every day. Warning: if you try VG-10, it may well spoil you and make you never want to use the Prowler again. :D :eek:

[Axlis]

Hello Jam, and welcome to the forum!

As for a small FRN, I would recommend the Native. It's a just a little bigger than the Salt1, but it has great steel, and is a great deal for $40 at Walmart.

If you're thinking about a Para, I say go for it! It's just about my favorite knife, can't go wrong with it.

[fret]

Welcome to the Forums. I like the FRN Dragonfly. It's small but it does great things for its size. The Calypso Jr. is another hard to beat edc. The Native is also a good choice. And then there's the Delica...Lots of good choices.

[mikewww]

Welcome to the Forum, JaM ! Hope you enjoy it.

Why not try a plain edge Jester. It may seem small, but this is the smallest BIG knife in the range. You can carry it on a keyring, and its size will invoke "How cute" instead of "Gasp !" i.e it is a very "sheeple" friendly knife.

Mike

[JaM]

Wow... thanks for all the replies so far !!

AS for a FRN-"requirement"; it's more like a "No Steel handles" thing... Guess I worded it wrong.

The Native being the same size as the Salt; hmmm... guess Ill skip the Native then, want something a bit bigger. I'll start saving for a Para :).

For the other suggestions; I'll have a look at the local shop, and maybe on the i-net, just to see what is "out there", for a (for me) reasonable price.

Too bad we dont have Wall-marts in Holland, a Native for 40 doesn't sound bad :D .

Cheers !

JaM

[smcfalls13]

Too bad we dont have Wall-marts in Holland, a Native for 40 doesn't sound bad :D .

Oh don't worry too much, I'm sure Wal-Mart will invade eventually :p

[dialex]

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum JaM and enjoy your stay here. I think you'll like the Paramillie. Speaking of a small folder, I'd recommend you the FRN Cricket or the Dragonfly (both are small and sheeple friendly)

[Ted]

Hi Jam - Welcome here!
Are you planning to come to the Spyderco show in A'Dam?

[JaM]

Dont know yet, I feel a bit like a "beginner" compared to you guys... then again, I'll probably want to go "next time", but I have no idea when that will be.... Still in doubt.

I do need parkingspace though if I go (unless I'll travel by train), is it possible to find it there ? Or is the train a better alternative (this time) ? I'll have to travel from Arnhem to A'dam.

JaM

[Ted]

Jam, If I were you I wouldn't miss the oppertunity. Of te wel, komen dus! I suggest the train. Parking in A'Dam is very stresfulll and expensive...

[buferoe]

Hi JaM,

Welcome here,

As Ted said March 5th is a super meeting with Sal and his crew in Amsterdam.
The best place to meet your other forumites from the Netherlands.
For sure if you don't come you will regret it. Je krijgt er echt spijt van dit is zo leuk. ;)
Don't care if you call yourself a beginner we all were.
Hope to see you in Amsterdam, mail Jurphaas and sign in. :)

kind regards,

Buferoe

[J D Wijbenga]

Hi JaM,

Welcome to te forums. Have a look at www.toolshop.de for ordering your Spydies in Europe. They have most of them and a good service.\

Oh, yes. And do come to Amsterdam for the Spyderco meet. No better way to learn then to be there.

JD

[JaM]

Ok, I'll grab my agenda as soon as I'm home again, aka I'll be there.

Damn, I'm so easy sometimes... :o

[psimonl]

Hello and welcome....

Like a bunch of us, Para is a very good choice. But maybe an andura (The new one) would suit you a little better...

Anyway, you can't go wrong

Have a pleasant stay...

Simon

[boxer93]

JaM,
Welcome to the forum. On the idea for the gents knife I would have reccomended the DK PenKnife or the UKPK. Also if you want to order in the US and get it to you I can assist. Ted and I have a pipeline open and delivery can be very good.
Enjoy you time here and at the A'Dam Show (you lucky dogs)
Chris

[christopher]

Welcome JaM.

This is a very nice place to hang out and learn and contribute.

I too have large hands and my EDC is the Native III which fills my mitts very nicely. VG10 holds an edge very satisfactorily and the wire clip is much easier on the kitchen chairs (The wife doesn't object to knives but she is not fond of scratches on the maple kitchen dinig set she inherited from her parents.)

And JaM, do go to the meet in Amsterdam. Mr. Glesser is a gentleman worth meeting.

Chris

[Gerard Breuker]

Welcome JaM,

Whatever else you may have planned for March 5th you better cancel it unless you are saving your money for something in which case visiting the gathering or this forum is not to be recommended. Otherwise the chance to meet Sal and Eric Glesser and Ed Schemp and some famous forumites and handle a lot of knives still to come and some that may never reach production at all is far too good to pass up on. I an still remember most of the knives that I handled last year which reminds me that I should still buy an Ocelot.
BTW ordering your knives in the US has been just as safe as in Europe to me and I have acquired a nice collection of band-aids from www.newgraham.com to go with them.

[JaM]

Thanks for the welcome all, I'm already felling at home :) .

I'll be there at the 5th, should be good !

[HoB]

Welcome JaM,

My personal choices would be the Dragonfly or Calypso Jr. (currently a bit difficult to get hold of), or the new Delica 4.

For the outdoor knife, I would always go with a fixed blade, but if you prefer a folder, the full-size Manix will fit the bill like hardly any other. Here is a review you might find interesting:
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/manix.html

[JaM]

Well, for the outdoor-knife, I still have a SOG seal-pup (who will be seeing a lot less action though), but for fixed I might go with a Fallkniven S1. Sorry it's not a Spyder... I had a nice deal recently on one of those.

The "outdoor-folder' will be there as a back-up, or for the "indoor-outdoor" action (food, rope, cloth, etc.), when it may be a bit of a hassle to carry a "dagger" (sheeples).

I still have some time to look for that "back-up folder", I am trying to plan a trip to Finland for winter 2007, and might stay there for a few months. In the mean time I can get used to (more) knifework, sharpening them, walking/hiking, fishing, etc. And food-prep, I tend to use my knives if I like them. For me, it's a tool first, and visually appealing second.

Of course, looking at the Impala and the 75 mm Persian, and the Centofante3... Hmmmm, tasty ! Not to forget the Kiwi and Kopa, and the Dyad...
I like those, but I cant afford "more knives than I care to use" at the moment. But I still like them.

Maybe in the near future though ;) . And for all out there who do have an extensive collection; WOW !!!

Guess I have my priorities wrong :p . j/k

[smcfalls13]

Guess I have my priorities wrong :p . j/k

That depends on your definition of "wrong." ;)

I tend to buy knives I don't really need, and worry about finding a use for them later. It's a bad idea, I don't recommend it :p

Let us know what you eventually get though.

[JaM]

Thanks, I will.

Probably will go Spyderco, they have a vision I really like... I guess I dont have to explain that vision here (tried it, editted it away :) ).

Expect to see some 'used knife pictures' from me though, some time in the future.

[pjrocco]

Expect to see some 'used knife pictures' from me though, some time in the future.

Welcome JaM! :)

Can't wait for that. I love seeing beat up Spydies. :)

[Mr Blonde]

Welcome to the forums JaM. For the Finland trip, I think you'd do good with that Fallkniven. It's a knife from that region, and from a reputable company, so it should fit in the climate and environment. A PE S1, combined with an SE Paramillie does sound nice to me for a trip like that.

Do come to the A'dam show, In Arnhem you can take a direct train to A'dam, no transfers. And on the way back you have plenty time to study the catalog!

For the gent's knife, you could start with a PE FRN Dragonfly (http://www.spydercollector.nl/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=55). If you like the bladelength and edge geometry, then move up to a Kopa (http://www.spydercollector.nl/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=42)!

Wouter

[JaM]

I'll defiantely look into these, and am happy to meet you and other spyder-lovers in A'dam !

[CopilotATS-55]

Welcome JaM :D
i see you have already got the addiction started :D

[JaM]

yes, my Salt1 told me yesterday he needs a mate... he cant really "bond" with my nokia. I told him I'd get him a nice piece of Tasman serrated, H1 steel. In yellow.
He looks happy now, but the waiting is driving him nuts I think... :rolleyes: