Golden Colorado Spyders: The Essence of Excellence

[JD Spydo]

As far as I'm concerned from a standpoint of sentimental preference overall and my overall opinion is that Spyderco doesn't make a bad knife period~~irrespective of origin. However the ones that really get my sentimental side enthralled are the GOLDEN COLORADO, USA made models>> i.e. Military, Lil T, Chinook models, Gunting, Dodo, Yojimbo, Native, Swick ect, ect,.

As great as a lot of the Seki City Spyders are I still maintain that the ones that truly roll out of Great Spyder Factory in Golden Colorado truly have a mystique and possess character like no other manufactured production knife.

I am in no way knocking the Spyders made overseas at all and I don't mean for this thread to disparage any blade with "SPYDERCO's" name on it. Because I do also cherish many of the Seki Japan models as well but there is just something about the way that Golden Colorado Spyders feel in your hand and the respect that they command. And the ridgid architecture of the GOLDEN CO Spyders is just simply "unequalled" in my humble opinion :) .

Do any of you all here feel similar as I do about Golden CO, USA made Spyders? If so please elaborate. I want to know that I am not alone in that observation. Also it would be interesting to know what criteria you personally feel that sets them apart. JD :spyder:O

[Agent Starling]

However the ones that really get my sentimental side enthralled are the GOLDEN COLORADO, USA made models>> i.e. Military, Lil T, Chinook models, Gunting, Dodo, Yojimbo, Native, Swick ect, ect,.

Do any of you all here feel similar as I do about Golden CO, USA made Spyders? If so please elaborate. I want to know that I am not alone in that observation. Also it would be interesting to know what criteria you personally feel that sets them apart. JD :spyder:O

I didn't realize that some of my favorite Spyders are made in Golden...like the Mil, Chinook, Gunting, Dodo, Yo, and the Lil T!!! that is awesome!! :)

As to what sets them apart...in my mind, i guess it's the solid construction, ergonomics, and the style of each one is really special...i think that the Yojimbo in particular is a masterpiece! :cool: :D

Good thread knife bro!! :D

Agent Starling

[The Mastiff]

I love the Seki made knives also, but there is something to the Golden made knives J.D.. Workhorses with class and quality. I can't think of a golden made knife I dislike, or feel lukewarm about.

When I order them I don't feel the need to have the seller examine the edge quality and straightness and lock up as I'm talking to them as I do with most all other brands.

By the way J.D. I still owe you a favor for convincing me to go ahead and pull the trigger on the Ti ATR. I'll never trade or sell that one. Joe

[Blackhair]

The only Golden Spyder I have is the Swick, and although I can't make any judgments on the fit and lock up on it (seeing as how it doesn't have any), it does have a certain mystique to it.

I have to admit, I just love that whole "Golden, Colorado, USA Earth" thing. :D

[diceman]

I'm a new Spydie collector, and I must say that my Manix and Lil Temp (well, my second Lil T - I returned the first one, a lemon, and got a great Rhino instead) are the two nicest folding knives I've ever laid my hands on. That said, I'm extremely impressed with my Byrd Cara Cara and Endura as well - although they don't touch my Manix/LilT, they are head and shoulders above the competition in their respective price ranges. My USA Native is getting loose in the pivot though, after a week - and I've been very easy on it. :( I understand that its a lightweight design, but I think that the pivot could probably be improved upon (still a steal at $40 though!).

The Manix is my new EDC - I'm very proud to carry it. Everything about this knife is perfect, IMO. Made right here in USA, Earth. I'm glad to have finally "found" Spyderco, after all these years of ignorantly buying from other 'mainstream' makers and being unhappy with their products!

[rescueseven]

Want to add some real emotion; get to know the fine craftsmen and women that put their hearts and souls into each knife they build. Shake the hand of the unassuming man that commands the machine that puts the "We pray for your safe return" on every OIF/OEF Native that leaves the factory. Know that "Save and Serve" is not some corporate pitch just because its the popular thing to do, but is a real dedication to the people that do save and serve.

I think he reason for the "sentimental preference", the "...each one is really special", the "something", the "mystique", the "head and shoulders above", is that the spirit of the fine people in Golden accompanies each knife that is manufactured there.

Good people, making good things. What more could you ask for?


Ian

[bh49]

Most of my knives made in Seki, I love my Volpe, I am planning to buy silver S eventually, but Golden made :spyder: have very special place in my heart.
I wish I have more of them.

[JD Spydo]

I love the Seki made knives also, but there is something to the Golden made knives J.D.. Workhorses with class and quality. I can't think of a golden made knife I dislike, or feel lukewarm about.

When I order them I don't feel the need to have the seller examine the edge quality and straightness and lock up as I'm talking to them as I do with most all other brands.

By the way J.D. I still owe you a favor for convincing me to go ahead and pull the trigger on the Ti ATR. I'll never trade or sell that one. Joe

The Ti ATR will go down as one of the premier collector pieces of all time; I predict. They are getting rather tough to find already. Again it goes to show that any of the Golden CO Spyders are a slam dunk in either the collector category or as mega-USERS. Hearing it from the "Mastiff" himself should be a testiment to everyone that the Golden CO USA EARTH Spyders are truly in a special sector among production knives.

In this last year I have been collecting some special Spyder USERS and I would dearly love a Ti ATR "USER". You just won't go wrong with a GOLDEN CO Spyder :cool:

[catamount]

I'm partial to the Golden models I have as well. In an ideal world, though, I'd like to see them in VG-10.

[spydutch]

There is just one thing I find a bit pity of the Golden models JD and that's the fact that my most favourites don't come in full SE as well:

Chinook
Both Manixes
Wegner
Yojimbo

Besides that I find the Golden knives more "rugged" ,indistructable almost, than the Seki ones.

Man, would I like a fully serrated Chinook III.

That would be my "knife of knives" .

And I would sure as hell carry it. Despite the direction the knife laws over here are going:mad: :D

[Left Hand Path]

I don't have nearly as much experience with the Golden models, unfortunately, but there is something special about them. In my (limited) experience, the blade grind and edge finish seems better and more consistent on the Golden models than Seki-City. I agree with others that the Golden knives have an 'indestructible' feel to them and are certainly 'users.'

I wish there were more Golden models, specifically smaller knives since that is what I carry most of the time. For me, Delica or Native-size is about right, and I would like to see another Golden knife that is around that size or even smaller, like Dragonfly-size.

[lerman]

there is something about the golden Colorado USA earth spyders, my favorite spyderco is the para, and as you can see...:)
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l162/llerman/untitled-3.jpg

[spydutch]

I don't have nearly as much experience with the Golden models, unfortunately, but there is something special about them. In my (limited) experience, the blade grind and edge finish seems better and more consistent on the Golden models than Seki-City. I agree with others that the Golden knives have an 'indestructible' feel to them and are certainly 'users.'

I wish there were more Golden models, specifically smaller knives since that is what I carry most of the time. For me, Delica or Native-size is about right, and I would like to see another Golden knife that is around that size or even smaller, like Dragonfly-size.

DITTO on that one;) :D

[JD Spydo]

Well Spydutch & Left Hand Path I concur with both of you. I do think that there ought to be more of the Golden CO models made in the fully serrated variation. If I had my way they would at least be made available by special order in fully serrated if nothing else. Just think what collectibles could manifest out of that.

Also I do agree that the Great Spyder Factory should look into some small Golden CO models. Albeit the Dodo had a smaller than normal blade they should look at considering some small blades in the Golden line up. They did make the first run of the Meerkat at Golden CO in 440C which has now become a coveted collector piece.

Hopefully some of these ideas will catch the attention of the Factory.

[LOOKABIRD]

All of my Spydies are made in Japan and I love them all with the exeption of my Manix. I have to admit that I did not really like the Manix when i ordered it, I just wanted a big folder that could go with my Civilian and it was being discontinued so I jumped on it. But after holding it and cutting with it I fell in love with it. It is an absolutely great knife and it stands out from many of my others. I just with the Caly3 was made in Golden :(

Tom

[WORKER#9]

The GC models do seem special. My Lil Temp rhino is absolutely perfect and over time has become my favorite all time Spyder. But one knife I rank up there with it is my Persian, the qaulity of the Schempp Spyders is incredible.

[JBE]

IMO, no other knife embodies the "essence" of Spyderco like the Golden, CO produced Millie....

[Raqudu]

A D2 Millie that always feels a bit too large has bumped a Caly 3 ZDP that I thought was the perfect EDC from my pocket. Its Golden origin is one of the factors that caused the change. It may be totally subjective and emotion-based, but I find something special about a knife designed and made in my homeland. Like the American people, the elements in the steel come from around the world, and are then blended and alloyed into a material unique, tough, and strong.

I own and use knives from many countries, and I have nothing against them or the craftsmen that made them. I just have a soft spot for the Golden Spydies.

[JaM]

I really like the UKPK as well, and, as blackhair already stated, I just love that whole "Golden, Colorado, USA Earth" thing.

[SimpleIsGood229]

I absolutely love my Manix and "Mini" Manix! I got them both on the same day! The Mini arrived via USPS from Brad (Tricod) and the big Manix was given to me as an early Christmas gift. Anyway, these things reek of quality and indestructibility! Even my Mini M, which didn't make it past QC for the tiniest of reasons, reeks of quality!

Oh yeah; my Krein'd ZDP Endura just got bumped as my EDC. It is now my small/lightweight :p knife for carrying in dress slacks, etc.

I'm simply blown away by the Manixes! They are Eric's masterpieces! Where is that boy, anyway? He hasn't been here in a while!

[JD Spydo]

I absolutely love my Manix and "Mini" Manix!

I'm simply blown away by the Manixes! They are Eric's masterpieces! Where is that boy, anyway? He hasn't been here in a while!

Eric Glesser for as young as he is has really gotten off to a great start as a knife designer. The Dodo is truly a User's Dream Knife.

It kind of makes me wonder why Sal's Genius design of the fixed blade Temperance wasn't made in the HALL's of Golden CO :confused:

A lot of people rave about Spyderco's brilliant collaborations but their "In House" designs are truly marvelous in their own rite. I hope we continue to see a full pipeline of In House designs come from the Golden CO factory at planet EARTH

[bladese97]

:spyder: :spyder: :cool: :spyder: :spyder: Awesome thread JD Spydo! I agree...there is truely something different about Golden USA made :spyder: 's! As Agent Starling said....I mean, typed...there's nothin like the ergos, feel, craftsmanship, of a blade being made in USA!

[jaislandboy]

I've really had no issues with the Golden clipits I have: Yojimbos, Dodos, UKPK's, D2 Millie, MiniManix ....all function perfectly....
but I do prefer the SekiCity NativeIII's fit and finish to the Golden made ones....
I've had a few of each kind and IMO the NativeIII's have "tighter tolerances" at the pivot and zero bladeplay when open...

[SimpleIsGood229]

I do prefer the SekiCity NativeIII's fit and finish to the Golden made ones....
I've had a few of each kind and IMO the NativeIII's have "tighter tolerances" at the pivot and zero bladeplay when open...
My Golden-made C41 is tight in the pivot, even after having been broken in! Zero blade play, as well.

[David Lowry]

Want to add some real emotion; get to know the fine craftsmen and women that put their hearts and souls into each knife they build. Shake the hand of the unassuming man that commands the machine that puts the "We pray for your safe return" on every OIF/OEF Native that leaves the factory. Know that "Save and Serve" is not some corporate pitch just because its the popular thing to do, but is a real dedication to the people that do save and serve.

I think he reason for the "sentimental preference", the "...each one is really special", the "something", the "mystique", the "head and shoulders above", is that the spirit of the fine people in Golden accompanies each knife that is manufactured there.

Good people, making good things. What more could you ask for?


Ian

I cannot add anything to your already awesome post. I simply agree with it. I wish some day to meet the folks at Spyderco.

[diceman]

I've really had no issues with the Golden clipits I have: Yojimbos, Dodos, UKPK's, D2 Millie, MiniManix ....all function perfectly....
but I do prefer the SekiCity NativeIII's fit and finish to the Golden made ones....
I've had a few of each kind and IMO the NativeIII's have "tighter tolerances" at the pivot and zero bladeplay when open...

I have a Golden Native and Native III - I agree that the tolerances are a little tighter on the Seki made III. The Golden is loose in the pivot area, has some blade play, but not much... I can push the pivot pin from side to side - quite a bit actually. You can feel a "click" when it shifts from side to side. But, my luck w/ Golden Spydies has been much worse than most peoples from what I gather!

I also prefer the handle contour, clip, and blade shape on the Native III. The action is smoother on the Golden Native - possibly because its a little looser, though.

[JD Spydo]

Another positive aspect about the Golden CO Earth Spyders is the workmanship on the handle materials. The G-10 on the Lil T, Dodo & Yojimbo are nothing short of excellent. The Titanium handle on the Ti ATR is truly a machinist's dream to say the least.

Not to mention the use of CPM (Crucible) blade steels on many of the Golden CO models. I hope they continue to use the Golden models to introduce more and more of the super steels from Crucible.

Not to mention some very innovative ideas like the Ball Bearing and Compression locks. I'm highly anticipating the next Golden Goodie.

[Medic]

so, what are the complete list of Golden knives?

I've never owned one....

thanks

[Peter1960]

Don't know if it's a complete list, but I think most of the models are included:

Frank Centofante (Aluminium)
Q
Military
Military Black Blade
Military Carbon Fiber, S30
Military Carbon Fiber. BG-42
Military Foliage Green
Native
Native Blue G-10
Native blue abalone shell inlay
Native burnt orange/root-beer shell inlay
Native Black Blade
Native Tan
Bob Terzuola Starmate
James A. Keating Chinook
James A. Keating Chinook II
James A. Keating Chinook III
Bram Frank Gunting
Lil' Temperance (Leaf)
Lil' Temperance (Trailing point)
A.T.R.
Dodo black
Dodo blue
Para-Military
Para-Military (black blade)
Yojimbo black
Yojimbo blue
UK Penknife
DK Penknife
Manix
SpyKer
Manix 83mm
P'kal
T-Mag
World Trade Center Knife
SpyderRench
Swick
Meerkat

:)

[jaislandboy]

I've got more than one Military ;) and everyone of them from the G-10 Black coated S30v PE, CF with S30V, CF with BG-42, and the last one the Foliage Green D2 version.....all have perfectly centered blades, solid! liner locks with zero bladeplay, and I have no complaints with any of them....
The Foliage Green D2 version had some of the tightest tolerances so that the knife feels sortuv stiff opening / closing in the beginning until it "breaks in" .... :cool: I rate the quality/fit/finish of many of my Golden-made clipits right up there if not better with some of the ones that originated from SekiCity...

[JD Spydo]

There is one other "super quality property" that many of the bigger Golden CO USA~EARTH~ Spyders have and that is their incredible bulky and rock solid architecture. It's what I like to refer to as "The SuperTanker" quality of big Golden CO USA Spyders.

The Gunting for instance has a rock solid construction that I feel confident if you were to drop it from an airplane you would only incur minimal damage.

Other Golden CO~USA Earth Spyders with Supertanker construction include the Manix, Lil Temperance, Military, Paramilitary, Chinook models, & the new living legend P'Kal.

I'm looking forward to more Supertanker Spyders and I hope they are made in Golden CO USA as well. They truly differentiate themselves in a bold manner

[SimpleIsGood229]

Other Golden CO~USA Earth Spyders with Supertanker construction include the Manix, Lil Temperance, Military, Paramilitary, Chinook models, & the new living legend P'Kal.

I can definitely attest to the super-tanker-like qualities of the Manix and the Mini Manix!

[MANIXWORLD]

The Manix,Military and Para mil's are definitely tankers.
I would like to describe my Caly3 as a HUMMER,and the CF Caly3 as a pimped up HUMMER.tough as nails,with the beauty a rose.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Golden spydies are my favorite but I think Spyderco production workers are the exception and not the rule. Spyderco employees seem to genuinely care about making a quality product and I think that's also the exception and not the rule. Too many Americans have forgotten how to care about America and American quality. Not enough chores and whupins! :mad: :spyder:

[SimpleIsGood229]

:spyder: Golden spydies are my favorite but I think Spyderco production workers are the exception and not the rule. Spyderco employees seem to genuinely care about making a quality product and I think that's also the exception and not the rule.
The employees are a reflection of the boss! :)


Too many Americans have forgotten how to care about America and American quality. Not enough chores and whupins! :mad: :spyder:
Sadly, yes. :mad:

[JD Spydo]

:spyder: Too many Americans have forgotten how to care about America and American quality. Not enough chores and whupins! :mad: :spyder:

Michael you have definitely hit the nail on the head. Because what initially made this country great to begin with was the fact that most American companies & craftsmen/women at one time took extreme pride in what they produced and manufactured.

I can remember as a young boy my dad would preach to me about quality and taking pride in workmanship. I also had an Uncle who was a great mentor to me and he took a lot of time to instill in me a "nose for quality" for virtually everything I was going to buy or use. He proved to me over and over again how quality paid off several fold in the long run especially in the area of tools.

To fast forward this lesson in life when I started collecting knives back in 1994 I immediately gravitated to 3 production knife companies i.e. Spyderco, Benchmade & Boker and necessarily in that order>> and the Golden CO Spyders really got my attention like no others. And the Golden CO Spyders have taken the lead.

When you get an eye for quality The Golden CO USA Earth Spyders will most definitely get your attention. A demand for "Quality" for a world that has pretty much forgotten that there is such a thing. Hence the explosion of walmart and other merchants who never knew the meaning of the word to begin with :( .

[wickedwest]

Well guys, I only have one made in Golden,CO. It's a C50S, and it truly is an awesome blade. My blue Lum and large Persian are definately my favorites out of all the ones I own. I understand what you mean about the ones made in the good ole' USA, and my "brain" knows they're better, but my "hand" tells me different. I know the workers put their heart and soul into it, and Mike Kelly in customer service has never been anything but GREAT to me. For some reason though, I'm still real partial to the two previously mentioned.

[JD Spydo]

Well guys, I only have one made in Golden,CO. It's a C50S, and it truly is an awesome blade. My blue Lum and large Persian are definately my favorites out of all the ones I own. I understand what you mean about the ones made in the good ole' USA, and my "brain" knows they're better, but my "hand" tells me different. I know the workers put their heart and soul into it, and Mike Kelly in customer service has never been anything but GREAT to me. For some reason though, I'm still real partial to the two previously mentioned.

Wickedwest you almost make me bow my head in shame :o . Because the C-50 Centofante II model is one of my all time favorite blade designs ever. I don't know why my brain slipped on that one but for some reason I definitely overlooked it. Sometimes we forget the models that paved the way for the ones we have today. And the C-50 was definitely in the pioneering stages of some of the great Golden CO models to come.

The C-50 looked very similar to one of my all time favorite knife designs ever and that being the Phil Boguszewski "Spike" model. But the C-50 with it's great G-10 handle and ATS-34 blade steel sure made it a premier model in it's era and it still competes with a lot of the designs today.

Oh how I would cherish to see the C-50 brought back as a collector's edition in one of Crucible's newer blade steels like M-4, CPM-125 or other CPM blade steels. I truly hope that the C-50, C-23, & C-24 models are never forgotten.

Thanks a million for for bringing the C-50 model to our attention "Wickedwest"; you certainly have excellent taste in blades :cool:

[Manix Guy 2]

Hello Joe , Golden knives have a special appeal to me , not just the knives but being able to help American workers is a big plus for me . The one thing to consider is take a look around and it appears to me from a collector standpoint there a more Seki knives bringing in monster prices out there than Golden . Yes Golden makes fewer models and I am not saying they are inferior , just that many Seki models hit a chord with collectors raising knife values . I guess what I am trying to say is as long as Spyderco keeps making a quality knife where it is made will make little difference to me in the long run . Regards MG2

[spyderknut]

Joe, most of my favorite spydies are Golden made. I have misplaced my trusty UKPK :( though and am currently carrying a burgundy Caly Jr.

I view the Golden Spyders as the Porsches. There are a couple of Seki made :spyder: s like the Kopa, Kiwi that are Lexus like. The FRN models are like Camrys or Accords except the Salt line that are like Jeeps. Byrds are like Daihatsu or Scion.

So, I guess right now I am carrying a 240 hp suped up Camry. I just miss my Boxster.:rolleyes:

[Agent Starling]

good analogy, spyderknut! :)

[SimpleIsGood229]

Joe, most of my favorite spydies are Golden made. I have misplaced my trusty UKPK :( though and am currently carrying a burgundy Caly Jr.

I view the Golden Spyders as the Porsches. There are a couple of Seki made :spyder: s like the Kopa, Kiwi that are Lexus like. The FRN models are like Camrys or Accords except the Salt line that are like Jeeps. Byrds are like Daihatsu or Scion.

So, I guess right now I am carrying a 240 hp suped up Camry. I just miss my Boxster.:rolleyes:
I like your analogy!

I view my C95 Manix sort of like a Hummer that goes 200 mph! It's a beast, but with awesomely high performance!

P.S. I hope you have a Lo-Jack on your Boxter! :p

[wickedwest]

I was wondering why the C-50 wasn't posted. I know you didn't mean to leave it off, but I thought it should be added. I carry at least 3 Spyderco's at all times, two of which are the C-65 and C-83, and the good ole' C-50. That's two Seki's, and one Golden. 33% ain't too bad. Your right though about the C-50, I believe that knife still competes with anything similar to it, to this day. It's an awesome blade, and the oh so slim G-10 handle just disappears in your pocket. It even sleeps under my pillow at night.

[JD Spydo]

I was wondering why the C-50 wasn't posted. I know you didn't mean to leave it off, but I thought it should be added. I carry at least 3 Spyderco's at all times, two of which are the C-65 and C-83, and the good ole' C-50. That's two Seki's, and one Golden. 33% ain't too bad. Your right though about the C-50, I believe that knife still competes with anything similar to it, to this day. It's an awesome blade, and the oh so slim G-10 handle just disappears in your pocket. It even sleeps under my pillow at night.

Again, I thank you for your quality input WW on that great old Golden CO model. Another item of interest concerning the C-50 Centofante II is that it is out of an older era of Spyders going back to 1997 and thereabouts. And what is interesting about that is the super high quality it even had at that time. Which was way before a lot of the super Golden classics we speak so much of now a days.

To the best of my knowledge I think it was the third Golden CO model behind the C-23 Renegade & C-24 Blackhawk~~ Those 2 particular models were later made at Seki City but the older ones were some of the very first Golden CO Spyders.

What a great model The C-50 would be to come back in one of the newer Crucible Super Steels.

[spydutch]

Coming from the land of wooden shoes, wind mills and tulips I'm sorry I don't feel the same as you about the whole "America" thing. Not that there's anything wrong with it, don't get me wrong.

However as I stated earlier, when I have a Golden Spydie in my hand I feel that I have a quality(almost indestructable) cutting tool in my hand. I had this very much with my Manix. I only parted with the knife because it was only CE:mad: :o . And I still have it when I hold my Milie/SE.

That's why I would like soo very much a Delica sized Golden Spydie in full spyderedge(maby even more than a fully serrated Chinook III. Can't fight the upcoming knife laws over here anyway). Preferably nested linerlock like the Milie. I would even settle for a fully serrated blade in the UKP.

I'd probably buy a bunch of them and never look back.

Don't see this happen though. Especially with the Tenacious coming out:(

However one has to have dreams or not??:D

[JD Spydo]

C??oming from the land of wooden shoes, wind mills and tulips I'm sorry I don't feel the same as you about the whole "America" thing. Not that there's anything wrong with it, don't get me wrong.

However as I stated earlier, when I have a Golden Spydie in my hand I feel that I have a quality(almost indestructable) cutting tool in my hand. I had this very much with my Manix. I only parted with the knife because it was only CE:mad: :o . And I still have it when I hold my Milie/SE.

That's why I would like soo very much a Delica sized Golden Spydie in full spyderedge. Preferably nested linerlock like the Milie. I would even settle for a fully serrated blade in the UKP.

However one has to have dreams or not??:D

Arend my friend please understand this>> There was no intention on my part to make this thread to be disparaging or condescending or derrogatory to any other knife producing nation or any other Spyderco producer.

My overall intention was to shed light on a sector of Spyderco's great knives that I personally feel are top quality. I like the Golden Spyders because of the more beefed up construction on some particular models and many of the great "In House" designs. I know that comparing the Seki, and other Spyders to the Golden CO Spyders is kind of a "Ford versus Chevy" comparison of sorts. No doubt that great cases can be made to claim that the Seki Spyders are better in some respects. For what it's worth my main #1 EDC Spyder is a Seki Spyder ( big C-44 Dyad)

I'm just saying that the unique character, special properties, superbly machined construction and ridgid architecture to me sets them apart from most other production knives. That is what drew me to them as far as liking them better overall. I meant nothing demeaning about any other Spyderco knives I can assure you and everyone else reading this thread. I even have enjoyed reading why some folks like the Seki Japan Spyders better.

I totally agree with you about the fact that more Golden CO Spyders should be available in full SE. I would love to have a Chinook, Manix, & Military models in full SE. Actually I would like to see Spyderco maybe someday do at least one knife from every knife producing nation on the globe. JD :spyder:O <<<>>>> But I will always have an affinity for the Spyders that come from the heart of the Rocky Mountains from the great state of Colorado

[jaislandboy]

the CPM-D2 Military is imho representative of typical Golden Quality ;)
the relatively "thin" liner used in the Military's linerlock is a great example that "thicker" liners are not always needed in the design of a trustworthy, reliable linerlock :cool:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie039.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie056.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie058.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie076.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie034-1.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie052.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/jaislandboy/d2millie068.jpg

[JD Spydo]

Well jaislandboy I don't think that Vincent Van Gogh could have painted a prettier picture than the ones you just displayed. After seeing those pics of the D-2 Military you have presented overwhelming and compelling evidence to support my case.

Again I say there is just a special flair to that particular Golden CO Spyder to put it modestly.

Both SEKI Japan Spyders and Golden CO Spyders are true works of art. So I guess maybe it boils to down to whether you either like Leonardo Da Vinci or Pablo Picasso. :cool:

[Billy]

I've got more than one Military ;) and everyone of them from the G-10 Black coated S30v PE, CF with S30V, CF with BG-42, and the last one the Foliage Green D2 version.....all have perfectly centered blades, solid! liner locks with zero bladeplay, and I have no complaints with any of them....
The Foliage Green D2 version had some of the tightest tolerances so that the knife feels sortuv stiff opening / closing in the beginning until it "breaks in" .... :cool: I rate the quality/fit/finish of many of my Golden-made clipits right up there if not better with some of the ones that originated from SekiCity...

My experiences too Brian! I also have two Millies, two Paras a Dodo and a Chinook III. All fantastic knives that really just exude quality and craftsmanship. I love my Seki Spydies too, but the Golden-made ones just seem a bit more "special" to me.

Billy

[A.P.F.]

Thanks for those excellent pics, Brian. As a result, I just pulled the trigger on a D2 Milli as well as a PE Para to keep my black Para company. Two more 'Golden' additions to the collection. :)