spyderco for outdoors

[mcinen]

Hi everybody.

I'm into doing backpacking and other such outdoor activites and every once in a while I need to use a knife for cutting kindling for fire and things like that and now I'm going to buy a spyderco knife for this purpose but the question is wich model?

I was kind of thinking to get a Dragonfly with spyder-edge but what do you think? Is it too small? Should the knife rather have 50/50 edge or just plane one?

Tell me what you think.



Thanks. Mcinen/Finland

[RLR]

Dragonfly is more of an "office" knife - small and thin. I think you would best be served with a thicker blade and "tougher" tip. A Wegner Jr. would suit you well (as would a full-sized version if you want a larger knife). The Jr. has a sub 3" blade, very rugged, G10 to keep the weight down, with a solid liner-lock. I'm suggesting this as a backup to a fixed blade for longer trips. For day trips and such, the Wegner on its own would be great - throw in a SAK with a saw for that added "security".

I'd go plain edge unless you are working with rope or fibrous material. The way you sharpen your edge will be crucial too. With a SAK saw, you can hack through a 2X4 pretty quickly in a pinch. And, if I can editorialize a little, I hate 50/50 edges - not enough of each surface to be useful.

Now it comes to price. The Wegners are more expensive than the Dragonfly, but I think you have to buy the right tool for the job.

RLR

Edited by - RLR on 11/22/00 6:24:07 AM

[dgahagan]

Great advice RLR, except that Spyderco doesn't make the Wegner Jr. anymore. Not a slam at you, but a gripe to Spyderco. I LOVE ME WEGNER JR and now I can't get one anymore! Boooo!

Edited by - dgahagan on 11/22/00 1:20:38 PM

[Fozzy]

I like the Crawford Lightweight. If that's too big, consider the Delica. Compact size and it's not the end of the world if you lose it.

Ben

"No good deed goes unpunished."

[sal]

Hi Mcinen. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

A small fixed blade like the Moran might be a solution as well.

sal

[CJF]

You can't go wrong with an Endura I have carried one to the woods many times and it always came through for me.<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

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Chris

[sam the man..]

mcinen ~ Welcome aboard the Forums dude! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Thoroughly recommend the FB01 &amp; FB02 Moran fixed blade if you want a reliable lightweight camp knife. Also check out the Endura and Delica. These lightweights are highly regarded for their performance. I pack the Moran and Endura on my trips to the wildnerness.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> You can also accessorise the Endura and Delica with River City Neck sheaths... These are great stuff to accompany your high quality cutting tool!

Sam

[dePaul]

I agree with Sal. A fixed blade would do the job better. However, if you still wish a folder go for a more sturdy, rigid model like Military or Native.
If the main purpose is to be minor whittling and slicing chores, get a plain edge model.
Regards and welcome to the forum!

[mcinen]

Thanks everybody for answering my question.

Yesterday I went to check out Spyderco knives and I know now that Dragonfly is too small for my purposes,instead I find Delica to be pretty convenient size.
I'm still not sure which edge type I should chose.That's true that I need it for cutting kindling but I allso need it for cutting rope,plasters and who knows maybe I have to cut my way through the tent wall (hopefully not). I'm allso interested of Snap-it and Remote Release models because you can attach them pretty much anywhere and I think that's a good feature.
So,summary is this.I need a good,lightweight,knife that can handle all the situations that may occur in the backcountry.

Once again...thanks to you all.

Mcinen, Helsinki,Finland

[Marc]

Hi mcinen,

I am a wildland firefighter/wilderness EMT, and have also done extensive technical mountaineering and canyoneering in the U.S., Mexico, and East Africa. The Wegner is the best I have found overall, if you don't want to carry a fixed blade. The Native and the Snap-it also do suprisingly well for small knives. Stay away from thin blade and ultra light models. You'll most likely break them, usually when you need them most. I think the 60/40 blade on the large Wegner works great. It has enough plain blade area for delicate cutting, and the serrated portion works great on rope, webbing, tarps, and pack material. Don't underestimate how important it is to find a knife that fits your hand well. The best blade in the world won't help if the ergonomics aren't right for you. Good luck with your search.

[shootist16]

It sure is hard to beat the Wegner. It is one of my favorite knives period.

I would also go with plain edge.

Dennis Bible