Buying from the Net before you seen them in real...

[Ted]

My Military is my first purchase of knife that I haven't seen or handled 'in real' before buying from the Internet, so it's gonna be a really exciting to open the box.

Next will be the new blue Rescue, also never handled those.



I was wondering how the rest of the forumities do this. Do you first check out the knife in a store before buying from the Net, or do you just hope (as I do) that it's as good as everybody says it is...



Ted

[4 s ter]

Ted

I do it all the time. There isn't a store within 100's of miles that carries <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> so I just have to order and hope for the best. At least with Spyderco I'm seldom disappointed by the real thing (and that one time was quickly taken care of by Mike at Spyderco warranty and repair <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> )

David

"Not all who wander are lost"

[voxnaes]

Hi Ted!
I purchase all my spydies online or even better from Glasshartt@aol.com (formite Linda). If I have a problem with a knife I ask here on forum for f.x. pictures from diff. angles then those seen in online-stores.
Vox.

[CalypsoKid]

I do it. There is one store that does sell S but their prices are much higher that Ebay. I need that 50% discout. I've been very happy with all my Spydies: Harpy, Calypso JR, Ladybug, Tim Wegener and Orange Rescue, book and sharpener. Actually the book is only fair to middling. Too much like a product description, I'd be more interested in the human side of the story.

~C

[boxer93]

Ted,
I've only handled 1 of my knives before purchasing through various dealers. This forum is a great place to find opinions, evaluations and just about anything else you want to know about the knives. The only thing that is difficult for me to judge is the size. Wait until you hold your Millie and even the new Blue rescue, which I saw at a knife show this weekend, these are good sized knives that pictures can sometimes be deceptive.
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.

[Ted]

Boxer93,
To judge the size, I normally search for a straight forward picture and print that in a 1:1 scale on my deskjet and then I cut it out with a scissor. I could even glue it on a piece of carton but this works pretty well, and convinced me to get a Military instead of a Chinook.

Ted

[sam the man..]

dude, nothing beats the excitement of opening the package and expecting an AWES<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>ME Spydie at the receiving end! Good luck with you Military.. Its one <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> that R<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>CKS!

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[Sword and Shield]

I handle them if I can, but that is often impossible unless I drive 30 miles to the nearest decent <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Store. Their selection is good, but the prices are vile. I always look and walk away.

However, I do use their shooting range often enough to keep them happy, so my looking is tolerated. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[SpyderNut]

Do ALL the time, man. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I've really only handled a few of my Spydies before I bought them. (I mainly rely on the wisdom of the Forum to guide me on these quests...<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)

Way to go on the Millie! You'll get a kick outta' that model for sure.

Mike

[spydieman]

I'm going to be getting a Gunting and a Police G-10 and have not handled either of them before, but I am confident I will be far from disappointed judging from my other spydies.

Mark.

Edited by - spydieman on 8/12/2002 4:51:03 PM

[spydernut2008]

I just order a SS police and a few others, and haven't seen any of them yet. First time for me but I have faith...
Take care till then.
Jeremy

life without spyders sucks

[cmassicotte]

Howdy Ted. I don't think you can go wrong with the choices you have made. The Milie is one great knife by any standard.

I was a bit nervous when I first ordered a knife online. I have had great experience with spydies tho, so I don't worry so much any more.

Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

chuck

[Mr Blonde]

In terms of quality, Spyderco products can be bought sight unseen. I do it all the time. But then again, I have a 'modest' collection to compare new models to.

Wouter

"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient" - James Mattis

[wesmalo]

I, too, have to buy sight unseen. I have not yet been disappointed with Spyderco and, to be honest, don't think I will be.

I have bought three online and wait now for number four.

[Jeff/1911]

So far, I've been able to handle a sample of each and every Spydie I've bought at my local shop before buying that model; whether I end up buying it there or not.

I do want to acquire a Bob Terzuola Starmate; (preferably plain edge) though, so I don't know if I'll have an opportunity to handle this one first as my local dealer doesn't have a specimen of this discontinued model.

Jeff/1911.

[cmassicotte]

Jeff/1911

You might find a Starmate at JohnFJensen.com. I just got one in PE from him, and he still shows it on his website.

It is a great knife. My first was a combo edge and was my EDC for about a year until I lost it. I got this one to replace it, though I have become rather fond of my Native for that purpose, so I shall be rotating my EDC knifes.

Good luck on your search

Chuck


The journey is the best part of getting there

[Jeff/1911]

Chuck,

Thanks for your reply, and the tip about John F Jensen.

Of the two blade styles of Starmate you've now owned; which do you prefer? I think I want a plain edge, but am always interested in what &quot;works&quot; best with a certain knifes blade style and design.

Since I haven't been able to handle a Starmate; to what other Spyderco knife would you compare it? The large Wegner perhaps? It appears very similar in size and somewhat alike in design. If anyone else would care to comment on this comparison or another, I'd be delighted.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.

[cmassicotte]

Jeff/1911 --

In this particular knife (and for me most knives in general) I would go with the PE. The one I carried EDC for a year was combo, and when I decided to replace it, I went PE. Can't really define the subjective criteria I used when making that decision, but I can say I do like the PE Starmate a lot. I have carried several fully SE spydies - endura and Mili - but only the one combo edge. I think I want just a little longer blade length for a combo edge blade. I have used my son's combo endura, and would consider getting a combo Mili, though I think I will wait for the compression lock model before I get one. And I honestly cant tell you whether I am going to get that one because I want to use the Milie with the combo edge or because I have become a collector. Well, ok, yes, I can, the Spyder Bug has bit, and I just plain want it. Certainly don't need it.

As to the feel - from looks alone, I would say that your thinking about the Wegner might be pretty close. My experiece with other medium to large Spyides is with the Mili and Endura, and they have quite a differnt feel from the Starmate.

Chuck



The journey is the best part of getting there

[Jeff/1911]

Chuck,

Thank you very much for your thorough response. I have decided I want the plain edge Starmate alright. I just posted a new thread regarding variations of this model.

I understand very well about your thoughts on the combo edge Military...I'm hooked on these knives too...and what fun it is!

Cheers, Jeff/1911.

[Gallaghe]

Mostly I have simply examined them online until recently after finding a great knife store in my town. Funny thing, they had a Grunting which they had no idea of it;s purpose. Most likely this is why they were not selling them. I explained to them the useage of the Grunting, went back a week later and it was gone/sold. Was not planning on buying it since the price was rather high. When ready to buy one I will order from Glasshart.

Kevin S. Gallagher

[vampyrewolf]

I have had the pleasure(and curse) of handling pretty much every <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> model. I have a dealer about 5Km from my house, and that 10minute ride is an EVIL thing to my wallet.

I handle any(all companies they use, CRKT, MT, BM, ChrisReeve) new models as they come in(usually wednesday and saturday shipments) and see what I like. If I find one I like on first shot, I'm in there a few times handling before I buy.

Otherwise(as with my Calypso jr lt), I go with the forumite opinions. I asked a few questions of feel, use(actual use), edge... and ordered. Cutting Edge ordered in about 10 that first time, I spent about 20 minutes finding one smooth enough, and now they carry the C52 when they find them(this is now a yr since, and it's one of the best sellers).

I'd say that this forum is pretty good for ordering based on user opinions. The only thing to worry about is your dealer. Most dealers will look over the product sent your way...

[glockman99]

My (Massad) Ayoob that I traded for a few weeks ago; I had never seen one, much less handled one, but I sure wasn't disapointed when I received it...After-all, it IS a Spydie!.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663