Broke down...

[HBlaine]

Broke down and did something I said wasn't going to do...

First, a quick admission:  I've never liked the looks of Spyderco folders.  Never did.  That big hole in the blade just killed it for me.  I know, I know...  That's dumb, but...  I've read good things about them, heard people speak very highly of them, but...

I ran out to the local Gander Mtn. shop today, just on a lark. Found they had Columbia stuff on sale, so grabbed a couple shirts.  And then wandered through the knife aisles.  Nothing was really appealing to me (particular after the buying binge I was on in cyberspace).  I almost walked out, but...

They had one Spyderco on the rack.  Probably most expensive knife there (unless you wandered over to the Case display).  I looked at it and looked at it, and debated and stewed.  And then the four most destructive words in a man's vocabulary went through my head...  "Oh, what the hell..."

I now am the proud owner of a Spyderco Delica, all stainless.  I'm most certainly impressed with the quality of the knife.  Built like a tank.  Nice, plain edged blade, which is razor sharp out of the pack.  Unfortunately, I'm still up north at work, and really can't get out and carry it with me, much.

The jury's still out on my feelings about the "big hole" in the blade, as I like to call it.  But I think I could become a bit more accepting, having gotten my hands on one.

Yet another toy to play with!   

[jekostas]

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago, never really liked the Spyder hole.  Too weird looking, made the knife bulky, didn't think it could open quickly.

Now, I think it's awesome.  Incredibly intuitive way to open the knife.  Opens wet, muddy, with gloves, with numb hands, anything.  Big enough that you rarely have to dig around for grip (even on models where the hole can be somewhat occluded, like the Native).

[Freudian Frog]

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago, never really liked the Spyder hole.  Too weird looking, made the knife bulky, didn't think it could open quickly.

Now, I think it's awesome.  Incredibly intuitive way to open the knife.  Opens wet, muddy, with gloves, with numb hands, anything.  Big enough that you rarely have to dig around for grip (even on models where the hole can be somewhat occluded, like the Native).

As much as I like the Spyderhole? It still makes the blade too wide and bulky. =P

[PyroJames]

I was never bothered by the Spydiehole.  Actually, I hated the look of Spyderco's volcano grip and "bi-directional textured" grip more than the Spydiehole and a year ago, I didn't even want to hold a knife with that FRN pattern.  Things change and now, the Spyderco Endura, Pacific Salt and Native are my favourite EDC knives.  The Rock Salt is probably my most favourite fixed blade knife too.

[Sean]

Welcome to the Spyderco Fraternity.  I hope you enjoy your new knife.  I've always found
the Delica to be so user friendly and functional.  It's so easy to open the blade because of
that "ugly" hole you soon forget about looks.
If ever I had to sell my collection and keep one knife to carry for life it would be the Delica.  

[Swiss Man]

Big fan of Spyderco have a Endura 4 that I wouldn't part with. 

[cgk]

Well now that we're confessing on Spyderco issues, Im a little bothered by the width of the Tenacious.  I know a wide blade makes it stronger, especially with the hole, but its a knuckle buster in the pocket.

[HBlaine]

Well now that we're confessing on Spyderco issues...

 

Now I really feel like I've started something here!  Knife confessionals!

[ducktapehero]

Spyderco makes excellent knives, although I gotta admit that I like their Byrd knives even more. 95% of the quality at 1/3 the price. The steel on the Byrd knives is good enough for anything I'll ever need it for. Congrats!!!!

[HBlaine]

Thanks!

I actually managed to sneak out for a little bit, take a road trip, so I toted the Spydie with me.  Was thinking about trying to get out in the backwoods, but couldn't quite manage it.  Still, did a good, country drive.  The Spydie was quite comfortable to carry, more so than the Vic Craftsman I had in the other pocket.

Can't wait to get back home, so I can go out and do some hiking with it.

[jekostas]

Something to try before you head out in to the woods with that Delica - this is what sold me on the Spyderco/Byrd holes.  Get a Spyderco, and one of your normal thumbstud openers (say, that new mini-Ambush or Razel).

Put on a pair of heavy work or winter gloves, and now try opening each knife 10 times.  Count how many second tries you need or outright failures you have to open each knife out of the 10.

THAT is the value of the Spyderhole (or Byrd-Eye) opener.

[HBlaine]

I can now attest to the sharpness of the Spydie.

I got stupid while I was out on the farm, forgot all the "rules", and...   

I was fooling with my camera while I was opening the Spydie.  Well, the Spydie decided to teach me a lesson for not paying attention, and bit me.  It slipped slightly, and my middle finger slipped between the blade and handle.  I felt the blade bite, swore very loudly, and carefully disengaged myself from the knife.  As I did so, I saw a little flake of skin go fluttering off.  I swore even more loudly, and then realized there was no blood.

The Spydie hand literally shaved off a layer skin.  Hadn't even cut deep enough to bleed.  I could see the little shiny spot on my finger.

Talk about shaving sharp...  yeesh...

[sawman]

For a folder, nothing compares to a SpyderCo IMO.  I've always liked the look and design (and functionality), especially the hole in the blade for opening.