Spyderco esthetics

[ringzero]

Most of us will agree that Spyderco makes some very good knives in terms of fit, finish, and function.

But, I'm curious as to how many people won't EDC a Spydie just due to its esthetics.

That 'typical Spyderco look' is just too out there for some people to embrace.

That look in an EDC knife sometimes gets blamed for freaking out Non-Knife-People when they see a Spydie in use.

'Typical Spyderco look' refers to the humpback, pointy blade look typified by Delica and Endura, but common across most of the Spyderco lineup.  (Doesn't refer to atypical models like the Native, Rock Lobster, Captain, etc.)

What do ya'll think?

.

[Shane769]

Love them! Love love love love love love love!



Only one problem... I don't got any

So I'm out of this poll... for now

[jim guy]

Ive loved them ever since I was a kid and seen my first police model back in the 80's

[Freudian Frog]

I believe they're odd looking but functional. Though I do hate the spydiehole, it makes some of the blades much wider than they need to be where a regular ol' thumbstud would suffice. Also, a lot of times the choils and jimping will be ever so slightly off...

I've only had my hands around 3 or so Spydercos though, but I think they could be better.

The one Sypdie I have (thanks again Gadgetman) I will carry a few times a month and is just a tad wide, but the Native has very good ergonomics and grip.

[zepla]

I voted: love it. Although I realy do love them, its the only knife I have. So not much to compaire it with.

[yellowhammer]

I love 'em. I've always thought that function should lead form and so any design that is performance-led over aesthetics gets my vote. Functional design has it's own beauty, look at the Apache helicopter. Ugly as a bag of spanners, but at the same time absolutely gorgeous. If I want to look at something pretty, well I've got a mirror.

[Freudian Frog]

I love 'em. I've always thought that function should lead form and so any design that is performance-led over aesthetics gets my vote. Functional design has it's own beauty, look at the Apache helicopter. Ugly as a bag of spanners, but at the same time absolutely gorgeous. If I want to look at something pretty, well I've got a mirror.

Stop using the mirror to peek around corners ya pervert.

Though I agree, I don't think Spyderco is all function... you have to make a conscious decision to throw out any semblance of aesthetics before getting something that fugly. Or a twisted sense of it. Hey wait, are you the one who's been designing these?

[jzmtl]

Love them, in fact all my tac folders except two are spydercos.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Always did like there functional look

[cliosguy]

love them!

[Gareth]

I'm going to be a little controversial here and say that I'm not sure Spyderco's are quite as functional as people seem to think.  I will admit that I'm only going from my experiences with my Delica and Cara Cara.  

To me the contoured shape of the handles on both these knives only really lend themselves to a single, standard grip.  Very comfortable it is as well, but I find it a little limiting.

Also I don't much like the flatness of the handle, I much prefer something a little more "3D" myself.  I don't have big hands by any standard but both these knives fail to fill my hand properly and I really don't enjoy using them for any length of time.  I understand that they are flat so as to better fit in a pocket but there is no denying it's a design compromise to my mind.

I'm not bashing Spyderco here, I actually really like both my knives, but I do think there seems to be a little to much awe and wonder when it comes to Spyderco in my opinion.

BTW I don't think they are even particularly unattractive.

[yellowhammer]

Stop using the mirror to peek around corners ya pervert.

A boy's got to have a hobby.

[Shane769]

Stop using the mirror to peek around corners ya pervert.

A boy's got to have a hobby.

[nuphoria]

I carry a UKPK most of the time, but that is the only one currently. I generally thought they were fugly but then got turned on to them... you now how some stuff grows on you rather than grabs you straight away?

Not love at first sight, but wouldn't be without it now.

[GraysonK]

I carry a UKPK most of the time, but that is the only one currently. I generally thought they were fugly but then got turned on to them... you now how some stuff grows on you rather than grabs you straight away?

Not love at first sight, but wouldn't be without it now.

LOL!  That's what Kim tells people about me! 

[Benner]

Some of their designs are a little out there, but as for the "typical" Spyderco image, I think they are spanking gorgeous!    In fact, I'd argue that the Police is one of the best looking production folders available;



How anyone can say that isn't simply stunning is beyond me. 

I find the ergo's on them to be spot on as well and don't have the "issues" that Gareth does at all.  They are simply YUM! 

[GraysonK]

I have say that I love Spydies.  They are agressive without being too frightening to most people, are almost instantly recognizable by just about everyone, and just gorgeous to look at, hold, fondle, and most importantly use.  Their "standard" models, Police, Native, Endura, Dragonfly, Delica, Ladybug, Military, and Paramilitary are just fantastic.  I'm not too fond of some of what I consider the more gimicky model designs, but for the most part they are spot on.  Love 'em. 

[David]

I voted love it as I`m mostly carrying Spydercos atm. But that is a resent development that started in summer of 08. At that time my needs in knives changed and since I`d been carrying Emersons or a Strider AR for years I decided to try a D4W and a Salt I. Since then I come to appreciate not only the knives themselves but the company that produces them. Before the D4W and Salt I changed my mind I thought Spydercos were the ugliest knives to ever be invented and would not have anything to do with them. The current Militarys are just a wonder of good stuff except for TD carry. Spydercos are some of the best production knives of their type and I wished my personal bias hadnt kept me from these fine blades for so long.  Oh I forgot I like the typical Spyderco look now    Benner thats a nice looking Police ya got there.    

[AHB]

Since the only Spyderco I have is the tiny Bug,(thanks again Nikos ) my opinion doesn't really matters, But if Denmark didn't have the Oh-law, I would
probably do my best to get my hands on as many as possible..  
In a Chako/Ninja kinda way, of course..

[ringzero]

No right or wrong on this question - there's no accounting for taste.  I voted for odd looking, but EDC them sometimes.

I've owned, and occasionally EDCed Spydies, off and on since sometime in the late 80s.

But, I've never warmed up to the Spyderco look.  Always been something that bugs me about that wide, humpbacked blade - guess it just looks awkward and ungainly to me.

The big exception for me is the Native.

Always loved the look of the Native since first seeing pics in a catalog.  Beautiful knife with graceful lines and great ergonomics.

Native's form still follows function, but the result doesn't have the awkward look of a typical Spyderco.

.

[Nikos]

Actually that Bug is the only Spydie I've ever had. For the price and intended environment and use, I'd either go with a medium-to-small Byrd or some slippie... Not that I don't drool over every other pic of Natives and Manixes though...

[Zack]

Some Spydies I like others I don't.  I feel like the Native is the Spyderco for people who don't like Spyderco, it was also my first...then I was hooked.  My favorite currently though is the UKPK.  It feels perfect in my hand, yet still retains the classic Spyderco look without going overboard.