Spyderco

Spyderco Roadie Review

Enthusiast culture is the weirdest thing. At the far end of five years of talking, thinking, and fretting about knives, knowing more now than I ever have about steels, grinds, locks, etc., in a way I’ve never been further away from what first drew me to pocket knives in the first place. Originally, I just liked the idea of carrying something useful with me every day, for the small, unexciting cutting chores I might run into. But now, as a collector with more knives than I can possibly use in a lifetime, the question is usually “What’s next?” instead of “What’s enough?”

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Looking at it honestly, every blade I’ve ever owned, loved, even hated, is overqualified for the job of being my EDC. Which makes reviewing knives like the Spyderco Roadie a bracing experience. You expect a knife this small to have limits. And it certainly does. But for me – domesticated, deskbound, and suburban – it did everything I asked of it for a whole month without issue, and made me question the wisdom and value of owning so damn many knives.

But side-by-side with this access of regret, there was a familiar surge of knife nerd pleasure at experiencing an interesting new design from one of my favorite companies. The Roadie can do all that I need it to, but is it good enough to merit a spot in the permanent collection? Let’s take a look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Roadie has a 2-1/8” blade counting the finger choil and a cutting edge of 1-3/4”. Handle length with the choil is 3-5/16”, and 2-7/8” without. Overall length is about 5” and it weighs just under an ounce. It is made in Maniago, Italy.

Some knives have different ‘regions’ along their cutting edge, but Roadie’s consists of a single continues run of gentle belly. It functions nearly like a straight edge, but the slight curve imparts muscle in certain chores like cutting zip ties. The small blade excels at small tasks: opening letters, cutting tape on boxes, nipping stray threads. It’s airy and nimble, but thanks to the thick stock it still feels substantial enough to use with confidence.

I would like a more acute tip, personally. And notably, the Roadie can’t do food prep, so if that’s a central cutting chore for you, be warned that this knife will not cope. But outside of these complaints the Roadie gets a lot done with very little.

Being a Maniago-born Spyderco the Roadie has N690Co steel. This is superb stuff. It can be sharpened to a fine, clean edge, and stays sharp for a long while – significantly longer than VG-10, and a smidge longer 154CM. Moreover as it dulls it doesn’t fall through the pronounced ‘steps’ of baser steels like 8Cr13MoV or 420HC. That is, it doesn’t go from ‘screaming sharp’ to ‘semi-dull’ with no apparent transitional phases in between. Its wear pattern is much more gradual. In this regard it reminds me of S35VN, albeit not quite so long-lived. It does, however, have top-tier stain and corrosion resistance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Roadie’s handle consist of two pieces of FRN, lightly textured and slightly contoured. A standout feature is the half and half finger choil. The choil itself and the base of the blade spine are both covered in jimping.

The ergonomics are good. Despite having a handle not much longer than a toothpick, the Roadie is quite accommodating. I don’t hear angels singing when I hold it but I never felt cramped, even with my large hands – which is quite a feat. The choil seems like a great idea and works fine, but it is (obviously) undersized compared to a standard Spyderco finger choil. It also isn’t really necessary on a knife this small. You’re going to have plenty of control over the blade just by virtue of the Roadie’s overall size.

Instead of the choil, I’d like to see the handle thickened up a bit because the Roadie almost feels too thin. Most traditional knives in this size class are a little more ample, and better in the hand for it. More pronounced texturing on the scales would be great too. As it is I have cut myself a couple of times while closing the knife because my fingers slid around.

No pocket clip here – but obviously you don’t need one. Loose in a full-size pocket, the Roadie is invisible. The only downside is that it can get tangled up in your keys, or slip out and slide down between the couch cushions without you knowing it. One time I pulled out my keys and the Roadie went flying out of my pocket, taking a pretty nasty ding as it landed. All of this is a function of its Lilliputian dimensions and a not a mark against the knife, but worth knowing if you plan on carrying the Roadie in your main pocket.

But here’s my pro-up: carry it in your watch pocket. I’ve never been an advocate of the watch pocket carry; I always thought it was one of those weird Knife Nerd affectations, like pocket sheaths or whipping out your folding knife to cut steak in a restaurant. But the Roadie is perfect carried that way. It’s readily accessible, stays in place, and doesn’t peek out of the top like most folding knives would. Non-believers, give it a try.

Lockup and Deployment

Although it’s a slipjoint, the Roadie is not a traditional knife in any real sense; it wasn’t made with considerations of walk and talk or pull weight in mind. It isn’t meant to ‘feel nice’ in the way a GEC or a Case might. There’s nothing poetic or soulful about this knife’s lockup or deployment – but it undoubtedly works.

There’s a watery half stop before the blade snaps fully into the open position. The spring tension when open is about where I like it: easy to intentionally overcome, but stout enough to preclude accidental closure in all but the most extraordinary circumstances. Combined with the half-and-half choil, there isn’t much need to worry here.

We get a Spyderco original for deployment, the Double Dent: a shallow concave ‘dent’ on either side of the blade that you pinch to open the knife. These dents have been left with a little rougher finish than the satin on the rest of the blade to aid in grip. They work great, definitely better than the average nail mark. Like the Round Hole, they do dictate the knife’s profile to a greater degree than other two-hand knife opening methods, but the extra width on a knife so small is not a problem.

A secondary, although welcome, advantage of the Double Dent is that it is easier to clean out than a nail mark. I find nail marks to be a common problem area when it comes to rust and that’s largely because they are so hard to properly clean out. You won’t have any issues like that here.

Spyderco Roadie Review – Final Thoughts

The Roadie did everything I asked of it with aplomb. If you live a relatively undemanding life it’s a fun way to cover all your bases in as small a format as possible. Even if you ask for more out of your EDC it’s a great backup knife or a people-friendly option for delicate situations. It may not be able to with you on an airplane right now, but it can go anywhere else without scaring anybody and without making you feel unprepared.

A note on price: at $50, the Roadie is expensive for what you’re getting. But it’s so friendly and fun, I can’t really crack down too hard on it for this. My particular Roadie originally came to me on loan from Gear Geeks Live After Dark co-host Mike Rixman. Within ten minutes of opening the package I made an attempt to buy it off him. I got mine for a little less than $50, but even at full price I would have already gotten my money’s worth in terms of carry and use. I think you’ll be surprised how often you reach for the Roadie, and I recommend it highly.

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I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Roadie at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Delica 4 Wharncliffe Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
I’ve been vocal in my dislike of the Delica. I’ve been critical of its ergonomics, its steel, its price point. I was convinced that it was overrated, past its prime. I implied that it only continued to sell because of the years’ worth of mythology that surrounds it. In short, I said it was a bad knife, and I was wrong.

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As I have slowly learned in recent times, the Delica was and is a truly great knife. It’s still a benchmark for quality and utility in the mid-price bracket. So when Spyderco revealed the Delica 4 Wharncliffe I snapped one up to review. It was an opportunity to approach the Delica from a critical perspective and formalize a lot of the good things I have come to think about it.

–Well, assuming that the Wharncliffe blade wasn’t a total catastrophe, of course. Does the new blade shape make the classic EDC option better, worse, or just different? Let’s take a look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The D4W has a cutting edge that is 2.5” long and a total blade length of 3”. Its handle is 4 1/8” and it has an overall length of 7”. It weighs 2.4 oz. and is made in Seki City, Japan. Like the standard Delica it is designed for EDC, and all of its dimensions are well-suited for that role except one, which I’ll discuss later on.

The Wharncliffe provides an interesting shift in cutting attributes. It’s less a matter of performance than of control. A synergy between the angle of your grip in relation to the point means that it always goes exactly where you want it to, opening packages and boxes with surgical precision. It feels as responsive as if I were aiming with a laser pointer. In that same “normal” grip the straight main edge is angled upwards too, pre-situated for an aggressive cutting approach.

There’s a bonus grip that the Wharncliffe shape especially excels at. Because the blade itself is so wide, you can move up it in a modified pinch grip that gives you supreme control. You can use this grip on the standard Delica too, but it feels better here with the extra steel in hand. And there’s something very people-friendly about it (probably because you’re palming most of the knife), so if you’re opening something around others this may become your grip of choice.

I’ve been dismissive of VG-10 in the past but I’ve come to appreciate it. It emphasizes ease of maintenance and in an EDC blade that’s great. Rust resistance is superb, edge retention is reasonable, and sharpening isn’t too much of a chore. Be forewarned: it does take more time than AUS-8 or 8Cr13MoV. It might not feel like you’re improving the edge at all, at first. But stick with it and all of a sudden you’ll notice it getting very sharp. I also find that straight edges are easier to sharpen than curved ones on a rod-based system, so if you have a Sharpmaker or similar setup you’re in luck.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

We’re all familiar with the Delica handle shape: a simple curve with three separate finger grooves sculpted into the FRN scales. Bi-directional texturing, nested and milled stainless steel liners: a familiar construction, but a stable, durable, and proven one.

It took me a long time to appreciate the Delica’s ergonomics. The three grooves seemed restrictive; there was basically only one way to hold the knife. But that one way is comfortable and effective.

I’ve already talked about how on this Wharncliffe model it helps align the cutting edge, but in general Spyderco has done a lot with a relatively narrow handle. Once you get the hang of it, it feels roomy and right. I used to have trouble getting my fingers to align with those grooves, but now that rarely happens; I guess I developed some kind of muscle memory or something. It’s also worth noting that the grooves aren’t sharp enough to be uncomfortable even if your hand isn’t perfectly aligned on them. This design could be improved with a true finger choil. As it is, with the D4W in particular the modified pinch grip on the blade makes up for this somewhat, and you can put your index finger underneath the kick in a rough approximation of a choil if you want.

The classic spoon clip is still the best clip Spyderco makes. I like the increase in durability over the wire clip, and I don’t think the lack of deep carry is much of a loss – I like having a little bit of knife exposed to grab onto. It’s a perfect fit for the Delica, too, with the pinch point being near the center of the knife to keep it from swinging around in your pocket.

There is one issue of note with the D4W and that is its width. It’s as wide as a Paramilitary 2 in the pocket. That’s a significant deviation from slimness of the standard Delica 4 and worth being aware of before you make the purchase. I like being able to reach into my pocket and not have my knife blocking up the passage, and while the D4W is by no means terribly wide it is definitely noticeable, and definitely worse when compared to the vanilla model.

Spyderco could have changed the blade profile, making it less bulbous, but it was kept this way by design. The D4W came to be after a Spyderco forumite drew it up to meet his specific needs during the workday. One of his requirements was to have a wide enough blade so that it could be easily opened with two hands if need be, and the extra material helps with that. It also helps with the modified pinch grip. Taken in context, the wide blade is actually a “feature,” albeit one that comes with a serious drawback, so be aware.

Deployment and Lockup

The Round Hole works as good here as it has on every other Spyderco knife since the dawn of time. Comfortable and ambidextrous, it doesn’t really get any better than this. As a lockback, the Delica 4 Wharncliffe isn’t going to have the fastest deployment in the world, but it is certainly adequate, and over time as the parts wear against each other it will get smoother and smoother. My five year old Delica is nice and buttery. This is a knife that will age gracefully.

Durability and reliability will be high with the D4W’s lock. In my example there is no side to side or up and down play, and no lock flex except in the heaviest cuts. Lockbacks are also naturally ambidextrous – a nice synergy with the Round Hole and symmetrical handle design on the Delica. I also appreciate that disengagement is not overly stiff – some lockbacks are real thumb bruisers, but this one is nice and easy, without being dangerously loose or anything.

Delica 4 Wharncliffe Review – Final Thoughts

The Delica 4 Wharncliffe is a great addition to the Delica corral. A new blade shape is a meaningful change and one that will, I think, work for certain types of users better than the normal drop point. The additional width in the pocket is a bummer and is the biggest flaw I can see in what is otherwise a pretty spectacular EDC.

Truth is, a lot of users won’t care about the additional pocket space required. They’ll relish the extreme control and precision of the Wharncliffe blade shape, qualities that are enhanced by the time-tested Delica handle design.

So I’m glad of the opportunity to talk some sugar about the Delica in general, and also happy to report that this new version is entirely worthy of your attention on its own. It doesn’t make a great design any better, but it’s a different, valid interpretation of one of the best EDC knives in the world.

Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 2.87" Wharncliffe Steel Blade and High-Strength FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C11FPWCBK

Superior Blade Steel: One of the most unique variations among Spyderco's designs, the Wharncliffe Steel Blade is known for its perfectly straight cutting edge capable of cutting with scalpel-like precision and power far beyond its size.
Premium Quality: Available in PlainEdge or fully serrated SpyderEdge, it features a full-flat-ground VG-10 Stainless Steel blade for exceptional cutting performance with a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole that supports one-hand opening.
Dependable: Paired with the time-tested lightweight design, Delica 4's handle is injection molded from tough Fiberglass-reinforced-Nylon and includes a sturdy back lock mechanism, with skeletonized Stainless Steel liners.
Enhanced Safety: Its four-position pocket clip allows both left and right-handed carry, tip-up, or tip-down for a better and more enhanced safety among users.
Pocket Friendly: One of the most ideal pocket-sized tools available, this folding knife is perfectly suited for everyday utility use and can be used for hiking, hunting, camping, or everyday carry.

If you are thinking of buying a Spyderco Delica Wharncliffe, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. By purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, keep the website free of annoying banner ads, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Para 3 C223GP Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 11 Comments

The Para 3 started as a fantasy: “Wouldn’t it be great if there were a smaller version of one of the most storied modern production knives of all time?” Then, this fantasy became a rumor, and that rumor became a confirmed project. Then there was a year-long lull. Then all of a sudden, in a whirlwind three months, the Para 3 was unveiled and released.

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Expectations were not just high, they were at that particular airless altitude where it’s hard to say that people were even aware of just what it was they were asking for. Companies like SOG, Cold Steel, and CRKT habitually release their knives in different sizes – why were we getting so excited about the Para 3?

Well certainly the Paramilitary 2 has a reputation few production knives can match. The knife community is almost unanimous in its praise for the PM2. Most of the criticism comes in the form of wishing for a smaller version. So if the Para 3 address this one issue, wouldn’t it be a perfecter version of a nearly-perfect knife?

No doubt about it, there’s a lot to talk about here. So let’s get into it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Para 3 has a blade length of just about 3”, with a cutting edge of 2 5/8”, an overall length of 7 1/8”, and a weight of 3.37 oz. It is made in Golden, CO, and is the first Spyderco I’ve handled that was produced in their new facility. Although the Golden, CO knives are fundamentally different in overall ethos than the Taichung stuff, if this Para 3 is a fair representative of the new plant’s capabilities, they are every bit their equal in terms of fit and finish. Unlike some of those fine knives, however, the Para 3 doesn’t feel like a collectible in any sense. This is an immaculately finished EDC blade that you’re meant to use.

What do we call this particular Spyderco blade shape? To me it’s always been their most iconic, appearing on the PM2, the FFG Delica/Endura, and the full-size Military. It’s a great shape for everyday cutting, with all the cutting surfaces you want: straight edge, belly, and a pointy tip. Little performance is lost in the transition to a sub-3” cutting edge, either. It might be a little less efficient in long cuts (as through cardboard), but it gains a little more maneuverability, and that seems like a fair trade.

Spyderco is thought of as an ergonomics-oriented company, but they also always emphasize cutting performance. The Para 3 embodies a lot of Spyderco philosophies, but perhaps this one most of all. The blade stock is thicker than even the saber ground Delica, and yet the flat grind is such that the Para 3 remains a top-tier slicer. It’s tough and aggressive when it needs to be, but graceful and delicate when the situation calls for it. The satin finish is perfectly done to reduce friction as well – definitely a better finish than Taichung.

Some would have it that Spyderco’s S30V is sub-par, but others praise it to the skies. After using it on my Zulu, PM2, and now Para 3, I’m comfortable saying it’s very good. It doesn’t stay hyper keen after a day or two of frequent use, but it retains a clean, usable edge for a very long time. As for sharpening – well, I’m beginning to learn that any steel requires time and attention to sharpen properly. Be patient and maintain a steady hand, and it’s possible to get S30V very sharp, even with rudimentary skills and entry-level equipment.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Para 3’s handle is very similar, but not identical to, the PM2’s. In addition to the obvious reductions in length, it has a more curved spine than its bigger brother. The edges of the G-10 have also been hit with a mild chamfer. Material choices are the expected (but excellent nevertheless) G-10 with nested stainless steel liners.

I think it’s safe to say that the ergonomics are what makes the PM2 so popular. Rarely is a knife so agreeable in the hand, and when it is, it allows all the other excellent elements to shine even brighter. The Para 3’s ergonomics is a story in three parts, starting with the forward finger choil and ending, surprisingly, with the clip.

Utilizing the forward choil, the Para 3’s ergos are excellent. Control over the smaller blade is exemplary, and you’ll have no problem with most cutting tasks. Even smaller details contribute: the curved butt end keeps things comfortable when you’re holding the knife hard or pressing down during a cut. Also, thanks to Spyderco for keeping the finger choil the same size as on the PM2. Nothing more disappointing (nor weirdly prevalent) than a too-small finger choil.

Moving down toward the main part of the handle, the news is less good. If I’m not using the choil, I can’t quite fit all four of my fingers in the main portion of the handle. My pinky usually lands right on the beak at the back, or falls back behind it. The beak isn’t so pointy that it would create a hot spot during most use, but the PM2 was so accommodating in both grip styles that it’s a bummer the smaller Para 3 can’t quite pull it off.

The clip also presents issues. The Spyderco spoon clip is utterly solid in and of itself. I have no complaints with the way it works as a pocket clip. Early reviews/opinions of the Para 3 have lamented the fact that it doesn’t carry deeply due to the large lanyard hole, which has to go above the clip instead of beside it as on the PM2. This means that a good bit of knife is sticking out of your pocket. I didn’t mind this, but I did mind the way the clip interferes with the grip in both positions. The problem is that it goes across so much of the usable handle it’s bound to press uncomfortably somewhere at some point. Not a constant hotspot, but it is noticeable enough to meaningfully detract from the in-hand experience.

As you can see from my pictures, I found a solution to this particular problem. Casey Lynch of Lynch Northwest is well-known for his aftermarket Spyderco pocket clips, and his short clip works perfectly on the Para 3 – and I mean perfectly: it feels like it was made specifically for this knife, and it fixes every issue the stock clip presents. The deep carry is just a bonus for me. Do I think you need the clip to enjoy the Para 3? No. Even stock, ergonomics are well above average. They just aren’t quite as good as the PM2 and the clip helps close that gap.

Deployment and Lockup

If you do a deep-dive on their forums, you’ll find that Spyderco’s bushing/stepped pivot system has been the subject of much discussion over the years. Nobody questions the fast deployment and free-swinging blade, just the variance in terms of lockup from knife to knife. You can get a PM2 that deploys with lightning speed, but you’ll rarely find one that you can dial all the blade play out of, no matter how slight. That was the case with my PM2, although it never bothered me.

My Para 3 appears to have the same pivot, but is even faster than my PM2 to deploy. It flips open with any sort of positive pressure at all – truly thoughtless deployment. It also stands firm once locked up, with nary a hint of play in any direction. On the PM2 I’ve found the Compression Lock to be a somewhat finicky one to maintain, but I’ll chalk that up to my inexperience rather than some mechanical failing. In terms of the Specialty Locks I think I like the Compression Lock best, despite my personal hang-ups. It offers serious strength while still keeping deployment smooth and fluid.

Para 3 Vs. Sage 5

The Para 3’s strongest competition comes from within Spyderco’s catalogue – and it’s NOT the PM2. I know a lot of people will get both, but to me the size difference is enough to put them in separate knife categories. The Sage 5, however, was released just months ahead of the Para 3, and is in the same product class of the PM3: EDC Compression Lock folder with a circa 3” blade.

The Sage 5 doesn’t have the mystique of the Para 3, but it is quite competitive in an objective sense. It’s lighter and it is better in the hand. The little beak and ill-placed clip that cause so much ergonomic drama on the Para 3 are gone on the Sage 5.

The Para 3, however, is an unquestionably better rendition of the Compression Lock: faster deployment and non-existent blade play where the Sage 5 is sluggish and has a little wobble. It is also better balanced; both knives offer phenomenal blade control but the Para 3 is more graceful and responsive.

How about cost? Well, the Sage 5 is about $15 more – not enough to give most of us pause, but tangible. And I’ll say that I think the Para 3 is perfectly priced. It is worth exactly $120 to me, and pretty much sets the limit for what I consider sensible spending on a pocket knife.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either, and a full-fledged showdown between the two might be worth doing, but off the cuff I’m giving the nod to the Para 3: ergonomics are important, and the Sage 5 edges out the Para 3 in this category, but I like the blade shape and mechanics better on the Para 3, and it is certainly not a disaster in hand. And hey, you can use the $15 you save to buy a Casey Lynch clip and solve half of that problem anyway.

Spyderco Para 3 Review – Final Thoughts

The Para 3 has been so long in the coming that in some ways it’s just a relief to be able to say a bunch of nice things about it. I was a little skeptical that scaling down the PM2 would be redundant, but Spyderco managed to make it feel like a different knife, and a great one at that.

That being said I’m also not totally blown away. Some things to consider: If you can legally own the PM2, I still think it edges the Para 3 out in terms of design. Technically they aren’t in the same use category, but they do share design fundamentals and I’d rather have more variety amongst my tools than two very similar albeit excellent knives. The Delica 4 is a great EDC knife for half the price. There is also the Sage 5 to consider, as well as knives like the Native 5 and Caly 3.

So I guess the worst thing I can say about the Para 3 is that it’s just another great Spyderco design. This is an excellent follow-up to what is arguably their best knife. Is it a must buy world beater? No. But Spyderco managed to bring something long wished-for to life without losing the magic, and in and of itself that’s an accomplishment.

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Editor: I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 3 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spyderco Sage 5 Compression Lock C123CFCL Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

I am sure a few people saw this review coming. When you consider my recommended EDC knives page, you can see that my general top 2 choices for someone is either the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or the Sage 1.

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I arrived at this conclusion after handling and reviewing hundreds of knives. There are a ton of other great Every Day Carry (EDC) options out there, but if I had to just suggest 2 knives to any random person off the ~~street~~ internet I’d say go with a Para 2 if you want a bigger knife with a 3.5″ blade, or go with a Sage 1 if you want something with a 3″ blade. Granted this assumes you are willing to spend $100+ on a pocket knife.

The Sage 5 takes the unassuming footprint of the Sage series, a product line designed to celebrate knife locks and their inventors, and matches it with the beloved compression lock. People have clamored for a smaller compression lock knife for years, and Spyderco has finally delivered with the Sage 5.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sage 5 has an overall length of 7.17″, a 3″ blade, weighs 3.1 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I like this size of knife for EDC. It’s not too big, and not too small. Compared with the Sage 1 this knife is a little lighter and thinner thanks to nested and heavily milled out stainless steel liners. The Sage 1 weighs 3.2 ounces, so only .1 of an ounce more, but it feels heavier in hand. I hate to use the “P” word these days, but I still think this may be the perfect size EDC knife for my purposes.

Like all the other knives in the Sage series, this knife features Spyderco’s leaf shaped blade. It’s simple and unassuming with its full flat grind and satin finish. The blade is ground from 3mm thick stock, and the end result is a blade that is thin and agile. It easily tackles cardboard, food prep, and mail. It will press into harder tasks if necessary. The tip is a reasonable balance of strength and precision. No surprises and no complaints with the blade.

Spyderco went with CPM S30V blade steel. This is the same steel they have used on the other Sages I’ve handled. I think CPM S30V is good, but these days I would prefer to see Spyderco upgrade this to S35V. S35VN is tougher and I find it a little easier to sharpen. S30V can be brittle, and it can be relatively tough to sharpen. The heat treat can make a difference, but all things equal I think S35VN is a nice little upgrade of over S30V.

That said, the S30V here is plenty good and I have a lot of experience with it. The blade is relatively easy to sharpen, exhibits good edge retention, and is decently tough. As always, for more information on blade steel I invite you to check out my page on knife steel or I suppose you could re-read this section on my Sage 1 or Sage 2 reviews. The blades and steel are all identical.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle design is where we begin to see the uniqueness of the Sage 5. To the untrained eye you may not think there is much different from the original Sage 1. Sure, they share a similar faux carbon fiber cladding, but beyond that there are key differences to note. Specifically, the Sage 5 has nested stainless steel liners, while the liners of the Sage 1 are not nested. As previously mentioned, this results in a thinner and lighter knife. The Sage 5 has only 2 stand offs while the Sage 1 has 3. However, the Sage 5 does come with a sleeved lanyard hole, something I could live without. Also, the color of the carbon fiber veneer is slightly different from the Sage 1.

As you would expect, the fit and finish of this knife is immaculate. The handle is put together with the same eerie precision of all the other Taiwanese Spydies. If it wasn’t for the fact that someone wrote on the inside of the handle scales with a pencil, I would have not have guessed that a human hand touched this knife.

Like a lot of Spyderco knives that share this profile, the ergonomics are great. Just like the Para 2 and Dragonfly 2, you have a forward 50/50 finger choil. You also get a pleasantly jimped thumb ramp. It provides traction without being overly aggressive. The main portion of the handle easily accommodates a full 4 finger grip, while that finger choil gives you some extra options.

The Sage 5 comes with Spyderco’s wire clip. Ah, the wire clip. This is a love it or hate it thing. Personally, I love the wire clip. Here it is a bright stainless steel. My preference is for the black chrome version found on the Sage 1, but I must admit that this satin version looks nice with the rest of the stainless steel hardware. It reminds me of the Chaparral.

This knife carries like a slimmer and lighter Sage 1. That is to say, it carries pretty damn good. This is a knife you could carry with a suit or slacks if you wanted to. The fold over wire clip buries deep, and most people will probably mistake it for a pen. The Sage 5 is a knife you will forget is in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

Of course like all the other Sages the blade is opened with a thumb hole. It’s easy to access and the blade moves on phosphor bronze washers. No complaints there. However, I did run into a problem when trying to close the knife. The action was very stiff from the factory. I didn’t mind at first as I knew that my Sage 1 required a break in period due to its tight tolerances, but I became concerned when the action didn’t improve after a couple weeks of carry and a healthy application of Tuf Glide.

So I decided to take my Sage 5 apart to take a closer look and try to resolve the issue with the stiff action. The problem was that the blade would not shut easily, and I actually needed 2 hands to close the knife. Not ideal, especially when compared with the easy action of my Para 2.

I found that Spyderco used an industrial strength version of Loctite on this knife. I am glad I had my new WiHa drivers as I am sure my Husky set would have stripped out. It required a lot of force to crack the pivot open, but with a little patience and elbow grease I was able to get the knife apart.

I ended up adding a little more Tuf Glide and then re-assembled the knife. Everything came back together without issue and now the blade moves freely. I can now easily open and close the knife with one hand. I think the pivot was adjusted a shade too tight at the factory. If you run into this problem there is no need to take the knife completely apart. Just carefully adjust the pivot.

The compression lock works great here, now that the blade moves freely. For the uninitiated, this is not a “liner lock on the back of the knife”. This is a totally different lock that sandwiches the locking leaf between the tang of the blade and a stop pin. You can get a better feel of this from the picture. Spyderco claims this makes for a stronger lock, but I think the most significant benefit is that you can close the blade with one hand, and without putting your fingers in the path of the blade, much like an axis lock.

I was concerned that the compression lock might be a little figety on the small profile of the Sage, but it works fine. The lock itself is easy to manipulate and lockup is tight. This is a nice locking mechanism worthy of a spot on the Sage lineup.

Sage 1 vs. Sage 5

I am sure at least a couple people will be curious to get my opinion on whether I like the Sage 1 or the Sage 5 more. This was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. Before I took my Sage 5 apart I would have said the Sage 1. It was just too tough to manipulate with one hand. Now that the pivot is loosened slightly and the knife has broken in, I really like the thinner and lighter Sage 5. It is very easy to manipulate with one hand and it carries even better than the Sage 1. As much as I enjoy the Sage 1, I gotta “keep it real” – I think the Sage 5 is an improvement.

Still, the Sage 1 will always have special significance for me. It was one of the first higher end knives I bought for myself, and I love the simplicity of the knife. It’s solid and perfectly made. I also appreciate the familiarity of the liner lock. The compression lock is great, but there is something very simple and comfortable about a liner lock. The Sage 1 is a great pocket knife and you can’t go wrong with it. But I do think Spyderco managed to make some improvements with the Sage 5. Neither will be leaving my collection. I’ll update the review if my opinion changes.

Spyderco Sage 5 Review – Final Thoughts

I am not sure a review of this knife was entirely necessary. Combining the footprint of the Sage series with a compression lock is a no brainer, and Spyderco executed this knife near perfectly.

In a perfect world I’d like to see S35VN and the pivot perfectly adjusted out of the box, but these are small quibbles on an otherwise excellent knife. I’m sure some might want a different pocket clip, but I love the simplicity and elegance of the wire clip. Sorry wire clip haters.

The Sage 5 will likely be a “must buy” for Spyderco fans, and a serious contender for anyone seeking a 3″ EDC knife in the ~$100 range.

Looks like I’ll have to make some room on my best EDC knives page. We have a winner.

Spyderco Sage 5 Prestige Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 3" CPM S30V Stainless Steel Blade and Black Carbon Fiber Laminate Handle - PlainEdge - Everyday Carry - C123CFPCL

High Performance: The Spyderco's Sage Series is a unique family of knives showcasing the innovative lock mechanisms that have helped define modern folding knife technology.
Designed to be Safe: The Sage 5 uses a compression Lock mechanism. This mechanism is substantially stronger than Linerlocks and its location allows the knife to be safely closed with only one hand without placing your fingers in the path of the edge
Dependable: Every Sage Series knife in the series features the same basic design parameters: a full-flat-ground, leaf-shaped CPM S30V blade, an ergonomic handle design with textured forefinger choil and thumb ramp, and wire clip.
Versatile: The Sage 5 is an extremely capable all-purpose cutting tool with skeletonized Stainless Steel liners nested into textured carbon fiber/G-10 laminate scales.
More To Love: The open-backed construction reduces the knife's weight and allows easy cleaning, while a reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides convenient tip-up carry on either side of the body.

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Sage 5 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Mantra 1 Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 23 Comments

Last Updated: August 30, 2019
Admittedly, the Mantra 1 had a hill of biases to climb from the start with me. It is a titanium frame lock flipper, a style of knife that I’ve never warmed up to. I find the flipper to be an inferior deployment method for knives, and while I’ve had positive experiences recently with the frame lock, unless it is done exceptionally well it’s temperamental nature make it a sub-optimal lock for daily use.

Buy the Spyderco Mantra 1 at BladeHQ

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There was also the Mantra’s heritage to consider: it is more or less a retooled Delica 4. I like the Delica as it exists in knife community mythology: an affordable, ideal EDC blade, a true classic that anyone can afford. I enjoy the reality of the Delica much less: strange ergonomics, underwhelming VG-10 steel, and a just-slightly-too-high price point have made it hard for me to connect with this venerable blade.

So I picked up the Mantra 1 to see if it could prove itself worthy, both as a titanium framelock flipper, and as a reimagining of the Delica chassis.

And there are many ways in which the Mantra is a fine tool. But it has completely bounced off me. The Mantra is a safe design. Too safe. Not every knife needs to be a history-making masterpiece, but nothing about the Mantra’s design excites me. It is purely perfunctory, a competent knife, but a complacent design. Worse, there are things about it that drove me crazy from day one. The longer I carried the Mantra, the more I noticed major problems with its form, its function, and its purpose. Carrying it was never a chore, but it never distinguished itself in use, and now that it’s out of my pocket I can’t imagine why I’d ever carry it again.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mantra has a handle length of 4”, a blade length of 3 1/8”, and an overall length of 7 ¼” and is made in Taiwan. It weighs 3 oz. As a modified Delica 4, it is a little bigger, and a little heavier.

The leaf shape blade is a workhorse. The additional cutting edge length and blade width over a Delica makes a difference when it comes to slicing. The Mantra’s blade is precise and efficient without being overlarge or cumbersome. The ergonomics mess with the cutting control somewhat, but the blade shape itself is pure gold.

The steel is my first big issue with the Mantra. I will never disparage CPM-M4’s sheer cutting ability. This is a knife that takes a sharp edge, holds it forever, and is tough, tough, tough. I liked its performance on my Air and I like it here on the Mantra – but when I’m not cutting with M4, I hate it.

M4 is not a stainless steel. It discolors, tarnishes, and stains with little provocation, and quite quickly. The minute I got my Mantra I wiped it down with oil, and even so every time I touched the blade my fingers left a mark. I left the Mantra out overnight on my desk in an air-conditioned apartment, and there was discoloration all over the next morning. If the Mantra was designed to be a true everyday user, M4 was a bad choice. I don’t want to have to baby and fret over my EDC knife; it should work well and virtually maintain itself.

I feel like Spyderco knows that M4 has a corrosion problem, because the Mantra’s flipper tab, ostensibly the place that will be receiving the most contact from your finger, is differently finished, almost polished, as if to counteract that additional contact – and it still discolors. If Spyderco wanted to go with M4 here, they should have coated or clad it. The sprint run HAP40 Delicas have a laminated blade to fight corrosion, and HAP40 actually has more chromium than M4, so I don’t know why they didn’t work to combat M4’s weaknesses on this more expensive knife.

M4 is a great steel for specialized applications, but its quirks preclude it from being an all-purpose folding knife steel. If it was the only steel in the world with great edge retention and toughness, that would be one thing, but we are literally spoiled for choice when it comes to super steels available on $150-200 knives. S35VN is not a ridiculous thing to ask for at $160, and it would have been perfect here. My suspicion is that we are seeing M4 on the Mantra for the same reason that we are still seeing a lot of Spyderco knives with S30V: they have a lot of the stuff lying around and need to get rid of it. But whether it was a matter of convenience or Spyderco really believes in this stuff, it just doesn’t work here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

I may not love the Delica 4, but I readily acknowledge that the design has been gone over so much that nothing feels like an accident. Even the handle, which I find too prescriptive, is more refined and considered than most knives’. If there was one thing the Mantra seemed to carry over unmodified from the Delica 4, it was its handle design.

But here’s where the flipper starts to make life difficult. The Delica 4 handle may not be my favorite, but it does work. However, it needs every last centimeter of its handle length to do so. The Mantra retains the Delica 4 handle’s overall length, but doesn’t change the size to accommodate the flipper tab, which of course works as a forward guard, perpendicular to the handle, when the knife is open. What this means is that you actually lose usable handle length over the Delica.

Thus, in hand, I found the Mantra a Delica-but-less, and thus uncomfortable. The scalloping makes your pointer finger run right up against the flipper tab. You also have to stretch your thumb a bit to actually make use of the jimped thumb ramp. Holding the knife like you’re supposed to, your hand is canted at a weird angle, and strangely distant from the start of the cutting edge. You lose a lot of control.

The titanium handle scales themselves are quite nice, well-machined and chamfered, with an attractive large grain stone wash. They’re mildly textured, but positive enough grip-wise, aided by the jimping on the thumb ramp and the lockbar insert. All details that Spyderco and its Taichung facility generally get right, but the flawed fundamentals make the execution more or less moot.

The Mantra works well in the pocket. The deep carry wire clip keeps it buried and out of the way until you need it, and the scales won’t shred your pants. I have been a longtime disparager of the Spyderco wire clip, finding it a little fragile. If there’s a positive takeaway from my time with the Mantra, it’s that I was wrong about this clip. It survived weeks of carry with no problem, and actually looks handsome in its way, so I’m a semi-convert on the wire clip.

Deployment and Lockup

Judging by any standard, the Mantra’s flipper is mediocre. Despite utilizing a ball bearing pivot, it’s laggardly. It isn’t thoughtless: you have to be deliberate with your deployment motion. It misfires every once and a while. It even fails at the more frivolous things: it isn’t particularly smooth, particularly effortless, or particularly satisfying to fidget with. Ironically, the Spyder Hole works really well here, and this is a satisfying knife to flick open in the ‘traditional’ way: fast and sure.

The frame lock is good. No play, and disengagement is easy. A very scrawny-looking lock bar, but it manages to inspire confidence with its fuss-free performance.

Spyderco Mantra Review – Final Thoughts

I don’t like the Mantra. The steel choice isn’t right, the ergonomics are actually bad, and the main selling point, the flipper, is undercooked. It’s hard to make an unusable knife at the $160 price point, and Mantra does work, but its profound lack of spark, along with its flawed fundamental execution, scuttles what could be good here.

Spyderco is famous for thinking their knives through, but the Mantra feels like it’s one or two design revisions away from where it should be. There are better blades at pretty much every price point.

Spyderco Mantra Titanium Plain Edge Knife

material type: Synthetic
Mantra Framelock

If you are thinking of buying a Spyderco Mantra, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight Review

by Grayson Parker 21 Comments

One of the biggest events of the year for knife nuts is Blade Show. Put on by Blade Magazine, this industry wide convention draws a cavalcade of steel-toting enthusiasts to Atlanta, Georgia, where custom knives are fought over and new production designs are revealed. For the last several years, their Overall Knife of the Year award has been granted to blades that are…let’s say, of questionable utility. Beautiful, and without a doubt technical marvels, but they bear more resemblance to concept cars than to utility vehicles. To find designs that are within the reach of the hoi polloi, one should look at some of the more obscure awards, which focus on budget, innovation, and place of origin.

Buy the Manix 2 LW at BladeHQ

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This review focuses on one such design: the Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, which won the 2010 Blade Show award for Most Innovative American Design and has since garnered quite a bit of critical praise. Nowadays, the Manix is seen as part of the vanilla Spyderco line, but that’s not how it’s always been. At the time, it seemed like the Manix was the way of the future. Thin, fully flat ground blade? Check. Thumb hole? Check. Innovative lock that kept your fingers clear of the blade? Also, check. That all of these features are found at a pretty economical price point and on a blade that’s made in the U.S.A. is impressive today, but was a much bigger deal when the question of the day was Benchmade vs. Spyderco.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Manix 2LW measures just over 8” overall, with a 3.37” blade and a 4.66” handle. The Manix 2 LW is made in the USA. As its name would imply, the Manix 2LW doesn’t weigh much – only 2.9 oz. – a weight that’s pretty remarkable for a knife this size. It’s worth mentioning that the cutting edge is actually 2.88” because of the inclusion of a 50/50 finger choil. I applaud that decision. Spyderco is famous for their ergonomics, and the finger choil is part of that recipe.

Spyderco chose Carpenter’s BD1, a relatively unknown steel, for the lightweight version of the Manix 2. According to the data sheets, BD1’s performance should be the equivalent of high quality 440c. Most online feedback indicates the same. In my experience, it’s been difficult getting the BD1 as sharp as I’d like. Its edge retention isn’t the best, and requires regular maintenance. If there is one attribute it excels at, it is corrosion resistance. I’ve forgotten to clean this knife after cutting citrus before, but even that didn’t leave so much as a mark.

For all the questions about the blade steel, Spyderco hit it out of the park with the blade shape (and grind). The leaf-shaped blade is a mainstay in their product line and never disappoints. When paired with a full flat grind and fairly thin stock (.125”), you’re almost guaranteed success. Extensive use in the kitchen and the field bears that assumption out. My sharpening issues aside, the blade performs very well. The smokey mirror finish Spyderco put on the Manix is easy to clean and doesn’t attract fingerprints like a higher polish would.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle on the Manix 2 Lightweight is made of fiberglass reinforced co-polymer, or FRCP. It is very similar to the fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) Spyderco uses on the Delica/Endura/etc. When compared side by side, FRCP is stiff, while FRN has a bit of give to it (akin to rubber). I own knives with both as handle materials, and I don’t know if I have a preference. As with any plastic handle, there will be folks who complain about the material feeling cheap, but I don’t mind it. I prefer the translucent blue handle over the black handle. This knife is very well-suited to backpacking, and a bright handle helps ensure that your knife doesn’t get lost among the foliage.

I’ve found the ergonomics to be just as good as I’d expect from an in-house Spyderco design (read: excellent). Some folks complain that the handles are too blocky. Those people need to find something else to complain about, because I could not find a fault with the ergonomics. The 50/50 finger choil allows the user to choke up for better push cuts, while the rear grip is well-suited for slicing and draw cuts. Spyderco’s bi-directional grip pattern is very effective at gluing your palm to the handle without being abrasive. I will say I could do without the jimping on the interior of the handle.

Spyderco’s wire clip seems to be pretty polarizing, at least if you take online comments seriously. Some love it because it’s discrete, doesn’t generate a hotspot, and doesn’t shred the edges of your pocket. Those who hate it complain that the wire clip wiggles around and doesn’t offer enough tension to keep the blade secure in the pocket. I’m in the former camp; every wire clip I’ve handled has had plenty of tension, and I prefer the practical advantages outlined above. Between the low weight and excellent clip, this knife is a dream in the pocket (particularly for its size).

Deployment and Lock-up

I’ve mentioned this before, but the knife market is almost exclusively focused on flippers right now. Personally, I’ve always preferred the thumb hole as a deployment method. They’re just as easy to flick, but much better when it comes to slow-rolling the knife open. I also don’t wear my fingers out fidgeting with Spydercos the same way I do when I’m messing around with a flipper. This is a very nice execution of the thumb hole. At 14mm, it’s large enough that opening the knife is never a problem, even while wearing gloves. The interior of the cut out has been nicely polished and slightly chamfered.

If it wasn’t for the lock, I probably wouldn’t like this knife as much as I do. The Manix is equipped with the Caged Ball Bearing Lock, which is frequently compared to Benchmade’s Axis Lock and SOG’s Arc Lock. All three offer ambidextrous manipulation of the lock without putting your fingers in the path of the blade. Out of the three, the CBBL is my favorite. It fixes the one problem that I have with the other offerings: a weak detent. On the Manix, the detent is not only quite firm, but crisp as well. There’s a level of security knowing that the blade isn’t going to flop open with a wave of the hand.

Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight Review – Final Thoughts

My thoughts on the Manix 2LW are generally positive. If it weren’t for my issues putting a keener edge on the BD1, I’d carry it more frequently than I do now. Even with that handicap, it’s a great knife. The Manix 2 LW is available at most retailers for around $80.00. If you’re worried about the steel (my experience seems to be an outlier), Spyderco also offers the Manix 2LW in CPM-S110V for around $35 more.

That aside, the Manix is arguably in an awkward spot on the product line. For a relatively small amount of money, you could instead purchase a Paramilitary 2, which is widely regarded as one of the best knives available (regardless of price point). This begs the question: budgetary concerns aside, is there a niche the Manix fills that the Paramilitary doesn’t? I think there is. As much as I love my Paramilitary 2, I think the Manix 2LW actually makes for a better outdoors knife. Specifically, for backpacking. The bright handle, low weight, and easily maintainable steel are all desirable qualities for a blade you can tote into the backcountry.

Whether you want a knife for the outdoors, or you’re looking for a bigger everyday carry blade, the Manix 2 Lightweight is sure to satisfy.

Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight Signature Knife with 3.37" CTS BD1 Steel Blade and Translucent Blue FRCP Handle - PlainEdge - C101PBL2

Ready For Anything: The Manix 2 is an extremely capable full-sized folder that is known for it's strength and performance. Its broad blade provides exceptional cutting power, while its textured index finger choil and thumb ramp allow a forward grip.
Light and Durable: This Manix 2 handle is fabricated with Fiberglass Reinforced Co-Polymer. FRCP creates a tough, chemical and heat resistant handle that is extremely lightweight and Versatile.
Dependable: If you are looking for control and precision, look no more. This knife features our PlainEdge grind which is known for creating a smooth and exact cut.
Low Friction: This knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. This grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
High-Strength Lock: The Ball Bearing Lock features a patented compressive lock that wedges a ball bearing between a fixed anvil and the blade tang. The mechanism also serves as a detent to hold the blade in the closed position.

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Manix 2 LW at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.