Spyderco

Spyderco Delica 4 Review

Last updated: February 10, 2018
Ah, the Spyderco Delica – is there a more classic EDC design? Well, if we are talking about modern folding knives, I’d argue there really isn’t. One of Spyderco’s most popular knives, the Delica 4, is the brand’s bread and butter; a simple, reliable folding knife that is built with easy carry and utility in mind.

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Many will wonder why it took me so long to review the Delica. Even the relatively new fourth generation version (hence Delica “4”) has been out for a while. The truth is, there are too many knives and too little time. Also, I reviewed the Endura 4 a while back, and since the knives are so similar it took me a while to get around to the Delica. Better late than never however, and I finally intend to give this knife the attention it deserves.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Delica has an overall length of 7-1/8″, a 2-7/8″ blade, weighs 2.5 ounces, and is made in Japan. This is a slim and lightweight design, perfect for every day carry (EDC).

The Delica features a leaf shaped blade, and is defined by its large thumb hole. This is a classic Spyderco blade shape. For the uninitiated the blade will almost look goofy, but for those that appreciate this unique aesthetic it’s a beautiful sight to behold. The 4th generation has been given a full flat grind and a beautiful satin finish. All in all, it’s a pretty unremarkable blade, just a simple look that is designed for performance. The tip is fine and lacks reinforcement so the user needs to take care and avoid any prying tasks.

The standard Delica comes with a VG-10 blade. VG-10 is a Japanese stainless steel. This is a serviceable mid range steel. It’s easy to sharpen, takes a fine edge, and holds on to it for a reasonable amount of time. It’s not a super steel, but it’s a step above budget blade steels like AUS-8 and 8Cr13MoV.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the 4th gen is fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) over full stainless steel liners. The liners have been nested inside the scales and are thoroughly milled out. This keeps the knife very slim and lightweight. Everything has been bolted together so you can take the knife apart if needed. Since the Delica has a backlock, this is a closed back design.

You can get the Delica 4 in a variety of colors including blue, purple, brown, white, green and of course black. Collectors like this, and I admit the choice of color is fun. I went with green for mine, it’s a friendly color that stands out from the sea of black handled knives in my dresser drawer.

The ergonomics on the latest generation of the Delica are quite nice. This is no surprise for a design that has spent over 20 years in the Spyderco catalog. That said, there have been a number of refinements to improve the already solid foundation. The FRN scales have been given what Spyderco calls a “bi-directional texture” – this allows for a slip resistant grip at any angle. Jimping extends from the back of the handle to the top of the thumb ramp, and it locks the thumb in nicely. The handle shape is smoothed on the edges and has plenty of room for large hands. This handle is very comfortable in all the normal grips.

The pocket clip is discrete and offers unparalleled carry options. This is a standard “spoon” style pocket clip and has been coated flat black. This is a removable clip and can be positioned on any of the 4 corners of the knife with 3 torx screws. I love the versatility of this clip, this is a truly ambidextrous design. Clip retention is excellent and the knife rides low in the pocket. The only negative I could find is that the coating does wear off with use, which happens with pretty much any pocket clip.

Deployment and Lockup

It should be no surprise that the Delica uses a thumb hole for deployment. This particular spyderhole has a diameter of 13mm. I have found this to be a good size for both gloved and bare hands. Deployment is smooth and the knife can be flicked out with a practiced hand.

The Delica uses a back lock located right in the middle of the handle. This is easy to access but it will take some technique to close this knife with one hand. The lock is very secure with no blade play at all. The spring on the back lock is very good so inadvertently opening the knife is highly unlikely. The Boyd dent on the lock bar helps ensure that the knife will not inadvertently close either.

Spyderco Delica 4 Review – Final Thoughts

It doesn’t take long to discover why this is one of Spyderco’s most popular designs. One thing that strikes me is how well built the knife feels. The nested liners are flush, the blade is centered, the FRN is well finished. I love the satin finished blade and shaving sharp edge.

I also can appreciate how lefty-friendly this knife is. The thumb hole, lock back and pocket clip are entirely ambidextrous. Add in the choice of colors and this really feels like a knife that was made for me.

As I struggle to find negatives about the knife, I’ll mention that at around $65, it is not a cheap knife. Especially if you are considering this as a step up from $20-30 knives. I think you get what you pay for. I would also say that it would be really nice if they made the Delica in America. These are really minor issues, and if its the worst thing I can say about the knife then it really says something.

In conclusion, the Spyderco Delica is an outstanding knife. It has been refined over decades and has become a measuring stick in the EDC knife world. If you are on the road to collecting pocket knives, the Delica 4 is a foundation blade. If you are simply looking for a practical EDC knife, then the Delica 4 fits that bill too.

Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 2.90" Flat-Ground Steel Blade and High-Strength Green FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C11FPGR

Wide Spectrum of Handle Colors: The Delica 4 now offers new vibrant tones including blue, green, brown, gray, orange, zome green, black and purple.
Superior Blade Steel: The blades are full flat-ground VG-10 Steel with a thinner highly refined cutting edge and a larger 13mm opening hole.
Ultra-Lightweight: Inside the handle are dual skeletonized Stainless Steel liners which strengthen the knife without additional weight and double as an anchor for external and internal components to attach through generating more sturdiness.
Ergonomic: Added to the blade's spine is slip resistant jimping. Phosphor bronze washers smooth out the open/close action and the clip is upgraded to a four-way tip-up, tip-down, left-or right-handed clip.
A Secure Grip: Molded onto the FRN Handle's surface is Bi-Directional Texturing for slip-free tactile traction. It provides resistance to slipping in the hand.

If you would like to buy a Spyderco Delica 4, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com 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 Bob Lum Tanto Review

by Dan Jackson 8 Comments

Last Updated: August 26, 2019
I recently acquired a Spyderco Bob Lum Tanto. This is a sprint run (limited edition) knife limited to around 700 pieces. It’s a pretty unique offering designed by custom maker Bob Lum.

Buy the Spyderco Lum Tanto at BladeHQ

As you probably know, Bob recently passed away (RIP) and so this knife is very special for many reasons. In addition to being a limited edition run, the Lum has a tanto, which is a very uncommon blade shape for Spyderco. I absolutely love the simple lines and minimalistic look of this knife. I am very excited to share this unique Spyderco knife with you today.

Purpose

Being a limited edition knife, I get the feeling that most (myself included) will simply collect it. For many that will be the primary purpose. This is almost sad because what we have here is simply a wicked tactical folder. If you can bring yourself to use it, I see the Lum Tanto providing a ton of utility for it’s owner as a utility knife, or perhaps as an emergency defensive item. I’ll be reviewing the blade from a both a collectable and large EDC knife perspective.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Lum has a 3-7/8″ blade, an overall length of 8-3/4″ and a weight of 4.3 ounces. It’s a large and solid folding knife. This knife was made in Seki City Japan and has many of the details that I love from Spyerco’s Japanese knives.

The blade is on the Tanto is very impressive, made of an ultra thick piece of VG-10 steel. The blade is 1/8″ of an inch thick and due to the tanto blade shape, it holds this thickness for most of the blade’s length. Of course by now you know it has a tanto shaped blade, but what we have here is a more traditional, slightly curved tanto rather than the boxier American tanto. The blade is hollow ground about half way up and is given a combo grind. The knife starts out with a traditional V-grind that transitions into a convex grind once you get to the tip further enhancing strength and piercing power. Out of the box this knife was incredibly sharp. I love the grinds on this knife, it’s a beautiful polished blade that appears to glow under the light.

VG-10 is of course a Japanese steel. It is a hard steel that is among my favorites because it takes an awesome edge.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The gray G10 handle sets this knife apart. Spyderco previously released an all black version of the knife (in another Sprint run) which was very cool. The gray version is equally impressive (if not greater – I love the uncoated steel, this blade is too pretty to coat in my opinion). Unfortunately, the gray G10 gets dirty very easily. If I used this knife regularly, I would complain, but as a collectable I can set that gripe aside and appreciate that Spyderco wanted to make this knife unique. The handle has full stainless steel liners, and on the non-locking side they have been milled out to reduce weight.

The ergonomics on the Lum Tanto are good, mainly because we have such a large handle here. I have ample room for my 5 fat fingers and if I set my hand back on the blade I’ve got an extra inch of reach. Alternatively, you can choke up and make use of the large thumb ramp. There is no jimping, but the big thumb ramp makes it almost unnecessary (especially as a collector’s piece). Finally, the gray G10 is among the grippiest I have ever felt. The level of traction puts my Military to shame and almost feels like shark skin – my fingers just lock in place. It’s wonderful stuff.

The pocket clip is a pretty standard Spyderco clip. It’s mounted for right hand tip up carry only. It’s been placed near the center of the handle and isn’t designed for particularly deep carry. I feel like this knife wasn’t really designed with carry in mind. To be perfectly honest, I’m kind of glad Spyderco didn’t drill extra holes all over the knife, instead deciding to go with a cleaner look.

Deployment and Lockup

Being a Spyderco, naturally this knife has a thumb hole for deployment. The Lum Tanto uses a 12mm Spyderhole which is adequately sized and easily accessible on both sides of the knife. This knife uses white teflon washers rather than phosphor bronze washers. What this does is make for incredibly smooth deployment. It’s difficult to describe so let me say it’s “very very” smooth. As for speed of deployment, this is not a knife I flick open, the heavy blade makes that difficult.

The Lum Tanto makes use of a solid liner lock. There is no play at all when this thing is engaged and lockup is nice and early. This is a nice sturdy lock that rounds out a very nice knife.

Spyderco Bob Lum Tanto Review – Final Thoughts

Well, what is there to say? Really I’m sure anyone interested in this knife didn’t need to read my review to figure out that this thing is awesome (but I hope you enjoyed the pictures).

I fell in love with this knife at first sight. All in all, I am very happy with it. My blade is slightly off-center. Not a deal breaker, but for a knife with a $250 MSRP I have to mention that. In conclusion, this is just a sweet collectable and potentially a very effective tactical knife. I love the overall aesthetics, the ridiculously thick blade, the grippy G10 and solid construction. If you can get your hands on a Lum Tanto, I totally recommend it.

These are no longer being sold however I have noticed that BladeHQ sometimes gets one or two back in stock.

Spyderco Sage 1 Review

by Dan Jackson 24 Comments

Last Updated: July 20, 2019
A while back I took a look at the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2 is an absolutely fantastic knife and with it’s eye catching titanium handle, I find that the Sage 1 often plays second fiddle.

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That is a shame, because I think that the Sage 1 may be the better EDC knife – at least for me. Regardless, I can safely say that it’s an excellent EDC knife.

Clearly, it’s high time I reviewed my Sage 1. Let’s take a closer look and see why I like this knife so much.

Purpose

The Sage 1 is arguably the perfect EDC knife for my purposes. Yes, you read that right. The Sage 1 is my personal EDC blade, and for my purposes I couldn’t ask for a better knife. What I like about the Sage 1 is that it has perfect EDC proportions, excellent materials, outstanding fit and finish and it carries very well.

In addition to EDC, I think this knife is a great collector’s piece (I know plenty of people who have all 3 of the knives in the Sage series) and while the Sage 1 is not billed as a tactical knife, it could certainly fulfill an emergency tactical role. Finally, the carbon fiber and stealthy carry make this a great option for a gentleman’s folder.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

As for the dimensions we have a 3″ blade, an overall length of 7 1/8″ and a weight of 3.2 ounces. Going back to me calling the Sage 1 the “perfect” EDC knife, the dimensions of the Sage 1 are ideal for EDC in my book. I really don’t like carrying anything smaller, and anything bigger starts to raise some eyebrows (sad, but true). The Sage 2 actually handles like a bigger knife, but it remains small and is people friendly.

The blade is a classic Spyderco leaf shape given a nice full flat grind. There is a decent amount of belly and the tip has a sturdy point while still being strong. This is a very practical blade shape that is also non-threatening to people who don’t understand knives.

The blade steel is S30V which was a gold standard for production knives for many years. When I originally wrote this review in 2011, it was about as good as you would find in any $100 knife. It’s still a great choice, but I would not complaint if they upgraded to S35VN, or chose CTS-XHP like on the Chaparral. S30V is a harder steel, so sharpening takes more effort than say, AUS8 and other more inexpensive steels. However, S30V it takes a good edge and holds it well. S30V is also very resistant to rust and corrosion. Given the price point and intended use of the knife I think this is a great steel.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is part of what sets each Sage apart, and the Sage 1 has carbon fiber scales over stainless steel liners. The carbon fiber is left with a “woven” or “twill” texture that provides some traction and is pleasant in hand. The entire knife is held together by 3 hex bolts, and the flow through design is an exercise in restraint. Looking inside you can see that the liners have been milled out extensively. I count no less than 4 different size bits used to mill this liner out. Everything has been expertly finished and polished up – including the liners.

The ergonomics are another huge plus to the Sage 1 (and the entire Sage series really). First of all, there is a nice 50/50 choil and a large thumb ramp. This makes the most of the relatively small handle and provides plenty of room, even for larger hands, in practically any grip. I absolutely love the ergonomics of the Sage, it’s much like the Caly 3 if you have ever handled one of them. Basically it gives you a big knife grip in a small easy to carry package.

The pocket clip is another home run. While pocket clips are often a source of grief for me the Sage 1’s clip is about to close to perfect as I can ask for. The Sages all use the Spyderco “wire” clip, which is actually a very strong piece of tempered steel. What sets the Sage 1 apart is that has given the clip a black coating. Not only has the coating held up extremely well, the knife disappears when you clip it to the pocket. If you work in an office, this is the perfect knife – it’s very difficult to notice this knife when wearing slacks (ultimate urban camo). Finally, I have to mention that Spyderco gives you the option for ambidextrous tip up carry. This is perfect for my applications.

Lock and Deployment

The Sage 1 uses a liner lock, and not just any liner lock but a “Walker Linerlock.” That is because the Sage series was designed to pay homage to innovators in the knife industry and the Sage 1 was made to honor Michael Walker. Michael Walker is known for designing the ball-bearing detent method of holding a lock in place which is used in many many knives today. A knife designed around a lock should have decent lockup, and the Sage 1 does not disappoint. The lock makes a very crisp “click” when engaged and it bites in nice and early. There is absolutely zero play in any direction. This is a very strong liner lock worthy of paying homage to Michael Walker.

Deployment is accomplished by a 1/2″ Spyderhole. I found deployment to initially be pretty stiff on the Sage 1. For a while this was my only real complaint with the knife. However, it took a while but the knife slowly broke in. These days deployment is very smooth and it only seems to be getting smoother (after months of carry). Of course there are some large phosphor bronze washers in there which reduces the friction but the tolerances are very tight on this knife – in my experience this knife will take time to break in but is well worth the wait.

Spyderco Sage 1 vs. Spyderco Caly 3 Carbon Fiber

Ah, the age old question. Two beautiful Spyderco knives that are very similar in size, price and materials yet have some interesting differences as well. Which one should you choose? Well, I attempted to answer that question with a youtube video. It’s not an easy answer, but I like the idea of saying “the Sage 1 is my wife and the Caly 3 is my mistress.” Really that Caly 3 is built like nothing else, just an awesome knife that has the “soul” I think the Sage 1 lacks in some way (difficult to describe). That said, for all out practical EDC use, I prefer the Sage 1. The knife rocks, it’s designed to be used and will be up for any challenge. Buy ’em both if you have the money, I don’t think you will be disappointed with either one.

Spyderco Sage 1 Review – Final Thoughts

So yeah, what is there left to say? Not a whole lot really, the Sage 1 is just a fantastic knife. I stand by my original comment that this is the “perfect EDC knife” for me – even months after writing the first draft of this review – this one’s a keeper! Sure it all comes down to personal preference, but I’ve handled a lot of knives and if you are looking in the ~3″ blade EDC knife category, it’s going to be hard to find something as well rounded and beautifully executed as the Sage 1.

I tell you, I write very few reviews that are this positive, I literally have nothing bad to say about the Sage 1. The overall fit and finish on this knife is outstanding. Every surface has been polished, the blade centering is dead on, and everything has been done to an almost eerie state of perfection. If you are on the fence about the Sage 1 my advice would be to go ahead and buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Update – I originally wrote this review in 2011. I still have my Sage 1, still carry it, still use it, and still enjoy it. It remains one of my all time favorite EDC pieces. This continues to be an excellent knife.

Spyderco Sage Linerlock

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Made in Taiwan
Folding knife with CPF-S30V steel blade
PlainEdge is ground flat for precise cutting

I recommend purchasing the Sage 1 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Manix 2 Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: July 31, 2019
The Spyderco Manix 2 is one of those knives that I have been meaning to review pretty much since the start of this website. I’ve examined a lot of blades since then and now I finally have my thoughts on the Manix 2 together and can write on this fantastic heavy duty folding knife made in the good ole USA.

Buy the Spyderco Manix 2 at BladeHQ

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General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Manix 2 is what I would call a “medium” sized folding knife. It is stoutly built and highly functional. We are looking at an overall length of 8 inches and a blade length of 3-3/8 inches. At 5 ounces this knife is going to be heavier than most other knives “in its class” but what you get for this weight is a strong design with killer ergonomics. Just to put things into perspective, the Spyderco Tenacious has roughly the same dimensions but comes in a full ounce lighter.

Part of what makes the Manix 2 on the heavier side is the hollow saber grind (also it has full liners – more on that later). This makes for a stronger blade, but the trade off is weight. Many users don’t particularly care for the saber grind, preferring a full flat grind. In that case, I would advise trying to find a “sprint run” (limited edition) of the knife as Spyderco often makes them with a full flat grind (like the version wearing BD30P in my video review). The blade shape is a classic leaf design and the tip is fairly delicate. There isn’t a ton of belly on this knife, but I find its plenty for most every day tasks.

Blade steel on the standard Manix 2 is 154CM. A classic steel, 154CM is known for being an all around performer. Edge retention, rust resistance, toughness and sharpen-ability are all good.

I gotta say though if you want a more exotic steel or a full flat grind, Spyderco has been rolling out some really cool sprint runs of this knife. It’s going to cost you more, but it’s possible to get this knife in S30V or even S90V, although you might have to head to the secondary market to do it. Who knows, down the road Spyderco might release this knife exclusively with a full flat grind like they did with the Endura and Delica, so if you like the saber grind I would get it while you can.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Manix 2 has a tried and true handle design: G10 scales over stainless steel liners. The G10 on the standard Manix 2 is black and well textured. I would say the G10 is aggressively textured and provides great grip and tactile response. The liners run the entire length of the handle and are not milled out (or “skeletonized”) at all in the standard version which adds substantially to the weight of this knife. The handle is a partial flow through construction with a metal backspacer taking up the front part of the handle, and some pillars holding the back part of the handle together.

Another notable feature on this handle is the over-sized lanyard hole. For a stout blade like this, a large lanyard hole is a very practical feature – if you take this knife camping or regularly engage in long and heavy cutting tasks, a lanyard could be a great option for you.

The ergonomics on the Manix 2 is where this knife really shines. At a glance you can see all kinds of stuff going on with the handle. First off, you have two large choils. This allows you to choke up on the blade for detail work generally get a comfortable grip. Also, a liberal amount of jimping has been applied to many parts of the handle (including the thumb ramp and choil of the blade itself). This jimping is very sharp (some say it’s even “too sharp”) and ensures your fingers wont slip. This is a super comfortable knife and it works well in many grips. Combine that with that extra bit of weight and I find it hard to put this one down.

The only downside to the great ergonomics is that the handle (and folded knife) is kind of bulky in the pocket. You get a great handle but you lose some ease of carry.

The pocket clip is a classic Spyderco “hourglass” clip, mounted very high on the knife for a nice deep carry. It’s not a 4 corners clip, but it allows for ambidextrous tip up carry which works very well for me. The rough G10 may start to tear up your pocket a little – if that happens you may want to consider sanding part of the G10 down.

Deployment and Lockup

Deployment with the Manix 2 is a snap. Spyderco selected an oversize 14mm thumb hole for this knife and it performs as well as it ever has. Of course, you have your standard phosphor bronze bushings which help speed things along, but I find the weight of the blade makes this knife deploy with great ease and authority.

The Manix 2 has a pretty unique locking system. It is a “ball lock” and it functions in fashion similar to a Benchmade Axis lock. A spring loaded piece (in this case a steel ball bearing partially encased in a chunk of polymer resin) is what holds the blade in place. The knife has a very solid lockup that can be disengaged without putting your fingers across the path of the blade. Note that the spring is very strong on this ball lock so it can be difficult disengage the lock with one hand and it may stick a little until the lock has fully broken in. I’ve found that it is entirely possible with a little practice to disengage the lock one handed (especially once the spring breaks in a little), but there may be a slight learning curve.

Also, please keep in mind what I said in the “purpose” section about spine whacks – while I think this is a very strong lock, it does appear to have an Achilles heel and there are confirmed reports of the lock failing when subjecting to spine whacks. I never advocate “spine whacking” a folding knife, but I want “keep it real” here and help you make a decision that is right for you.

Update – Apparently Spyderco has since fixed the problem with the lock mechanism failing when spine whacked. These new knives have a black ball lock rather than a clear one. I have yet to get my hands on one of these new versions, so maybe it’s time I picked up a new Manix 2 XL and checked it out.

Value

Currently you can get a Manix 2 for right around $80 shipped, and a low as $70 shipped if you want a combo edge or serrated version. At either price I think the Manix packs a ton of value. When you consider that this knife has excellent blade steel, an awesome handle, a rock solid locking mechanism AND is made in the United States, it definitely has some value. Also, this isn’t some dinky folder either. This thing is built tough and I would put the ball lock right up there with the Axis lock and could see this knife being used hard for a long time.

Spyderco Manix 2 Review – Final Thoughts

Spyderco has done it again. The Manix 2 pretty much has it all. Two of my biggest gripes include that the knife doesn’t come with a fully flat ground blade, and it’s heavy. If you opt for a sprint run version you can avoid these negative aspects. I also tend to find the ball lock a little clunky in comparison to an axis lock, but I know plenty of people who prefer Spyderco’s ball lock.

While I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite Spyderco (I’d put both the Sage 1 and Paramilitary 2 ahead of the Manix – just my preference), it’s a beefy knife with solid ergonomics, and is both well thought out and highly functional. Although the price tag has crept up over the years, I also like how the Manix 2 is made in America and can be had for under $100. The collect-ability of the knife is also very cool as Spyderco has released numerous Sprint Runs and spin off versions of the knife.

Sale

Spyderco Manix 2 Signature Knife with 3.37" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable Black G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C101GP2

Superior Cutting Performance - Crafted with a 3.37-inch full-flat-ground CPM S30V stainless steel blade, this knife provides excellent edge retention, sharpness, and corrosion resistance, making it a reliable choice for demanding cutting tasks.
Ergonomic Grip Design - The durable black G-10 handle is thoughtfully contoured and textured, offering a secure and comfortable grip that enhances control, reduces hand fatigue, and improves safety during extended use.
Reliable Ball Bearing Lock - Equipped with Spyderco's patented Ball Bearing Lock, this mechanism provides smooth, safe, and ambidextrous operation, ensuring secure handling and easy one-handed use.
Customizable Carry Options - Includes a reversible pocket clip, allowing for convenient tip-up carry on either side, so users can customize the carry position to suit personal preference and comfort.
Enhanced Durability for Tough Use - Built with premium materials and a rugged construction, the Manix 2 is designed to withstand intense use, making it ideal for both everyday tasks and demanding outdoor adventures without compromising performance.

I recommend purchasing the Manix 2 at Amazon.com or BladeHQ.

Photo Credits: Many thanks to Cougar337 for the beautiful Manix 2 photographs! Thanks again!!

Spyderco Sage 2 Review

by Dan Jackson 14 Comments

Last Updated: August 2, 2019
Today I am looking at another beautiful knife, the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage series is designed to pay homage to various pioneers in the knifemaking industry and to recognize some of the talented custom knifemakers that have helped re-define pocket knives.

Buy the Sage 2 at BladeHQ

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The Sage 1 pays homage to knifemaker Michael Walker who invented the liner lock and features carbon fiber scales while the Sage 2 focuses on knifemaker Chris Reeve’s Reeve Integral Lock (or frame lock). For those unfamiliar with Chris Reeve Knives (CRK), his “semi-production” knives are considered to be the holy grail among many knife enthusiasts. They are beautiful pieces and are quite pricey. What appeals to me about the Sage 2 is that you get a lot of what makes the CRK so desirable at a fraction of the cost.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sage 2 has an overall length of 7 1/8″, a 3″ blade, and weighs of 3.5 ounces. These are great numbers in my opinion. The Sage 2 packs a lot into a small and lightweight package. This is an ideal size for every day carry, and the Sage 1 has proven itself to be one of my all time favorite EDC knives. The Sage 2 is just as carryable and makes for a great upscale EDC. The Sage 2 is made in Taichung Taiwan.

The blade is 1/8″ thick which is nice and beefy, it makes for a stout knife which is still light and agile. Spyderco went with their classic leaf shaped blade, with the full flat grind that many people love. The full flat grind is beautiful and makes this knife a great slicer.

Spyderco selected CPM S30V for the blade steel. Back when I first penned this review in 2011, S30V was a high end steel. Today (late 2016), S30V has lost some of its luster next to steels like S35VN, CTS-XHP, and even more exotic steels like M390, but this is still serviceable steel. It’s a little more brittle than I would like, and can be difficult to sharpen at times, but it’s still reasonably easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. It’s a good steel, but admittedly not a great steel. I’d like to see Spyderco update the Sage series to S35VN at some point.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is where the Sage 2 really shines. It is made of 2 thick slabs of titanium and is held together by 3 torx bolts. I really like the simplicity of the handle. The titanium keeps this knife lightweight and is nicely finished. The flow through construction and easy disassembly are two other features that I love. They make this an easy knife to clean and maintain.

The ergonomics are also very nice. The handle length is only 4 3/16″ however the jimping on the thumb ramp and choil allow you to choke up real close to the blade. Like most Spyderco knives I have held the Sage 2 feels good in hand and will make an excellent user for someone looking at a high end working knife or EDC item. The handle edges are also well finished with no sharp edges or “hot spots.”

The pocket clip is the Spyderco wire clip. I think that this is a great pocket clip design because it is simple, strong and easy to conceal. Some people do not like the wire clip. I think those people are nuts, but there is plenty of room for multiple opinions.

The retention of the pocket clip is perfect and the deep carry nature of the clip makes the knife almost disappear in pocket. Spyderco designed this knife tip up carry only however the clip is ambidextrous. For me this isn’t a problem although I understand that sometimes people prefer tip down. If that is your desire Spyderco makes plenty of knives with that feature. I tend to prefer blackened clips as it makes them even more discreet, but I can see how that might spoil the aesthetics of the Sage 2.

Deployment and Lock

Deployment on the Sage 2 is a breeze with the standard Spyder-hole and phosphor bronze bushings. The blade moves with very little effort from your thumb and the sound the knife makes when it locks is very fun and satisfying. With the Caly 3 (and other lockback knives) I noticed it takes some effort to flick the blade out but the Sage is practically effortless. That said, retention is still good, it’s not like the blade is falling out of the handle – it’s only once you give it that initial push that you get the incredibly smooth deployment.

Now, the lock is really the first thing I wanted to talk about (since the entire knife is designed to showcase the lock) but I try to keep a method to the madness here and like to do my reviews “in order” so my regular readers know where to find exactly what they are looking for. The Chris Reeve’s designed framelock is a beast and is among the strongest locks you can buy. The lock’s strength lies in its simplicity. The entire titanium handle locks the blade in place.

I am left handed and this is not a left handed knife. That said, this knife is still easy to disengage with my left hand although I would love to see a dedicated lefty version some day.

Spyderco Sage 2 Review – Final Thoughts

The Sage 2 is an excellent knife and a worthy successor to the Sage 1. The materials, fit, and finish are top notch and the design is pure Spyderco. The retail price for the Sage 2 is around $175. I know for some that will be too much money to spend on a knife, but when you compare that to the other titanium frame lock knives on the market (including Hinderer, Strider, and Chris Reeve Knives) the Sage 2 offers a compelling value proposition. Granted, the Sage 2 is made overseas, but Spyderco’s Taiwanese knives are all excellent. There is not a single manufacturing flaw with the knife and I am extremely impressed with the level of fit and finish. I can’t think of another titanium framelock out there that can touch the value and performance of the Spyderco Sage 2 except for perhaps the Boker Urban Trapper.

If you are in the market for a titanium frame lock knife, but aren’t ready to shell out the big bucks for Chris Reeve, or similar offering, then I can absolutely recommend the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2, along with the Sage 1, are some of my all time favorite EDC knives. These are top shelf knives that can both be had for a reasonable amount of money.

Spyderco Sage2 Titanium PlainEdge Knife

Deep-pocket wire clip for left or right hand carry
Closed Length (Inches): 4.19, Overall Length (Inches): 7.19, Blade Length (Inches):3, Blade Steel: CPM S30V, Grind: Full-Flat
A spear-point shaped, full-flat ground CPM S30V blade
All screw constructed titanium handle
Michael Walker Linerlock with ball bearing detent

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Sage 2 at ]Amazon, or BladeHQ.

Spyderco Endura Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
The Spyderco Endura is a knife that you won’t fully appreciate until you hold it in your hand. I remember when I first saw this blade at a local gun show. I had heard a lot about the Endura from friends and on various knife communities but it didn’t click until I picked it up and flicked it open. This knife has a 3.75″ blade, yet it is deceptively thin and light.

Buy the Spyderco Endura at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Spyderco has had the Endura in its catalog for decades, and the latest version features several refinements over its predecessors, and is offered in a variety of handle colors. As a lover of large EDC knives the Endura spoke to me, and it wasn’t long before I had one in my pocket.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Endura has a 3.75″ blade, a total length of 8.75″, weighs of 3.6 ounces, and is made in Japan. The appeal to the Endura is that it is a large knife, but is still lightweight and pocketable. You can use this as an Every Day Carry (EDC) knife, although I prefer its little brother the Spyderco Delica or the Dragonfly II for suburban EDC.

Here is a size comparison with the Delica:

The Endura features a long slender blade. It’s a pretty simple drop point shape, perhaps the biggest detail is that Spyderco has produced the 4th generation Endura with a full flat grind. A full flat grind is when the knife is one continuous grind from the spine down to the secondary bevel (the bevel that the edge sits on). Full flat grinds are very common in kitchen knives because they are so effective at slicing. The Endura is a great slicer, and the long slim blade is also good at penetrating soft targets. However, you will want to take care with the tip as it is fairly thin.

Spyderco selected VG-10 for this edition of the Endura. In my opinion, this was a decent choice. VG-10 is a Japanese steel that sharpens easily, offers good edge retention, and has great corrosion resistance. There are many higher end steels on the market these days, but given the price of the knife and its intended use as a working tool, I think VG10 was a reasonable choice here.

Handle Design, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Endura has a handle made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) with nested steel liners that have been milled to reduce weight. Generally, I like the FRN handle, it keeps the knife light, is comfortable, and comes in a variety of colors, including blue, white, gray, green, brown, orange and yes, even camo. I will say that it isn’t the strongest handle design, even with the steel liners, and that is probably my biggest issue with the FRN Endura. But for light to medium use, the Endura handle should hold up well and provide the user a lot of use.

Ergonomics on the Endura are good. It’s a long knife so you have plenty of room for multiple styles of forward and reverse grips. You can set you hand back on the knife to maximize reach, or choke up and make use of the well jimped thumb ramp for detail work. The FRN has rounded and contoured corners that work well with the aggressively textured flats. The texture is Spyderco’s proprietary “bi-directional texturing” and allows for a firm grip in almost any condition. All in all, the Endura has a solid handle design backed by smart ergonomics.

The Endura has a well implemented pocket clip. It’s a standard Spyderco spoon style clip, and it has been given a black coating. The clip rides decently low and offers good retention in the pocket. I especially like how the clip can be mounted on any of the 4 corners of the knife. This is truly a well done ambidextrous pocket clip.

Deployment and Lock

The Spyderco Endura makes use of a large 13mm thumb hole for deployment. Fans of thumb holes will no doubt be very satisfied with the one on the Endura. The “Spyder Hole” is well placed and provides lots of room for your thumb. My knife opens easily with the flick of a thumb thanks to the smart design and low friction phosphor bronze washers. Spyderco also makes a waved version of the knife, so if you like that kind of deployment you could consider the waved version.

The Endura utilizes a lock back to lock the blade in place. The knife I am reviewing began developing some blade play after months of daily carry. Today the bladeplay can be removed if the pivot is tightened down further, but it makes the deployment more difficult. Having done some research I’ve concluded that slight amounts of up and down blade play are not uncommon on the Endura.

I think this is due to the design of the knife. When you have a knife as long and as lightweight as the Endura with FRN scales and nested liners, it’s just not going to be able to hold up to hard use as well as other designs. If you are looking for a more hard use folder from Spyderco, I recommend checking out the Paramilitary 2.

Speaking of the Para 2, here it is next to the Endura:

Spyderco Endura Review – Final Thoughts

The Spyderco Endura has been a staple in Spyderco’s lineup for decades, and with good reason. This is a knife that is easy enough to carry every day, but big enough to be used as a serious tool or defensive option. Like with many of Spyderco’s offerings the company has been slowly refining it’s designs to improve their products and meet consumer demands. The current iteration of the Endura features an attractive full flat ground blade, a removable 4 position pocket clip, and it comes in a number of different handle colors. These are nice improvements on an already solid design that is based around Spyderco’s philosophy of making useful tools that can be appreciated every day.

I like pretty much everything about the Endura. The materials and fit and finish are both very good, I love how everything is fully ambidextrous, and the choice of handle color is fun. Generally speaking the Endura is a well thought out knife that gets the job done. Spyderco has massaged this design over the years and it remains a classic choice among enthusiasts. Although there are a lot more “gee whiz” options out there today with super steels and fancy materials, the Endura remains a no-nonsense choice for a larger EDC or tactical offering.

My only real gripe is that there is a potential for blade play to develop. For that reason I don’t recommend the Endura as a hard use tool, but rather as a light to medium use EDC knife. If you want a larger EDC or folding tactical knife that is slim and light weight, then the Endura should be high on your list of knives to consider.

Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 3.80" VG-10 Steel Blade and Purple FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C10FPPR

Front-Runner: The Endura 4 sets the standard as one of the best-selling folding knives ever made. All members of the Endura 4 family include a four-position clip, a high-strength back lock mechanism, and Trademark Round Hole.
Wide Spectrum of Handle Colors: Whether you enjoy bright colors or neutrals, our Endura 4 Flat Ground knives are designed to suit every taste. We offer Black, Blue, Green, Gray, Orange, Purple, Zome Green and Brown.
Light and Durable: This Endura handle is fabricated with Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon. FRN is a polymer mixed with glass fiber that is injection molded and formed into a sleek textured handle, creating a lightweight yet high-strength knife handle.
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.
A Secure Grip: To provide a non slip grip, these knives are molded with our patented pattern, Bi-Directional Texturing. This texture pattern consists of opposing graduated steps radiating outward from the center of the handle.

If you would like to buy a Spyderco Endura, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com 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.