Whether you collect or carry it should come as no surprise that Spyderco is one of the more enduring brands in the knife industry.
They produce quality knives that stand up to the rigors not just of EDC but also duty use by first responders, law enforcement and military personnel, which is enough to bolster their brand.
But the brand is also an amalgam of actual features, some of the most popular of which will be covered here, and all of which have made just about any Spyderco pocket knife a winner.
A Full Flat Grind
Most Spyderco pocket knives are made with a full flat grind that goes all the way from the edge to the spine.
Not only does that make these knives very adept at slicing and cutting tasks (including push and pull cuts) but it also makes it fairly easy to resharpen them in the field, steel chemistry notwithstanding.
Spyderholes
Spyderholes, also known as “Spydieholes” are Spyderco’s answer to thumb studs and flipper mechanisms.
There are a couple good things about these thumb holes. One is that they lower the weight of the overall knife.
Another is that some mechanisms, like nail nicks and thumb studs, favor either right or left-handed users.
Spyderholes, by contrast, are inherently right and left-handed friendly, and moreover, once you learn how to use them you’ll never go back.
Bi-Directional Texturing
Not all Spyderco pocket knives are made with handle scales that sport bi-directional texturing, but those that do are also lightweight and offer a great grip, even in adverse conditions.
This is a boon for outdoorsmen, since those knives with bi-directional texturing offer excellent handling, even when cold, wet, or slick with grease.
General Ergonomics
Spyderco pocket knives generally sport high-quality, high-performance ergonomics that are designed for function and not form.
Another thing you’ll notice about many Spyderco pocket knives is that they tend to have high thumb ramps, which offers users a lot of control.
Some also sport deep choils, which allow for good indexing and excellent control.
Unique Lock Types: Namely, Compression Locks
Spyderco also prides itself on innovating features such as locks, and was the first to introduce the world to the compression lock.
Compression locks might take some getting used to if you’ve never worked with them before, but at their most basic they consist of a liner or a tensioner bar at the top of the knife, as opposed to the liner of a liner lock under the blade.
When you open the knife, the tensioner bar springs inward under the shoulder at the base of the knife, along the back of the blade.
They are extremely strong, and among the best folding knife lock types ever devised.
Aesthetics
Lastly, the aesthetics of the Spyderco pocket knives are a selling point, even if the company doesn’t focus on looks over function.
Most Spyderco knives can be immediately noticed by their humpbacked design, leaf-shaped blades and Spyderholes.
Where to Get Your Next Spyderco Pocket Knife
These are only a few of the main features that make (and have made) Spyderco pocket knives so popular for so long.
If you’re in the market for a new Spyderco pocket knife, get it online at White Mountain Knives. They carry a wide range of Spyderco knives at competitive prices and you might even find a few exclusives in their catalog too.
For more information, or if you have questions about a specific model or are looking for something you don’t see listed, get in touch with them directly at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com.
