Everyone knows Spyderco knives can be expensive, but that’s only partly because they are so popular. They are in constant high demand and are among the most popular EDC knives in the industry.

But why is this? Is it all marketing hype?

Far from it; in fact, there are a great deal of material attributes that have made (and kept) Spyderco knives perennially popular. We’ll go over a few in this short post. 

Exploring Great Steels

Some less expensive Spyderco knives are made with conventional knife steel alloys like 8Cr13MoV and D2. However, what Spyderco is known for is the use of super steels like MagnaMax and S45VN which offer an excellent balance of corrosion-resistance, edge retention and general toughness. They also offer knives made with relatively exclusive super steel alloys such as Cruwear and K390. 

Lightweight, No-Nonsense Scale Materials 

Many Spyderco knives are made with lightweight scale materials like FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) or G10. These materials are not just strong and low on maintenance requirements, they are very lightweight, too. In many cases, the scales themselves also sport what Spyderco calls “bi-directional texturing” that basically means the knife will offer a solid grip and good traction in most if not all conditions. 

The Blade Profile 

The vast majority of Spyderco knives sport some sort of drop point blade profile. This results in a few things, among which are a fairly stout tip that is unlikely to break even when stressed, a high thumb ramp that improves control and a wide and swept belly that excels at making arcing cuts. In other words, the Spyderco blade profile is highly utilitarian. 

The Full Flat Grind 

Most Spyderco knives feature a full flat grind. Not only is this easy to resharpen (and not only does it get a lot of flexibility with sharpening angle) but it also results in a knife that is very “slice-y” for lack of a better word. You can get a very fine edge with a full flat grind, and on top of that, a flat grind is not likely to bind in whatever material it’s cutting, unlike a chisel grind or a hollow grind. 

Spydie Holes 

One of the universal calling cards of a Spyderco knife is the “Spyder hole” also known as a “Spydie hole”. These are the thumb holes that are used for deployment, which are popular not just for aesthetics, but because they both lighten the blade and are naturally ambidextrous. This hole also enables users to "Spydie-Flick the knife using their middle finger. (One of the most popular deployment methods among Spyderco Fans.

Strong Locks 

Most Spyderco knives are made with locks like their Compression lock, which is somewhat like a liner lock except it’s at the top of the knife instead of under the edge. Locks like these are not only very strong, but unlikely to unintentionally disengage, improving safety. They also keep your fingers out of the path of the blade when closing the knife.

Great Spyderco Knives for You to Learn More About 

Convinced Spyderco makes great knives, but aren’t sure where to start? Look into any of these models: 

• Paramilitary 2
• Para 3
• Delica 4
• Tenacious 
• Dragonfly 2
• Manix 2 
• Native 5 

These are just a few of the most popular Spyderco knives out there; by no means does this short list cover all of the best. Just use it as a jumping-off point.

Where to Find These Knives? 

Interested in learning more about the Spyderco knives mentioned here? Check these and many others out at River’s Edge Cutlery. They carry a wide range of Spyderco models as well as popular knives from other top brands. Visit their website for more information or get in touch with them directly for assistance.