Spyderco Knives

For over four decades, their commitment to function-driven design set the standard for modern folders. We’re proud to offer one of the largest Spyderco collections available, showcasing their iconic classics alongside exciting new releases.

Our huge selection features exclusive limited editions, a variety of handle materials, super steel blades, and hardworking knives for all applications.

Spyderco Knives History

The story of Spyderco knives began in 1976 when Sal and Gail Glesser started a company selling their innovative Tri-Angle Sharpmaker at fairs across the country. “Spyderco” was chosen to evoke the high-performance sports cars that often had “Spyder” in their names.

In 1978, the Glessers settled their fledgling company in Golden, Colorado. Then in 1981 came their biggest breakthrough – the release of Spyderco’s first folding pocket knife. This groundbreaking knife introduced several innovations that came to define modern folding knives.

First was Spyderco’s Round Hole feature which allowed swift, one-handed blade opening. This granted utility patent revolutionized the industry. Their signature Round Hole increases reliability compared to other one-hand systems and provides an alternative to nail nicks on their manual-opening knives.

Spyderco also pioneered the pocket clip for convenient carry, keeping the folder securely positioned at the top of the pocket. This brilliant yet simple idea led to their entire ClipIt line. The pocket clip became ubiquitous across folding knife brands, starting the everyday carry (EDC) movement.

And Spyderco was first to offer serrations on a folding blade, increasing the sharp edge and cutting power – much like the teeth on a kitchen knife. Serrations rotated the angle, keeping the edge fresher for longer.

With continued innovation earning patents and awards, Spyderco grew from its humble Sharpmaker beginnings into an industry leader. They built a worldwide distribution network and manufacturing facilities across the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, Italy, and China.

Most importantly, Spyderco won the loyal following of countless knife users who rely daily on their high-performance, EDC-ready designs built to stand the test of time. Forty years later, Spyderco continues defining the form and function of the modern folding knife.

Our Collection of Spyderco Knives

Ambitious Series

The Ambitious Series is designed as a compact, budget-friendly option in Spyderco’s lineup. The Ambitious G-10 features a smaller blade and is perfect for everyday carry, offering Spyderco’s renowned quality at an accessible price point.

ARK Series

The “Always Ready Knife” (ARK) series is a personal defence tool designed by the U.S. Army combat veteran John Shirley. The ARK’s lightweight, H1 steel construction makes it rust-resistant, and ideal for humid environments.

Bow River Series

The Bow River is a versatile fixed blade designed by custom knifemaker Phil Wilson. It’s an affordable all-rounder, suitable for a variety of outdoor tasks, featuring a black and white G10 handle. The Spyderco Bow River Fixed Blade Knife is one of the popular knives featured in this series.

Byrd Series

The Byrd series is Spyderco’s value-oriented line, offering reliable performance at a lower price point. The Cara Cara 2 exemplifies this with its versatile design and affordability.

Caribbean Series

The Caribbean Series features knives with corrosion-resistant LC200N steel and distinctive, brightly coloured G-10 scales. The Caribbean folding knife is designed for marine environments.

Cat Series

The Cat Series offers compact, everyday carry knives with a focus on practicality and sleek design. The Cat model features a 2.44″ plain edge blade, ideal for daily tasks.

Civilian Series

The Civilian Series is designed primarily for self-defence, featuring a unique reverse “S” blade. The Civilian model is a specialized tool with a focus on personal protection. The civilian 4.123” folding knife makes for a great self-defence tool.

ClipiTool Series

The ClipiTool line integrates additional tools like scissors and bottle openers into a compact folding knife design. The 2″ ClipiTool is a versatile multi-tool in a pocket-friendly format.

Delica Series

The Delica Series is known for its lightweight, versatile design, making it a popular choice for everyday carry. The Delica4 combines a 2.875″ blade with a fibre glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Dragonfly Series

The Dragonfly Series is designed for maximum cutting power in a minimal footprint. The Dragonfly 2 is a compact, efficient folder ideal for everyday carry.

Efficient Series

The Efficient Series offers practical, high-performance knives at an affordable price. The Efficient model features a 2.98″ blade and is designed for everyday utility.

Endura Series

The Endura Series is known for its larger-sized, yet lightweight knives. The Endura 4 combines a 3.375″ blade with a slim profile, making it suitable for a variety of tasks.

Grasshopper Series

The Grasshopper Series features small, non-locking slip-joint knives. The Grasshopper model is a compact and convenient tool for light-cutting tasks.

Ladybug Series

The Ladybug Series is part of Spyderco’s micro-sized slip-joint knives, designed for a keychain or pocket carry. The Ladybug 3 is a tiny powerhouse, perfect for small, precise cutting tasks.

Manbug Series

The Manbug Series is a slightly larger version of the Ladybug, offering a bit more handle and blade for those who need it. The Manbug is a versatile mini-knife for everyday use.

Manix Series

The Manix Series is known for its robust build and innovative Ball Bearing Lock™. The Manix 2 combines a 3.375″ blade with a high-strength lock mechanism, suitable for demanding tasks.

Military Series

The Military Series is designed for durability and performance. The Military Model features a large 4″ blade and is favoured by service members and first responders.

Native Series

The Native Series is a staple in Spyderco’s lineup, known for its ergonomic design and efficient blade shape. The Native 5 is a well-balanced, all-purpose knife.

Para Series

The Para Series, including the popular Para Military 2 and Para 3, is celebrated for its high-performance features and Compression Lock™. The Para 3 offers a compact version of the classic design.

Persistence Series

The Persistence Series is part of Spyderco’s value-oriented lineup, offering solid performance at an accessible price. The Persistence model is a reliable and affordable option for everyday carry.

Police Series

The Police Series is designed for law enforcement professionals, featuring large, durable blades. The Police model is a classic choice for duty carry, offering a long 4.125″ blade.

Resilience Series

The Resilience Series offers larger-sized folding knives at an affordable price. The Resilience model features a 4.2″ blade, ideal for those who prefer a bigger knife for everyday tasks.

Roadie Series

The Roadie Series is designed as a modern, non-locking slip-joint knife, compliant with air travel regulations. The Roadie model is a convenient and travel-friendly tool.

Street Series

The Street Series includes fixed-blade knives like the Street Beat and Street Bowie, designed for self-defence and utility. The Street Beat Lightweight offers a compact and agile option.

Tenacious Series

The Tenacious Series is part of Spyderco’s value-focused lineup, known for its solid build and affordability. The Tenacious model is a popular choice for its balance of size, performance, and price.

Tri-Angle Series

The Tri-Angle Series includes Spyderco’s innovative sharpening tools, like the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker. These sharpeners are designed to maintain the optimal edge on Spyderco knives.

Lil’ Temperance Series

The Lil’ Temperance Series offers compact, high-performance knives with ergonomic designs. The Lil’ Temperance 3 Lightweight is a smaller version of the classic Temperance, ideal for everyday carry.

Shaman Series

The Shaman Series features larger, ergonomically designed folding knives. The Shaman model, with its curved handle and leaf-shaped blade, is a robust and comfortable option for a variety of tasks.

Each series in Spyderco’s lineup offers unique features and designs, catering to different preferences and needs, from compact everyday carry options to larger, tactical-oriented knives.

Spyderco VS. CRKT Knives

When comparing Spyderco and CRKT knives, most users agree that Spyderco leads in quality. Their knives utilize higher-grade steels and exhibit consistent, precise craftsmanship. CRKT pursues innovation through its designs, though it may use materials that prioritize cost savings.

This means that pricing favours CRKT as the budget-friendly option. Their accessibility caters to casual buyers, while Spyderco leans premium, matching superior construction with higher prices.

Spyderco’s durability and materials warrant their price tag for some, especially intensive users. Others appreciate CRKT providing functional designs and collector appeal at affordable points, ideal for testing preferences.

In craftsmanship, Spyderco is acclaimed for exacting detail alongside smart innovations. CRKT also impresses with variety and creativity, but Spyderco better calibrates build components for optimal resilience.

This durability edge matters where the knives face rigorous, prolonged use. Those needing high-end knives invest in Spyderco’s proven reliability, while CRKT draws budget-conscious fans taken with their novel styles.

Spyderco Warranty

Spyderco Knives claims that its products are free from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product when used properly. Normal wear and tear, alterations, disassembly, misuse, or improper sharpening are not covered under their limited lifetime warranty.

If a defect is confirmed, Spyderco will repair or replace the knife. Repair fees start at $20 plus shipping for services like blade sharpening, tip repairs, and clip installations.

Customers pay shipping when sending knives for assessment and repair. Spyderco provides estimates if issues fall outside the warranty. Unrepairable knives are returned with a retirement recommendation.

The warranty protects original components only. Aftermarket parts are not covered. Broken clips are usually excluded from coverage. Spyderco disclaims liability for injuries by misusing products.

Why Choose STL Tacticals for Spyderco Knives

STL Tacticals sells real and authentic Spyderco knives for many uses. We carry tactical knives, pocket knives, hunting knives, and many more. Choose from over 30 different series of Spyderco knives.

We offer free shipping if you spend over $250. Buy from us risk-free with our 30-day return policy.

Spyderco is known for making very clever, well-crafted knives. See why Spyderco knives are so popular when you order from STL Tacticals. Browse our collection and find the ideal everyday Spyderco knife to fit your needs.

Choosing the Right Spyderco Knife

When selecting a Spyderco knife, it helps to understand the unique features and intended uses of their various collections. This allows you to choose the right knife that caters to your specific needs and preferences.

The iconic Paramilitary 2 excels as a versatile large knife perfect for rigorous use thanks to its ultra-strong compression lock. Its smaller cousin, the Para 3, shares the robust design but in a more compact format suited for everyday carry.

If keeping weight down is a priority, consider the Lightweight collection which uses durable FRN handles. The budget-friendly Tenacious knives offer impressive quality at an affordable price point, making them great starter Spyderco knives.

For use in and around the water, Spyderco’s specialized Salt collection features components that resist corrosion. Their brightly coloured handles also aid visibility after accidental drops into the water.

Among Spyderco’s oldest knife families, the Native knives are revered for their slim profiles which lend them incredible versatility for diverse applications. The Delica 4 and Endura 4 take lightweight design even further, with the latter being a heavy-duty option despite its minimal weight.

When a compact but capable pocket knife is needed, the Dragonfly 2’s grip-friendly ergonomic handles allow it to punch above its small stature. Finally, the value-focused Byrd line retains Spyderco’s signature round hole and reliable functionality at a budget price point.

Knowing the attributes like intended use, size, weight, and price will help you choose the best Spyderco knife.

FAQs

Why are Spyderco knives so expensive?

Spyderco knives are expensive due to their high-quality materials, innovative designs, and precision craftsmanship. The brand is known for using premium steel types and ensuring quality control, contributing to the higher cost.

Why are Spyderco knives so popular?

Spyderco knives are popular for their unique designs, exceptional quality, and practical functionality. They are known for their distinctive hole in the blade for easy opening, ergonomic handles, and a wide variety of models catering to different uses.

What is the hole in Spyderco knives for?

The hole in Spyderco knives, often referred to as the “Spydie hole,” is a signature feature that allows for easy, one-handed opening of the blade. It’s a functional design element that sets Spyderco knives apart.

Is Spyderco better than Cold Steel?

Whether Spyderco is better than Cold Steel depends on personal preference and specific needs. Spyderco is known for its innovative designs and high-quality materials, while Cold Steel is recognized for its strength and durability. Both brands have their unique strengths.

Do Spyderco knives come sharp?

Yes, Spyderco knives typically come very sharp out of the box. The brand is known for its excellent factory edge, making its knives ready for immediate use.

What angle are Spyderco knives sharpened at?

Spyderco knives are generally sharpened at an angle of 1520 degrees per side. However, this can vary slightly depending on the specific model and its intended use.

What is a Spyderco harpy for?

The Spyderco Harpy is designed primarily for cutting and slicing in tight spaces. Its hawkbill blade shape is particularly effective for tasks that require a pulling cut, such as cutting ropes or opening packages.

What is the factory edge on Spyderco?

The factory edge on Spyderco knives refers to the initial sharpness and blade angle as it comes from the manufacturer. Spyderco is known for its precise and sharp factory edge, often set at an angle conducive to both sharpness and durability.

Is the Spyderco civilian good for self-defence?

The Spyderco Civilian is specifically designed for self-defence, particularly for those without extensive training in knife fighting. Its unique, aggressive blade shape is intended for defensive use and can be very effective in a self-defence situation.