To respond to roughly a billion comments: The Spydiechef is also a great option, and should definitely be considered if you want a thin, beautiful framelock. But it's also more expensive still than any of these choices, a bit less canonically 'Spyderco', and at the moment, *very* hard to get (although Spyderco is saying more of them are coming). So, I decided to leave it out when filming this. Seeing the comments, that was a mistake (🤣), but here it is!

Nick, please do this for every company. Very well said, this is a gem of a video!

I love, love, love my pm2, but I've been carrying my Kapara since I bought it in February. It's really nice!!

Para 3 lightweight in my front pocket for the past couple months, DF2 in my back pocket ALWAYS. I sub in the Delica 4 instead of the Para 3 sometimes. I'm really looking forward to picking up a Shaman. Great video. Thank you again sir!

Thanks so much for this great comparison! I’m new to pocket knives and actually bought the Para 3 LW before seeing your video. It arrived yesterday and I LOVE it. I had also tried a Delica (which I did like a lot but felt it wasn’t very enjoyable to open and close) and a couple others but they all went back. I just feel that for my needs around the patio or garage working on projects the Para 3 LW feels great and will give me everything I need. I only need one knife and wanted a good one. Now I found it and can’t wait to enjoy it for many years. Thanks again. Have watched a lot of your videos and enjoy them!

I didn't think I would like the Native 5 but now I own 4. Love the Native 5 salt, hope to see more LC200N from spyderco.

Spyderco Sage 1.... My all time favorite EDC knife. Had it for years. Love it!

I’ve got the Delica, the Para 2 & the Chaparral with the Carbon Fiber Look. All three excellent knives. Great video Nick!!!!!!

Great vid rev.definitely gonna buy the para3 this christmas.always watching ur reviews.

This is an Excellent and very helpful review! Recently purchased a Tenacious ( good price point) as an introduction to Spyderco. Undecided in which one to purchase next . This review helps out! Thanks

Thank you for this wonderful review. All of the knives in here are best edc for Spyderco. Appreciate this i might consider the Paramilitary 3 LW.

I’m going to my local knife shop tomorrow for a new spyderco so this is gonna be very helpful. Thank you, Nick!

The Para 3 was the first spyderco I really liked. Now the Shaman and Manix have my attention! Thanks for sharing your run downs!

This is fantastic! You should do this with every brand!

I picked up my first Para 3 a month or so ago. Mostly out of curiosity, partly because it was a dealer exclusive in m390 and a fun color. It took me longer than usual to warm up to (dial in my preferred action), but boy when I did! Now I have a significant lust for that lightweight.

Love your vids keep up the good work!

Great list. Thank you! I guess I never realized the sweet spot that the Chaparral occupies. Sliceyness is high on my list of priorities. I love the Para 3 for edc. I have the Maxamet blade. I got a Dragonfly for my daughter because of the small size and I like it. I did opt for the PM2 with S110V because it was a little better value. I did edc it for at least a year but it wore a hole Olin the bottom of my jeans pocket. It’s a little long for edc but VERY capable. Finally, I see you mentioned the Spydiechef in the comments. I have not edced mine but I love it. I pretty much got it because I could not ignore how much you liked yours.

Great Spydie choices Nick! Para 3 LW for me all day, any day. But Lil native is a good choice as well, I guess

Nice breakdown & suggestions.....agree completely👍🏻. Please do other brands✌🏼!

Surprised you didn't include the Spydiechef, I don't have one but I've handled it and would imagine it to be an amazing EDC companion.

Great video thanks for the info! Shamen and pm2 for me personally all day as far as spyderco goes.

Finally a video I can relate with. Thanks Nick 👍

I still advocate for the manix 2 with skeletonized liners.

Manix 2 Lightweight is still my top choice

This was a great little video. Personally I prefer the ergos on the pm2 over the shaman but obviously to each their own.

I'm sure this is a Killer video but I thought the Nick gave us the Right answer yesterday.

I've had a dragonfly on my keychain for 5 years now. It's amazing how often it comes in handy and being on my keychain it's always on me

Nice review, great insights as always, Nick. I sure wish I liked the FRN handles. They are light, inexpensive, grippy, a little flexy... but I never did like the plastic-y feel, and that feeling hasn't changed over 2 decades. I prefer about anything other than FRN in Spyderco's line: G10 is stiffer and grippy but a bit synthetic feeling (fiberglass reinforced resin), micarta much better and a nicer feel and plenty stiff. Carbon Fiber is a favorite, looks great, super stiff and light, but pricey, and usually smooth if you need a super-secue grip... admittedly expensive for someones first Spyderco. Just 2 cents for those looking to a first or second Spyderco... you may or may not appreciate the FRN... practical plastic (actually, Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon).

Excellent review. Thank you.

Great video Nick as usual, but can I add my recommendation to the selection. I recommend the Spyderco UK PK.. It’s light deep pocket clipped. The slip joint is designed with safety in mind, and easy in the hand.

Wow really amazing Spyderco knife reviews!!! :D

if the price is comfortable, i have never regretted any spyderco purchase--you just can't go wrong here!

I have been carrying the GB 2. It has really grown on me. Autonomy 2 is also a fav. Thanks Nick!

I really wanted the FRN Chaparral, but the Native 5 Lightweight was available to me at a much better price (wholesaler), and so I went with that. I would have preferred the XHP steel. I really love the ergonomics of the Native 5 and also prefer the clip it comes with. Very happy with my choice.

Manix 2 Lightweight pretty neatly fills the big but lightweight void that you don't have covered here.

Manix 2 for the win!

Love my Shaman in M4. Have a titanium clip and have got my micarta scales ordered.. can't wait !

My sage 2 is my favorite carry as of lately (being hot and in shorts a lot), Kapara is also amazing and can’t forget a good manix. Too many options

Just got my Dragonfly Pink Heals in s30v. Wow. What a fantastic little knife! I can get 4 fingers on it using the choil and tail ramp. Didn’t expect that.

Not sure what other urban area folks are needing bigger blades for, I have many of them and truly appreciate the quality of a nice blade. Where I cut up cardboard boxes for recycling, I have a cara-cara, because it’s cheap and it does that task. I keep a blade in the car for emergencies, but in my pocket everyday is a dragonfly, with the clip removed. Handles all the envelop and box opening with ease, does all the light cutting I run into on a daily basis. And, it weighs less than my car key. I get it if you have a job that requires lots of cutting, but in that case I would think you would be choosing a bigger knife than I would consider EDC. Obviously a lifestyle choice. Like driving a Shelby to work, more fun and much cooler than a civic, but in reality they both get you there in about the same amount of time. Unless you are a maniac. Nobody freaks out when I use the dragonfly to open a box. Might not be the same effect if you whip out that shaman.

I love my Spyderco Q, but some times it's too small. And some find the Harpy a little too aggressive. So my usual choice is between my Q and my Endura 4 -- until you reviewed the Para 3 Lightweight. I got one, and it's great -- larger than the Q, a little smaller than the Endura 4, and lighter. Thanks for your reviews! I"m still looking for the perfect Z Hunter...

Great video as usual. No Manix2? Mine sees my pocket often despite the BD1 blade.

Love my para 3 knives ( I have 4) and my V-Toku Dragonfly. Depending on my pockets, since females jeans don't really have deep pockets, will depend on which one I'll carry. As a manager for an Auto Care center where I also go out and work on the cars and manage my techs, my knives have never met me down with what ever task I need them for.

Hi Nick. Thank you for yet another great video. I agree very much with you on this topic, but I am a little sad that you didn't include the Manix 2. I know it takes up some space in the pocket, but it is such a nice EDC knife. Keep up the good work and enjoy your summer. Thomas

Surprised the Manix 2 isn’t in here.

The sage 5 and manix 2 lightweight are my two favorite EDCs.

I think you should've included the manix 2 here, the ergonomics are amazing, my favorite Spyderco overall by far. A friend of mine lended me one for two weeks, and now I want one super bad. I would buy the maxamet version if I could afford it though.

Thanks, I will go for para3 lw for my first spydie

Nick, I've been looking for different scales for the shaman and the little native. Could you point me in the right direction?

I love seeing the shaman getting the nod instead of the over hyped PM2. I sold all my PM2’s except for one sprint run after taking delivery of an early shaman. There’s no contest which is the better hard use folder. I never climbed onto the Delica train. They come and go from my collection but there’s not much appeal. 100% of my needs are filled by a dragonfly - regular blade and hawkbill, my Native 5 lw and my shaman.

I own all of these, guess which one gets picked nearly everyday? The dragonfly! I haven’t found an edc task yet that it couldn’t handle.

I have an endura and it is my fav knife I have ever had. I got the delica for my wife. Both are good. But man do I love my endura

Would you say that the sage 5 would be a happy medium between the para 3’s robustness and the chaparrals slicey nature?

Completely agree that the Endura is feeling dated with its lack of a proper finger choil. Hard to go back after regularly using LW versions of the Para 3 and Native 5.

Although I carry a purple para 2 my favorite is the one I just cannot seem to get.

I edc a para3. Great knife!

Hi Nick, you kinda sound like Meyer Lansky from Boardwalk Empire. Also, great reviews, I'm considering a Para 3.

i personally like the PM2 but due to the fact that I live in LA county I love the PM3 in sv35vn

Para 3 lightweight is my EDC. With a 20° edge, it's just perfect in my pocket.

Anything like the smock that’s ffg? Also benchmade 9400 review in the works..? Thanks for the videos!

Agree with your choices I prefer my chaparral for a small pocket knife as a backup my pm2 is ok not a fan really delica4 bought a sprint sg2 and sold it right away not at all my cup of tea contemplating ether manix xl 2 or shaman for another spyderco to add to my collection. oh I have 2 grasshoppers for small spydercos in sandvik 12c27 one on keys find that’s actually a great slipjoint for all sorts of jobs.

Whale Rescue

Nice overview. I have and carry most of those. Sage and Manix are worth consideration as well. I prefer the Sage to the Para 3. Manix is popular and has an different lock from the others. Some of the Chinese made Spydercos are worth looking at as well. All liner locks and just ok blade steel. Once you get over $50 the value isn't there relative to the knives Nick recommended (imo).

My next knife will be the chaparral lightweight with the excellent CTS-XHP steel.

Still waiting for a Lightweight Para 3 with full carbon fiber scales in LC200N !!

Ýou should definitely do a new video on what is the very best knife for EDC.

I feel the Lil native has more than earned it's spot on this list

The smock is the one I’m pulling my hair out in frustration of not being able to obtain. Do you have one and if so how does it compare to the shaman. Thanks

I have, by far, more Spydercos than any other single brand. And I have said many times in KZfaq posts that I have long thought you the Chaparral lightweight in XHP was they very best Spyderco EDC. But I have come to believe that I stand corrected. A couple months ago I got a Bento Box with a Domino in 204P, which ain't too shabby, and a Navy blue Delica in M390. I am telling you, this M390 Delica is incredible. And while the Chaparral is a little lighter and a little longer and XHP is nothing to smirk at, I am somewhat boggled that it took Spyderco so long to put M390 on their best selling knife. My pocket loves my Giant Mouse Iona, but I have been cheating with the M390 Delica. And in terms of number of days carried, it won't be too long until my Iona is the side chick.

I recently purchased a Shaman. I find it to be too heavy and it feels a lot bigger than what it actually is. I would still go with either of my two Paramilitary 2s. To each his own. By the way, you have the best knife reviews.

P3 in gray, lightweight, Maxamet....heck ya!

Hey nick i got the shaman with m4 and i can not loosen the pivit at all to much frickin loctite you have any suggestions how to loosen the pivot screw

Would you consider the chapparal more slicey than the hundred pacer? I have both and I think they're both slicing machines. Also did you see that they released the delica in M390 not too long back from bento box? Dont know if it would be worth checking out, I believe they ran 108 bucks.

Nick where did you get the micarta scales for the shaman?

The Manix 2 or the Native are good choices because they have so many different steel types that are pretty much always available right now

I have many mid tech knives from Shirogorov, Strider, Chris Reeves etc but I still find the ParaMilitary a benchmark Spyderco.

Which blade shape do you prefer, the para/delica blade shape or the native/sage/manix/shaman shape?

Nice video 👍

Pm2, kapara, sage 5, manix. Any one of those are good.

Nick you’re awesome! But where’s the Smock aka spydie 940 with a flipper!?

Native is available also with a "normal" S35V. Is it still interesting?

Where did you get the micarta scales for the Shamen?

Can you do a vid on how to change the color?

I seem to have a problem with Spyderco knives. I’ve watched this video 5x and I can’t stop

Sorry if you’ve been asked this a million times Nick but where did you get those Shaman scales and what would I ask for to find some exactly like it for my pm2?

For me it's the Endura4 lightweight it stole my pocket from my rat1. The Endura4 is a everyday working knife tactical is not always practical. Thanks for sharing.

Did you buy the Native 5 LC200 in that color or did you dye it?

Please please please do this for Benchmade, love this format!

I think the best Spyderco for general EDC has got to be the Native 5. It has all the advantages, if not more, than the Delica. For only a few bucks more, you get a much better steel, as well as the option for much for variety. However my personal favorite Spyderco is the Advocate

I carry a Sage 5 often, over the Para 3, which I sold. Like both, but prefer the blade shape on the Sage.

The Sage 5 is also a good option!

I would choose Manix 2 lw over the pm2 and shaman if weight is a concern but you wanted a larger knife.

I LOVE the para 3, but really only like the g10... anywhere you think I could find one for cheap, say 60-70 bucks?

Best urban EDC for me: Chaparral Best EDC for other usages: Para 3 / Sage 5

The Sage 5 LW should be interesting when it’s released. I’ve always preferred the Sage 5 to the Para 3 for my own use. Sort of a bigger Chaparral with a compression lock.

I have a feeling this video will need an update after the Sage 5 lightweight is released.

Dragonfly is great in many ways, but only if you have a smaller hand size

Where did you get those shaman scales Nick?

Interesting there was no comparison regarding Golden vs Japan vs Taiwan factories. Curious your thought on best fit/finish

I've carried a kahr arms delica for many years and it's been the perfect knife for me. I carried the H1 dragonfly for years before that but I love the delica's handle. The delica has a small but full sized grip.