Spyderco Tenacious

Reviewed 11/26/2014 by Shane S

-Price Paid: $49.99
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

I have seen this knife in videos and I immediately wanted one. Ive had it for a few days just carrying it around work, sometimes going out of my way to find something to cut. I was surprised at how smooth and nice the G10 scales felt. The pocket clip isnt tight, but will keep the knife secure in your pocket. I love the smooth deployment. GET THIS KNIFE!!!

Reviewed 09/19/2013 by Tom

-Price Paid: $40.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I work as a mechanic who installs custom accessories on ATVs as well as living on a farm and spending most of my time outdoors. Needless to say an EDC work knife has been a "must have" for me for several years and I have carried just about every brand you can think of including a small spydero folder in the past which I really enjoyed. I recently purchased a tenacious and I believe I have found a winner. My knives get used and abused heavily and I learned long ago that no matter what you spend you will eventually break or lose every knife so I tend to look for knives with a good reputation in the $35-40 range rather than spending $100 only to lose it around the farm. I've been carrying this knife for about 6 months and so far it has held up better than any other brand I've tried in the past. It has been used for skinning, cutting everything from paper and cardboard to plastic and metal..I've used it to hammer finishing nails, do some prying, and even used the thumb hole to bend fence wire and the blade still locks up just as tight as the day I bought it and holds a razor sharp edge. I figured this would be a tough knife but every other brand I've carried eventually develops some blade-wobble or is just plain worn out after a few months of hard use..not the case with the tenacious. As far as maintenance goes I simply use my sharpener every other night or so and give it a coat of oil maybe once a week. On top of the durability my favorite thing about this knife is the size and feel. I like bigger folders when it comes to farm work and this thing is the perfect size..big enough for serious work but small enough to carry comfortably. The handle is great and you really feel like you're holding a solid, sturdy tool when you deploy this knife. I've had several people comment on the feel when I let them use it. The jimping on the back of the blade is probably the best I've seen on any folder period. Spyderco nailed it..you won't have to worry about this knife slipping when you push it into something. Last but not least the knife just has a great and aggressive look to it and a very strong "click" when it locks open..add that to the size of the blade and handle and you've got a very good defensive knife if need be. To sum up I think my search for a permanent, low cost EDC knife is over..the fact that it still functions like new after 6 months of constant hard work is already more than I expect out of a $40 knife so now I'm curious to see just how long it will keep going before I need to order another one. At the very least I'll be sticking with spyderco from here on out and I can't imagine anyone on a budget being disappointed in this knife. Thanks spyderco!

Reviewed 02/13/2012 by Steven

-Price Paid: $30.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

This knife was given to me as a gift and I thought it would be redundant as I already have a Skeletool CX with a small blade. How wrong I was, after tinkering with the knife it's clear that there is no substitute for a dedicated folding blade knife. The ergonomics are phenomenal and edge is much sharper than any other knife I've ever used. The weight and build quality is also superb and rivals that of any other knife I've ever owned. If you don't like products made in China this may not be for you, but otherwise this knife is a great value.

Reviewed 01/09/2011 by Maximo92f

-Price Paid: $30.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I originally purchased this knife two years ago in a knife shop purely on it's looks and that it was a Spyderco. I didn't even notice it was made in China until after I got it home nor do I care too much about that though I always prefer American made when I can get it but if a certain product fits my personal criteria and needs, then that is what I will use.

I do not rate a knife keeping price in mind, good is good bad is bad, price does not matter. First the knifes steel is the most common complaint about this knife. The 8cr13Mov is the Chinese equal of 440c with very minor differences. There are certainly newer and better steels out there but this steel is far from junk. No, it does not hold an edge like 154cm, VG10, or S30V but it is very easy to sharpen and the Tenacious blade is very easy to get scary sharp. The flat ground blade, ergonomic handle, ease of open and tight lockup of the blade make this knife a cutting beast. I open a dozen boxes a day with this knife at work along with paracord, and all other normal daily cutting tasks. I use this knife a LOT in the kitchen as well as it is one of the better knives I have ever used for cutting meat and veggies. Though this knife is used dozens of times a week it usually only needs to be sharpened once a week and that is just a few strokes from my DMT course stone I have used for 20 years. If you know how to sharpen a knife properly it will hold an edge fairly well under normal use. Even after being opened and closed thousands of times the lockup is still rock solid on this knife. I have all my life opened and closed my knife as a nervous habit while watching TV so my knives are opened and closed many more times in a month than most will ever see.

The G10 scales are nice and grippy without gouging your hand and the gimping on the ramp of the blades spine is nicely done making them very useful not just for looks. I use a lanyard so the tube that runs through the handle makes it easy to run paracord through and has no sharp edges around the hole that cut into the cord.

I have 4 of these knives, three combo blade including my EDC and one plain blade so I have more than one to compare the fit and finish and overall quality. The quality of each has been very equal among all four. The only issue I ever have with any of them, especially my EDC is I must tighten up the pivot joint every few months probably due to the over use of opening and closing of the blade.

I would prefer VG10 steel in the blade but other than that this is an excellent knife for daily use, kitchen, camping or hiking with above average quality. I have had many many knives over the years from very low quality to the highest of quality. This knife ranks well above average however it is not a Zero Tolerance, Benchmade, or Strider so don't expect it to be, but it is far superior than most of what you will pay $75-$100 for at your local Wal-Mart or sporting goods store.

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Reviewed 11/09/2010 by DrmattyG

-Price Paid: $35.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

My review of the Spyderco Tenacious takes into consideration that this knife only costs 35 dollars. The build quality on the knife is actually top notch, despite the fact that it is made in china. The blade steel is probably the biggest issue for me, as it requires frequent resharpening.

After 1 year of flicking the knife open more aggressively than I should(although I've done this with other knives I didn't care about that haven't exhibited this characteristic), the interface between that liner lock and back of the blade is starting to wear. Specifically, the liner lock is approaching the liner on the opposite side(once it hits, it won't be able to fully lock the knife and blade play will exist, making the knife untrustworthy).

Other than that, my Spyderco Tenacious has been pretty robust and reliable. Never opened in my pocket unexpectedly, and despite some hard camp use has held its own. If you are looking for a beater knife and don't mind buying a Chinese made good, the Spyderco Tenacious would be a great way to go.

Reviewed 09/16/2010 by Fredde90210

-Price Paid: $35.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This knife in my view is highly overrated. Don't forget this is a $30 knife, nothing more nothing less. The blade steel has/had some quality issues everything from poor and wavy grindings to blade breakage. On the other hand it's extremly easy to sharpen and takes a scary sharp edge.

The blade shape feels a bit misconstructed, the "high blade shape" makes it difficult/unsafe to flick open. Better to open it slowly. The blade retention is poor and it will open on you when you least expect it.

The G10 handle feels pretty good but due to the "misconstructed" blade shape it loses it's fully potential overall.

Take the knife apart and you will find very thin phosphor bronze bushing of low quality (one of mine fell out carving on some wood!!)

If you are in the market for a cheaper Spydedrco, get one from the Byrd line. People seem to think that they get so much moore for their $30 but in the end you get what you paid for.

This is a review on my Tenacious (had 3)but don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Spyderco just not the Tenacious.

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Reviewed 08/11/2010 by Jay2.0

-Price Paid: $38.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

As far as knives go this was a definite winner.

The good: Great ergos, smooth operation, Absolute control with the Spydiehole, No rough edges or surfaces(all polished), wide flat blade, easily sharpened, strong construction.

The bad: The blade steel could have been better. Maybe VG-10. After about 2 weeks of regular cardboard cutting it was butterknife dull. Nothing a good sharpening can't fix but it was tedious.

Overall: I am amazed at the quality of this knife for the price.

Reviewed 05/26/2010 by Darkknight

-Price Paid: $28.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Spyderco did a nice job with this one. Other than the fact that it was produced in China, I have no real qualms. It feels great, deploys easily, and performs well.

I do have to oil it up every once in a while as the pivot gets stiff. The 8cr13mov isn't the most amazing steel either, but it is still very usable. It is extremely easy to sharpen, but doesn't hold an edge very long.

The knife makes a good beater, but I'd like to see a US made version with a nicer steel.

Reviewed 04/10/2010 by Twitchyblade

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I purchased the tenacious last year when i was a freshman in college as my first "real" knife I used to have gerbers and a cheap buck knife so i decided to give spyderco a shot. As soon as i got it i couldnt stop playing with it and it felt so great in my hand. I spent about $30 on it so it was definitely a very nice knife for $30. The inside is pretty hard to clean up and seems to attract lots of dirt and dust and pocket lint. Aside from the pain to take it apart some times this is definitely a terrific knife and everyone should own one!

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Reviewed 04/03/2010 by ay

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Resistance to wear is mediocre at best. Being made of 8CR13MO, the steel rolls at magnesium(Flint blocks). The edge holding ability is embarrassing, but it's one of the downsides for buying a cheap folding knife, look into Byrd knives for similar yet less expensive knives made of this steel.

One of the biggest flaws is the design, it's a Liner-lock model and has no under choil. That makes for one dangerous knife, simply try closing it and you will find there is nothing to stop the knife from closing upon your thumb, easy cuts may come while closing your Tenacious.

The G-10 material that this knife uses is notably and outstandingly different from the more prestigious Military, Police models. The G-10 is less grippy(Something that G-10 is supposed to do) and the screws are absurdly easy to destroy.

All in all, I would pick something else to buy for $30. 8CR13MO steel can be found on knives costing $15, part of the reason why this knife is priced out of it's abilities.

I would simply pay more for a knife, nothing wrong with Spdyderco but this knife belongs in the Byrd line. Look into the Native, cheap but with a great steel blade.

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Reviewed 02/15/2010 by CountyRat

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

This is a solid, reliable knife that rivals other that cost much more. Its ergonomics are less than excellent because, like most Spydercos, the grip is thin. However, while this makes it less effective for long periods of heavy work, it makes the knife easier to pocket carry. If you carry a knife a lot, but use it only for brief chores, the Tenacious is a great choice.

Reviewed 01/18/2010 by Kenix

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

The tenacious is one of the most raved about knives at the price point ($30), and for good reason. The fit and finish, while shy of Spyderco's $100 folders, will put most other $50 knives to shame.

The liner lock is thick and engages fully. I think it is comparable to the locking strength found on the Spyderco Military. The handle's ergonomics I would best describe as a smaller, less grippy Manix 2.

My biggest gripe with the Tenacious is that the combination of a stiff clip with the G10 makes getting the knife in and out of pockets difficult. This gets better with use.

Reviewed 01/16/2010 by Totenkopf

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

For me this has got to be the absolute best knife in the $30-$40 price range.

I'm a big fan of the broad, drop-point blade. I also love 3" to 3.5" blades. I just find them more useful for EDC... and more satisfying. With the Tenacious the size is ideal, and combined with the shape, gives me great accuracy at the point while still being powerful enough for general utility. Tip strength has been adequate for me; blade still looks like new after many months on the job site. The blade is rather thick at the spine relative to other knives I own, which gives it decent heft and a strong feel. The gentle sweep of the blade gives you good access to the whole edge. The steel may not be the best, but it is a good compromise for this inexpensive knife. I find that this knife holds it's edge moderately well. However, the steel is very easy/quick to sharpen and can take a "shaving sharp" edge if you wish. I'm not very picky about blade steel as knives are simple to maintain in an EDC role. Other applications require higher performance for their specific intents and purposes. That said, I think this steel is adequate for camping and whatnot. I do have a couple complaints though. The finish on my blade was noticeably uneven if you held it just right in the light. also the grind near the tip changed angles slightly which really offended my type A self. It has gone away after a couple of sharpenings since it was really rather small. Still, you should know about these little QC issues.

The handle is mostly subjective, but here goes. The Tenacious is comfortably slim; NEARLY as slim as a Flash 1 or a Mini-Griptilian. The handle isn't overly long either, I think for most people this will fit well in their hand. Again the width is such that it nestles securely and comfortably under your knuckles and against your palm. The G10 scales are textured adequately, If you like aggressive texture on your handles like Kershaws gnarly Trac-tec (or whatever it's called), the Tenacious might not suit you. Personally, I find shape to be a more important to grip than texture. Which reminds me, The thumbramp on this knife is awesome and very secure feeling. The Jimping is almost not necessary for traction, but it is well executed regardless. Your thumb isn't going to slip over the blade, however I find that you can choke up on the blade well with your index finger for more precision if you need it. Steel liners... this is entirely subjective. For EDC they aren't a necessity, but I do feel with this knife that they make it VERY strong. Take it or leave it. If weight is your primary concern in a knife this size than look to the SOG Aegis or Flash 2, those are nice, reasonably priced knives.

The function of this knife is part of what makes it so great. One-handed operation is a cinch. Deployment is super fast. It might be the heft of the blade or the bronze bushings, but personally I think it's the oversized spyderhole. You can get the edge of your thumbnail in there and just fire the blade out. Locks up air tight with a comforting *SNAP*. Thanks to a large relief cut in the scales/liner and more jimping, the liner lock is super easy to get a hold of (not in such a way that you will get to it by accident though). The liner lock is beefy, probably over built, but that's determined by the liner thickness. The clip is very functional. Nice and rigid with good fit and finish (polished and rounded so it wont snag or wear on anything). It rides about as deep as any other knife Barring those lowriding SOG clips.

All in all I am extremely pleased with the package. I have 100% confidence in this knife, which is very important. Also I don't have to worry about abusing this knife for around $35. with some knives you hesitate when confronted with certain tasks, just because you don't want to jack them up... with the Tenacious you don't really have that problem. If a "10" in value you means you get your moneys worth than this knife gets a "12".

Hope I didn't leave anything out.

Reviewed 01/06/2010 by Bradley

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

This is the best bang for my buck that I have found. The Tenacious is what I would consider a budget hard use folding knife. This knife is not light by any means. It's not the heaviest knife I've carried either, but definately not light. I'll start from the tip and work backwards. The tip of the blade is nicely shaped, not too fragile, but still compact enough to make a good pierce. The blade itself has a full flat grind, which makes this knife a surprisingly good slicer. For a full flat grind blade, it is a touch thick though. The steel is 8Cr13MoV, which is a chinese steel. I'm not overly impressed with the steel, a far cry from what I'd call premium steel, but it suffices. It doesn't hold an edge particularly well, but it is very easy to sharpen. The blade has a hole, affectionately known as the spyderhole by Spyderco fans. I personally love it. I don't have to search for it like I would a thumb stud...my thumb finds the hole immediately. My thumb also does not slip out mid flick, unlike a thumb stud. The blade has a nice little thumb ramp, with excellent jimping. The jimping is not too sharp, but is nice and big and provides ample grip. The pivot itself is decent. I've heard but haven't confirmed that the Tenacious has phosphor bronze bushings in it. I do not know this for sure, but they are certainly smooth. The knife scales are made from G10 plastic, very common. It's nicely textured, still easily grippable when wet. Behind the G10 scales, there are steel liners, and of course the knife is a liner lock knife. The liner lock is very stout, and locks up tight. There is a very minor amount of blade play side to side, but this really exists with most, if not all, knives. If you don't want any blade play at all on your knife, spend 300 bucks...and still probably have a little. The liner lock has equally excellent jimping as the thumb ramp. Sitting atop the scales is a very thick pocket clip, which can be positioned in any one of 4 spots for tip up or tip down carry, lefty or righty. Lastly, there is a lanyard hole if you're into that. Overall, this knife is very usable and can do anything from cutting rope to spreading cheese(yep, that's right). I'm very impressed, because a knife of this caliber is rarely found if ever at this price. It fits my hand very well, has no problems with cutting tasks, has superb build quality(blade was dead center and I've heard others who also had perfectly centered blades), and most importantly it is controllable and cuts well. Unlike some other cheapies, I don't expect this knife to break or fail. I don't recall what I paid, but it was something like 30 bucks. This is a great first time folding knife and it's a great EDC for a knife guy who wants something they don't have to worry or care about. I don't think you can really go wrong. Spyderco has really done a great job and I look forward to their future offerings in this class.

Reviewed 11/21/2009 by Ryan

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

This is a great knife to get if your budget is on the shallow end of the money pool. It really fills out the hand well and feels great for everyday carry. The full flat ground blade is an excellent slicer, and true to all spyderco products it comes shaving sharp right out of the box. Even though it is made in china I really feel this is a great quality knife, something that I have really come to expect from spyderco.

Reviewed 09/11/2009 by doc watson

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Less than 1 Month

Comments:

I have owned this knife for a week, before you dismiss this review understand this about the tenacious. This is the knife that got me back to Spyderco, I owned an endura in the late 80's early 90's, and moved on to other knifes, then I stumbled onto a you tube review of the Tenacious and ordered one, since then I have purchased a Sage, Native, Native III and Native IV, and have ordered another Tenacious, in fact I think I will give my three sons and one son-in-law a Tenacious for Christmas. Lock up is tight, blade opening is smooth, and the blade shape is perfect for all around cutting chores. This is my perfect EDC!

Reviewed 07/21/2009 by Matthew

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

The Spyderco Tenacious is a great all around knife. I paid 34 dollars shipped. For the money, it doesn't get better than the Tenacious.

The liner lock is nearly indestructable, phosphor bronze bushings at the pivot, and some very nice G10 knife scales with good texturing. The Tenacious is the beefiest liner lock I've seen by Spyderco.

The blade shape on this knife is great. Full flat grind as well. The cutting edge is roughly 3 3/8". Beware as the cutting edge goes all the way back to the handle. There is no room for the blade to stop against your finger when closing. The opening mechanism is the Spyderhole, and provides enough room to easily open with your thumb. The blade steel is 8cr13MoV, which is adequate, easy to sharpen, and holds an edge ok.

This knife is not the lightest, but it is not a heavy knife by any means. It sits well in the pocket and is still small enough to make a good EDC knife.

The knife is made in China, but fact is you won't find a knife this good at this pricepoint that is made anywhere else.

I highly recommend this knife to anybody looking for an inexpensive knife that is going to perform. I have considered buying a second as a spare. If we could convince Spyderco to make this knife with S30V or VG-10 I'd buy a few more!

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