This was a grail knife for me for a long time, and I finally got one recently (the newer CQI version). I completely agree with the assessment that you "fall in love with it", this was my experience as well. I really like this knife, but I do have 2 nitpicks; For ME personally, it's a bit painful to one hand close this knife because the tang of the blade is sharp, and it rubs my finger on it's way closed (again, only when I one-hand close it). Second, I find the hole placement to be a little awkward, and I also find it to be a bit small. Overall, I think this knife is quite beautiful (I know I'm in the minority), and it's definitely one of my favorite carry knives. As a side note, while I really like the black hardware on the CQI version, I would LOVE to find some blue accent hardware for this. For all the commenters talking about how it's a "kitchen folder", and a basically useless idea, etc., it is not meant to be used PRIMARILY in the kitchen. Direct quote from Spyderco's website; "the Spydiechef is an extremely refined folding knife that takes the user-friendly ergonomics and balance of a world-class chef’s knife and translates them into an all-purpose, everyday-carry folder..." It is meant to be an EDC knife, it just takes design cues from a chef's knife, and it happens to excel at food prep because of that.
I’ve been using this on the cutting board since 2018. It rests on the cutting board for anything in the kitchen for utility purposes. Still use the other regular kitchen knives, but the Spydiechef remains the first grab knife in the kitchen as it rests on the chopping block. The perfect knife.
This is my favorite EDC knife. The smooth body, deep carry clip, thin handle width, frame lock, and no protruding pins or spydiehole. You can carry it in board shorts and wear it all day and your skin doesnt get irritated like it does with a FRN handle. The only thin I would want to change would be to smooth out the edges near where your pointer finger rests. Sometimes those are a little pointy. But thats it.
I love to cook and the thought of having an always sharp kitchen knife on me is appealing. I imagine it will come in handy when cooking away from home. Thanks for the video Rob, appreciate your insight as always! I want to pick one of these up one day soon when I can part with the $200 bucks. A SpydieChef paired with a GEC slip joint could be EDC perfection Lol.
This knife is really growing on me... And not many of the new Spydercos have done that. It reminds me of my Junior, I think the Junior looks nicer, but I love how thin the edge is on this one. It's an odd ball Spyderco, and I love odd ball Spydercos, like the Junior and my all time favorite; the Tuff.
Lc200n is pretty much the same steel as Z-finit and in my experience it toom an incredible edge. Just by it's design (a low carbide/nitride nitrogen steel) it should take a keener edge than m4 and s35vn. Z-finit took one of the best edges in my experience alongside Nitrobe 77, Aeb-l, 14c28n and m390.
Thanks for another great overview Rob. I've had mine for about two months now and it really is a polarising carry knife (more so than any other I have). Some people really like it, some just recoil in disgust. Personally I really enjoy it, is it the best EDC? No way but it gets attention and it has a really graceful shape when you actually get your hands on it.
I think I like it. The blade looks like it would excel at dicing the way a pro does it with the repetitive rocking motion.(and good at other food prep). I'm not likely to buy one however as my kitchen knives do the job just fine and I don't foresee the need for a dedicated foodie folder.
late to the party, but as usual a very interesting review. the cqi model, thankfully has the ceramic detent ball, which should avoid the rust problem with the original steel ball. this design seems to radiate less is better, and on the whole, says "future classic".
I picked one of these up to carry in my EDC/truck pack specifically to use exclusively for food. To that end it serves its purpose for me...Not ideal for EDC I agree, but a cool concept nonetheless, and I applaud Spyderco for putting out such a variety of knifes that they even include some oddball designs such as this one.
Many thanks for doing this Rob! I don't mind waiting an extra few days in order to hear your opinions on this knife, and it's pretty much good news for me! As I think I mentioned, I purchased this primarily for food prep when I'm traveling and not necessarily as an EDC blade, so it appears the function is spot on for my intended use. Also, I guess it's worth while to mention that Spyderco actually does consider this as part of their Salt series of knives (as per their online literature). Thanks again, and God bless.
Great looking knife. I would like to see how this steel performs compared to VG-10. I know H-1 plain edge does not hold an edge as well as some would like, hopefully this one does.
Named after a Stan Lee cooking show from the early 80s. Not so sure about this as I've never really used a folder enough in food prep to warrant such a thing, but given how much I carry both my Techno and Bowie maybe it's worth a shot. Thanks for sharing Roberto!
Don't think to many ppl are push cutting food. Some instances you do when your rocking but that's generally not at the back of the blade. And I find the lc200N takes a very fiancé edge. Mine was at the point it could waddle hard a good 5 times on the same part of the hair
Wish it was made in golden.. I was thinking about purchasing this for a friend who loves to cook, and always cooks when out camping. He's doesn't carry edc and is not really a knife person, but I figured this would be an interest to him to test the waters.. especially in spyderco ;)
Am I the only subscriber who thinks this knife is a bit pointless? If it's main purpose is food preparation, surely there are better (kitchen) tools for the job? And at $200 who on earth would need a tactical carrot-cutting 'weapon'? Sorry for the negativity but it just reminds me of that old childhood story about The Emperors New Clothes. God bless and peace....(P.S. - the Bible quote is kinda nice too)....
If it helps, this was purchased specifically for when I travel (which is a lot). A folding knife that's good for food prep would be ideal for a lot of situations I find myself in, as I typically don't like to throw fixed blade kitchen knives into my suitcase. As an EDC, though, I see your point.
paul greenwood I agree 100% There are so many options in that price range for hand forged japanese knives. A folding kitchen knife has absolutely zero appeal to me but I respect other's opinion that like this knife.
This was a grail knife for me for a long time, and I finally got one recently (the newer CQI version).
I completely agree with the assessment that you "fall in love with it", this was my experience as well.
I really like this knife, but I do have 2 nitpicks;
For ME personally, it's a bit painful to one hand close this knife because the tang of the blade is sharp, and it rubs my finger on it's way closed (again, only when I one-hand close it). Second, I find the hole placement to be a little awkward, and I also find it to be a bit small.
Overall, I think this knife is quite beautiful (I know I'm in the minority), and it's definitely one of my favorite carry knives.
As a side note, while I really like the black hardware on the CQI version, I would LOVE to find some blue accent hardware for this.
For all the commenters talking about how it's a "kitchen folder", and a basically useless idea, etc., it is not meant to be used PRIMARILY in the kitchen.
Direct quote from Spyderco's website;
"the Spydiechef is an extremely refined folding knife that takes the user-friendly ergonomics and balance of a world-class chef’s knife and translates them into an all-purpose, everyday-carry folder..."
It is meant to be an EDC knife, it just takes design cues from a chef's knife, and it happens to excel at food prep because of that.
I’ve been using this on the cutting board since 2018. It rests on the cutting board for anything in the kitchen for utility purposes. Still use the other regular kitchen knives, but the Spydiechef remains the first grab knife in the kitchen as it rests on the chopping block. The perfect knife.
This is my favorite EDC knife. The smooth body, deep carry clip, thin handle width, frame lock, and no protruding pins or spydiehole. You can carry it in board shorts and wear it all day and your skin doesnt get irritated like it does with a FRN handle. The only thin I would want to change would be to smooth out the edges near where your pointer finger rests. Sometimes those are a little pointy. But thats it.
I love to cook and the thought of having an always sharp kitchen knife on me is appealing. I imagine it will come in handy when cooking away from home. Thanks for the video Rob, appreciate your insight as always! I want to pick one of these up one day soon when I can part with the $200 bucks. A SpydieChef paired with a GEC slip joint could be EDC perfection Lol.
Keep the FSB and review vids coming...man how I miss these😊
This knife is really growing on me... And not many of the new Spydercos have done that. It reminds me of my Junior, I think the Junior looks nicer, but I love how thin the edge is on this one. It's an odd ball Spyderco, and I love odd ball Spydercos, like the Junior and my all time favorite; the Tuff.
Lc200n is pretty much the same steel as Z-finit and in my experience it toom an incredible edge. Just by it's design (a low carbide/nitride nitrogen steel) it should take a keener edge than m4 and s35vn. Z-finit took one of the best edges in my experience alongside Nitrobe 77, Aeb-l, 14c28n and m390.
Thanks for another great overview Rob. I've had mine for about two months now and it really is a polarising carry knife (more so than any other I have). Some people really like it, some just recoil in disgust. Personally I really enjoy it, is it the best EDC? No way but it gets attention and it has a really graceful shape when you actually get your hands on it.
I think I like it. The blade looks like it would excel at dicing the way a pro does it with the repetitive rocking motion.(and good at other food prep). I'm not likely to buy one however as my kitchen knives do the job just fine and I don't foresee the need for a dedicated foodie folder.
late to the party, but as usual a very interesting review. the cqi model, thankfully has the ceramic detent ball, which should avoid the rust problem with the original steel ball. this design seems to radiate less is better, and on the whole, says "future classic".
I picked one of these up to carry in my EDC/truck pack specifically to use exclusively for food. To that end it serves its purpose for me...Not ideal for EDC I agree, but a cool concept nonetheless, and I applaud Spyderco for putting out such a variety of knifes that they even include some oddball designs such as this one.
Still need to pick up one of these bad boys.
hey rob just curious, any plans on reviewing the spyderco myrtle? I absolutely love mine and would like to here your thoughts on it.
Many thanks for doing this Rob! I don't mind waiting an extra few days in order to hear your opinions on this knife, and it's pretty much good news for me! As I think I mentioned, I purchased this primarily for food prep when I'm traveling and not necessarily as an EDC blade, so it appears the function is spot on for my intended use. Also, I guess it's worth while to mention that Spyderco actually does consider this as part of their Salt series of knives (as per their online literature). Thanks again, and God bless.
Awesome review. Thanks!
Love their coarse satin finished
YAAAAY! FSB VID!!! 🤘🤘🤘
I think it's a pretty cool knife. Love the Bowie though.
In Holland this knife costs, 370€...yes:( thats 425$...makes me sad!
new rob review!!!!!! love it
nice blister, does it have a name? ;)
I dig the spydie chef, it's just a very cool, well made and unique edc blade
Great looking knife. I would like to see how this steel performs compared to VG-10. I know H-1 plain edge does not hold an edge as well as some would like, hopefully this one does.
Little Higher edge retention little higher toughness higher corrosion resistance and equal ease of sharpening
Three Apostle P videos in one day + being snowed in by a blizzard = happy knife fun time.
Named after a Stan Lee cooking show from the early 80s.
Not so sure about this as I've never really used a folder enough in food prep to warrant such a thing, but given how much I carry both my Techno and Bowie maybe it's worth a shot. Thanks for sharing Roberto!
I think he captured the style aspects of a kitchen knife, but perhaps not the functionality... but I dig that.
nice blade
Don't think to many ppl are push cutting food. Some instances you do when your rocking but that's generally not at the back of the blade. And I find the lc200N takes a very fiancé edge. Mine was at the point it could waddle hard a good 5 times on the same part of the hair
Wish it was made in golden.. I was thinking about purchasing this for a friend who loves to cook, and always cooks when out camping. He's doesn't carry edc and is not really a knife person, but I figured this would be an interest to him to test the waters.. especially in spyderco ;)
What the heck kinda steel is that? O.o
Am I the only subscriber who thinks this knife is a bit pointless? If it's main purpose is food preparation, surely there are better (kitchen) tools for the job? And at $200 who on earth would need a tactical carrot-cutting 'weapon'? Sorry for the negativity but it just reminds me of that old childhood story about The Emperors New Clothes. God bless and peace....(P.S. - the Bible quote is kinda nice too)....
If it helps, this was purchased specifically for when I travel (which is a lot). A folding knife that's good for food prep would be ideal for a lot of situations I find myself in, as I typically don't like to throw fixed blade kitchen knives into my suitcase. As an EDC, though, I see your point.
paul greenwood
Thought the same thing Paul. However, those Carrots could get crazy.... Cheers.
I love mine. It's a great all around edc. Just marketing is all. Great in the pocket. Great for all around tasks.
paul greenwood I agree 100% There are so many options in that price range for hand forged japanese knives. A folding kitchen knife has absolutely zero appeal to me but I respect other's opinion that like this knife.
Looks like it could rock through some veggies... ugly though...
Why you'd want a folder for culinary use is beyond me. I mean, there's too many places for grossness to hide in it...
I believe Slysz is pronounced Sleesh, just a small comment. Nice video :)
Bobby Laurant No, he pronounced it correct. It's pronounced "swish"
Looks like a GTC design, fugly !
very ugly very over priced and utterly pointless.... typical spyderco