Spyderco Techno and Spyderco Chubby..are they worth it?

J

JDX

Joined
Mar 2, 2014
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I understand the exotic aspects of carbon fiber and titanium. And I understand that s30v is a good steel. But they are small knives, are they really worth it? I'm not trying to start and argument by any means, I'm just hoping that someone can enlighten me on what makes these knives so special? Can either one of them do something that my pm2 can't? Or is it strictly for the aesthetic. Because the chubby design just doesn't make sense to me. It's literally like its name states, chubby and stout. And the techno has a really cool design, but what can these knives do that makes them so expensive? Or is it mostly that people like the quality materials and slightly unorthodox designs and that's why they buy them? The pm2 is pretty utilitarian. I wouldn't necessarily call it a self defense weapon, and it gets used everyday at work. I don't think these smaller, more expensive knives from Spyderco could do some of the the same things I rely on my pm2 to do. Can anyone explain this to me? Especially if you own one of them?
 
More expensive knives rarely "do more" than less expensive knives.

Id wager that these are more expensive for a couple of reasons. The first being more exotic materials. The second is that the Chubby and Techno are designed by custom makers. Even though they may be expensive compared to other Spyderco offerings, they allow you to have a popular custom knife makers design in a package that more people can afford.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
More expensive knives rarely "do more" than less expensive knives.

Id wager that these are more expensive for a couple of reasons. The first being more exotic materials. The second is that the Chubby and Techno are designed by custom makers. Even though they may be expensive compared to other Spyderco offerings, they allow you to have a popular custom knife makers design in a package that more people can afford.
Click to expand...

Oh okay, I wasn't aware that they were custom makers that helped design them. Thank you!
 
I have both of these designs and they are both bargains. The Techno is the best made Spyderco that I have ever seen.
 
You should know that the Techno is usually CTS-XHP. Only one batch is made in S30V due to an error.
 
Consider the individual manufacturing processes that go into making each of these knives. On the Techno you've got titanium scales that have all the edges chamfered, then a milled G10 backspacer. On the Chubby you've got the extra work necessary to grind the swedge and there are also carbon fiber inlays. Those small features require extra work and time and therefore contribute to the price. Additionally, you've got an extremely thick CTS-XHP blade on the Techno and titanium scales on both. Whether or not these knives will actually perform better than a Paramilitary 2 is debatable and really depends on the tasks the knives are being used for. Personally, I love my Techno and I no longer own a PM2 (mainly because of the lock mechanism). If your PM2 satisfies you and you don't feel a need for a different knife, then don't get one.

All that aside, the question of value has been posed time and time again here. Performance-wise, most would agree the realistic point of diminishing returns is around the $200 mark. But at the end of the day, value is entirely subjective. Judging by your reaction to the price of the Techno and Chubby, you'd probably think I'm insane for spending $350 on a small Sebenza, $800 on a Shirogorov Neon, or nearly $1000 for a custom Strider SnG but it's like the difference between a Ford Focus and a Mercedes S-Class. Both will get you from Point A to Point B but one might make the experience more enjoyable.
 
I have both knives. You pay more for the following.
1. Titanium frame lock.
2. Thicker premium steel.
3. Limited runs.
4. Top maker's design.
I also have a PM2 green with CTS-204p and that isn't cheap due to limited quantity.
If you want to compare these 3 knives, and you are fine paying the normal PM2, then the price should be fine on the other two. You will be happy with either one.
 
I think the Techno is the closest thing to a Sebenza in quality that there is from any production company.
 
I understand the more expensive materials. I'm asking more of it will do a better job at what you need it to do
 
Absolutely a better job. 105% guarantee of your satisfaction.

If knife does not meet your expectations send to me free of charge for disposal.
 
Worth and value are relative, so only you can answer that question for yourself. I can only tell you that my Techno was totally worth it to me. It's a little work of art that positively oozes quality. :thumbup:
 
I can only speak for the Techno but it is by far my favourite Spyderco knife to this date.

Overall appreance and size of the knife. :thumbup:
Materials used with excellent fit and finish. :thumbup:
Comfortable in hand and pocket. :thumbup:
Great slicer. :thumbup:







 
The Techno is the same price as the ZT 0900. Both are Ti frame locks with premium blade steels and very similar overall dimensions. Is it more important to you to give your money to a Japanese owned conglomerate who makes the knife in the USA, or to give your money to a USA family owned company who has the knife made for them in Taiwan? That's a moral dilemma for me.
 
JDX said:
I understand the more expensive materials. I'm asking more of it will do a better job at what you need it to do
Click to expand...

Oh ok, in that case it depends on what you need as your EDC. PM2 has longer blade so if you need a longer reach if works better although from my EDC experience 95% of the time I never used the whole 3.5 inch. It is also better as a self defense knife compared to the other two. Chubby has thicker blade so it will take a bit more abuse, it also has a curvier belly so if you use the belly to cut things mostly, then Chubby is good for you. Techno is a knife where you want to have around non-knife people. If you work in a office full of people who get jumpy seeing a knife then Techno is your best choice of the three. It will cut and it will take even more abuse than PM2 and it is cute.
They will not do a better job than PM2, but to be honest a $50 knife will do the same job PM2 does.
 
Here are my opinions on both:
[video=youtube;vriNOeqcLfM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vriNOeqcLfM[/video]
[video=youtube;q-e-hTP1btc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-e-hTP1btc[/video]

JDX said:
I understand the exotic aspects of carbon fiber and titanium. And I understand that s30v is a good steel. But they are small knives, are they really worth it? I'm not trying to start and argument by any means, I'm just hoping that someone can enlighten me on what makes these knives so special? Can either one of them do something that my pm2 can't? Or is it strictly for the aesthetic. Because the chubby design just doesn't make sense to me. It's literally like its name states, chubby and stout. And the techno has a really cool design, but what can these knives do that makes them so expensive? Or is it mostly that people like the quality materials and slightly unorthodox designs and that's why they buy them? The pm2 is pretty utilitarian. I wouldn't necessarily call it a self defense weapon, and it gets used everyday at work. I don't think these smaller, more expensive knives from Spyderco could do some of the the same things I rely on my pm2 to do. Can anyone explain this to me? Especially if you own one of them?
Click to expand...
 
I own a PM2 and a Techno amongst my 100+ Spydies.....

The Techno is a very stout, heavy for it's size smaller folder- it's a 'heavy duty gents folder' in my book

The PM2 is more a jack-of-all-trades mid-sized folder- it feels a bit less dense, fills the hand more and provides more cutting edge.
The G10 gives more grip and the ergos are more suited to long cutting chores.

But the Techno is just gem-like to handle and use.....It looks amazing too- and (oddly enough) the little stubby blade is less likely to freak out office-drones ;)

Technically and from a purely measurement based perspective, the Techno can't do anything better than the PM2.....except take up less space in your pocket.

But technically and from a purely measurement based perspective my £80 G-Shock doesn't do anything more than my £600 Tissot and my old £1000 Ford Mondeo didn't do much less than my £25k Volvo S60.
....I know which feels nicer, looks classier and gets more comments....and which point more of a smile on my face. ;)

Your mileage may vary of course....On the flipside, I've looked at the Chubby and decided it's not for me- the blade shape doesn't appeal.
 
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