Knife Review: The Spyderco Tenacious

I’ve been looking for a new EDC to carry out basic everyday tasks like opening packages, removing tags, pretty simple things. I knew I wanted a mid-sized Spyderco knife that had a reasonable price, so I went for the Spyderco Tenacious.

Here’s what I think of it.

First impressions

With an overall length of 7.76 inches and a weight of 4.1 ounces, I found this knife a bit larger yet lighter than expected. The construction on this knife is nice and tight. There is no blade play whatsoever. I’ve heard some complaints about the Tenacious being difficult to open, but the blade on this knife engages smoothly and effortlessly with a nice snap.

Blade

The blade is 3.39 inches long and .118 inches thick. It’s a good blade thickness for more nuanced jobs, but there is added strength from the thicker spine. There is also some nice jimping—small indentations at the bottom of the spine—which gives better control. The blade has a flat grind leaf shape and a good-sized belly for efficient slicing.

Some other features on the blade include two Spyderco notables. The first is the recognizable Spyderco logo, which is nicely etched into the blade. The other is Spyderco’s trademark round hole that takes the place of the thumb stub. Some people complain about it, but I find the hole comfortable and perfectly placed. It allows for easy one-handed opening without putting pressure on one point of your thumb.

While I love the round hole, it causes a hump at the top of the blade, which makes the closed knife wider than I expected. The knife’s about 1.7 inches wide when closed. Although it’s not too much of an issue when opened, it stands out when closed.

Finally, I opted for the straight edge, but you can also get serrated and partially serrated.

Steel

I’ve read some polarizing accounts with the Spyderco Tenacious steel. The 8Cr13MoV of the Tenacious is pretty good quality, though it is one of the reasons the knife is so inexpensive. 8Cr13MoV steel is slightly better than AUS-8, and the most notable aspect is its hardness. The Chinese steel of this knife is only adequate for edge retention, but it depends on what you’re using it for, of course.

Although the knife is technically considered stainless steel, it is far from rust-resistant. In repeated use in wet environments, it’s susceptible to corrosion. However, regular cleaning and oiling will help preserve the blade.

Handle

The G-10 handle has a lot of love about it. First, it’s extremely comfortable and has a nice grip. It’s ergonomic, so it fits the contours of my hand. Even more impressive is the inside of the handle. Inside are skeletonized steel liners that give added strength to the knife without adding too much bulk. It also has a pillar construction, which makes cleaning easier and takes off some weight.

Another great thing about the handle is the pocket clip. Fully customizable, the clip can be adjusted to your preference: tip up or tip down and for the left hand or right hand. Although I haven’t tried to remove the pocket clip because it came exactly how I wanted it, I have heard criticism that the screws are easily stripped, so you should exercise caution if removing them.

Final Verdict

I set out to find a new EDC, and I have found one in the Spyderco Tenacious. The knife boasts quality construction and is extremely comfortable. Some of its weaknesses, including the less than stellar steel compared to high-end knives, can be made up with regular cleaning, oiling and sharpening. The knife sells for $50, which is on the low end for Spyderco knives, so you should definitely pick up a Spyderco Tenacious if you need a new pocket knife.