Ambitious

The Spyderco Ambitious may well be the best knife around for $25 or less! Although I wish it was made in the USA, or for that matter almost anywhere other thann CHINA. I'd have to admit the build quality and materials are excellent quality. I have been a knife user since I was 11, I spent time in the USAF Security Police and have nearly 20 years in construction so I'd like to think of myself as a person who knows good equipment and although I don't go out of my way to abuse it, my gear does by nature get a workout. I purchased ths particular knife for my son who after years of responsible knife use at job sites with me, trails backpacking, camping, fishing etc. is gong to get his first EDC spyderco folder. He has always liked all of the fine spydercos I already own and has a small fixed blade pack knife and a Fox folder that is a bit chunky that he uses to wittle wood at the campfire. My first choice was the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 frn for him but it is almost twice the price and no body has them currently. I thought this would be a great time to try out the Ambitious. My EDC is the Delica 4 which suits my needs well.The knife came in perfect condition and surgery sharp. The fit/finsh is as you would expect from any other Spyderco. As I do with all of my knives I clean them with alcohol [dirty from mfg process] and polish up the clip and blade. I check the lock-up which required no tinkering and put a couple drops of Slick 50 on the pivot. The blade deploys with a smooth, minimal effort. I like the dual jimping such as on the Dragonfly so a bit of grip tape on the under side of the blade gives a bit of purchase there. I also cut a strip for the area your thumb will rest when using, that really helps too. I know a lot of folks are hot or cold on the blade steel BUT time will tell, one thing for certain it should be as easy to field sharpen as AUS8 or VG10. ZDP189 is a fine steel but good luck sharpening it yourself! I really like the size and shape of the blade, it feels and cuts like a much larger knife. I am actually so impressed with the knife that I may just pick up one [ambitious or persistance] for a pack blade for myself!I will post updates good or bad as we give this little blade a workout.9/28/11: Update I was so impressed with the one I got for my son that I watched Amazon's price, when it got down to $22 w/super saver shipping I picked up one for myself. It came in perfect condition like the last one, only requiring a bit of blade and clip cleaning from factory dirt etc. It is a bit thinner and lighter than my beater [work] knife the Ontario Utlitac and a bit thicker/heavier than my regular EDC the Delica 4.

My first Spyderco knife and I like it. For heavy duty work, I prefer fixed blade knives, particularly the well crafted Puukko knives from Finland with their Scandi grinds. I like folding knives for light duty work. My favorite feature is the blade, I like the hole to open the knife and the shoulder where you can place your thumb to press down on the blade. I especially like the broad blade format, it makes prying open stuff easier without fear of snapping the blade. The blade was stiff to open in the beginning, I adjusted the screw with a T-8 star screwdriver to loosen it up a bit, in fact I really opened it up and dropped in some gun oil, then tightened it up to the point where it was easy to open but had no blade wobble. Using a T-6 star screwdriver, I tried different variations with the clip, I reversed it, removed it but ended up replacing it the way it came. Its nice to have options. The reason I like the clip is that is gives my fingers a place to hold onto when I close the knife one handed. The handle is non-slip and it is big enough for me to use 3.5 fingers to grasp the knife which is fine for me for light duty work. It is also sharp out of the box and I am looking at the Spyderco Sharpmaker as a sharpening system. I ordered a couple more models of the Spydercos from Aliexpress for under $20 as I was impressed with this particular model.

Purchased the Ambitious for my son, because of the Spyderco brand, and non aggressive style and size.Initial impressionSize.. I kind of imagined a smaller, shorter knife after, seeing how tiny the Manbug and LadyBug are, I was happy to see the size. Great size for most EDC scenarios. Not to wideBlade. Very thick for a short EDC gives it a strong feel, FFG, and ridiculously sharp. It cuts through paper extremely smooth like butter with just the weight of the knife on par with my new Spyderco Delica 4 FFG. It shaves hair of a fore arm with no pressure at all. My son has a bald arm now. Super funny.. I'm a a diehard Kershaw fan, and I'm actually thinking this knife arrived sharper than my kershaw Zing , blur 30v, and definitely sharper than my Clash..Weight. Feel... It feels light yet heavy enough to feel non toy like.. Very solidLiner lock.. Very strong, thick, actually it requires a bit much to move to unlock..Great little knife. Feels strong, F&F is great.. However G10 could be a bit grippier, however it's not bad. When I ordered it I was kind of uneasy about paying close to $30 for a 8cr13mov blade, and for the size.. However I feel it is a worth every penny. To the point where I just order the Persistence for myself for around $35 with shipping included. I won't feel bad beating it up because of the price

great little EDC knife, super sharp, never leave homw without it,