Spyderco Tenacious Lightweight S35VN Folding Knife - Overview and Review

Full review of the Spyderco Tenacious S35VN Lightweight folding knife.
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[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! Knives & Gear! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Thanks for watching! My Patreon - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex

[@nathannettik685]

The ratios on this one are like having a PM2 blade in a para3 handle, I dig it.

[@normal1972]

That is the great thing about the Tenacious. It is basically the size of a Para 3 closed, but has more cutting edge than a PM2.

[@msharmall7298]

Couldn't agree more

[@jameshuggins4300]

Just bought myself another rat1 in d2. Out of the box centering is perfect the action is good and it's drop shutty without being loose. Surely to goodness spyderco can make a quality tenacious for less than a $100.

[@biggdogg19]

Got one, and it is my most carried Spyderco for the past two weeks. I like it.

[@keats27]

I like some liner locks. I'm a big fan of Rats and Rat 2s. But if I'm payin' more than $100 for a folder, it had better have 1. good steel, and 2. not be a liner lock. UPDATE 10/2021: I have changed my attitude toward this knife. If you look carefully at this lockup, this is what a liner lock should be. I still would want to try it out, but....S35VN and a solid lockup like that...probably a winner at under $100.

[@-tzadakim-7805]

I wouldn’t blame the centering on the location. I’ve had spydercos such as the Manix 2 come off centered.

[@littlemouse7066]

there are chinese brands like Civivi (for the budget knives) We knife Kizer and Reate that make great quality knives with excellent finish and perfect centering so it's not a matter of being made in China it's a matter of who in China made them for Spyderco. And there are knives made in the USA that don't excell in finish and functionality too.

[@dyodes3143]

I Bought this knife on the 1st of September, and I Absolutely love this knife... super sharp.... cuts hair off arm sharp. Use it everyday and I bought it at Spyderco Corp office center in Golden the last knife of the tenacious on shelf. Great customer service great knife, will definitely be back to get a few more knives that I was looking at earlier.... great review as well thank you.

[@normal1972]

The blade to handle ratio and geometry of the blade are what has made the Tenacious good. You add s35vn to that and this is a really good knife. And it is still cheaper than some plastic handled knives with steels like aus10 so I think it is worth the money.

[@ronaldbarnes8302]

Always liked the way the Tenacious looked so when the S35 version was announced preordered one. Took a few months but am happy with it. A little stiff yet and after your video rechecked the centering which was spot on. So far so good.

[@kirkland0074]

I have many expensive knives but my everyday carry is a CF Tenacious, love the knife love the price!!!!

[@williambrowne5625]

Have this knife and also the native in 110 with the blurple G10 and carry the tenacious way more just due to the feel of the fit and finish

[@michaelhansen6802]

It's probably a $75-$80 knife with the typical Spyderco surcharge. If they updated this model with a compression lock at the same price, I think that would give a lot of "fence sitters" just enough added value to take the plunge.

[@msharmall7298]

Absolutely if it had the compression lock it would be thought of as awesome instead of "meh" by most spyderco fans. I don't know, I do think it's alot for a Chinese made boring beater knife, yet I just ordered one. The plainness and boringness of it is something I kinda crave, dunno why.

[@danofiremano]

I picked one up recently & the centering was better than the two in your video & I'm thinking it'll be a decent knife!

[@Tree_Stabbing_Troy_Lmafo]

I'm carrying my Tenacious s35vn today!

[@co302]

Not a huge Spyderco fan but like some of them (Native, Smock, Enuff). Like S35VN so much I ordered this Tenacious. Overall fit/finish is nice. Mine was off-center too and fixing it made it too tight to flick easily. FRN is better than I thought it would be in feeling and grip. Blade style is awesome.

[@darenpullen9864]

The ergs are nice but it is slightly off center. Good user with S35vn and FRN scales for $100. Hmmm, I wonder if it could go for $150. It performs well for $100.

[@iOBSD]

I like the Tenacious in S35VN and I'm a big fan of the FRN handles. Matter of fact I pretty much only carry the lightweight Spyderco's ... I want less weight in my pocket. Only gripe is it's a little tight. .. I wish it would loosen up like a Para 3.

[@matkhairi6206]

my pm3 LW s35vn which is US made also having an off centering issue as well. not a big deal as long as its function and awesome for edc. love my spidey

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I bought this knife for S35VN at this price point. Compared to Civivi, Kizer, or CJRB, this knife is not finished as well. The opening hole has sharp edges and the crown of the blade is sharp edged. The WE Banter is S35VN for $5 more and all of it is much better finished plus it has G10 scales (I actually like FRN, but G10 is more expensive.)

[@paulsantori8920]

I found one in Canada on sale for about $69 USD. Time will tell if this was a good buy or not.

[@bio6588]

Unrelated, but my manix 2 is coming tomorrow! Hopefully it’ll be good!

[@GreyRock100]

It'll be good

[@metal_complex]

Yep. It will be 👍

[@OsamaBinDarrel]

It'll be great! One of my biggest regrets is getting rid of my m4 manix 😢

[@GreyRock100]

@@OsamaBinDarrel I have one in S110V. Interested?

[@billystink4611]

@@GreyRock100 I have one in that steel too, holds a great edge.

[@badhombre8383]

I feel your a little critical of this iconic knife. It’s actually probably the best all around value spyderco has. So a basic manix 2 lightweight which I happen to love comes in at 150 with bdn1. Not mention the fit and finish on my manix 2 comes in 2nd to the 4 civis I own. So now this is available which comes in between a para 2 and 3 regarding size. So this has liners s35 great size and heft for 50 dollars less. Sounds like a bargain to me. Thanks for taking the time to review this knife for us!

[@johnj.baranski6553]

Had enough DLT points to get this for 30 bucks. Well worth it.

[@moparchallenger749]

Always loved the tenacious. I have several And will get this one for sure 😎

[@ashtonnovinger8322]

My centering is the exact same. "Precision off-centering" indeed. Haha I very much agree with your thoughts on it. I've never been so indifferent about a knife I've purchased. GREAT idea...but meh. Off centered, squeaky, tight, scales lift up above liners at the top... Won't stop me from using and appreciating certain things about it, though.

[@patrickfisher7179]

This one is actually my first Spyderco. I like it overall, I love the S35VN. What I didn't expect was liking the texture and design of the FRN scales, but I have some Flytanium scales already on the way... so, I'll see what I like better. And yes, the centering is off-center on mine too.

[@robertkidnley93]

Did you ever get those scales in I'm thinking about getting one of these with flytanium copper scales turning a 100$ into a 170$ is something that turns me on

[@billystink4611]

Idk, I have USA and Japan made Spyderco knives with similar fit and finish issues. It is what it is with their QC. I wouldn’t mind this knife, but I’d rather they charged a few extra buck and made a USA version. I’ll stick with my blue Manix 2 lightweight in CPM S110V for now.

[@ryanjennings6541]

Love spyderco and the tenacious, they lost me on this one light weight. Why not do the wire clip and no steel liners like the para3 LW's . I bought one anyway . Swapped the 8cr13mov for the s35vn blade in my OG black G-10 .

[@HarryUnchained]

My USA made Para 3 S45VN came in off centered as well. 😆

[@williamleidy6713]

Love to sharpen this steel. I could be down for this.

[@Arkie407]

Well, Gent... I ordered it & received it a couple weeks ago & like it alot, being my 2nd Spyderco after a Para3 LW Maxamet. Then I see your video! Dang your hide! Yeah, same issues with mine, sigh... So now, WHERE can I get a top quality replacement set of HARDWARE, and a deep carry pocket clip that'll hold up?

[@donniebarajas8564]

I appreciate this review. Thanks. Was on the fence with this one, you helped me with my decision.

[@chrisbernal1120]

Just ordered it today. Love my original Tenacious with 8cr13mov. Poop on China for sure. But a ball is a ball and a strike is a strike, like the Tenacious more than my Para 3!

[@davidbeck1696]

Cheers for the great review. What folding knife with the same steal and blade size as this one would you recommend me please. Just interested to see your view as I’m looking to purchase. Many thanks

[@Timmayytoo]

I sent one of these in and I agree with everything MC says about it. If you love the Tenacious just buy the G10 version unless you just like spending too much money on slightly mediocre knives.

[@rcjoe406]

Im starting to think buying the 60 dollar c3po steel one is a better value 🤔

[@jps2989]

The Tenacious is my favorite blade shape and size but have moved on to better quality. It was my gateway into nicer knifes.

[@c_solly5892]

I actually kinda like the scales. I have them on my Police 4 LW. They feel very practical, and provide plenty of grip for pushing or pulling slices. They aren't pretty, but they get the job done. The only gripe I have is the limited color options.

[@BrutalJuice138]

Agreed. Love them on my native5

[@TheGrenadier97]

Upgrading steel in a good design is a fair move, but i would rather see it in D2 under $50 to comfortably compete with other budget options out there - specially the magnificent RATs by OKC. Spyderco would never go that inexpensive way, i guess.

[@j.savage1228]

The m4 Smock dropped earlier but I talked myself outta ordering it. I want to see one drop in Cruwear.

[@URPLENINJA]

I bought theupgrade and swaped blades, now I have a green Tenacous, with s35.

[@Slippindisc]

I was on the list for this since it was announced but I just couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger this morning. Glad I didn’t

[@joytekb]

I prefer smaller blade like Para 3 although don’t want to splash so much on a knive in the begining so I take Persistance sv35.

[@stick9078]

Hey MC, did you get your Smock? They sold out inside of an hour. I'll take that as a yes 🤣😂

[@aonaran7571]

I absolutely am the Tenacious fanboy that has been dreaming of a better blade steel, but damn if that FRN isn't a bummer. I'm with you, I'd love to see a G-10 model that they go all out for.

[@aonaran7571]

@@MrHayes-cb7hp they really damn do, don't they?

[@boskix]

I just bought this and the resilience in s35vn too. Build quality is kinda meh.. but steel is premium. AND i love the blue color of the scales. :)

[@brodyberry6253]

This channel rocks! Thanks for another stellar review.

[@jd4edc]

Honestly for this money I’m hunting for a Para 3 lightweight for nearly the same money. I found the entry level black one for $99 before.

[@cvdubya5774]

Idk how you can complain about this knife at a $100. I know my comment is two years after the video but after 60+ Spydercos I just picked up my first Chinese made knife, a S35VN Resilience, and I couldn't think of a better work knife. I'm not afraid to abuse it and it fills the roles I need at my job. I actually ordered a second one the same day the first one was delivered to make sure I have a decent work knife for the next decade. BTW you kinda sound like Nutanfancy. I hate that guy 😅🤷🏼

[@metal_complex]

Sorry. It's just not they great by today's standards for quality. If it works for you, that's fine.

[@kristyler9497]

They are spydercos version of the griptilian,in my opinion.

[@jeffblase1435]

Centering continuely off on this particular Spiderco Tenacious (bought DNA Lasering scales very nice) would not center up on blade full rub evry time. .....3 hours frustrating

[@The4cp]

Say what you want I love it.

[@markarmstrong3394]

I carried the 8cr13mov till I wore the lock out. I had to sharpen it daily. Loved the knife design

[@Izolacija]

How did you wore the lock? How long did it last? I have never heard of this before.

[@markarmstrong3394]

@Izolacija I figet and open and close the blades like a kid with a toy really bad. I got a Spyderco military, rescue with wore out locks. So now I carry a manix 2xl. Only lock that doesn't wear out on me. I also got a Milwaukee hardliners with lock half wore out. Liner locks last me no time. I really go though delicas and enduras fast

[@markarmstrong3394]

@@Izolacija I carried it 3-4 yrs

[@Izolacija]

@@markarmstrong3394 thank you.

[@Equinox051256]

Even with the Tenacious at $60-$70, the Kizer Roach Mini seems waaay nicer with much better fit and finish!

[@JamesJones-yt8df]

Dude I'm (new in to knifes) the tenacious being sold at Walmart was a big deal. 8 cr what ever it was a sydercoooooooo

[@billystink4611]

Keep it sharp and it should be a great knife.

[@dr.oetqer]

It's a great knife indeed, even with 8cr13mov it's not bad, you just need to sharpen it a bit more.

[@jpolhamus71]

I love my cheap 8cr13mov tenacious .. great beater knife!!!! I have plenty expensive super steel knives but my go to is my tenacious !

[@cameronbottoms1118]

8Cr isn’t awful; sure there’s better but it opens the doorway into finding what you like and helps you find out if you like “Bigger” blades (calling 3.3inch blade bigger) as many people around here use them in retail and customers are scared of somethings.

[@billystink4611]

@@cameronbottoms1118 true, but you gotta be careful using them in retail, you can lose your job for not using the osha approved box cutters. Yeah 8cr is a good utility steel and is way better that some mystery steel you get on a gas station knife lol. “Stainless China” 😆

[@omargarza8667]

For that money i would rather get a cold steel recon 1, code 4, or American lawman

[@YerZippersDown]

Meh 🤷‍♂️

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

One of the things like I like about the Tenacious is that it has one of the better blade to handle ratios for a Spyderco. Still, I am not sure this stands up to the other Chinese offerings with S35VN and G10 or micarta at a significantly lower price.

[@mdubb4855]

I trust Spyderco to keep an eye on the subcontractor to make sure it’s really S35VN with proper heat treat. Also I’ve never heard of a Spyderco liner lock slipping off the tang.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

@@mdubb4855- fair enough. I similarly trust WE knives to handle Civivi and Artisan to handle QSP.

[@msharmall7298]

@@Abby_Normal_1969 I have two QSP liner lock models and they both fail a LIGHT spine whack test. I do not trust them at all.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

@@msharmall7298 - unfortunate. The only QSP I have is the S35VN Penguin. She has been a great knife with no lock failures. I think that it is fair to acknowledge the poor quality control in most Chinese companies.

[@msharmall7298]

@@Abby_Normal_1969 Agreed, and I assume their higher priced stuff is probably alright. One of mine was a 26$ Penguin.

[@mattphillips4384]

I'm going to do a blade swap with my sprint run g10 red checkered pattern .

[@danielcain6392]

They should also make a mid range tenacious for about $65-75

[@jeffreyfinney6930]

I'm glad my tenacious doesn't feel like a civivi those things feel cheap and very uncomfortable in hand.

[@josegulias]

What's better, this or the Sage 5 in s30vn, not 35?

[@j.hardesty446]

Dude, I just grabbed the M4 Smock you seemed so excited about it on one of your other videos here recently I couldn't help myself. hope it's good!! I just got the lil native M4 last week also.💩✌️

[@TheDontbeEvil]

The thing about spiderco LW is there isn't aftermarket scales for them.

[@Ravenankh]

I don’t get Spyderco. They should have just upgraded the Tenacious to CTS-BD1N and left the price the same…. Or even a mild price increase. But $100 for a plastic-handle knife with less-than stellar quality control? No dice. For $100, you can get the Kubey Vagrant in S30V with titanium scales. Also made in China but MUCH better quality control.

[@michaelhansen6802]

There are still some on Amazon right now for $101 - looks like a heck of a deal! I have heard some good stuff about Kubeys lately, and I am pretty sure a U.S. company would charge around $150 or more for something similar.

[@voidpunkprincess]

I have this knife and I tried to center it.....and the pivot screw head came off.....Any ideas how to get the screw piece out? Should I just hope spyderco will let me buy a whole new screw+ Pivot spacer?

[@bbaker3510]

I accidentally got sent one of these by knifecenter instead of another knife. It honestly was kind of hard to open, something I have never seen in another Spyderco. I opened it three or four times, I don't know if it would improve with more use. Didn't want to really try it more cuz I was going to send it back. It felt... cheap? 🥴 That is strictly a subjective thing I definitely wouldn't have bought one.

[@pvolkspvolks]

Thanx for the Vid!. Just wondering, how many inches or mm is the tallest(not length) point of this blade. Asking cause both of these blades look taller than my copy by a good margin.

[@gregoryblake3377]

I stripped a body screw how do I get a new one plus the spacers.

[@Patriot-rising]

Just purchase a Ganzo. The have Spyderco profiles and you can even get them with a ( axis style ) lock. I just do not have much respect for the Chinese made Spydercos unfortunately. The ones made in Seki Japan are really nice and the U.S. produced ones are pretty good as well. I have no experience with the Italian made ones however? I will have to get one. Most of my Spydercos are from the 80's and early 90's . It was when I was pretty excited about Spyderco products including their ceramics. Now the Spydercos are so surpassed IMHO. Sorry as I know so many people just go nuts over these which btw drives the prices to ridiculous amounts. Do I need to point out the knives that are out there using some real super steels for much less? Is the price of so of the Spydercos worth as much as say a Microtech Socom? Or Chris Reeve? There are also budget knives running Sandvik steels that are well under $100.00 now. I think I went into sticker shock looking at some Spyderco knives recently. I could not believe what they were asking for them considering materials and the same old boring designs .. If someone knows something I do not in my 45 plus years of collecting please let me know?

[@333chrispena]

Kick rocks! As I carry my s35vn tenacious.😂🖖🏾✌🏾

[@PLBW81]

any recommondations for a normal size knife (about bugout lenghtwise) but very robust ( borderline to overbild) no linerlock. at least Aus10A, price range 300 Euros, not over 130gramm?

[@nathannettik685]

Beginning for a blade swap, the g10 on the OG is great, the frn is meh.

[@murph9464]

Can you put the s35vn blade in a g10 tenacious handle?

[@RK-db4oq]

Name another knife that has this steel (with heat treat you can rely on), this size cutting edge and blade profile, with full drilled liners, and that is this light, for $100. You can't. Real people could care less if the blade centering is off a bit, though mine is dead on. The blade on my $145 k-390 Endura, however, is quite a bit off center. Things I don't like - there is no need for jimping on the liner, and the handle cut-out to access the liner is too large.

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

Eh I mean it's fine. Idk it's in my price range, but I would honestly just save up a little more and get a pm2, or manix 2.

[@superrad1659]

Shoulda offered it in G-10... I'd *MAYBE* consider one in G-10, maybe. I just can't get on board with the lightweight/FRN handles, they're kinda ugly lol. + weight difference btwn FRN and G-10 has to be trivial at best. Always wanted to try the tenacious but I jumped in straight to the para3. SOLID Franken-knife candidate.

[@PaulBeetge]

Okay, so you're saying no. But you don't recommend anything in its place. What use is that?

[@ihave7sacks]

Civivi Pintail has S35VN

[@danielcain6392]

Yo, if Spyderco made a tenacious in H-1 with yellow scales, I WOULD GO NUTS!!!!!!

[@nicaus7362]

All black Para 2 is my everyday . Syderco is legit.

[@invisibleshit8479]

Already have pm2 in s110v, no reason to get that one

[@billystink4611]

No doubt. That steel (s110v) has served me well on my manix 2, don’t see a reason to get Chinese s35vn.

[@matthuck378]

Honestly, I think the s35vn Tenacious is intentionally not great...They want you to spend the extra 50-100 more for a 'real' Spyderco. They won't outdo their other models, like the PM2, etc.

[@CKshouta]

I think most people would just pay extra money for US spyderco of comparable size and steel. I mean, I get the point of sprint runs and sleepers but s35VN isn't that special by itself, and putting it on a very vanilla blade that screams budget is not doing it for me. In contrast, I enjoy my K390 police lightweight because it's a fun sized knife in a quite special (and objectively good performing ) steel.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

For that kind of money you could get a Recon 1 from Cold Steel and get twice the knife.

[@YerZippersDown]

Twice the knife doesn't always mean you'll be twice as impressed. I PERSONALLY dislike coldsteel. 🤷‍♂️

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@@YerZippersDown Feel free to hate on Cold Steel all you like. You’re allowed to be wrong.

[@greatersoul]

Get both!

[@pop4803]

This or the manix lightweight?

[@jf4572]

Ya buddy, funny and informative 👌 👍 😄

[@ramonade_knives]

And spyderco's heat treat is not that crazy either ! Got a Kizer Sunburst (or sliver, the ref is not the clear) in s35vn, aluminium handle and all for 65$...

[@brianf9619]

I just bought the Light Weight Resilience with S35VN for $117 , that said , it's like putting LipStick on a Pig ....🤣😂😆😝

[@Zero_8347]

12:40 im that guy

[@dannyleung9448]

it's like upgrading the food at Macdonalds. I've had a couple of Tenacious but to me they're just beater knives that you don't care about. I use them to practice my sharpening skills lol.....love your reaction to it. meh

[@pascalmanders5781]

My current Tenacious has Flytanium Brass scales....hmmmm.... strip and rip

[@piperkennard1039]

You would think that after all the reviews in the last 5 years . You think they would take notice and go down in price to match other Chinese knife makers that give you a lot for less or they would keep the price the same and up the quality . With spiderco Chinese knives if they give you a little more quality they want to up the price. I guess they figured there name is worth more money. But it's a slap in the face to there fans like myself. I love spiderco that's why it brothers me so much or I could care less.

[@scottd1221]

What are your top 5 knives at the $100 price point?

[@metal_complex]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX2TgKGQmrqsq5Y

[@Knivesarecool]

Para 3 LW just seems like a better deal though

[@Izolacija]

Para 3 have an inch shorter blade because of the choil with the same handle. The only plus is compression lock, but minus is blade length.

[@Knivesarecool]

@@Izolacija2 years later I fully agree with you. I ended up selling my pm2 bc I couldn’t stand the choiI still have my para 3 lw though but the ctsbd1n is not the best

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

May as well throw in some extra bones and get a Sage 1/lil Native or something.

[@void1984]

Maybe S35VN for $80 instead? Additionally not made in China. That would be CS Code4 from BHQ.

[@metal_complex]

The Code 4 is made in Taiwan

[@michaelhansen6802]

​@@metal_complex That is a good thing! Not to get too political, but I bet most Taiwanese don't consider their often excellent manufactured products made in China either 😂.

[@CertifiedSunset]

Honestly Spyderco should have just sold the blade by itself as an aftermarket upgrade for $35, orlike he said at least upgrade the fit and finish if you are gonna ask $100.

[@jacksonbruning1395]

If you are wondering why your videos only have 5k views it’s because of you, just you. Your videos are some of the first that pop up when you search knife. The fact you have so few views is because of you. You just look at the knives and give your opinion. Do you know how many people can do this? My 7 year old nephew could sit here and flip a knife around and be like yeah I like it or no I don’t. Use the damn knives, do things with them and report back with your findings. This is literally pointless information and everybody can tell the type of person you are. You just review the materials and then give your opinion on the materials and the knives compared to all your other “cool” knives in your “badass” collection. You will get more views if your reviews are more credible

[@Izolacija]

He should look how stassa23 done the review and testing.

[@patrickharrison4746]

I mean, when you can get a para 3 lightweight with m4 for $120 ill pass on this tenacious