Spyderco Astute Folding Knife - Overview and Review

Full Review of the Spyderco Astute.
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[@metal_complex]

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[@jarodhall1910]

The hole on the clip also accommodates the pivot screw when carrying tip down, not everyone has graduated to tip up carry...

[@jarodhall1910]

@@imyouridol1605 I prefer to carry tip up. I understand wanting to help out lefties and the tip down people. Make more sales being able to make more people happy.

[@douglassmith3901]

I was about to say the same thing. My response is two years too late though, lol.

[@redastrachan8978]

Across the manufacturing board, it would be nice to offer 14C28N as a budget option.

[@Gpknives]

Great review. 👍 Gábor Szakonyi designed the Astute along with the Spyderco Hungarian. This is a favorite design for me and a great value for the price. Upgraded version premium and budget versions would be amazing. I am a Sanvik 14c28n fan (my vote) and I am glad to see it getting due credit for a solid performing “budget” steel.

[@dr.oetqer]

Thanks for the extra info. A upgrade with a Sandvik steel was exactly what I was thinking about, would be awesome. Still not an very expensive steel but way better and still easy to sharpen.

[@jonr1510]

They definitely need to upgrade the budget models to bd1n or something similar. A premium version of this knife would be really nice, love the design

[@jeffcanyafixiy]

THANKS M.C‼️ I've got an Astute, girlfriend bought it for me. I was proud of her for knowing what Spyderco was. I really like mine, great lil secondary carry, yeah the steel kinda sucks but not a biggie to me. Never used it for much other than cutting/opening boxes but she's a slicer. I disassembled mine to lessen the lockup, it had 2 bronze washers on clip side and 1 on show side. Seemed backwards to me 🤯 Take care, thanks for all ya do 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

[@Blckbetty6.0]

i love this knife i can get it shave sharp super easy i hunt whitetail and use it for processing and it cuts like butter, the grip is absolutely amazing and easy to keep a hold of, the blade shape is amazing for everything i 100% would recommend this knife to everyone and on blade hq they are going for 58$

[@hinklehymer6893]

"big, long, wet fart noise for 8cr13mov" killed me 😂

[@Edcreviewer]

Yep it's definitely not a good enough steel to cut tape on packages ... Need maxamet at minimum for that. Btw plenty of people understand that 8cr is perfectly serviceable and does a good job so long as the money isn't to much.

[@tidge879]

I think it's a really really nice design that got done dirty by the material choices. T8 screws all round, wire clip and some XHP would've been amazing.

[@zanethegundoctor5223]

Watching this as I'm unboxing my first Spyderco! A brown G10/M390 Manix 2.

[@roycolglazier1061]

YESSS, D2! On a budget knife, who cares if it gets a patina, even s bit of good old rust! I've GOT nylon scrubbing pads, CLP & cetra, and a diamond hone! An every day TOOL is different from a Sunday carry, esp. when I'm trying to be a gentleman and might need to display a little bit of "fancy!" Great review & just what's needed these days... 😁👍❗️

[@danielcox5849]

The Astute was my first Spyderco. It’s a decent knife for what it cost. I have thought about replacing the clip but it doesn’t seem worth it for a $45 knife.

[@dr.oetqer]

Too be honest, I don't especially care this one uses 8cr13mov. It makes a nice budget knife with good ergonomics, blade geometry and easy to sharpen up. Sure I would like a better steel like BD1N or a Sandvik steel. Would recommend against D2 as it's not as easy to sharpen if you're not experienced enough yet.

[@mdubb4855]

Beautiful design. + reliable opening hole; under stress less likely to throw the knife out of hand. + lighter than some lightweight models. + G10, full liners + Spydie 8Cr is really good. Arrives sharp. + blade is slim (no Spydie hump). + multiple clip positions. + no thumbstuds in blade edge travel - liner locks don't usually hold up well to spine whacks. - liner locks don't self close (like lockbacks) if jostled open - I've had knives with holes open from as little as a corner of handkerchief caught in the hole. I think you really under play AUS8 as a tough steel. AUS8, 4116 and 8Cr have done well in Joe X tests. +++++value. I just ordered one. Spydie, please offer black deep carry replacement clips.

[@RockyMountainBlades]

I picked one up today and I’m liking it a lot, mine was a bit off center but not too big of an issue. To me it really seems like a Ken Onion design.

[@bakagabor]

Bought the Astute last December. A superb small EDC knife with the blade to handle ratio, the very nice action (it's really smooth and snappy after breaking in) and it also looks better than most Spyderco knives with its nice, slender curves, its more traditional knife shape. (And I do like and own other Spydie models, but still, in the looks department this one's my favorite. My previous darling the Para 3 took back seat after acquiring the Astute.) The only downside is the steel and the non-deep carry clip. With a nicer steel this could be a real hit, on the other hand, the Chinese steel and production makes it a budget favorite. Highly recommended for non steel snobs/the budget conscious. Let me repeat: highly recommended. EDIT: It really-really should come with a wire clip. I replaced the factory one with a clip from a Ganzo, it sits much deeper, with only a good cm/half an inch sticking out.

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

Spyderco's budget line are in general, amazing knives as far as design and functionality. A D2 Tenacious, Astute, or Efficient would be game-changing.

[@MBroam]

I have the Tenacious and it's fit and finish is nearly as good as on my Manix 2. I was very pleasantly surprised.

[@carmelotansengco4605]

I wish Spyderco would use Sandvik 14C28N for their budget line. Really love that blade steel.

[@aaronl8609]

Have a great day guys

[@tfwoodcraft]

i had a tenacious but got rid of it because it was a little janky on the fit and finish, but also because it was so tall it took up a lot of my pocket. I often wear slacks or chino style pants for my job so i don't like having my knife take up half of my pocket. This size looks great. do you know if Spyderco has anything else that is narrow like this but made in the US?

[@buckshot1955]

I put a short Benchmade deep carry clip on mine, it fit and works perfect. Amen to the D2.

[@mathieubeaulieu774]

Its in 8cr13mov

[@dr.oetqer]

I was thinking the same, to put a short Benchmade clip on it, hole pattern looks the same.

[@buckshot1955]

@@mathieubeaulieu774 I know. MC was saying he’s tired of 8cr13mov and that it would be nice to see d2, to which I replied…..amen. Amen.

[@mathieubeaulieu774]

@@buckshot1955 amen for sure then! 🙏

[@adoseofdrew]

Yay!! Kinda wish it was 14C28N, great knife, glad to send it along 😃👍🏼🙏🏼🖖🏻

[@Lex5576]

I love Spyderco's leaf shaped flat ground blades. IMO, best slicers ever made. I don't mind 8Cr13MoV steel. It holds a decent edge long enough for the things I'm going to be cutting, which is mostly apples, small pieces of wood, box tape, etc. I wouldn't tackle the same things with the Astute that I would with a Manix or Military of course. My only gripe with the Astute is the size of the handle. It looks a bit small for my large hands, but I do like that blade.

[@joeeasterling5652]

I just ordered my first Spyderco. It is the Tenacious and I don't think the steel is much better in it. I am awaiting on it to arrive and I am excited to carry it some. I have 2 Keeshaw knives with 8CR 13 and they do the job I bought them for. They are in the drawer in the end table by my chair and open letters and cut paracord for my projects. I will order an Astute and see how I like it. 200 bucks to try a brand is expensive. So I like to try the budget knives first.

[@Edcreviewer]

All the china line except for the polestar and it's little brother all have 8cr13mov as do most of the Byrd knives

[@kerrykitterman9714]

Got one about a year ago. 😌 I love the shap great E D C .for the Money..like it .g 10 beats out the spyderco plastic scales. Takes a good edge. Rarely cut anything with it. But it's a User. 🤑

[@victorgonzalez77766]

I love my spyderco Astute it shoots out like a firecracker and fits in my hand like a glove. I dare say I like it more than my spyderco paramilitary 2.

[@jeffreyfinney6930]

I guess I'm odd ball out here I love 8cr13mov gets sharp easy stays sharp for a good while that's why I keep buying the budget line.

[@THC800]

I love the Astute. The design of it is great and had a lot of pocket time in my pocket. I just wish it came in better steel :(

[@propblast82nd]

Top of the mornin MC !

[@thunderlyte3221]

Why do people hate so much on 8cr 13mov? It's a softer steel sure but it has been used for years. I don't think it's as bad as most people make it out to be.

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

Knife steels are weird, they don't really matter, functionally, for the average user. But if you KNOW about steel, then you'll notice every time it gets a bit dull, etc. It's one time when ignorance really is bliss.

[@MrTuffCookies]

I actually don't mind 8Cr or AUS-8 all that much. For just running around town or as a gift, it's perfectly fine, generally. Easy to resharpen when given as a gift, too, which is nice. I don't have any experience with it yet, but from what I'm hearing of AR-RPM9, I hope more companies develop an analog to that, to become another budget blade standard. Usually my budget go-to is 14C28N (yea, I had issues with D2 rusting on me, so that's a no-go for me) but RPM9 seems very promising in comparison. Also... Part of that $16 is going to the warranty. Many other Chinese knives in this price range have little to no support/warranty, but Spyderco customer service is pretty solid.

[@Edcreviewer]

Rpm9 is so close to normal ingot 9cr that you would not have a chance of telling a difference between the two. So if you low rpm9 then you will love 9cr18mov.

[@landontreinen3062]

Another competitor for this would be the Becker BK40 by KA BAR. If I was in The market for a budget beater, I may go that route instead, and I’m a total mark for Spyderco. That being said, still a great budget knife for 40 bucks.

[@sahb4049]

Spyderco 8cr isn't so bad actually, and the astute is one of the very few designs from them I like.

[@amunderdog]

Change the lock type and it may be interesting to me.

[@aaronl8609]

I see a WHITE M4 Para3 just released

[@CHUCKIT]

I do like the blade shape..

[@XGurro]

That design looks really good. Gives me a reverse Kukri vibe. Thinking Ka-bar Kukri blade shape for handle, and Kukri handle shape for blade. Where is my brain? I need to sleep more..

[@christophwilhelm6431]

Folding Canadian belt knife

[@XGurro]

@@christophwilhelm6431 absolutely! I see it too! 😳

[@seanthomas8864]

If the steel was better I'd definately grab one. I still might anyway.

[@tonyhoodlass1846]

Great knife for the mopney

[@Mettle_DAD]

Agreed if this knife had d2 or bd1 and a wire pocket clip id b all for it. Also why no milling of the liners? Thought that was pretty standard practice now days. Love the overall shape. Kicks the tenacious' butt imo. A spydy that isnt ten miles wide in the pocket cuz of the spydy hole. Yes plz

[@Edcreviewer]

The kapara might be right up your alley!

[@feetpiece_704]

Looks like GradeAUnderA commissioned a knife. In all seriousness the Astute replaced my OG Police Rookie as my favorite knife.

[@jpolhamus71]

not everything has to be a super steel.. Sometimes you just want something to beat on that can take it.. hell my hard use knife is a 8cr13mov tenacious..But that being said the prices should match the steel choices

[@nascarracer886]

N690? Or Civivi BO?

[@shaggy_e210]

Mine doesn't get enough use since I've got my para 3's

[@Cyanoblades]

They must of had extra clips at Spyderco China with the lanyard hole lol

[@danielcox5849]

The hole in the clip is for the pivot for tip down carry

[@Cyanoblades]

@@danielcox5849 Tip down carry? What's that? :)

[@dr.oetqer]

@@Cyanoblades 🤣🤣🤣

[@danielcox5849]

@@Cyanoblades Not something I do!

[@zackvega9596]

This design really needs the Taichung treatment. Ti frame lock (or compression lock and CF), wire clip, and s30v or better. Also, such a missed opportunity that they didn't name this the Stink Bug 😂

[@klaassiersma4892]

I like the overall design of it, but it realy stops there for me. Why no wire clip on these small Spyderco's? It seems that Spyderco is not coming out with manny intresting knives lately, mostly FRN and low budget stuff. Yes a lot of dealer exclusives you can't get outside the US i wonder What's wrong there.

[@joshlangham4320]

Awesome

[@richardkev3077]

I’m confused. Spyderco already has a cheap, Chinese-made line of knives called “Byrd”. Why are these competing with Byrds?

[@Edcreviewer]

To give more of a Spyderco feel than Byrd does but at a higher price point. Basically covering both ends of the budget and ultra budget knife worlds.

[@Ravenankh]

It’s frustrating how close the Astute comes to being decent. Spyderco could have easily used CTS-BD1N and a wire clip and still keep the price down. It does on the Cat (which uses nylon washers). Meanwhile, Civivi, CJRB, Kizer, and Kubey are offering WAY better materials and design for similar if not better prices.

[@pioong7443]

Here as usual :>

[@FREAKCROW]

Sheeeesh 😤

[@wupwop]

Heck yeah

[@MayhemMechanic]

The steel kills it for me. I know I dont need much more than that, but I don't want to have to sharpen my knife every week🤷‍♂️

[@Edcreviewer]

Like some good ol china done up m390? Mmmmm yeah it will cut much longer! Lol

[@Pharto_Stinkus]

Knife steels are weird, they don't really matter, functionally, for the average user. But if you KNOW about steel, then you'll notice every time it gets a bit dull, etc., and lesser steels will bother you. This is one example where ignorance really is bliss.

[@brinkerhoff8]

For the love of God clean off that PM2 blade! 😆

[@OregonBorn]

Dragonfly is better though

[@brettt1268]

Blah blah steel just buy it man support USA 🇺🇸 98% don’t need 20cv or zdp189 ya 14c28n and 154cm would amazing for 64 bucks but just buy it anyway snob. Stain

[@Edcreviewer]

But it's a china made knife lol ...

[@thomaspiccolo4596]

This guy is a snob. If it wasn't for the cheaper knives he wouldn't have nothing to say. He thinks he is a know it all.

[@JamesJones-yt8df]

667 th view . THANKS FOR SHARING