Is there an inbetween from the spyderco ladybug and the $2 clones you see at auto parts stores?

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I’m sure you all know those little cheap $2 knives you usually see in a bucket on the counter of the auto parts store, they appear to be spyderco ladybug clones. Usually come in several colors and as cheap as possible, horrible factory edge and loose lockup…

Is there a knife between the $2 cheap knock-offs and the $35 spyderco ladybug? I have a ladybug salt 3 and I’d like to pick up another similar knife for when I have a good chance of loosing it I’m not risking the real one. If I have blade profile choice I’d prefer non-serrated.

2

The closest i can think of is the Sanrenmu GR5-605. Fasttech has it for cheap.

Closer to the cheap knife in price but closer to spyderco in quality.
A great little knife IMO.

3

I like my Sanrenmu H03 .

I think of it as a really sturdy bottle opener that happens to have a nice little blade and good ergonomics .

4

I carry the Sanrenmu GB4-612 shown here. Opening it requires some practice, not hard exactly, but it’s not a flick-open-with-thumb type of knife.

5

I got one of those cheap hawkbills as part of a package and promptly lost it after I fell in love with it. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a budget micro knife; the Salt version is also now a must buy (hawkbill, fully serrated).

You might look at a Byrd Robin.

6

When I think of a Lady Bug size knife the SRM-605 is the first one that pops into my mind. I have one and it is a nice little knife. Weighs nothing and cost $5-6. Made well, way better than any auto parts store knife.

7

The Byrd Robin2 at $18 is very similar looking, real spyderco and 1/2 price of the ladybug. I found several Navy knives while browsing threw the spyderco knock-off thread at bladeforums that look sumilar but I can only find one of them on exduct and its a 3” blade so quite a bit bigger than what I was looking for.

8

I would also recommend the Byrd line of knives, as they are basically Spyderco’s budget line.

If you can catch a 40% coupon for Sierra Trading Post, you can pick up a Byrd Crow for $15. Its a little bigger than the Ladybug, but a great choice for $15

9

I’ve got both the SRM 604 & 605. They are very nice, especially for the few dollars they were. I was tickled with the Tanto, but I’m just not enamored and they sit in a drawer. I honestly liked the cheap Ladybug clone just as well. If the Delica clone I got in the same package didn’t have a plastic clip it would be decent - these clones are from Taiwan, so that may be why. Still, the SRMs seem to be better built (excepting perhaps the chisel grind) but that is qualified since I don’t use them much and they are like new.

I can’t speak for the Robin, but the Byrd line are considered worthwhile and that is what I’d look at beyond the SRM knives.

After losing the cheap knock-off (only knife I’ve ever lost), I’d feel exactly the same as the OP about wanting a decoy/alternate for some uses. Heck, it’s why I bought the small SRMs. Frankly, I’ll buy a used Ladybug Hawkbill serrated in VG10 if I can snag one in the sub-$20 range - unfortunately, NIB prices are completely insane.

10

I just bought a fully serrated Robin. I don’t own any other serrated knives, but I understand that they make the small Robin into a good little cutter.

What are the Ladybug and Delica clones?

The Navy K607 is a clone of the Spyderco Lil’ Temp, and after sharpening one to 15° per side I have to say it’s a great little knife (according to someone on here better than the original).

11

It also has the advantage that you can adjust the pivot and remove the scales for deep cleaning if you so wish unlike the Spyderco

12

Which Spyderco? I can remove the blade and adjust the pivot on my Ladybug 3. Just need Torx driver and a plastic pry tool if dismantling (so not to damage the FRN).

13

Tho its quite a bit larger than the <2” ladybug the Navy 631 is a very nice knife and very spyderco looking. I’m no collector but I have quite a few spyderco’s and I don’t have any problem using the Navy knives I’ve bought as gifts and loaners, I have given a couple 631’s to my co-workers and have one in one of my go-bags, they’re very well made knives for the money. I know its not what you’re asking for but maybe still check it out, it looks very much like a spyderco clone without being a blatant knock-off.

I know its all personal preference but I just can’t get any use out of a knife with no pocket clip (like the ladybug), I have to much other crap in my pockets, my knife needs to clip on my left pocket tip down, no other options needed cause I’ll never carry any other way. Again YMMV.

14

Loved my small serrated, fast cutting with much less sawing. Takes a bit of time/love to sharpen them, though I find I can usually get by much longer than with a smooth blade. If I’m going to be slicing, I’ll reach for a bigger blade - preferably a Mora.

My clones were part of a $5 package of 5 knives I got from an online surplus dealer like oldgrouch or similar. They’re essentially similar to cheap knockoffs we sometimes see as an impulse item at various store counters as the OP mentioned, except the two I kept for myself were from Taiwan and better than the other 3 I passed along to others.

Here is the Delica my clone resembles. The thumb-hole is more milk bottle than round, there is an eagle in the circle, the moulding on the back is slightly different, and it’s stamped STAINLESS & ROSTFREI (rust free). I looked on both EBay and AliExpress yesterday and didn’t see anything similar to my lost Ladybug sized hawkbill clone. I’d buy a bunch of both if I could find them for $2 at the Taiwan quality of these (others were really crappy shiny coated very dull blades).

15

That’s a decent price for the old delica 1, I’m currently carrying a Delica 4 (plain edge blue FRN) its got a metal 4 position clip (vs. the original single position plastic) and the blade was reprofiled to make a stronger tip. If you shop around and wait for sales I picked mine up for $48 shipped ($57 - 15% sale)