Origin: the birth of an icon

The Spyderco Tenacious was introduced in 2008 and was an important milestone for Spyderco. It was one of the first models to be produced outside the US, in China to be precise. This made it possible to produce a high-quality pocket knife at an affordable price.

The design is by Eric Glesser, son of Spyderco founder Sal Glesser. He incorporated many of the features that have made Spyderco famous into this knife: the thumb hole, the ergonomic handle and the functional design that takes precedence over aesthetics. No fuss, just a knife that works.

The Tenacious family: a solution for every size

The Tenacious was so successful that Spyderco decided to expand the model to multiple sizes, so that everyone can choose a knife that suits their preferences. This is how the Ambitious, Persistence, Tenacious and Resilience lines came into being.

The Spyderco Ambitious is the smallest member of the family. Compact and legal in many countries with strict knife laws, making it ideal if you are looking for a discreet knife. The Spyderco Persistence is slightly larger than the Ambitious, but still EDC-friendly, a nice mid-size for those who want just a little more cutting edge. The Spyderco Tenacious itself is the standard size, offering a perfect balance between carrying comfort and blade size. Finally, there is the Spyderco Resilience: the largest of the bunch. Designed for those seeking maximum cutting length or who have larger hands. Thanks to this smart range of sizes, Spyderco has a suitable model for virtually every user.

Features of the Tenacious

Here we focus on the original Spyderco Tenacious with 8Cr13MoV steel and G10 handle scales, still one of the most popular versions.

The blade has a leaf shape and a full flat grind. This sharpening ensures low cutting resistance, allowing you to cut through cardboard, food, rope and plastic with ease. With a blade thickness of 3 mm, it is sturdy enough, yet sharp and precise.

The thumb hole with thumb ramp provides extra control and grip. And, of course, the familiar Spyderco thumb hole is present for quick, smooth one-handed opening, for both left- and right-handed users.

The handle consists of steel liners covered with G10 grip scales. Inside, you will find a liner lock: a sturdy locking mechanism that keeps the blade securely open during use. The recess in the handle makes it easier to reach the liner lock and close the knife with one hand.

The pocket clip can be positioned in four different ways, allowing the knife to be carried tip-up or tip-down, on the left or right. This allows you to adjust it to your preference.

Other versions of the Tenacious

Since its introduction, several versions of the Tenacious have been released, with modified materials for those who want to get more out of their knife. There is the Tenacious Lightweight, with an FRN handle, for those who want to save weight without compromising on strength.

There is also a version with D2 steel, which is harder than 8Cr13MoV and retains its sharpness better. In addition, there are premium versions with top-quality steels such as CPM S35VN, which excels in its balance between sharpness retention, toughness and corrosion resistance, and CPM M4, a high-end tool steel that is extremely sharp and wear-resistant, although it requires slightly more maintenance against rust. Occasionally, exclusive special editions are also released, featuring unique handle materials, colours or steel types.

The Tenacious family continues to grow, and there is always a model that suits your needs.

Conclusion

The Spyderco Tenacious is more than just a pocket knife; it is the foundation of an entire knife line. Designed with passion and precision, built to handle any task. Whether you're looking for your first EDC, a robust work partner or an upgrade to premium steel, the Tenacious has proven itself time and time again. Discover for yourself why this knife is so popular worldwide and may well be the start of your own knife collection.