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Spyderco Paysan Voted Best New High-End Folder 2019

December 9, 2019

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

The Spyderco Paysan is the KnifeNews Readers’ Choice for Best New High-End Folder 2019 (MSRP of $300 or more). The second Peter Rassenti integral from Spyderco secured its accolade from other contenders including the Benchmade 496 Vector, Medford Knife & Tool Praetorian Swift, We Knife Co. Aeterna, and Zero Tolerance 0223.

There’s a timeless quality to Rassenti’s work. His lines are bold, but also simple, clean, and logical; everything makes sense and is in its place, both as a work of art and as a usable tool. The Paysan captures the essence of this perfectly. From the no-nonsense linearity of the handle to its work-ready wharncliffe blade, the Paysan, on paper, looks almost like the Platonic Ideal of a working knife.

The integral handle is more than selling point or a machining accomplishment. The lack of hardware on the handle means that dimensions can be dialed in, the made knife lighter; at 4.4 oz. the Paysan feels and carries like a knife in a size class down.

But, of course, it’s the details and finishing that make the Paysan stand out and identify it as a Rassenti. It’s an integral, and a slim one at that. The finish on the single-piece titanium handle is immaculate, the grinds clean; combine those features with a universal softening of non-cutting edges and the result is a knife that is hypnotic to look at.

So for most, the Paysan is probably going to end up as a collector’s piece, something to be carried every so often, but more to be admired than used. But Rassenti and Spyderco paired every luxe flourish with a functional angle. No mere showpiece, the Paysan makes straddling the divide between collector’s item and high-end user look easy.

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow to find out the winner of the Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Value Folder (MSRP of $100 or less).

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Monday, December 2nd: Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2019 (WINNER: Spyderco Respect)

Tuesday, December 3rd: Best New Fixed Blade for EDC 2019 (WINNER: Ferrum Forge Lackey)

Wednesday, December 4th: Best New Outdoors Fixed Blade 2019 (WINNER: ESEE Knives AGK)

Thursday, December 5th: Best Knife Upgrade 2019 (WINNER: Kershaw D2 Emerson Models)

Friday, December 6th: Best New Slipjoint/Non-Locking Knife 2019 (WINNER: Chris Reeve Knives Impinda)

Monday, December 9th: Best New High-End Knife 2019 (MSRP of $300 or more) (WINNER: Spyderco Paysan)

Tuesday, December 10th: Best New Value Folder 2019 (MSRP of $100 or less)

Wednesday, December 11th: Best New Folder 2019

Thursday, December 12th: Most Innovative New Knife 2019

Friday, December 13th: Work Sharp Knife of the Year

Monday, December 16th: Best Overall New for 2019 Lineup

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