A Chris Reeve-type titanium framelock folder.

Carlos

Carlos

Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
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Sal recently said on the forum that Spyderco really ought to make a CR-type framelock folder. He asked for opinions on whether it should be done as a new model, or a framelock version of an existing model. I've lost track of his post and will post a quote when I locate it.

To clarify the use of "framelock" here, I think he specifically means titanium in the CRK style - not a compression framelock, which seems to have been too costly/difficult to manufacture in production.

So what would you want to see in a Spyderco framelock?

Personally I would like to see something around the size of a Small Sebbie: A new design along the lines of a ParaMilitary II framelock (so to speak) or a Caly III framelock. With a 2.9 inch blade, and tip-up carry. USA made with Crucible steel - anything from S30V to S125V, I'm not picky ;) , and 6AL/4V titanium scales.
 
I'd like to see something the Seb ain't.

How 'bout a 4-4.5 inch Ti frame-lock frame with a 3-inch or so Caly style blade, but with a bit of recurve. Military size hole, please. For steel, something with a fine grain structure, M4 would be nice.
 
My vote is NativeIII style knife with flat ground blade, S30V steel. Compression lock of course in Titanium frame as in the Ti Salsa. Wire clip as in the UKPK, a low rider.
Now this is my dream, I know the chances of this hapening are slim, so a Para type framelock would be ok too.
 
The Sebenza style knife is growing on me recently, as are Ti handles and frame locks. Can't quite say why, but I am not as opposed to them as I once was.

Here's what I'd like to see.

Lock:
-Integral Compression lock(similar to the ATR or Salsa), but reversed, so the lockbar is on the other side(just because i'm left handed, but I don't expect that to happen)
-A milled tang for keeping the blade closed, instead of a ball bearing.

Handles:
-All screw construction.
-Beadblasted 6AL4V Titanium scales(beadblasing gives Ti superior grip).
-Spyderco ergonomics(the Sebenza has poor ergos, in my inexpert opinion)
-Some kind of aesthetic extras. Selectively anodized skeletonized holes, spacers, or clip. Not necessary, but could be fun. This could always be done aftermarket.
-Larger handle to blade ration(like the Para)

Pivot Construction:

-3/16" pivot.
-Phosphor Bronze bushings and washers.

Blade:

-3-3.5" Leaf blade(a nice wide blade would be nice).
-Full flat grind.
-Stonewashed(gotta be stonewashed) S30V(no super steels, otherwise this piece will price into custom range, and fewer buyers will be willing to shell out that kind of cash)
-Jimping on thumb ramp.
-Choil would be nice, with jimping as well.

Clip Options:

-Drilled for tip up or tip down. 4 way carry would be nice, but I'd like a dedicated left hand version(not gonna happen, but I can dream)

I've got a nice image of the ideal knife in my head, but as usual, can't quite find a way to express it. I'm curious to see what Sal comes up with in this category. Tough to produce a knife of this quality and still keep it affordable. I'd spend $200-$300 street price for something like this, but anything higher than that is Sebenza territory, no need to directly compete.
 
If this happens I know Spyderco will make it and interesting knife. So I look forward to seeing it… whatever it is.

One thing that Spyderco seems to do that bugs me is that the knife handles seem to be far larger than they need to be for the size of the blade. For example the Para Military has the same size handle as a Sebenza but the blade is significantly smaller. This is also true as compared to a BM 710. The recent Sprint Run of Goddards have the same size blade as a Sebenza but the handle is HUGE. So although I love the blade on the Goddard the overall size of the knife –for me- is exceeding large. ATR same story.

To me this means that I carry Spyderco knife with a smaller blade than I’d like, only because the handles on the blades I’d like to carry are so big.
 
Personally, I LIKE big handles on my knives, regardless of blade size. I like the security of having my whole hand on the grip. Like the Para and the Dodo for that reason. Back to the actual thread topic - to me, a framelock looks like a liner lock with the scale missing. :confused: So Sal can make whatever he likes, he just isn't making it for me. :)
 
Spydieopath said:
One thing that Spyderco seems to do that bugs me is that the knife handles seem to be far larger than they need to be for the size of the blade.
Click to expand...

I actually prefer that. I'm one of the odd ones though. I have little need for a massive 4-5" blade, but I have fairly large hands, so it's nice for me to be able to get a 3-3.5" blade with a handle that's substantial enough to have a decent grip on.

Different people prefer different things though. Some prefer to pack as much blade into the handle as possible. It's all about variety:cool:
 
Two models come to mind immediately.

Lum Chinese - I've been trying to shout this out in the other thread. HAIII Ti framelock with ZDP blade.

Paramilitary - ti framelock will really push this thing outa window like nobody's business.

Calypso Jr I would love to see, but it's a small knife and the framelock would be an overkill.
 
I'd like to see the knife have a 4-4.5" blade with bowie style blade the original chinook I.:thumbup:
 
A ParaMilitary II, Ti Framelock - Oh, Yeah
A Military with Ti Framelock - Please, please.
One of each - PRICELESS!!!
 
Paramilitary would be my first choice of the knives already in production to make into a Ti framelock. If they wanted to make a whole new model, I vote for getting RJ Martin in on the design. He already has a fixed balde in the lineup, why not a folder too?

It'd be nice to see some anodizing on the handles, perhaps used with the spyder logo. Maybe different colors on the Ti could be done for sprint runs. I would prefer either holes or some kind of machining done to the Ti for texture/grip as opposed to laying other material on to the slabs. For the blade steel I'd go for S30V or maybe CPM 154.
 
spyken said:
Lum Chinese
Click to expand...
Not worth it in the existing small size model. Would work really well with the 4" Lum Ti Folding Tanto. I have two in framelock and they really up the durability of this model over the liner lock. If not, then a 4" version of the Chinese would be just as great.
 
3 inch and under high flat ground blade and good blade to handle ratio ! I noticed that most of spyderco folders have longer handles than they should be. Also, blade grind closer to the handle, not use part of the blade as handle. ZDP blade !
 
I recently handled the Para-Military, and I’ve got to say I’m impressed. A Frame lock version would be well suited to this knife. Especially since the Compression lock is the only complaint many people have with it.
 
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