A.T. Barr Collaboration /One-Eyed Jack

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
5,094
Sal and everyone at Spyderco: It seems to me that a really ideal custom collaboration would be with A.T. Barr to make a factory One-Eyed Jack. This would be a fairly easy knife to design since it is very close in blade shape to the classic Spyderco asthetic. It could serve somewhat as a slightly less fancy version of the 25th Anniversary Delica. Maybe it could have jiged bone scales and steel bolsters like the Kiwi. I would want it to have a liner lock like the original and perhaps a 2.5" VG-10 blade. I guess if it was made in Japan, it could have an MSRP of about $150. If the scales and bolsters are too expensive, it would be cool in bolsterless micarta or colored G-10 also.
 
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For those wondering, this is a "One Eyed Jack." AT showed this off on the other forum back when he made it. Titanium bolsters and liners, S30V blade, blue G10 scales and backspacer.
 
I do admit that A.T. Barr is a famous knifemaker, but I dare to say that this knife doesn't meet even by far Sal's expectations. It is obsolete, it has bad ergonomics and integration. Just my 2c. oppinion, I don't want to cause arguments.
 
Just submitted on the other forum by AT Barr for Sal to have a look at:

"Cape Fear"

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A frame-lock version of the "One Eyed Jack:"
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dialex, you say
It is obsolete, it has bad ergonomics and integration. Just my 2c. oppinion
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You claim you don't to cause arguments. If so, why bother posting this opinion? An opinion without some explanation is not an opinion, it is drivel.

So, why is it obsolete? Are liner-locks, bolsters and flat grinds obsolete?

Bad ergos - I wouldn't know, I haven't handled one - have you? It is a pretty small knife - maybe it doesn't fit you well.

Integration? Sounds like a design philosophy issue here. What do you mean by integration?

Keep your 2c, or make a real contribution.
 
OK, Architect, let's start... I am aware that we all operate on different levels of perfection but I'll try to elaborate my oppinion.
First, about the integration thing. It's a feature most spydies have, and IMO it's a clear sign of a higher level of refinement. Let's take two knives, say an Emerson Karambit (whick is a pretty good knife at an unpretty price) and a Spyderco Calypso jr. (which is a discontinued, reliable and affordable knife). Look at both knives in open position. They have smooth curves, and continuous shapes from the handles to the tip of the blade. They are nice. Now close the knives and look again. The Calypso jr. keeps those continuous lines while the Karambit "breaks" the whole aesthetics with his back of the blade protruding near the pivot pin. It's a minor thing, you'll say, but the point is that Spyderco achieved it. I picked the Calypso jr. on purpose, as it's a pretty old model. Practically all newer knives made by Spyderco are looking good open and closed as well. Spyderco did it a long time ago, remember the Pegassus, Navigator, Meerkat, Native, Renegade ... and the list goes on.
Now the ergonomics. With all do respect, this knife has bad ergonomics. First, the lock looks pretty hard to operate, especially if you have meaty fingers (and freshly clipped nails) ;). Second, looks like when you open the knife, your thumb may hit the bolster. The hole is too close to the pivot pin. But what I dislike most is the lack of even the smallest sign of a finger choil or guard. You can easily cut your finger if your hand slides a bit forward.
I didn't say that flat grinds, bolsters and linerlocks are obsolete, I say just that them alone don't justify a custom collaboration. A custom collaboration, IMO is based upon the art to mix all those ingredients and make something good. And different. And that concludes my pleed. :grumpy:
 
dialex
First, the lock looks pretty hard to operate, especially if you have meaty fingers (and freshly clipped nails) . Second, looks like when you open the knife, your thumb may hit the bolster. The hole is too close to the pivot pin. But what I dislike most is the lack of even the smallest sign of a finger choil or guard. You can easily cut your finger if your hand slides a bit forward.
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1. As suspected, you have not handled one. Opinion deleted:rolleyes:.

2. A number of Spyderco designs, the original Centofante being the worst I can recall, had the problem of a hole set close to the pivot, causing a fairly sharp-cornered bolster to bite the thumb. Again, without handling it, who knows?

3. My C27 Jess Horn has no perceptable guard and I still have all of my fingers. Then again, I haven't stabbed any trees with it! :p

4. Integration - your statement basically positions the edged instrument solely as an object for viewing. While this might be a criteria that sells a few knives - many folks really want a knife that fulfills a particular function - for either auser or collectable. So a (your) subjective evaluation as to whether a design is "ugly" or not really has nothing to do with what the market wants.

A custom collaboration, IMO is based upon the art to mix all those ingredients and make something good. And different.
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I would tend to agree with you on this point.
I personally don't think that these two A.T. Barr designs shown represent a particular improvement on Spyderco's current offerings, so I would imagine that if Spyderco was interested in producing one of these designs that it would be primarily to work with A.T. to have his name attached. AFAIK, he is a sucessful maker.

That is my interpretation, and others obviously think those designs are unique, otherwise Anthony wouldn't have started this thread. That's coming from a guy that owns more production and custom knives than I can imagine.
 
dialex, thank you for your frank and honest opinion. No flame intended here.

I don't think a custom collaboration needs to conform to a certain unwritten design formula. If it looks good and makes you feel good, then "just do it." (With all due apologies to Mr. Hoffman and Nike). Of course, the knife must, foremost, function well for its intended use. A gentlemen's folder need not adhere to the requisite features of an MBC tool.

I have no doubt that the One-eyed Jack would succeed as a future Spyderco custom collaboration.
 
The "Cape Fear" knife looks very sweet...I would buy one for sure.

I would like to see Spyderco start using the frame lock on some of their models. (Military with a frame lock would be an amazing knife.)
 
I like the looks of the one eyed jack.It sort of puts me in the mind of a Walker.
 
Architect, I agree with you that the One Eyed-Jack doesn't break much in the way of new ground, but I think that A.T. Barr does a good job of taking the Spyderco profile and spicing it up. I think that with the Viele gone, it would be nice to have a regular production Spyderco that is spiffy looking or a semi-gents folder. BTW, I don't own as many customs as you might think. Being a fairly poor professor, I have had to always sell off much what I own to get new things. So I have owned many customs, but I probably "only" have about ten as I am writing.;)
 
I have handled AT Barr's One-Eyed Jack. I really like it. It is very comfortable in my hand (which I'll admit is small average).

In my opinion it is a very nicely designed piece. It would work well as a gentleman's folder. The Cape Fear version would make a great money clip.

Pam
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
Sal and everyone at Spyderco: It seems to me that a really ideal custom collaboration would be with A.T. Barr to make a factory One-Eyed Jack. This would be a fairly easy knife to design since it is very close in blade shape to the classic Spyderco asthetic. It could serve somewhat as a slightly less fancy version of the 25th Anniversary Delica. Maybe it could have jiged bone scales and steel bolsters like the Kiwi. I would want it to have a liner lock like the original and perhaps a 2.5" VG-10 blade. I guess if it was made in Japan, it could have an MSRP of about $150. If the scales and bolsters are too expensive, it would be cool in bolsterless micarta or colored G-10 also.
Click to expand...

Anthony, I don't know that I could afford your price mark, but it sure would be a nice knife!
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
Sal and everyone at Spyderco: It seems to me that a really ideal custom collaboration would be with A.T. Barr to make a factory One-Eyed Jack. This would be a fairly easy knife to design since it is very close in blade shape to the classic Spyderco asthetic. It could serve somewhat as a slightly less fancy version of the 25th Anniversary Delica. Maybe it could have jiged bone scales and steel bolsters like the Kiwi. I would want it to have a liner lock like the original and perhaps a 2.5" VG-10 blade. I guess if it was made in Japan, it could have an MSRP of about $150. If the scales and bolsters are too expensive, it would be cool in bolsterless micarta or colored G-10 also.
Click to expand...

Anthony, I don't know if I could afford your price mark, but it sure looks like a nice knife!
 
Fuller, hopefully if the MSRP is $150 or $170, the street price would be around $95-$110. That's not cheap, but it would not be horrible either.;)
 
if they make it with the bolsters and the colored g10 (or better yet micarta) handles then it'll be great, if they just slap a stainless steel or zytel handle on it it'd just be like another delica
 
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