Amsterdam Meet 2014 Report of Upcoming Spyderco Prototypes

[bakofried]

I'm just giving kudos to Spyderco for addressing rape in the military. On the bleeding edge of gear and social issues at the same time: quite a feat.

 

[jtoler_9]

Why is it surprising that Spyderco would produce a knife designed or requested to perform one specific task, but useful for a number of other things as well? How many people who buy a Warrior will ever actually need to de-animate a sentry?

I think the surprise is more about the fact that this is a big enough problem to warrant a response of this nature, not that Spyderco cares enough to create a tool specific to the task.
Regardless, I am glad Spyderco cares about the Men and Woman in uniform. Hopefully the Military can help curb these types of events from happening as well. I am sure they are doing all they can. It's sad that it happens at all.

 

[uofaengr]

Beats having a whistle.

 

[Mr Blonde]

I received some important additional information on the ARK design by Sam Owens. He is not the sole designer. Mr. John Shirley played a very important role in the development of this design. In his own words, Sam Owens would like to add: “John is the vision and drive behind this. I’m just “the messenger.” That’s why it is the Shirley-Owens ARK.”

 

[Mr Blonde]

The Battlestation was shown for the third year, each year saw some new refinements. The design was now a production sample. Sal and Eric explained that it usually takes a long time to bring a design to production. On average it is about 2 to 3 years, sometimes faster and sometimes longer. A delay can be caused by many things, such as a customer feedback or innovations in production or materials etc… The main point is that the goal is to produce the design ‘right’ and not just ‘quickly’.

This version of the Battlestation was very smooth; it lost some of the jimping on the handle so it should slide more easily in and out of a pocket. The handle features G-10 scales over full steel liners. I gathered the knife was designed to be a heavy duty self defense folder. The handle is very ergonomic for both a forward and reverse grip. In a reverse grip it is easy the cover the cap end of the handle with your thumb.

The Battlestation did handle like a small stout little folder. And the handle was certainly very ergonomic for both a forward and reverse grip. Personally, I’m not a big fan of tanto folders, but I’m sure there are many who are.

The specs we measured are approximately:
Overall Length: 18,7 cm / 7.36 inches
Edge Length: 6,7 cm / 2.63 inches
Blade Length: 7,8 cm / 3.07 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,35 cm / 0.13 inches

 

[Mr Blonde]

I’m afraid I didn’t pick up any background information or details about this fixed blade design by Gayle Bradley, as I was photographing other knives when this knife was presented. This is really a shame as it is a beautiful and practical design. I’m sure my fellow attendees will be able to share more info on this design.

The approximate specifications of the Bradley Fixed Blade prototype are:
Overall Length: 25,5 cm / 10.03 inches
Edge Length: 11 cm / 4.33 inches
Blade Length: 13 cm / 5.12 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,4 cm / 0.16 inches

 

[seelow123]

That GB fixed blade is gorgeous :thumbup:

 

[Mr Blonde]

The Chubby prototype, designed by Michael Burch, was one of my personal favorites from this year’s meet. Apparently, Michael Burch has been making this design for some time and it’s been refined over the years. The dual beveled blade allows for very easy penetration.

This knife reminded me a bit of the Spyderco Poliwog, which I’ve carried for a few years as an EDC. The Chubby is much more beefy and fills the hand even better. The titanium handle and integral lock make for a relatively lightweight folder. I think the all steel Poliwog was heavier. The knife handled very well. I think the circular inserts are carbon fiber. I’m usually not a fan of custom makers’ clip designs, versus Spyderco designed clips, but this clip turned out well. It wasn’t too sharp and didn’t pinch the hand in my grips. After I was done taking these photos, I made a mental note to put the Chubby on my wishlist.

The approximate specifications of the Chubby prototype are:
Overall Length: 15,1 cm / 5.94 inches
Edge Length: 5,7cm / 2.24 inches
Blade Length: 5,7 cm / 2.24 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,4 cm / 0.16 inches

 

[seelow123]

Holy hell, That Chubby is awesome! That's a definite must get for me.

 

[9blades]

THANK YOU as always Mr. Blonde for taking the time to post photos and write a description, it's much appreciated! The Burch looks fantastic, I'm excited to see these at Blade Show.

 

[Mr Blonde]

The Dice is a smaller version of the Domino, that came about through by customer feedback. The Dice has many typical Spyderco features such as a leaf shape blade, full flat grind and a double distal taper. The pivot is made with ball bearing washers for a super smooth opening action, using the flipper.

Despite the ‘shrinking process’, the ergos were very good. Using the choil, I could get a full grip on the knife. The flipper doesn’t intrude on opening the blade with just the thumb hole which is something I like. I’ll probably end up with a Dice in my carry rotation, as I’m a sucker for Li’l Big Knives.

The approximate specifications of the Dice prototype are:
Overall Length: 16,7 cm / 6.57 inches
Edge Length: 6 cm / 2.36 inches
Blade Length: 6,2 cm / 2.44 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,25 cm / 0.09 inches

 

[A Justice]

I really like the Gayle Bradley fixed blade. It's a beautiful design, I hope it makes it to production sooner rather than later :thumbup:

Why is it surprising that Spyderco would produce a knife designed or requested to perform one specific task, but useful for a number of other things as well? How many people who buy a Warrior will ever actually need to de-animate a sentry?

Whoah, way to put words in people's mouth slick. Nobody is questioning Spyderco or the maker's intentions, or seriously saying that the knife will only work if you're being raped in a shower - but sometimes a new knife design is not the best response to every problem. There should be some major responses from the Military and government to such a problem; imagine the outcry if the only response from the government was to issue all the female soldiers small knives. Also, I think that a company like Spyderco needs to consider the unique position that marketing a product as a "Military Shower Rape Prevention Knife" puts them in. Why not just leave that part out of the product description, make it a general self defense neck knife, and instead host seminars on bases that get that information in the hands of the ones that need it?

 

[B.F.U]

Why are none of the images showing up for me?

 

[flatblackcapo]

Why are none of the images showing up for me?

They are working for me . Try refresh?

 

[nccole]

I really like the Gayle Bradley fixed blade. It's a beautiful design, I hope it makes it to production sooner rather than later :thumbup:

I am liking it too. The blade steel was unknown to me. Found this on Zknives.com "PSF27(Carpenter) - Yet another version of D2 steel, made by Carpenter, using Spray Form technology." Surprised it is not M4.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Also, I think that a company like Spyderco needs to consider the unique position that marketing a product as a "Military Shower Rape Prevention Knife" puts them in. Why not just leave that part out of the product description, make it a general self defense neck knife, and instead host seminars on bases that get that information in the hands of the ones that need it?

Mr Blonde's description isn't official Spyderco literature. He is a Spyderco enthusiast much like most of us here. He probably heard that while the maker/Spyderco was talking about the piece, and added it to his cliff notes to put on HIS description. So... No, I don't see them marketing it as a rape knife just yet. Even the Spyderco Matriarch which was literally requested by a dealer FOR women isn't marketed by Spyderco as a "rape knife". "Why not just leave that out of the description and make it a general self defense knife"...Yes, I think that's what they are aiming for with this knife along with general purpose... They didn't leave it out because it wasn't them. So slow down there slick.

 

[Mr Blonde]

The Dog Tag Folder is a small, stylish folder that would fit great on your dog tag chain, imagine that. ;-) The blade doesn’t lock, it has a type of slipjoint action that ‘secured’ the blade quite firmly in the open position. The blade is ground on one side only.

The approximate specifications of the Dog Tag Folder prototype are:
Overall Length: 8,1 cm / 3.19 inches
Edge Length: 2,7cm / 1.06 inches
Blade Length: 3,1 cm / 1.22 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,3 cm / 0.11 inches

 

[Mr Blonde]

I’m happy to see this Dragonfly in Super Blue was presented as a ‘production sample’ which means we’ll hopefully get to see it at our dealers soon. We probably all know the FRN Dragonfly 2. I think the photos show it, but if not, I can confirm that the blade on this sample was laminated. I'm really starting to like this Super Blue steel, it gets very sharp! Sal called it 'a sticky edge' and apparentely Bill Bagwell referred to a sharp Super Blue edge as being a 'hungry edge'. After experimenting with a Super Blue Delica, I think I understand what they mean.

 

[Molle Ninja]

Chubb looks interesting, but probably wouldn't displace my Techno. Not loving the CF circles.

Dice--would rather have a mini Southard, but many of us seem to hold that opinion. Nice knife in any case.

 

[Tim_McD]

I received some important additional information on the ARK design by Sam Owens. He is not the sole designer. Mr. John Shirley played a very important role in the development of this design. In his own words, Sam Owens would like to add: “John is the vision and drive behind this. I’m just “the messenger.” That’s why it is the Shirley-Owens ARK.”

An anti-rape knife that shares a name with the lead single of a group best known for "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"?!?!?