Anyone else appreciate the focus on functionality that tends to go with spyderco?

Yes, and no. I love the functionality provided by the Spyderhole. It may not be the most attractive opening device ever made, but it's far and away the easiest for me to operate. Still, over the past few years, the type of knives that appeal to me the most have totally disappeared from the lineup and there have been almost no new ones introduced that I find even moderately appealing. I don't blame Spyderco for producing knives that sell, and dropping those that don't, I just wish there was enough customer interest in the type of knives that appeal to me to allow them to produce one or two.
 
I can't say that my eyes have no say in what knives I buy, but the essential decision is always made by my hands. So far, my hands prefer Spydies.
 
The Deacon said:
Yes, and no. I love the functionality provided by the Spyderhole. It may not be the most attractive opening device ever made, but it's far and away the easiest for me to operate. Still, over the past few years, the type of knives that appeal to me the most have totally disappeared from the lineup and there have been almost no new ones introduced that I find even moderately appealing. I don't blame Spyderco for producing knives that sell, and dropping those that don't, I just wish there was enough customer interest in the type of knives that appeal to me to allow them to produce one or two.
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Hey Paul, out of curiosity, what kinds of new designs would appeal to you? I know you are a fan of the back or mid lock (as am I). Aside form more knives with that type of lock, what kinds of designs/shapes/features would you like to see more of?
 
SBaker34 said:
I'm a bit sad to see the g10 caly go. I'm just not sure if Id want zdp 189 in that knife.
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But the ZDP Laminated with CF scale and wire clip is just sexy, too sexy to be used hard I guess. I do love the design and how it fits in my hand especially the front finger choil
 
I love the focus on function that Spyderco gives it's designs. For me knives are tools to be used and if they look nice that's a bonus. Spyderco knives become more beautiful to me when they are in my hand being used. They just work well, and I appreciate that more than I appreciate a good looking design.
 
Spyderco, to me, is that company that takes care of everyone and anyone who crosses their doorstep, be it an employee or a customer. They make quality products that are useable, functional, and sharp looking, and they back those products. The SpyderHole revolutionized one handed opening and their Clipit design has spurned nearly every maker to follow suit. I've tried other makers, but Spyderco seems to fit my hand and needs like no other knife manufacturer can.

I also sincerely appreciate that they're socially responsible and give often to charities, including their local Children's Hospital and the Silent Heroes Foundation which protects the endangered rhinoceros. Innovative designs such as the Whale Rescue Knife also fill a niche that no one else provides. My personal time is spent among whales, so this is important to me.

In sum, Spyderco just "gets it" and I will give my allegiance to them in kind by always buying and supporting their products. I've had one in my pocket since the first time I saw one in 1993, and I will always have one (or more) in my pocket for the rest of my life.
 
Surfingringo said:
Hey Paul, out of curiosity, what kinds of new designs would appeal to you? I know you are a fan of the back or mid lock (as am I). Aside form more knives with that type of lock, what kinds of designs/shapes/features would you like to see more of?
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Well Lance, I'd love to see at least one brand new design featuring a midlock and 50/50 choil. The last "in house" designed midlock Spyderco introduced that I would describe that way was the Kopa. The only other that even comes close is the Tatanka, but I don't count it because it is not a true midlock, and is closer to what I'd consdier a caricature of a pocketknife than something I'd put in my pocket. Everything other in house designed midlock released in the past ten years has been just a up-sized, down-sized, re-locked, re-bladed, or otherwise "tweaked" version of an existing model.

Beyond that, while the folks in Taichung turn out some very well built knives, every bolstered knife they've turned out up till now has been handicapped by visible screw heads in the bolsters that make it considerably less attractive than it could have been. I'd love to see if they're capable of turning out a knife built like the original jigged bone Kiwi. Most specifically, I'd love to see a Chaparral or Sage 4 built that way.

At the opposite extreme, I'd love to see Golden turn out a DE/DA OTF auto along the lines of the Piranha Excalibur and DKW Sand Shark. They could call it the Kofer. ;)
 
Spyderco... "Built for the hand, not the eye."
I have eight eyes :D and some of these Spyderco models are gorgeous.
 
l will go as far as to say that In the Last 5 years ; l have carried no Locking blade knives except Spyderco. MY G-10 Handle ATS55 Spyderco Harpy has been my EDC since my last birthday on August 25. For outdoor Activities ; My Spyderco Military in S30V has unrivalled edge holding and toughness. There are numerous good things about these fine little knives . They have possibly the most consistent quality control among the commercial knife manufacturers. They are the first company to add serrations to a folding knife. They have amazing heat treating on their blades. Lets not forget how they made Hawkbill blades famous. And their blade designs are very very functional ; even though on first glance it may not seem so. In fact except the Civilian model ; I dare say that EVERY spyderco is very utilitarian. And they are very reasonably priced for their quality.
And those thumb holes are much more comfortable than thumb studs ; especially for a guy with large hands like me.
 
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I agree about the, "Something Special" and that starts at the top. Spyderco runs their business the way a business should be run.
rolf
 
I think a large part of it is pictures don't do sal's designs justice, the endura and delica look like cheap toys in pictures, but look and feel amazing in person, I love my zdp delica, so much I kinda regret buying it because I think ill carry my bigger knives less.

The paramilitary 2 looks like it has a stupid looking blade handle ratio in pictures, but its not as noticeable and makes sense in person.

You definitely need to handle them to appreciate it as opposed to some benchmades or a sebenza that look amazing in pictures.
 
The Deacon said:
Well Lance, I'd love to see at least one brand new design featuring a midlock and 50/50 choil...
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Yes, me too. The more different designs and locks I use and carry, the more I am convinced that the midlock is probably my favorite. And yes, i'm all for the 50/50 choil too.

I think this is a great place to throw in a plug for the midlock military salt that is always floating around my imagination. :)
 
Spydercos are like the Glocks of the knife world. They may not be the prettiest, but they flat out work.
 
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