ARK Neck Knife

S

Sam1911

Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
30
Hi guys!

A few months back we discussed some possibilities for a Spyderco Neck Knife. John and I have kicked around some ideas and I've worked up a small run of prototypes of how this might finish up.

John's named it the Active Resistance Knife and there are two varants -- one a very strong point with a semi-sharp swedge or secondary piercing edge, and the other a bit more delicate and light, with a clipped micro-bowie style tip.

Here's the original style, with the stronger tip:
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(Licensed by Spyderco -- Round Hole Used With Permission)
 
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Here's the micro-bowie style version.

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These models are 1095, but something really rust resistant like BD1 or even H1 would be more appropriate for final versions, as the idea is this is an "always" blade that goes from the sweat of heavy exertion, right into the shower, and everywhere else, too.

(Licensed by Spyderco)
 
Also did a cord-wrap just to see how it would improve the grip.

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That's A1 type survival cord, so very small-gauge stuff. Feels good in the hand, but I don't think I'd want that for a blade going into the shower...

(Licensed by Spyderco)
 
To briefly recap, on this deployment, I became aware that sexual assault is a major risk in theater. One especially dangerous situation is when service members go to the showers, since they do not take their weapons with them, the showers are communal, and the shower visits will often happen at night. A small, easily carried knife that can even be carried in the shower would give an option to those members.

After kicking this around with Sal on the previous thread, Sam and I came up with some ringed ARK protos. After giving them to various people to play with, the ringed prototypes were deemed unsatisfactory. Sal is working with a new version of the SWICK, while we have now concentrated on the ringless ARK.

The response from folks who have handled the ARK is great, though these versions are slightly thicker than the original. If Spyderco decides to produced these, they can certainly reduce some mass with their precise machinery and HT- Sam is limited to doing a heat treat over a home-made coal furnace. Sal, we do need an address to send these to you, if you can PM Sam or I. :)

Deployed service members have a lot of gear, so it's great when all that gear is as versatile as possible. It should be fairly easy to design the spacing of the rivet holes to allow mounting a small TekLock, for folks in the States who want to belt-carry one. (Military belts are too thick for a small TekLock.) Military members who want to carry this on their body armor can quickly lash it on with 550 cord, or pocket carry it by looping the ball chain or a short length of 550 through their belt, and dropping the ARK in their pocket. Pulling out the knife will then automatically pop off the sheath.

John
 
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Viper, we'll see if Spyderco wants to make them. Sam will probably make a few (less than 50) regardless. Both of these have been GunKoted.

John
 
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Just as John says, I'll end up making a few batches, but under 50 total, certainly. (I'm just one guy working in my "copious" spare time. :))

One thing to get figured out is what steel would be best, or most appropriate. Rust resistance would have to be the primary concern. Open to suggestions on that. Rather it wasn't uber expensive, though there isn't much material there! :)
 
For Spyderco, probably H1. If you're making the knife, Sam, probably BD-1.

John
 
That is awesome!!! I would love to see Spyderco make these. Either way I would buy one. Keep us up to date
 
Sal, I'm sure you're busy getting ready for BLADE, but if you could email Sam or me the mailing address, he can get these out to you.

John
 
Sam and John, both look good. Your choices of steel are good as they are both easy to sharpen. H1 we all know doesn't rust, BD-1 does, but not badly. Still, wearing under clothes, below gear next to the body BD-1 would probably do better with a coating of some kind.

Very nice!.

I'm more drawn to the clipped bowie. Piercing ease rather than toughness would make sense to me as the grip wouldn't work for me to use with lots of force. The design might keep the fingers off the blade but it's still too small to get a big grip on so that ease of penetration would help.

I like BD-1. It takes a better edge than 440C IMO, and sharpens nicely. It's a clean ingot steel.

Good luck.

Joe
 
Thank you! Glad you like them. :)

I really like the BD-1 on my Translucent Manix 2, and have no problem with the H1 on my knives, either.

John
 
Hi Sam, John,

Just got back from another marathon trip. Still sorting jet-lag.

Those look great. We'd like to purchase one of each.

Sal Glesser
Spyderco
820 Spyderco way
Golden, Colorado 80403

We're going to make a short run of the Swick 3 (with the ring). We are aware that many might not like the ring for a variety of reasons, and your solution without the ring is qute elegant. Good job. Looking forward to receiving them.

sal
 
The little Bowie is really sweet!It kind of reminds me of the clip pointed Lil' Temperance.
 
Sal,

Thank you. Sam'll get those out immediately. I'm also looking forward to the new SWICK. :)

I actually just got my ARK today. The handle feels, frankly, perfect. I cannot imagine a more secure hold on a knife this size. The down side is that it will be heavier than I believe to be optimal. But I have ideas on how to correct that. ;)

Regards,

John
 
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