ATR: the purpose?

F

Franco G

Joined
Dec 29, 2000
Messages
399
I am somewhat confused with the ATR. My questions are:
1. what is the possible use? I have the impression that it was not intended to be a MBC knife. It looks, on the other hand, too large and not very polite to be an EDC knife, even less a gentleman's knife. Hunter knife - no, utility: cutting duties? - maybe.
Somebody knows the steel (S30V ?) and lock strength (heavy duty?, MBC rated?). The MBC rated lock would be very nice.

Regards,

Franco
:)
 
I asked Sal about this and it is intended to be an EDC / general purpose knife. Lock strength will probably be in the heavy duty range. For those who prefer smaller knives, the Titanium Salsa remains an alternative following a similar pattern.

S30V is a true cutlery steel developed by Crucible Metallurgy for the knife industry, primarily under the guidance of Chris Reeve. It is a particle metallurgy steel related to CPM-440V (S60V) etc. Chris Reeve Knives has switched from BG-42 to S30V for all of its folders.
 
I guess it depends on what part of the world your coming from that will determine what is 'too large' and 'not polite' as you say. To me for example, 4" blades are the average pocket folding knife size, as is accepted by several people I know that aren't even that interested in knives. 5 to 5.5"+ inches becomes large for a folding blade, but not at all for a fixed blade, maybe even on the small side still.

The design of the ATR doesn't seem to lean too radically in any one direction like the Civilian(on the defensive side), which leaves it open for pretty much a bit of everything and 'At The Ready' for anything, giving it a larger consumer target(just good business).
Some people might think the ATR is threatening looking, but those are also people who probably think that 90% of knives are theatening looking, I wouldn't worry about comforting such insecure individuals at all, that would just make you as stressed and worried as they are.

I agree it's probably not well suited for a gentlemans knife, but any knife with an integral titanium compression lock probably is meant for more challenging tasks than cutting thread or opening envelopes in the office.

take care,
Ken
 
This is one of only a few production knives I have been eagerly expecting for some time. I think the design will work quite well for "tactical" (heavy cutting/defensive) use, and the tip and belly look suited to cleaning game. The integral titanium handle should make it easy to hose out afterwards, too. Seems like it would make a decent diving knife, too, if you weren't worried about losing it.

One thing that surprised me about what you wrote, Carlos, is that the knife will have a heavy duty rating; IIRC, this is a step below the MBC rating. Is this simply because the knife is not designed for MBC, or because it isn't as strong as the Gunting or Chinook? I am inclined to trust Spyderco anyway because of the faith I have in their products, but I would like to see a knife designed for hard everyday use carry Spyderco's toughest lock-strength certification.
 
Originally posted by Burke


One thing that surprised me about what you wrote, Carlos, is that the knife will have a heavy duty rating; IIRC, this is a step below the MBC rating. Is this simply because the knife is not designed for MBC, or because it isn't as strong as the Gunting or Chinook?
Click to expand...

Spyderco's "heavy duty" rating indicates a lock strength between 100# to 199# per inch of blade length. The MBC lock rating of 200#+ per inch of blade length comes at the price of having to make very thick, heavy knives. Most people don't want to carry a 7oz Chinook or 6oz Gunting. It is a design compromise either way.

Most Spydercos fall into the heavy duty category by design, with some small knives falling into medium duty. These heavy duty folders are strong enough for 99% of tasks, including emergency self-defense, yet remain thin enough and light enough that they are not burdensome to carry for the average user.

Using a Chinook as a letter opener is equivalent to using a Humvee to to go the corner store. However, if you know that you are going into battle, then the Humvee is it.
 
Sal told me at the IWA show in Nurnberg / germany that the ATR will be an MBC! also the titanium Salsa has a lock strength of 250!
 
I am very excited about this knife. It is on the top of my list of must haves. I know the question has been asked before but does anyone know when production is scheduled?
 
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