Bi-Directional texturing?

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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This is not a subject that I would say outside of here, to avoid a possible stink, but I thought that it should be shared among Spyderco's customers.

I understand that Benchmade is using bi-directional texturing on their new 520 Axis auto. A brilliant design by the way. The texturing is being hailed as something new.

I thought you should know that Spyderco first introduced bi-directional texturing with the original Native about 6 or seven years ago. That's when we received our patents on the novelty. The next model was the Calypso jr FRN. We also use bi-directional texture on the Jester, the Assist, the Native III. The D'Allara (coming out later this year) has contoured bi-directional texturing.

The texture towards the front of the knife is canted back to keep the hand from slipping forward onto the blade. The texture behind the center of the knife is canted forward to keep the hand from slipping off of the knife.

I'm sure we'll work out something comfortable with us and Benchmade, Lester and I are old friends.

We don't want our customers to think we're asleep.

sal
 
Sal, we have touched on this before, but have you considered bringing back the jimping on the tang of the older Military models?

IMHO it adds a certian extra level of saftey, sorry to swerve off topic. Thanks, Ron
 
Funny enough, even though I'm not a great fan of FRN (personal taste only), bi-directional texturing on the handle of my Calypso Jnr was one of the features I really liked about the knife. I remember thinking that it was very well thought out pattern to have on a relatively cheep knife.

I can see why you mentioned it though. I've never actually called it "bi-directional texturing" on my Calypso (just put it down to good handle design), so if Benchmade claimed it was an entirely new concept I might have taken it to mean something different than I already had on my old Spyderco.
 
Texturing on the FRN Native was the main thing that got me to buy that very first Spyderco I ever owned... :)
 
I still miss the Native FRN that I lost because of the grip.
I wouldn't have remember what it was called, but it sure was good.
 
Sal,

Halfway through your post I jumped up and grabbed the Calypso Jr and guess what...? It has bi-directional texturing on it!!!

Been using the knife for about 3 years, noticed it but never appreciated it (or realised why it was there - don't think its been critical to me).

I LOVE this knife anyway and it would be great even without it, but thanks for putting it there...just in case.
 
Does spyderco have it on a metal handle? ....I was under the impression that the novelty was the fact that it done on a very stout metal folder and the groves are deep enough to use gloves.
The 520 is a REAL worker! I don't think the spydies mentioned are comparable.

I don't have a lot of love for FRN :rolleyes:

Okay I'll go get the fire extinguisher now :p
 
No need for a fire extinguisher... You are correct, Spyderco has not done it on a metal handled knife, and the 520 is a great knife!

The reason Sal posted is to say that what they (Benchmade) have done isn't a new idea at all. It was an idea developed by Sal and copyrighted. Benchmade did not respect that copyright and now Sal is talking to them.

We all know the 520 is a great knife, made by a quality company, and they have done something new with the metal handles...however by doing so they have violeted a copyright owned by a company who thought up the idea first.
-Kevin
 
You know, I think a great way to bury the hatchet over this subject would be to revive a great Spyderco/Benchmade collaboration: The AFCK.

An updated version could have a licensed, MBC-rated integral compression lock on one side with a G-10 slab on the other. It'd be a Benchmade,improved by Spyderco, and be in the same bullet-proof save-and-serve level as a Strider SnG.

In much the same way that the Dodo is the pudgy little brother of the Benchmade 921 (my opinion only), the Bury the Hatchet AFCK could be the scrawny little pal of the ATR.

Of course, I'd hope that the blade would be S30V, 154CM, or M2 instead of D2, but, who cares? An AFCK with an integral compression lock would be the ultimate good faith move for both companies.

;)
 
Hi Thom. I don't think there is a hatchet to bury. Lester and I have communicated. I don't perceive a prob. I was just sharing info with Spyderco customers. Lester and I may be competitors, but we also had lunch together at the SHOT show. We probably go back 25 years.

Hi Knife11. I noticed your thread on the general forum (don't want to start a war but). I answered you there with more in depth explanation. We appreciate your brand loyalty. I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers.

sal
 
Sal,

Well, okay, maybe you and Mr. DeAsis aren't upset, but many Spyderco and Benchmade enthusiasts seem a little heated over the shibang. My mistake.

Well, with nothing to smooth over, there's no reason for such a goodwill collaboration.

So when's the Spyderfly coming out? :D
 
We're still shooting for Christmas on the "first" fly. Official intro will be the SHOT show.

sal
 
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