Centofante II C-50

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
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Talk about a Spyderco knife that is obscure, underappreciated and just plain passed over is the Spyderco Centofante II C-50. For the following reasons I feel like it is a potential sleeper classic: It has a G-10 handle, It is a Golden Colorado made knife, it has a safety blade lock. They are a fantastic blade that can still be had pretty reasonably price wise. As long as it has been around; as long of a tenure as it had and as quality crafted as it is/was I just can't understand why most folks just didn't gravitate toward it. That blade was a ergonomic genius design and the ATS-34 that they made it from is still good blade steel in my book.

So what's up and why didn't most people take a fancy to it. For a Spyder that had as long of a tenure as it did you really just don't hear much about it :confused:
 
One can only speculate JD. Maybe the fact that Spyderco is so willing to try so many different models, it is difficult for folks to be super excited by every design. :confused: The deafening silence seems to go for the whole Centofante line. I assume it must have sold reasonably well as there are three SKUs, four main models and multiple variations spanning approximately the last 12 years...But you are right, hardly anyone talks about them. Personally I like that, it allows me to quietly obtain them all at very reasonable prices. :p
 
I can only speak for myself. I'm left handed, and the design of the C50 precludes left hand opening. If additional reasons were necessary they would inculde the liner lock that makes left hand closing problematic, the lack of a 50/50 choil - a feature I find extremely desirable, the choice of handle material - I am not a fan of G10, and that odd "belt and suspenders" secondary lock. Plus, I find the design unappealing. It's not ugly, it just does not evoke any emotional response at all in me.
 
I'm with you J.D. I just bought another Centofante II just because it was a good deal and it is one of my all time favorite Spydercos. I actually carry most of my Spydercos so the fact that they have not reached Starmate price levels is not a bad thing for me.

I think you are right, the Cent II is a sleeper. It has all the quality of the older Golden CO. Spyders plus it is G-10, a liner lock (if you look, most Spyder liners are the ones fetching high dollars) and it is ATS-34 steel which is still good stuff. I love the blade design and the entire package just seems neat and tidy. It makes a good SD knife in a pinch as well. With the long thin pointy blade, it wouldn't take much effort to stab through a leather jacket and a rib cage if the situation became dire. I love it because it makes a great food prep knife when I am not in the kitchen.
 
I know where one sits NIB. One of these days when I have the money(if it is still there) I'll buy it. Unless I tell someone else where it is. :)



Blades
 
Axlis!!! said:
I may be mistaken, but were these made on in SE?:confused:
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They were made in both plain edge and serrated edge. There were several different handle configurations in the smaller C-25. I used to have an SE version and it was quite a knife. Most of the C-50 models were G-10 handles though. Now there were also some of the C-50 models listed in the 2000 catalog as having 440V steel. However I have never encountered one. It's a great knife worth having but you really do have to be a Spyderco enthusiast to fully appreciate one.
 
I think the C25 and C50 are overlooked a lot. I love my C25 to pieces. I can understand all of the points that The Deacon makes, but I did have a gut response to the knife the first time I saw it - I loved it. That's just down to personal taste, but after getting my hands on the C25 I quickly appreciated how well it cuts.

Still, I sometimes think the knife is caught between two worlds. With the black G10 it is more durable and tactical looking, but it's not a knife I'd want to use in a tactical situation because the handle has no features to enhance it's grip. It halfway looks the part but doesn't really play it. On the other hand, if you took out the secondary lock and put on some scales made from high end material (MOP, mammoth ivory, timascus, hardwood) I think it would be an awesome dress folder because of the sleek lines. As it is, I think of the C25 as a gent's folder in semi-tactical skin.
 
What has always amazed me about the C-50 Centofante II is that it is very similar to 2 other knives that I dearly adore. One being the Phil Boguszewski Benchmade Spike model 640 & 650. Also Howard Viele did one for Spyderco that has a similar streamlined style as does the C-50. Even though those knives look similar they still have many profound differences as well. But these extreme spearpoint type of blades are much more functional than most people give them credit for.

Somewhat similar is the Spyderco C-56 Zowada model. Very versatile and they would make great SD knives if need be. Keep em sharp :cool:
 
I know where one sits NIB. One of these days when I have the money(if it is still there) I'll buy it. Unless I tell someone else where it is.
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Sorry Blades, I had to buy it today. It was 25% off no less.:) Joe L./Raleigh NC
 
The Mastiff said:
Sorry Blades, I had to buy it today. It was 25% off no less.:) Joe L./Raleigh NC
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I envy you MASTIFF :o Have you all noticed that they are really drying up on Ebay and everywhere else. I was looking for a fully serrated one here a week or so ago and I couldn't find one anywhere. There are about 4 Spyderco models from that era that are just simply disappearing from the landscape. :cool:
 
I had one of those opportunities you always regret to buy a c50 in 440V no less for about $80, I passed on it for a c25 for about $10 less in the normal Ats-34. There are two reasons I made this decision one with a was a lot of talk about how brittle 440v was at the time, and I wasn't thinking collectors value. In second and much more relevant to handle was actually a little bit bigger than necessary even for my fairly large hands. All so that knife seemed a little too large an aggressive looking for my taste. And the killer was my forefinger contacted the line are locked in a way that i was not comfortable with, it didn't feel comfortable or safe even with the backup lock to me. On the other hand I have had 2 c25 one serrated in one Plainedge I lost the serrated and bought a Plainedge pretty much immediately , I really like these knives, had mined for number of years and is still one of the smoothest operators I have, definitely one of the pointeist. And it just melts in your pocket. My only gripe and I always have one is that the small scale pens seem to be permanently glued in place. Disassembly which is never been necessary is nonetheless not an option.
 
There are about 4 Spyderco models from that era that are just simply disappearing from the landscape.
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Yeah, I'll say. I was looking for a 440V Keating I saw last time I was there and didn't have the money. It was gone but they had the C50 in ATS34 and a C41 Native in 440V I picked up too. Sometimes it's your day. sometimes not. I still have my benchmade Boge. Spike in ATS34 I bought new years ago too. Joe L.
 
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