Clipit blade-holes, sharp and soft

vanadium

vanadium

Joined
Apr 5, 2003
Messages
807
I'm a long-time user of the Police model, and acquired a Military model more recently. I never liked the blade-hole in the Military because of its sharp edges. My old Police model had nice soft edges around its blade-hole. Someone at Spyderco explained to me that the sharp-edged hole is better for gloves.

Does anyone know if these sharp-edged holes are now standard on all Clipits? I'm thinking about buying some new ones, but only if the blade-hole will be comfortable for bare hands. Thanks.
 
The holes on all the newer Spyders will be the sharp type(I think). It is easier to open (grips the thumb better) than the beveled holes present on older knives.
 
I like the edge on the hole. I bought a Pika with the beveled hole and my thumb just slips off when I try to open it. I had to grind the bevel flat with a dremel. It took a long time and ate several bits.
 
It's easier to open for many people with the rough edges. You can always soften them up yourself, it's a bit hard to rough them up.
 
As has been pointed out, Spyderco leaves the edge a bit "toothy" for a reason. However, if you prefer the smooth edge, it is fairly easy to do. I've used a small piece of 400 grit wet-or-dry paper wrapped around a marble. A conical or ball grinding bit, larger than the hole, would work too, just twirl in by hand, no need for a tool to chuck it up in. I do it on knives with 13 and 14mm thumb holes that I do not intend to use with gloves on and do not intend to ever sell.
 
Hi Vanadium,

The process of "softening" the edge of the hole is done by hand. The goal is to make it sharp enough to "catch" your thumb, but not too sharp to be uncomfortable. It is a difficult balance. Once we are always working on.

Also, the difference in what customers ask for is quite varied so function becomes paramount.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Vanadium,



Also, the difference in what customers ask for is quite varied so function becomes paramount.

sal
Click to expand...
Couldn't be more true! Personally, I would like them to be a little smoother, but I know I'm in the minority, and have grown accustomed to the sharper edges. The Military is one of my top EDC SD knives, and that has the sharpest Spyderhole I have in my small collection.
 
I smoothed out the comet on my first byrd just to see what it would be like. It may well be easier on the thumb, but the grippier hole is more reliable. I'd rather have it with the more acute edge than the beveled one because it takes less efort to open the blade. Of course if I'm sitting around all night just opening and closing a knife by that method, my thumb may get sore. Otherwise there's no need to do it.
 
I usually just pass 400 grit paper on it on a round stick enought to take out the sharp but not enough to bevel. Works fine for me.
 
Sandpaper on a Marble! Genius! Was wondering how to go about breaking the edge on my new Kris.
 
IMO, if you open and close your knife/knives often enough, you'll get callus on your thumb and the hole won't feel uncomfortable anymore.;)

At least, that's the case with me :thumbup: :D
 
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