Continued Assisted opener discussion

I prefer AO's with a flipper. I'm glad to hear that the spyderco design has one as well. I'd like to see more spyders with flippers.
 
Hi Registrationsucks.

Thanx for the kind comments and concern. It's all about respect, isn't it?

Without respect, LLD (Lawyers, Loop-holes & Dollars) runs the courts anyway. "What is the definition of define"?

We have many ideas in the works. locks, sharpeners and new models, in addition to the continual refinement of our current stable of ideas.

We are also working on ideas that are not knife related.

Assisted openers are still in question because our customers keep asking for one.

Assisted Openers have had so many new designs (inventions) in the past few years, with more coming. I saw a new patent 2 months ago on another assisted opener. Our time, in my opinion, is better spent working on something really new and respecting the original AO inventor, rather than come up with yet another new AO.

sal
 
Hi Sal:

I have several Kershaw/Onion models but have ceased to actively use them. If dropped, they have a tendency to snap open and I have often felt leery of wearing one because of the spring action after a small opening arc. IMO, spring assisted folders are actually faster than full switchblades because they do not require a lock which must be disengaged first. There are some exceptions e.g. Kershaw Boa. I disabled the lock on my Boa because 1:-It made the knife to inconvenient to get into action and 2:-The lock often disengaged by itself, causing uncertainty.

I agree with those who have suggested new models other than a spring assisted opener. Hint hint....Maybe a Spyderfly with a full flat ground blade:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: .
 
I don't understand all the negativity about this AO knife from Spyderco...

We're only talking of a single model right now, if you don't like it/can't buy it for legal reasons, there are still more than 100 other spydies to buy. don't ruin it for those who are interested like me.. :confused:
Rumors for now are that it's planned for the C100 model and I can understand the fear for those who won't be able to buy it as the C100 will be a special model a lot of people will want to have. the solution would be to keep the AO for another number.

If it can be done, let's do it.
 
I agree with STR. Can't beat the wave. Plain and simple. A removable wave would be a step-up. I used to have some AO but it was more than a gimmick to me than anything else. But the simplicity and usefullness of the wave has not been topped. But to tell the truth, the removable wave would never come of my knives when I end up purchasing them.
 
Sal, I would prefer an auto but an assisted opener is a palatable 2nd choice. Build it and we will come. They are fun to play with though no more practical than a hole-opener. Probably less practical as there is more to go wrong in a slightly more complicated design.

What's this about all Spyderco fixed blades having a hole!?
 
Hi Spydernut,

We do have autos in the works.

Yes, we will be putting a small round hole in our FB's. We have a number of pieces in the works with them.

But then, that's another subject.

sal
 
I've only had one assisted opener and I was less than pleased with its' function until the spring broke! I took the spring out and had a better knife with one less thing to break. I'll avoid that situation in the future by not buying them. K.I.S.S.-Keep It Simple Sal!;)
 
i own 6 spydie folders and 0 FB. am not interested in an AO knife.

would rather you spent the time designing a FB knife that appeals to me.

i have a gene ingram, a CS master hunter, dozier K2, and a short ka bar.

i already own a Cuda Maxx 5.5 flipper knife....one AO is enough.

keep up the good work at spyderco Sal. love the delica 4!!:thumbup:
 
In South Africa the only AOs we can get hold of are Kershaws and SOGs. I only own a Kershaw Whirlwind, which I never carry. It's interesting, but it's not my first choice. Other than handling other models in shops, this is my exposure to the AO world. It is my PERCEPTION (I hang out in the biggest knife shop in the country quite a lot) that the AOs are not as popular here as "regular" folders. This may be due to teh fact that autos are legal here, so then why would you want an AO. And another thing I have noticed, most newbies to the AO folders handle them in an awkward (almost dangerous) manner.

If you have to bring out an AO folder, please add the flipper as this appears to be the safest and easiest variation on the AO theme.
 
Gina said:
If there is one, I would rather see an AO Spydie as a lower-end "fun" knife that will be more affordable and accessible to the general public. The idea would be to generate more mass market sales for the company the way the Speed Safe line does for Kershaw. However, when I think Spyderco, I think pragmatism, not novelty. So Sal, perhaps you can build a better Leek!:D
Click to expand...

Oops. Just realized this was me writing on the girlfriend's computer earlier. Sorry for confusion.
 
eojk said:
Oops. Just realized this was me writing on the girlfriend's computer earlier. Sorry for confusion.
Click to expand...

Hey, you could have let it slide and given me a little credibility :p .
 
Just my two cents - being in the uk I couldn't give a fig if Spyderco did an AO knife or an automatic as I wouldn't be able to get hold of them anyway. Nor would I want to, being very much a "knife as tool" rather than "knife as weapon" person. More small knives please, how about the centofante wharncliffe with a titanium bolstered burr walnut handle in ZDP189 (or stainless bolstered cocobolo in VG10 as a realistic option) I would also like to see the UK penkife concept extended to a less tactical look. Oh, and bring back the Toad in s30v or ZDP.
 
Personally, i don't see the point of a Spydie AO either, but since it's going to be a one-off fun knife, why not really have *fun* with it and slap a Dodo style Reverse-S blade in it, it'd be harder for sheeple to see it as a "switchblade" if it has a "boxcutter-esque" blade

i'd like to see it have either a wharncliffe or reverse-s style blade
 
I have absolutely no wish to play with another AO knife. I've tried a couple AO's, and found them to be nothing but play toys. A few flicks and back into the knife drawer, never to see daylight again. IMHO, AO kind of goes against what I associate Spyderco knives with. When I think Spyderco, I think "honest and hard working utility knife", not "play toy".
 
I hope you all don't mind me interjecting a few thoughts on AO's.

It seems in general Spydie fans have a pattern of thinking that AO's are more of a toy, or that they just have a play factor to them. I assume we are all talking about just the opening mechanism itself and not the performance of the knife in general. As most are aware here on BF's there are a lot of performance oriented AO's on the market that cut with the best of them. I personally was brought up with the Spyderco round hole, and understand its convenience and performance. With that said, I have also come to appreciate AO's, especially ones with the flipper. AO's can go beyond this play factor, if not Sal wouldn't have continued on with this thread. Spyderco is all substance, they wouldn't go after a knife just from a novelty standpoint.

Conversation with AO's vs. manual folders seems also to gravitate into which version is "faster". Although important in some instances, "fast" isn't always the most significant factor when comparing or deciding on the two styles. I have yet to see or hear of any knife "races". Now I know Sal to be quite competitive, is into racing, and is also quite quick with his hands, so I may be on to something here.

What many can't dispute is that both types of knives can be utilized with one hand, are fast, very convenient, and can be cutting machines. If AO's are not your thing, there are many alternatives for you, but to not want Spyderco to do one seems a little narrow with one's thoughts. I am hoping Spyderco does an AO in the future. As usual, they will bring a strong, "different" pattern to the AO table, which is always a good thing.

I don't necessarily disagree with AO's and their lack of association with the Spyderco name, but the same could be said about the Spyderfly, or even a fixed blade for that matter. Manufacturers do need diversity, and Spyderco is about giving its elu's all sorts of colors and flavors. That is one of the many reasons that they are thought of so highly. IMHO, an AO would bring them a follower or two that has never given them a casual look.

Just some thoughts from an AO and manual action guy, sorry to interrupt.
 
I can't see a Spyderco AO. You would have to have the Spyderhole, and if you're going to have an AO knife, the only possible improvement it might have is the flipper option- which would render the hole pretty pointless.
 
I think flippers are best incorporated when they form an integral guard for the blade. This wouldn't "redundify" the Spyderhole, but supplement it. An integral guard flipper can also make a handle slimmer such that the handle itself needn't have a guard. Not sure how well it would work with a compression lock(seems to be favored for an AO) though.:confused:
 
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