DYAD history/variations

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
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One of my all time favorites is the C-44P&S DYAD. I have been hoarding them for the last year. I now have 6. I have one in my EDC rotation. I also have several of the smaller C39 Dyad models as well. I have 2 of the Micarta versions in C39 and 4 of the FRN C-39 versions. I also have 2 colored C-39s as well. It's really funny because I have been able in the last 6 months to find out almost anything I want to know about most Spyderco classics. But the Dyads are the exception. About the only thing I get from either forum is just the basic knowledge you get from the catalogs. Somebody knows the story behind these all time great pair of Spyders. The design, who designed it, how it came about and so forth: so please tell me ;) .
 
Hi JD,

As far as I know, the Dyad and Jr. are in-house designs. From what I can tell, they were designed at the same time but the Jr. was released first. The Spyderco Story makes reference to the Dyad Jr. as the first two bladed Spydie. Also the original name of the Jr was the Mini Dyad.
I think you have most of the variations, the large Micarta, FRN Jr.'s and the Micarta Jr. Of the small ones, IIRC, only the Micarta versions have a clip on them.

Hope this helps.

Bruceter
 
Hi JD,
great knife the Dyad!


Sometime around 1997, the Spyderco Research & Development department was asked to come up with a "traditional style 2 bladed pocket knife" and the Mini Dyad was the end result. Great job R&D!
( during development the concept knife was actually called the GEMINI)


Bruceter is correct in that the Mini Dyad was the original production name and 1 year later it was changed to Dyad Jr.
The original Mini featured woven micarta scales that were actually dark green like those seen on the micarta Goddards. These scales turned black with use.

If I recall correctly, the lock configuration was modified somewhere along the line after the first run.

dave/recoil
 
Hi JD Spydo. Thanx for the interest.

The original Dyad concept was two fold. The first was a two bladed folder with dual nested Walker linerlocks. G-10 scales. Nice piece. There are a few prototypes floating arond.

The 2nd was a center liner with two Walker linerlocks coming out of the center liner on each end. Two blades with large pivots, and no scales.

For one reason or another, our factory manager at the time, was not able to get the first one into production and never made the prototype of the second version.

In an effort to get the model into production, we made the smaller Dyad as a lockback in Seki-City, Japan. Our Seki makers were still learning linerlocks at the time, so a lockback was easier to make for them. The first version had micarta scales and a clip. Probably about 1200 of those around.

Peter Jhones in our R&D dept invented the "by-pass" lock which was put on the larger version, with micarta scales and the smaller FRN version. The by-pass lock was quite ingenious and would permit a stronger lock.

We made about 1200 of the large variation. The FRN version also had small runs in colors in addition to the black piece.

About that time, the "Kiss" model from CRKT came out, so we abandoned the concept of the two bladed/ single center scale version.

Then another larger knife company made a "less expensive Chinese copy" of both models of the Dyad in FRN. We tried to stop them legally. After all, we had 3 patents and 2 trademarks on the designs, but we lost. "LLD" (lawyers, loopholes & Dollars). They told the judge something about "teaching Sal a lesson".

They certainly did.

We couldn't compete with the "less expensive" version, so we disco'd the pair.

I should add that I have a double bolstered jigged bone version of the mini and I have an even smaller double bolstered jigged bone version. Both concept models that we showed at shows but didn't get a big response. I carry them quite often. No clip. Neat little pocket pieces.

sal

--------------------------------------------

"It takes all kinds of animals to make a forest. Without the mosquito and the leech, one doesn't appreciate the hawk and the deer".
 
I am so glad to hear the straight scoop directly from the "General". :D
My obsession will be much worse now I am sure. Now I almost feel guilty using one for EDC rotation. Oh Well you gotta use some of the ones in the upper tier I guess. That is one of the privaledges of being a Spyder-head ;) . I just wish the Patents and the designs could be altered so they could come out with a newer version of a double blade knife. The concept is so simple but yet so ingenious just like a lot of other Spyderco innovations have been. Man when I do carry that C-44P&S it seems like I even have 3 knives with me. I will just now appreciate the ones I got that much more. :)

ONe last question: Does the repair department still have any parts for them if I end up needing any?
 
One other question Mr. Glesser? Do you ( or any other Forum member) have any idea how many of the "colored" ones there are floating around? I have 2 of the C-39s in the colors green ( actually teal) and Burgundy. Since I got these 2 that I own I have only seen one other pair just like them. And I have been to a lot of shows in the last 2 years. Also a guy I did a lot of trading with who lives in Florida who had one of the best collections I ever came across: He told me that there were a few of the big C-44s made with blue scales. Urban legend maybe? :)
 
The Teal and Burgundy were production, probably 500 pcs each. There were about 5 made each of several other colors as samples.

The blue scaled versions are Walker linerlock concept models. I understand there are a few red G-10 pcs as well.

Regarding carrying and using them, that's why we build them. ;)

I'd love to do a short run of the mini-mini with the dual boslters and jigged bone scales, but the cost would be high and I don't think the market is there for such functional pocket jewelry.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
I should add that I have a double bolstered jigged bone version of the mini and I have an even smaller double bolstered jigged bone version. Both concept models that we showed at shows but didn't get a big response. I carry them quite often. No clip. Neat little pocket pieces.
Click to expand...

Mr. Glesser, any chance of getting pics of the two mentioned above? I did not know of all the Dyads' variations and I'm certainly now curious about them.
 
Hi Hateman.

I'm still too computer/photo challenged to do it, but I'll see if I can some one in the office to post a pic.

one of these days, I'll get some lessons here.

sal
 
i am verrry happy to say that i have a full sized dyad #108 and a mini dyad micarta..still looks green the micarta..i hardly carry them..all my friends and who ever i show the full size to love it..the serrated end looks like a croc...
 
Sal Glesser said:
The original Dyad concept was two fold.
Click to expand...

Uh, yeah. :D

Sorry Sal, that was too easy to pass up. Feel free to rip into me here or if I get to meet you at Blade.

Any progress on the boy scout knife concept you brought up last year? It would seem to follow in the footsteps of the do-it-all Dyad.
 
Hi Sal (and others):

How about this:

--Ti (and SS version) handled, double compression framelock

--S30v (and Vg-10, for the SS-handled)

--3mm blades, one a flat ground leaf, and the other a serrated wharncliff

--Large and small versions--small a gent's knife.
 
Thanx Berzerker for the thought and suggestion.

Eric and I have thought about a number of potential models. We're maintaining the "Trademark" DYAD name, so we'll be doing something. I guess part of the question will be how fast we can intro and re-coupe before we're copied.

Even thought about Ti & H-1 with Ti clip.

I guess we could do a Spyderco DYAD and a BYRD "double Yoke" at the same time. ;)

While we're on the subject. Anyone have any ideas about the "next Dyad"?

sal
 
AS a matter of fact I do have a suggestion for the next Dyad. Ti or G-10 handles would be superb. S30V blade steel a must but also offer an H-1 version for fishermen and the like. A lanyard hole would be highly desirable because I actually use them from time to time. The you could have 2 total variations: Have one Dyad with twin "Endura" type blades w/ one PE & one SE. Then have another Dyad with twin sheepsfoot "Rescue" type blades with PE & SE also. With a pointed version and sheepfoot versions you would definite open up to a myriad of markets and fill the voids of many users. I think the Rescue type one would be particularly appealing because I have talked to a lot of users and collector's who like the PE Rescue. Just a suggestion. JD Spydo :)
 
a stainless steel one i think would be nice..might have a weight issue..but not as heavy as the spyderench..i would like some type of calypso type blade..of course of se and other pe..maybe they open at the same end..the possibilities are endless..i would like a liner lock if can be done..or a phantom lock would be much better..
 
since we know the factory can put out a slipjoint....

how about a stainless model with both clippoint and warncliffe? 21st century slipjoint!
 
How about a Dyad Catcherman? Short serrated rescue-type H1 blade on one end and a plain edge filet blade in a corrosion-resistant steel that holds a plain-edge better than H1 -- the current MBS-26 would be fine.
 
Before I let this thread completely die I have 2 more items of Spyderco DYAD business. First of all I have one more suggestion about an idea for a new model DYAD. This suggestion I am about to make will raise some "eyebrows". I just hope is it the right set of eyebrows. Why don't they make one model of Dyad with twin Hawkbill blades. Have it like the Harpy with one serrated and one plain edge. Oh! yes also please do design another one with conventional blades as well. But think about it. The fishermen would go crazy over it.

Also offer the new one in at least 3 different handle materials i.e. Titanium, Micarta, G-10 (which would be great for a Hawkbill Dyad) and Carbon Fiber. OK I will leave the rest to you all :)
 
"I should add that I have a double bolstered jigged bone version of the mini and I have an even smaller double bolstered jigged bone version. Both concept models that we showed at shows but didn't get a big response. I carry them quite often. No clip. Neat little pocket pieces."

sal
 

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