Ed Schempp fixed blade

N

Nick Hyle

Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Messages
599
In the long, long, bitter Blade Discussion Forum thread on warranties, Sal mentioned an Ed Schempp fixed blade that Spyderco will be making in Golden for the International Cutting Championship Trial.

Is this a one-off for Ed, or will this be a production knife at some level? If so, any rough estimates about when it might be available or other details?

(Not trying to to tag "long" or "bitter" on Sal, he was one of the cooler heads in a discussion notable for some posters who weren't so much so.)
 
Hi Nick,
The plan is at this time make a all around camp knife. I designed and competed with this design at Matt Diskins ABS hammer-in in Spokane in Oct. The knife comforms to the ABS competition standards. I believe it will comply with ICCT standards. The knife will be made out of CPM 3V and incorporates medium ridge geometery that has served the Katana well. The blade has some recurve. The cutting balance of this piece is very good. The piece tends to self align in organic moving targets, like branches or brush. The blade will be about .150 thick. The handle will have multiple grip options. The knife is light, fast and strong; it will do a wide range of tasks, well...Take Care...Ed
 
Please tell me that's not a typo, Ed, and you do mean 3V and not S30V. That would be outstanding. BTW I still think that the Persian is right up there with the best that Spyderco has produced in design and manufacturing.

Jack
 
Yes Jack,
It will be 3V not S30V. This is the non-stainless high Carbon steel. This steel should work very well in this size of knife....Take Care...Ed :)
 
Thanks Ed!

So I take it this is slated to be a production (limited production?) Spyderco, not just a "look how cool we are!" sponsorship one-off for the competition?

Roughly, what, a nine inch blade?
 
Hi Nick,
This design is for general production and should be widely available. This knife is not a wall hanger; it is a serious multi-purpose user...Take Care...Ed
 
Ed,
this is wonderfull - 3V blade is probably the best choice for outdoors/combat knife. Does the knife has a full tang? I think it is important - a LIGHT knife like the Moran (3-4"blade length) does not need to have a full tang, but for a tough, outdoors/combat knife (4-6" blade), it is a very desirable feature. Personally, I prefer a full tang with (Micarta) slabs. Any info available?

Franco
 
I can hardly wait! :eek:

Anyone have a photo of the custom version?

What blade length are we talking?




- Frank
 
Franco,
This will be full tang. The tang will probably be lightened some for balance. It will not proturd from the end of the handle, but will be radiused and will be at the middle of a convex arc. So if you want to persuade something with the butt of the knife it will be capable. The 9.5 inch blade will have the additional finger groove behind the plunge so you can choke up on the blade. The handles on the two prototypes were both neoprene rubber for absorbing shock. I don't think this will lend itself to production. The production piece might have some sort of micarta or other man-made material for the handle, maybe frn. I imagine the intial knives will have CNC machined handles.

This knife will probably bare the stamp of the ICCT (International cutting competition trail), Sal will have to license this logo. The knife with meet the design parameters for both ABS and ICCT competitions. Bruce Volyes and Steve McGowen are promoting these competitions outside the realm of knife shows. There are three divisions to the comp. Red Level; makers using thier own knife, White level; anyone using a qualified custom knife, Blue level; where anyone can compete with a factory approved knife. This Spyderco camp knife will probably be the first factory entry into the Blue category; allowing virtually anyone of interest to compete without making them pay $500-$1000 on up for a custom competition knife. Some of the intial events will be broadcast on OLN. I will be representing Spyderco in these competitions.

I've learned alot from the rope cutting competitions that I have been involved. I believe this knife brings that design information to the table. There are infuences in this piece form Japanese blade architecture, Phillipine bolo design, Nepalese khukuri balance, and some American ingenuity...Take Care...Ed
 
Holey Smokes!

A 9.5 inch blade!! :eek:

What a monster!

Good luck in the competition Mr. Schempp, and good luck to Sal and co. for making it available to the general public.
 
I am setting some money aside for this one. Thanks to Ed and Sal. I have seen Ed's knives in person and they look like very effective cutting tools.
 
Thanks Ed,
this is really exciting. Blade length 9.5" - isn't that true that so long blades are usually at least 3/16" thick? Thickness proposed, around 0.16" (4mm) - is the knife intended to be more like a machete, i.e. an excellent cutter (primarily), and only secondary a sturdy survival/outdoors knife.
One more question: is there any kind of (semi)guard (e.g. like the Swamp Rat Rotweiler, or similar). I think, it is necessary to have a very secure handle - not only for secure stabbing, but also for any heavy outdoors activity (hands could easily become wet, dirty, etc.).
Yes, FRN could be used for slabs to keep a price as low as possible. It may be even better then micarta - although micarta looks more 'noble'.

Franco
 
call me a knife snob but if it's gonna be FRN thats a :( in my book. micarta is the only way to go for me. G10 is also fine but micarta looks better IMO. and a knife in this category won't be "cheap" so why try to lower the price by having FRN? i mean if it's 3V it's already gonna be expensive right?

either way put me on the list!
 
YESSSSSSSS!

That is so awesome that you are willing to share your "competition secrets" with the average knife user. I want one! When are they going to become available?

Thanks, Ed!
 
Just to brag, I handled the proto this weekend and it is just as cool as it seems in the discussion. This is one biiiig chunk of steel! Very practical design, although I may prefer a slightly more narrower/sharper point. But that's just from looking and handling and not using, although for a second there I was tempted to start chopping up the conference table, the handle begged me to!

Wouter
 
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