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Ethnic Spydercos

Handwrecker

Handwrecker

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,265
Post up some photos of your ethnic Spydercos! I've always been intrigued by these knives as Spyderco is one of the few companies breaking the mold with stuff like this. I recently purchased a Chokwe which has me all excited again. I've had an original large Persian and a ZDP Lum Chinese that I liked as well.

So post up those collections! Let's see some large Lum Chinese, Barongs, P'Kals, Nikkalas etc. Which ones are your favorites? Which ones seem to work and feel the best in your experience?

Turn this into a Spyderco ethnic melting pot!
 
The ethnic series are some of my favorites. I've got a vallotton, hungarian, and a zulu. The Hungarian is my favorite by far. Excellent fit and finish and a more practical blade shape than the others. Pics to come later I'm at work now.
 
Aren't there more than these on the list? http://spydercosource.com/category/ethnic/
I thought the Chinook was in the ethnic series. And the Zulu mentioned above? Vallotton? also mentioned above.

Anyway.
I'm a fan of the Lum Chinese. Still looking for a serrated and a ZDP but I'm in no rush. The fun is in the search.
U6dfq1u.gif

I've had a few others in the series but sold or traded them to make room or funds for others.
I threw the Des Horn in the mix. Oops.

HVyJlOB.jpg
 
Great photos guys, keep em coming! I forgot how beautiful the Lum Chinese were, and am really blown away by that new Hungarian. Plus I haven't seen a Barong in ages! Schempp always nails it with his designs.

My Chokwe showed up right before I went out fly fishing. Man, am I impressed. Very happy with this knife.

MacjMuFl.jpg
 
S.Pkl.jpg
...the 'literal translation' of this model came from my native land....:thumbup:
 
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The only knife in my collection from the Ethnic series is the Chokwe, and it's definitely in my top 3. SOOO much more comfortable than it looks like it should be, no matter how you hold it too, and the blade shape is useful for tasks far more varied than I would have expected. And one more thing...tailstands!





 
Yeah I'm also a big Chokwe fan. Never realized so many liked it. Will post pictures here next time I carry it.
 
I just wish they were U.S. Made. Sad to say it, but I'm kinda limited with choices when it comes to Spyderco. Maybe time to try a Benchmade.
 
The fit and finish of all my Taichung Spydercos is noticeably higher (Though not by a lot) than on my Seki and Golden models...I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy a Taichung made Spyderco because it's "Made In Taiwan"...that factory does some VERY nice work. And I think the Chokwe puts people off visually because of its' appearance...they've been discontinued for a while, and are still available at lots of retailers, and typically at a good discount too. I've seen them brand new for $124.99 USD, and for a titanium frame lock in S30V with the fit and finish the Taichung factory is known for, it's seriously hard to beat. And despite the fact that Spyderco models are made in Golden Colorado, Taiwan, Japan, Italy, and China, they're still a USA based company, and a good portion of the profits from their models produced overseas make their way back to the USA.
 
You have brought up some very good points. The way things are going these days I'm very hesitant of supporting the outsourcing of manufacturing to foreign countries. It's a shame because it really dig some of the designs and would be willing to pay more for a domestic product. I apologize to those who think I'm dumping on this thread.
 
Hi Sosa,

No negatives perceived. There are many that feel they would prefer only US made. That's why we're expanding our US factory. If it's any consolation, our Taiwan models are made with US steel that we ship to the factories there.

We could not offer such a large variety were it not for our excellent makers overseas.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Sosa,

No negatives perceived. There are many that feel they would prefer only US made. That's why we're expanding our US factory. If it's any consolation, our Taiwan models are made with US steel that we ship to the factories there.

We could not offer such a large variety were it not for our excellent makers overseas.

sal
Click to expand...

I agree Sal and hats off to you and the Spyderco team both in the US and Overseas ! I was just admiring the fit and finish of the Gayle Bradley Air, Techno, and as many have posted here the Chokwe.

The Chokwe is a very well made knife and very versatile. Great job!!
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Sosa,

No negatives perceived. There are many that feel they would prefer only US made. That's why we're expanding our US factory. If it's any consolation, our Taiwan models are made with US steel that we ship to the factories there.

We could not offer such a large variety were it not for our excellent makers overseas.

sal
Click to expand...

No need to slow down with the Taichung offerings, not that you implied it by any means. I absolutely love each and ever folder that I have received from Taichung.

Spyderco3.jpg
 
Disclaimer: The knives at 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 o'clock are not mine. They were loaned to me by Sal about 6 years ago to be photographed.

999.jpg


schempp_01.jpg
 
Handwrecker said:
Those Persians are something else. What's the scale material of 4 o'clock?
Click to expand...
12:00 - black Micarta small Persian engraved and gold inlaid by Marcus Hunt
1:00 - black Micarta large Persian full flat ground by Tom Krein
2:00 - orange bone large Persian prototype
3:00 - wood large Persian prototype - not sure exactly what, but if I had to guess, I'd say oak because the grain is both open and straight.
4:00 - stag jigged bone large Persian rescaled and jimped for me by Ron Cochrane
5:00 - early (Ed Schempp logo on left side of blade) stock black Micarta large Persian
6:00 - desert ironwood large Persian by Dirk Potgieter
7:00 - later (Spyderco "bug" on left side of blade, Ed Schempp logo on right) stock black Micarta large Persian
8:00 - red bone large Persian prototype
9:00 - wood large Persian prototype - not sure exactly what, could be desert ironwood, cocobolo, or ????
10:00 - green bone large Persian prototype
11:00 - early black Micarta large Persian with LH carry clip
 
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