Help Design Around the World Knife

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
12,249
A while back I proposed a new project an "Around the World and Pole to Pole Spyderco" passaround.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=400614

I talked to Sal at Blade Show a few weeks ago. He suggested we open it up to the forums to help design a unique knife for this project. If we came up with a design he would consider building it as a prototype.

He has given us some requirements to start with, if I remember them correctly:

- Easily identified and branded as a Spyderco knife.
- Non locking blade.
- Limited blade length < 2.5 inches

Otherwise we are free to design blade shape, handle type, handle constuction, pocket clip, whatever. Also note that the intent it to provide some kind of engraving on either the blade or the handle to identify it, and the engraving would include an email address or url as a contact point for participants. Something that should be considered.

My feeling is please be reasonable, for example it shouldn't use materials so expensive that it would make it a special target for theft or customs. I saw the T-MAG Turnbull prototype at blade which I was very impressed with. Sal suggested this might be a good platform to start with as a design base. I don't know if I can mention any details of that particular knife. I'll leave that to representatives of Spyderco if they feel it's appropriate.

Thanks.
 
Hi Dave,

It was good speaking with you at the Blade show. I admire your passion and persistence. As I've said before, I believe "passion is the spice in the spirit that makes excellence possible". If anyone can pull this off, it's probably you.

T-Mag:

The Ralph Turnbull designed T-Mag is a "slip-joint" (non-locking) folder that uses a "rare earth" magnet located above the pivot pin to keep the folder "locked" open and closed.

Blade - a 3.0" hollow ground S30V
handle - titanium liners brushed (matt) carbon fiber scales

Maybe Kelly & Taz will want to show a pic?

The reasaon that I suggested a 2.5" version was because:

1) The non locking folder will not raise "weapon" eyebrows.
2) 2.5" is small enough to be socially friendly but large enough to be an effective cutter.
3) The magnetic joint is unique.
4) I'm sure Ralph wouldn't mind.
5) We could make the travelling proto in Golden. (USA made).

But, we are open to any and all suggestions.

sal
 
I'd start with something like a regular rectangle, about ~2.7 inches in length and an inch across. It's a simple rectangle, somewhat inspired by the Terzuola designs: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/sam_cheong/C15_C19_med_3.jpg

However, the spyderhole should be recessed until it's almost completely in the handle (this would put the hole in a bit of an usual position on the blade...) so that the shape maintains an overall plain rectangular apperance and there's very little steel showing.

The only irregularity in shape would be a slightly recessed area at the top and front area of the knife where a choil will be, so it'll appear that there's a little cutout there. Consider the little grove right above the clip (that's half the choil) on this paramilitary:
http://www.fernknives.com/images/SC-81GPmedium.gif

There would be G10 scales and no liners. I'd like to see colored G10 options if merely for the fact that non knife people can deal with a colored knife where a black knife would be a tool for murder.

The blade would be 2.5 inches and 440C. It would be a modified leaf shape\modified wharncliffe. The conventional leaf shape is probably not compatible with my desire to recess the spyderhole into the handle.

Low rider wire clip. We could even coat the clip. Black is obvious, but what about khaki or blue, to match pants.

Of course, I'd want a compression lock version for myself.

The cheaper, lighter and thinner the better.

I'd buy it if I couldn't have a locking knife.
 
Last I heard there were plans for an "S" knife based on the Salsa design. How about using that as a platform, non-locking of course, with a color (burgundy, violet, turqoise, something different than blue, green and red?) aluminum handle without the cutouts. Maybe a laser-cut or engraved spiderweb pattern on the handle with the Spyderco logo in the centre. Blade steel could quite adequately be VG-10.
 
K.I.S.S.
Leaf or wharncliff blade
Colored FRN handle
VG-10
Question. Will this knife actually be used by each person on the list, or will each recipient take a picture with the knife in front of some landmark? If it will be a user, it should probably be drilled for all four carry positioins.
 
Wow! What a cool project.

The rare earth trick is outstanding! I like! I mean, I really like!

For the rest, my first suggestion would have been VG-10, as it's a very popular steel with Spyderco, but much rarer elsewhere (compared to say S30V). However, if the knife is to be made in Golden, then VG-10 might not be the best choice. S30V would probably be a good alternative.

For a small knife, a full flat leaf blade (like the Dragonfly) would be nice.

I'll probably draw frowns here, but I like steel handles. I would make engraving easier. Hey, how about a small inlay of the Earth? One hemisphere inlayed on each scale.

Of course, a deep finger choil;)

Guy.
 
How about H-1 for steel so no worries about rust or how easy to sharpen? I think a warncliffe blade would be cool like on the spin so as not to raise eyebrows.

The handle should be a nice steel handle with g-10 inserts.

Blade length around 2 inches.

Pocket clip should be able to be put into different positions.

And i like the idea about having the earth engraved on the handle somewhere and having "Around the World" engraved on the blade.

Oh and a choil;)

Thats all i can think of.:D
 
Clipless SS slipjoint Dragonfly in H-1, with one hemisphere engraved on each side near the butt. That should avoid most of the pitfalls (and I'll take 2 in PE when they go into production :D )
 
I think the Delica and Endura are the most recognizable Spyderco knives so I would like to see a smaller non-locking version of these knives. VG10 blade, FRN handle with steel liners like the E4/D4, and stamped pocket clip. G10 and S30V would be okay as long as the price wasn't too high.
 
yablanowitz said:
Clipless SS slipjoint Dragonfly in H-1, with one hemisphere engraved on each side near the butt. That should avoid most of the pitfalls (and I'll take 2 in PE when they go into production :D )
Click to expand...

Yes! That's exactly it! I'll take two also:D

Guy
 
Well, unless everyone agrees with me, let's send this back to the top for more suggestions.
 
There doesn't seem to be much in the way of concensus, so far.

If I were doing it, I think I would go for an "urban" design, which is a smaller version of the UK.

Maybe a colored G-10 or Carbon fiber scale to get away from the "tactical" look. Non-locking "notch-joint". Maybe a leaf or warncliffe blade shape. I don't think that would create problems legally anywhere except perhaps Denmark, but I think it could get into and out of Denmark safely long enough for a few photos.

sal
 
Sal do you mind is i post some pictures of my idea for a knife? They're just pencil and paper drawings but they might give others some ideas.

Oh and i'll take two!:D
 
Sal, that's actually what I was going for with the Dragonfly suggestion. I thought stainless with etch, but G10 with inlays would look great, too. Clipless was suggested to drop it squarely into the "ordinary pocket knife" catagory, and I think stainless (or blue G10) would look less "tactical". The blade length should be legal anywhere, it might even be scaled up a little, and making it a slipjoint would avoid locking knife restrictions (besides, on a knife this size, I don't consider a lock necessary). Plus to me, the Dragonfly pattern is just so...Spyderco...that it hardly needs the logo to identify it :D . H1 steel was thrown in for all those coastal areas it will see; out where I am, any good steel will work, as we don't have enough moisture to make rust a problem with carbon steel, much less VG10 or S30V. Besides, quite apart from the "Around the World" project, I think it would be a great little knife.:)
 
yablanowitz said:
Sal, that's actually what I was going for with the Dragonfly suggestion. I thought stainless with etch, but G10 with inlays would look great, too. Clipless was suggested to drop it squarely into the "ordinary pocket knife" catagory, and I think stainless (or blue G10) would look less "tactical". The blade length should be legal anywhere, it might even be scaled up a little, and making it a slipjoint would avoid locking knife restrictions (besides, on a knife this size, I don't consider a lock necessary). Plus to me, the Dragonfly pattern is just so...Spyderco...that it hardly needs the logo to identify it :D . H1 steel was thrown in for all those coastal areas it will see; out where I am, any good steel will work, as we don't have enough moisture to make rust a problem with carbon steel, much less VG10 or S30V. Besides, quite apart from the "Around the World" project, I think it would be a great little knife.:)
Click to expand...

I think that this is a good start. It would make sense making some modifications though, as this knife should stand on it's own, rather than be a Dragonfly Mark II. For one, I think that the handle on the 'Fly is a bit too small. Not too short, but too thin and not wide enough, and doesn't fill the hand, compared to Nav, which is about the same size.

In my mind the embellishment would be very important for this type of knife. If you pull out a Copa, for example, nobody notices the blade. The eye gets drawn immediately on the scales. It's even more so with a Santa Fe Stoneworks scale:thumbup: That was what I was thinking when I suggested inlaying a hemisphere on each scale. I wouldn't engrave it though. It should be colorful and eye catching.

Guy
 
I would start with the C19 (the original smaller Terzuola) as a shape, style and size.

Reasons:
perfect size, handle looks like a swiss army knife
blade shape great for everyday tasks
square shape looks more friendly (not pointed and threatening)


What I would change:
blade: 1mm thinner
handle: G10 burgundy or dark green
 
It might make sense for Spyderco to just modify a model that is currently on the table or in production. This would save them the time and money involved in creating an entirely new model.

That being said, several changes could be made to the knife. I'm thinking a 2.5 inch non-locking blade. This will keep it legal most everywhere.

It should have a unqiue color of g10 to distinguish it from other knives, something people friendly but with high visibility. I'd stay away from "tactical" colors. Unfortunately, I think darker colors are seen as a lot more tactical than the brighter ones. This knife should be an non-knife person friendly as possible. How about a bright green g10? I'd say orange, but do we want the knife associated with rescue? A bright blue like on the Dodo is another idea.

The blade shape is a concern. It should have a point and be easy to sharpen. I am biased here, but a wharncliffe would work. Or maybe a delicaish blade?

The blade should get a special engraving. Something like - Spyderco Circles The Globe, with a graphic - the round hole around a picture of the earth?

Has anyone thought about getting some sponsers? What about media coverage?

The knife should look as much like a spyderco as possible. I think Spyderco can get some exposure from this and that's even more reason for them to do it. For this reason I think the knife needs a clip (something spyderco invented) and certainly the round hole. It should also be an in house design.

Steel is a good question. Spyderco is known for VG10 and VG10 has pretty nice corrosion resistance and excellent edge holding, so that could work. On the other hand, H1 doesn't rust and is the new thing, so that could work too.

I'm leaning toward VG10 because of edge holding.

I see this project as a way to bring people closer together through the transfer of the knife. It's also a nice way to show knives in a non-threatening way to the public, and instead show knives as useful tools. Spyderco is at the front of the "little big knife" surge. I can't think of a better company to do this thang, so to speak.


-Bryan
 
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