History of Spyderco?

David Nowlin

David Nowlin

Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Messages
2,781
Whenever i get involved in anything i start doing research on it’s history. To say i am involved in Spyderco Knives would be an understatement. I love the catalogs Spyderco puts out (i have the last 3) but knowing a more in-depth history of this great company and it’s knives would be wonderful. Example: First knife design/designs produced? A year by year line up of knife options preferably with pictures) generally a history book?
Back in the late 80’s i bought my 1st Spyderco and honestly had no idea what model it was or what steel the blade had but I recall it was similar to a Delica in size and shape.
I lost it and replaced it with the larger Military in 1992. To this day i often wonder what the lost knife was.
I suppose i can start a google search but if anyone has a clue i’m all ears.
 
There is an excellent book, it's very expensive now but I feel it is worth the cost: https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Story-New-Shape-Sharp/dp/1581600607

It covers through the late 1990s and is a very dense, interesting read about the company. As someone who was as interested as you appear to be, this book is pretty much exactly what you want to start with. I've read through my copy several times and wish there were additional volumes as the company developed.

Here is a link to most of the Spyderco catalogs that aren't available on the company's archive page. As I'm sure you know, much information can be found within the catalogs: https://catalogs.z6.web.core.windows.net/

There are many individuals who independently produced some great Spyderco content. Some of the ones that really stick in my mind with respect to documenting history and technical info are linked below.

Paul Beretta also has an excellent site. He used to be very active here and on the site forums but I don't follow as closely as before so not sure if he's still active: http://paulberetta.com/

And of course, Mr Blonde's site archives are an excellent source: https://spydercollector.wordpress.com/

Cliff Stamp's forum also has a ton of history for the post-Chinese era but I do not think a direct link is allowed.

Otherwise, reading through Sal's posts here and the Spyderco site forums are an excellent way to learn about the company. Much of the independent online content produced about Spyderco in the most recent years has been mired in the same surface level affiliate driven information regurgitation that we see for most things. It seems like the golden age of the web for knife content was early 2000s through maybe 2015 when blogs and forums were the main sharing spaces.

There's also the Wiki: http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
 
I believe there is a video on YouTube where Sal shows off the first Worker prototype he made by welding some metal onto a regular knife to form the spydie hole.

Much of what I know about Spyderco I have learned here or on YouTube. Good stuff, good company.
 
Thanks very much for all the good info. The Tube seems to have some good info. I watched the Spco shop tour part 1 and will watch part 2 later.
I did see that book but i reason it would cost me 2-3 Spyderco knives so that’s just not going to happen.
 
Ok i looked at the catalogs and the early ones i could bring up leads me to believe it was the C11 plain edge Delica. My time line was based on my 1992 Military which i believe was old stock at a gun shop. Thinking my oldest son was driving a go kart at a park and my youngest had to ride with one of us parents as he was maybe 2 so 1996 is when i lost the knife. My guess was it fell out of my pocket onto the floor of the cart i was driving indicating i take my karting very seriously.
Probably karma for me over riding the govenor for that extra speed when the park employees weren’t looking.
 
Hi David,

Thanx for your interest and support.

The book written by Ken Delavigne does have loft of information. I was working with Jim Phillips, a writer and publisher friend of mine, to create a new book. Unfortunately Jim just passed from cancer. Gail and I were very active for many years and there is really a lot of history. I'm trying to figure out a way to get it down, but time is challenging these. days.

I'm happy to answer any questions I get on the forums.

sal
 
Sal,
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Cancer has taken several of my close friends and family members in the past few years so we remember them and carry on as best we can.
I so appreciate your input on this thread and the forum is better for your presence.

Dave
 
loon#r said:
Maybe spyderco economy or the worker.
Click to expand...

Early 90's I believe. Bought my Merlin and my 1st Endura around that time. Also bought a SpyderCard at that time (for reasons unknown) and just sold it recently. Still have the Merlin and Endura.

Didn't buy another Spyderco for over 25 years until I got into the "hobby" and went crazy buying everything in sight for the past 2 years but I've "calmed" down and haven't bought many knives (Spyderco or otherwise) recently.
 
sgt,
I know what you mean. I bought the military model and carried that for awhile but not wanting to ding it up i bought a Delica to carry at work and did a lot of cutting with it. Which i thought reminded me of the one i lost. Now i know it’s because 99% sure it was the model i lost . Since i retired i must have bought 20 Spyderco knives and thought i was pacing myself. Problem is “ i thought”.
dave
 
Ha ha ha indeed.....indeed.
I have settled on my latest the Sliverax. I absolutely love it. I have a bad thumb and very painful to open with the hole so the flipper is a problem solver for me. Also i learned the spyde flick with this knife after watching the tube. Both ways are painless.
Also having collected guns for almost 40 years(50% old WW II era)it was a cost saver when i switched to knives.
Hence why knowing the history is in my DNA.
Sorry just rambling.
DN
 
OK, some history:

After we introduced our "unusual" knives, the copies began very quickly. First form Taiwan, then from China. As the Japanese Yen kept rising, the cost became higher and the copies were there in waiting to be cheaper. In an attempt to hold off the copies, we had to figure out ways of making cheaper versions to compete against the copies. The Economy, later called the Standard was such a model. It had less expensive steel and a stamped clip which reduced mfg cost. The stamped clip (from the scale) was considered a good idea until we learned it was a [pocket shredder, so we changed the clip. the next cost reduction model was the FRN Endura and Delica. Around 2000, the next was the byrd brand and later the Tenacious.

Mos folks don't think about the enormous effort needed to combat copies.

sal
 
FRN Delica with molded clip, steel was G2, was my first "real" folder. It's the knife that's responsible for me carrying an edc for the last ~27 years I guess? I think I got it around 93.
 
spoonrobot said:
There is an excellent book, it's very expensive now but I feel it is worth the cost: https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Story-New-Shape-Sharp/dp/1581600607

It covers through the late 1990s and is a very dense, interesting read about the company. As someone who was as interested as you appear to be, this book is pretty much exactly what you want to start with. I've read through my copy several times and wish there were additional volumes as the company developed.

Here is a link to most of the Spyderco catalogs that aren't available on the company's archive page. As I'm sure you know, much information can be found within the catalogs: https://catalogs.z6.web.core.windows.net/

There are many individuals who independently produced some great Spyderco content. Some of the ones that really stick in my mind with respect to documenting history and technical info are linked below.

Paul Beretta also has an excellent site. He used to be very active here and on the site forums but I don't follow as closely as before so not sure if he's still active: http://paulberetta.com/

And of course, Mr Blonde's site archives are an excellent source: https://spydercollector.wordpress.com/

Cliff Stamp's forum also has a ton of history for the post-Chinese era but I do not think a direct link is allowed.

Otherwise, reading through Sal's posts here and the Spyderco site forums are an excellent way to learn about the company. Much of the independent online content produced about Spyderco in the most recent years has been mired in the same surface level affiliate driven information regurgitation that we see for most things. It seems like the golden age of the web for knife content was early 2000s through maybe 2015 when blogs and forums were the main sharing spaces.

There's also the Wiki: http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Click to expand...
Great collection of information in your post!:thumbsup:
 
Fmont said:
FRN Delica with molded clip, steel was G2, was my first "real" folder. It's the knife that's responsible for me carrying an edc for the last ~27 years I guess? I think I got it around 93.
Click to expand...

Me too, probably in ‘92!
I still have it and used it last night. :thumbsup:
 
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