Identify a Spyderco

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evert67

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Oct 22, 2011
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Some time ago I was shown a Spyderco knife that opened very smoothly. When you opened the knife you could hear the snoring of ball bearings. Can anyone identify this knife?

I am aware Spyderco makes a so-called ball bearing lock, but I think this was not about the lock, but about something (?) in the neighbourhood of the pivot.
 
Followed the link and saw it is an out-of-production Spyderco model.

What is funny is that they describe the rattling sound as the main feature of the model ("the rattling sound might deter a criminal"). I assumed the sound was the byproduct of a sophisticated opening mechanism. Was I wrong?
 
I really wonder whether the Spyderco I had in my hands was a Navaja. If I read the Wikipedia description, this indeed has a lock that makes a rattling sound when opening the knife. However, the way this is done should not make the blade opening very smooth. The Spyderco refer to opened very smoothly, so smooth I thought there were ball bearings in or around (?) the pivot.
 
evert67 said:
Followed the link and saw it is an out-of-production Spyderco model.

What is funny is that they describe the rattling sound as the main feature of the model ("the rattling sound might deter a criminal"). I assumed the sound was the byproduct of a sophisticated opening mechanism. Was I wrong?
Click to expand...


It is not "out of production". It is just "out of stock", which means that they are still producing it except they haven't made enough batches to distribute and sell out yet. It is still in production.

You can still find the Spyderco Navaja at some dealers. The Spyderco Navaja is made as a homage to the traditional navaja blades of Spain, as they did make a ratcheting sound when opening. This is INTENTIONAL and purposely built this way by design. They tend to be smooth because the Taiwan manufacturer (who also makes the Sage 2, Gayle Bradley, etc.) has really good attention to detail and fit & finish. In my experience, the Taiwan made Spydercos always come out just as smooth as (or even smoother than) ball-bearing driven pivots.



Also, if you want people to help you identify a knife, pics would be absolutely MORE than helpful. You haven't even said if the knife you held even resembles the Spyderco Navaja, so you're just leading us on a wild goose hunt thus far.
 
Thanks guys!

I've now seen a video of the Navaja (by Nutnfacy :D, didn't know he also was into this type of knife) and that must be the one. It sounds exactly the same. I'd completely forgotten the looks of the knife, let alone have a picture, and let's say I was rather surprised about it.

But, but... this is based on the original Navaja knife, which historically influenced Laguiole knives. And I do happen to be a Laguiole fan! And now I've finally found it's historical predecessor. Of course, the Spyderco is a modern tribute to it, but I've also found a Spanish producer that makes the more traditonal ones!

I get more and more respect for Spyderco and their innovations and tributes to important historical developments regarding knives. Great company!
 
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