Is this Ladybug Real?

W

wolfindagger

Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
32
Hello all,
so I found a Spyderco Ladybug on ebay for a very good price and am going to be watching it like a hawk.
I am unfamiliar with Spydercos though and am not sure if it is genuine or not (especially after seeing the sticky thread in this forum about all of the knock-offs). I can't show you a picture or link because its a live auction, but I can say that it does not have the spydie logo on the blade, which I thought was strange. All it has on the blade is vertical writing that is perpendicular to the blade saying “SPYDERCO” on one side and its hard to make out but it looks like “SEKI – JAPAN” on the other side. It does however have a spydie logo molded into the FRN handle. Oh, also I don't know if this helps but it is partially serrated and it does have a Spyderhole.

Also, could anyone give me the specs on the Ladybug? (like I said, I'm not too familiar with them)

mostly I want to know what steel is it, what length of blade, and what grind it is

thanks in advance for your guys help

Peace Out. :cool:
 
If it's the black NTSA SEIZURE one, it's the real deal.

Just the older version.

Spec's
length overall 4 5/16" (110 mm) blade length 1 15/16" (49 mm) blade steel AUS-6
length closed 2 1/2" (64 mm) cutting edge 1 3/4" (44 mm) weight 5 oz (16 g)
hole diameter 9/32" (7 mm) blade thickness 5/64" (2 mm) handle material FRN

The Ladybug is a clipless mini-lock back folder that bites through half-inch thick rope like it's cutting air. Attach it to a key-ring or zipper pull or slip it unobtrusively in a pocket or purse. The Ladybug's uses are limitless, and its ready whenever you find yourself in need of a sharp blade. SpyderEdge or PlainEdge blade is hollow-ground AUS-6 stainless with the one-hand-open Spyderco Round Hole. The FRN handle is covered with Volcano-Grip texture and available in black or forest green. Its traditional back lock is positioned half way down the spine for unlocking the blade one-handedly.
 
Current Ladybug III's are VG-10 and marked as such. They also have a Spyderco "bug" logo on the blade, as well as on the handle. The original Ladybug was AUS-6, but had no steel marking on the blade, only SPYDERCO on one side and Seki - Japan on the other. I suspect the knife you're looking at is one of those.

Here's a photo of a plain edged one...

ladybug_1.jpg

Assuming it's one of those, blade length is 1 15/16" and the blade has a hollow saber grind.

For comparison, the Ladybug III looks like the top knife in this photo (with the exception that most don't have the number on the blade...

ladybug3_jester_compare.jpg

Blade length and grind are the same as the original Ladybug, but the handle is different, as are the blade markings and Spyderhole size. There is also jimping on the thumb ramp, which the original does not have.

In case you're wondering, there was also a Ladybug II, but it's a totally different shape, with a sheepsfoot blade (black handled knife in photo below)...

rescue_range.jpg



Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Deacon, is that a sheepsfoot Hummingbird?
Too cool if it is, although it may just be the light glare.
 
Thank you both very much for your help!

Disappointed its not VG-10, which is what I was hoping for, but its a spyderco either way. :)

I did not realize it was a first gen, that is interesting to know. The photos helped me a lot to see the differences. So now the question is, how much do first gens (in like new condition but used) regularly sell for so that I know whats reasonable for it?

Also (to The Deacon), that green handle in the second picture looks really nice. What models can you get them on? And what model is the little one under the Ladybug II in the third picture? It looks really nice. I'm a sucker for little knives. :D

Peace Out. :cool:
 
wolfindagger said:
Thank you both very much for your help!

Disappointed its not VG-10, which is what I was hoping for, but its a spyderco either way. :)

I did not realize it was a first gen, that is interesting to know. The photos helped me a lot to see the differences. So now the question is, how much do first gens (in like new condition but used) regularly sell for so that I know whats reasonable for it?

Also (to The Deacon), that green handle in the second picture looks really nice. What models can you get them on? And what model is the little one under the Ladybug II in the third picture? It looks really nice. I'm a sucker for little knives. :D

Peace Out. :cool:
Click to expand...
Value depends on color, edge type, and condition. You could be talking anywhere from $5 to $50. Some colors are rarer, and thus more valuable, than others. Black would be the least valuable color. Anything other than "new old stock" condition, with the appropriate box (or other packaging), drops the value.

As for the other stuff. That's a lime green Jester and, AFAIK, it's the only Spyderco ever offered in that color, at least under that name. However, there was a "toxic green" Endura produced as a Forum knife for another forum in 2009 and rumors there may be a similar colored Catcherman produced for that same Forum this year and, whether you call it lime green or toxic green, the color is the same.

Bottom knife in the other photo is a Mini-Mariner. It's the smallest knife Spyderco has ever made and was available in two versions, all stainless and with abalone scales as in that photo. It's made to look like a midlock, to match its "big brother" the Mariner, but it's really a slipjoint. They were made for a short time in the early 90's. Problem was, although they don't use much in the way of materials, they were "labor intensive", and thus relatively expensive, and few people wanted to pay the price for such tiny knives.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
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