Knife design from non-designer

[saint satin stain]

Does Spyderco take knife designs from non-designers, non-knife makers, an amateur? I have an idea for a knife, crude sketches, but know absolutely nothing about the technology.

 

[Magnum22]

i know they listen to their customer feedback and suggestions, so it may happen for you.

 

[darthsoaker]

Does Spyderco take knife designs from non-designers, non-knife makers, an amateur? I have an idea for a knife, crude sketches, but know absolutely nothing about the technology.

Send it in, man. Just ask Sal to take a look at it. If Spyderco needs that type of knife, then it might happen. :thumbup:

 

[Sal Glesser]

Does Spyderco take knife designs from non-designers, non-knife makers, an amateur? I have an idea for a knife, crude sketches, but know absolutely nothing about the technology.

Hi Saint,

We have done a few amateur designs in the past, but it is more complicated than it might appear.

I guess the question is "when is it a design"?

We about 150 "designs" sent in to us each year.

Many are really not new designs. they are "ideas for a design". someone might take a Delica handle and change the blade shape to something else. They might even call this "their design". In reality, the Delica is already designed (many hundreds of hours) and changing the blade shape is really not a new design, nor is it their design. It is an idea for a design.

Often we will get a drawing of a new knife. the blade might not fit into the handle. There isn't enough room for a lock, etc. This is more of a graphic design. A model made from the graphic drawing may feel like a "porcupine" in the hand, hot spots, not comfortable or ergonomic. But it has a type of "look".

In the case of the two above, we really have to re-design the knife. This means many many hours in R&D before we get soemthing to move forward with. Once we're satisfied that the design "works", then we have to choose a lock and engineer the design for prototyping. Once the prototype is approved, then it has to be engineered for production. Again, much time is spent.

Then tooling ($$$), then production prototyping, mods if necessary. Then production ($$$), inventory, promotion, etc.

Sometimes we get actual prototypes, like from Ed Schempp, or Jens Anso. Being knifemakers, they can actually make a sample. This saves us much time, but those designs will also require working with the maker to finalize a design.

We also have designers "in-house" that are working on designs, so our need for outside designs is not as great as some other knife companies.

Some examples of the amateur designs that we've done (other than from professional knife makers): Alex, (Adventura), Chad (Lava), Bram (Gunting), Jason (Captain).

Hope that helps.

sal

 

[jaislandboy]

thanks for the informative reply Sal.....often times I've wondered what process was involved to get a knife from design to actual production

 

[saint satin stain]

Wow! An answer from the man himself. I confess that at one time I thought Spyderco knives were ugly, that hump for the hole. Then on a camping trip I accidentally cut myself. That was an eureka event for me. The knife - I won't say the maker - was unsafe. I told the story to a friend who rock climbed; he recommended Spyderco knives. I went to my favorite knife stores, really a leather store that sells knives, Native Leather on Bleeker Street, in Manhattan, NYC. and tried some Spyderco knives. I didn't buy one then, but was given a CoPilot later by a friend and relative. I was amazed that such a small knife fit my big hands as well as it did, and to be able to open it easily with one hand. I joined this forum asked for suggestions and got a lot of good advice. I bought online a Delica, two D'Allaras (droppoint plain edge and Sheepfoot serrated), and Ladybug Sheepfoot serrated for myself; I bought an Atlantic Salt for my wife, a sailor. I gave the Delica 4 to a friend who needed a knife. It didn't fit my hand. Strange, the CoPilot and Ladybug fit, but the Delica felt uncomfortable. I got rid of all my old, unsafe knives.

It is apparent that Spyderco knives are buit for safety.

I carry the D'Allara plain edge and Ladybug in my pockets, the D'Allara Sheepfoot in my shoulderbag along with Leatherman Wave, emergency kit (inside it, with other gear-wire saw, fishing gear, zinc block w/flint etc- is the CoPilot), and first aid kit (both kits in Otter boxes). Some folk suggested other knives, but the two D'Allaras are perfect fit for my hands and for my daily life.

Sal, I don't have a design; I have an idea, a variation on the D'Allaras. The D'Allara design handle and locks but with two shorter blades a tad longer than the CoPilot blade, one serrated and one plainedge. I chose the CoPilot blade because it's good for close work. It should be obvious that I don't know what I am talking about.

Are there any other variants of the D'Allara knives?

Spyderco knives, I now believe, are the most beautiful knives, and the safest.
Even when you make your show knives, you don't compromise on design. The only other knife I have as beautiful and functional and safe is a custom designed and made by Paula Largin of Kelgin.

Thank you, Sal, for your informative post. Spyderco seems like a local, friendly shop instead of a company far away.

My lady adores her Atlantic Salt. I am giving the granddaughter a Ladybug, if her parents think she is responsible enough.

 

[The Deacon]

Are there any other variants of the D'Allara knives?

The Drop Point comes in combo edge as well as plain. Beyond that, the only additional one would be the WTC Knife. As with every other Spyderco model, there may also be one or more undocumented "evolutionary" changes that create sub-variants to drive collectors batty.

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - 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 twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

 

[saint satin stain]

I assume that this was the first D'Allara. I am glad that the D'Allaras fit me so well. I have an apartment 2 miles north of WTC. I was working, went out for cup of coffee, saw folk gathered by Saint Vincent's Hospitall, sawhorses, and police officers. I asked one what was happening. H e pointed south. Smoke pouring out of one of the towers, the boom the other plane hit.

I am not a collector, so wouldn't pay what is probably a lot. I do plan to buy two more of what I have as backup. The D'Allaras have become indispensable.

 

[sffar]

I believe the earlier sheepsfoot D'Allara Rescue had a slightly longer blade than the current one.

 

[saint satin stain]

Micro Dyad. I discovered it while perusing the cataogue. I needed a knife to carry in the city when I didn't want to carry the D'Allaras and the Ladybug wouldn't be adaptable enough. It seems to be what I want. My idea would have produced a heavier knife. It is a knife one may carry when wearing a suit. The bone handle makes it dressy enough.