Large Fixed Blade?

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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Dec 27, 1998
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We have been getting some requests from ELUs for a large (6" -7.5" blade) model. Primarily for MBC.

This would be in addition to the Ed Schempp "Chopper".

I would be interest in your opinions on this concept. Is there a market? What style? What size? Materials? and specifically, why would you want such a model?

thanx.

sal
 
I love the blade design and handling characteristics of hte Manix. A fixed blade Manix would seem ideal.
 
This is great Mr. Glesser. I have been waiting for you guys to make a larger fixed blade. Would you please consider using some of the nicer handle materials G10, carbon fiber, etc. rather than FRN or other similar materials. It doesnt need to be flashy just functional as you do so well. BTW I liked the macarta handled tanto you did but chose not to buy it because it was just a little too small for both my hand and my desire for blade length.

Thanks for your wonderful products.

Oh and regardless of what these guys say I love my spyker. While I now have 8 spyderco knives I have always gone back to my trusty Police model for EDC the Spyker is the first to actually take my hip pocket in nearly 10 years.
 
i'd like to see more utility/camp fixed blades. the schempp chopper should rock. but please no stainless steels. i'd prefer a nice tough carbon steel. 3V may be too expensive for some but something like A2 is a good compromise.

more fixed blades of any style is better!
 
How about a fixed civilian type of blade? Maybe a sharpened false edge. A fixed police might do the trick. Fully serrated.
 
- Spear Point for tip strength.
- 3/16th" thick
- Single Guard or a very minimal upper guard
- Grip that has a single finger choil that flares/hooks at the pommel ie. Chris
Reeve Green Beret or a Randal 14 with a Border Patrol Handle.

- Blade Steel of VG-10, though a quality Carbon Steel would be nice.
- Handle of Linen Micarta
 
As a long term Temperance owner I reckon FRN makes an excellent handle material. It's stout enough to avoid needing a full exposed tang, giving the blade less weight and better balance. I've even used it to hammer in tent pegs with no ill-effect.

As an ELU large (5"+) blades are the area I'm least interested in so I'm unlikely to buy a new one (quite happy with my RAT7 fr the times I need a blade this large). However if I did want a larger knife it wouldn't be for MBC, more of a larger camp knife that can serve in the kitchen - a larger temperance with a lower slung blade, for use with chopping boards, in effect.

Hope this helps.
 
While fixed blade Spyderco's have typically been slow sellers, the fixed blade spydies have been great. A bigger fixed blade would be FANTASTIC ! ! ! A Survival/Woodcraft blade by Sal and the fellas would be beyond words :D
 
The popularity of a large fixed blade depends on:

DURABILITY - Whether it can stand heavy duty usage. Not abuse though. That means you can use it to chop materials of reasonable thickness and hardness.

DESIGN - Take a look at popular designs from other companies and ask yourself why these are popular. Most of us are not "field operatives" so we don't have a tendency to go overboard with the knives but we do want a design that says it can stand up to the best chores in our backyard, frontyard or further afield in the sticks.

MATERIAL - Not exotic steels because that would quickly pushes its prices out of ordinary folks' markets. Did someone say "high carbon steel?" Yes, a lot of those popular, affordable ones (large fixed blades) are made of high carbon steel.

BALANCE - Some of those great blades have an inexplicable balance that sort of embraces your hands. When you put one in your right/left hand, the blade feels as if it belongs there. This you can only find out from people in the office, in the street and in the agricultural industry. Meaning, ask people who use large knives a lot.

SHARPNESS - There's nothing like a knife that's sharp and stays sharp for a long time. Nobody likes a knife that is easily blunt and even harder to sharpen. If you can make a large knife that looks tough, stays sharp and has a good balance, you probably have a potential winner in your hands.

AVAILABILITY - Popularity of any product especially a knife also depends on its availability. Most people like to get their choice blades as easily as they buy their bread. It's true. If I want something, I don't want to travel half way across the world to get it, and I want it fast, too.

IN SUMMARY: In conclusion, shall we say a winning blade of the kind which you think may earn Spyderco some hefty profits would be one that is affordable, durable, great design, stays sharp longer, no worries about sharpening, nice sheath (forgot to add this one), reasonable length blade (say, 6.5 inches) and "feel-good" handle, and availability.

All good knives have a market. Expensive blades are for collectors. Functional and practical knives reach out to the masses. Just think of the size of the market. Great volume, low price of item often translates to high profits in the long run. You get repeat customers, too. Customers have a tendency to buy more than one. The extras or spares are for friends and relatives.

:) :)
 
I am not sure about how good it would be for MBC but when I hold a fixed blade I like to fell like I am holding something.
Full tang
thick stock
Canvas Micarta or G10 scales
I would love to see the Native shape in a large fixed blade.1/4 in stock 6 in blade and G10 scales put on with screws.
 
Relating back to my experiences in Nam, this is what I think would make a great fixed blade

Blade: 6-6.5" in length. Corrosion resistance a must. Either a tool steel like a coated D2 or similar or H1 coated (coated=low reflectivity). At least 4mm thick. Flat grind w/swedge sharpenable. Upper blood groove. And of course, full tang for strength and durability.

Handle: G10, Sanoprene or Micarta. Black in color. Rough, grippy surface. Molded finger grooves. Full guard to prevent forward motion of hand when wet (sweat, dirt, mud, etc). Hole for lanyard.

Sheath: I prefer ballistic nylon w/plastic insert. Kydex is noisy when knife is withdrawn. Also, kydex tends to get sticky when hot, sometimes, even warm. Also, a sheath with an auxilliary pouch to carry a folding knife or sharpening stone for field maintenance. Aux pouch should be detachable so if carrying a folding knife, can be belt or strap worn.

This is the kind of knife we could only dream about back in the 60s.
 
Hi Sal and thanks for asking. I would be all over something like a 7" clip point bowie with a single guard. A2, O1 or similar, full tang, scales of Micarta or G-10-I don't do much knife fighting, but I do rescue work so Bright yellow or international orange scales would be great. The scales should be easily removeable and changeable and have a lanyard hole. Plain edge, no sawteeth. An ambi sheath, pref. leather. with a pocket on the sheath that I could put a DMT sharpener and a SAK in.
Once again, thanks again for taking the time to communicate with the ELU.s That's one of the things that makes Spyderco a great Co.
 
Any news about new spydy fixed blades makes me very happy. I think the current spydy fixed knives are excellent overall, ergos, blades, sheaths all work together nicely.
I would love to see a knife of this size designed specifically for mbc, a light fast bowie style profile blade with at least the option of a sharpened clip or back edge. Pair that with a persian style handle of textured g10, no finger grooves but a curved pommel to act as pinky hook. Then stick on a small but useful single guard. I think spydy's vg10 steel is great and using it seems to help keep the price down. A little more blade width then the Perrin but keep that light fast feel. Kydex sheath designed for discreet carry and quick deployment. You already have super small belt knives in the Moran's and good gp multifunctin fbs in the Temperance and the new Scemp chopper is sure to be a great large camp knife, make this one a dedicated mbc blade.
 
I personally would like to see the Temperance brought back in 3V with a more reinforced tip. I liked the style alot, but the tip turned me off to owning it.
 
Just a few mental pics I have floating around...


Bob Lum O'Tanto
Blade: 7"
Handle: 5 1/2"
Steel: VG-10
Grip: Dark Earth, black, OD, tan G10, FRN, or Micarta


Bush Blade
Blade: 12"
Handle: 5 1/2'
Steel: VG-10
Grip: OD, Black, tan FRN
Blade style: Manix, Temperance


C.Q.E.E.C. Close. Quarters. Escape. and Evasion. Companion.
Blade: 8"
Handle: 5"
Steel: CPM-S30V
Grip: black, OD, tan, Dark Earth G10
Blade Style: Kumo
 
Sal,

It's great to see someone like yourself asking a question like that in a place like this. (sounds corny but true). I have five folders and two fixed blades from Spyderco, and I love each and every one. I would like to see a 7"-10" blade model from you in one of two different styles. For mbc, I would like to see something resembling (same length blade at least) the basic sayoc trainer with a grippy slightly soft handle (large version of the moran handle comes to mind. For a knife I would actually use on a regular basis, I would like to see a Spyderized version of the bk-7,9, ranger rd9, swamp rat camp tramp style of knife. (I haven't seen the Schemp chopper yet) I have always liked the ergonomics of the Spyderco knives more than that of any other maker. For the camp style knife, I would love to see something about 1/4" thick in cpm3v, but I realize that could make it almost cost prohibitive. For the mbc knife, a tough 5/32" or 3/16" thick blade of pretty much any decent steel would make me happy. After all, how many people are out using their live mbc blade for chopping wood, etc all the time to need the latest super steel in it....unless you are marketing to Seals/Delta/or some other group like that. Just my two cents for what it's worth.
 
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