Lost Classics--Superb designs

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
4,827
There are some Spyders of years gone by that just continue to intrigue me. One of my all time favorites is the C-50 Centofante II model. The streamlined design is really super functional. It is a model that has pretty much gotten lost in time.

Another lost Classic is the Renegade model. One of the great GIN-1 bladed Spyders. I carried a Renegade for a little over a year and it only got knocked out of my pocket by a C-44 big Dyad. What can I say other than it took a masterpiece of a knife to replace it. I still like the Renegade though and I long for it to be coming back some day with a new blade steel such as ZDP-189

One Spyder that never even got a chance to achieve Classic status is the stainless handled Rescue models C-14 & C-45. That knife was built like the Sears tower. Few Spyders had construction to that degree. But all Spyders are quality to be sure.

3 that kind of got lost in the shuffle. Why do you all think that is? And what do you all think of those models?
 
The C50P has recently replaced my old standby 640. Although I actually like the 640 better, I will no longer carry or use a product from that company. The C50 certainly makes an adequate replacement, but I suspect that style may be a bit extreme for the sheeple (their problem, not mine :D ) I have never handled the others you mention, but I was told one of my Natives now greatly resembles an S30V Renegade. If it does, then the Renegade is all right with me.
 
yablanowitz said:
The C50P has recently replaced my old standby 640. Although I actually like the 640 better, I will no longer carry or use a product from that company. The C50 certainly makes an adequate replacement, but I suspect that style may be a bit extreme for the sheeple (their problem, not mine :D ) I have never handled the others you mention, but I was told one of my Natives now greatly resembles an S30V Renegade. If it does, then the Renegade is all right with me.
Click to expand...

You know YAB I think you and I have similar tastes in blades :) I also carried a BM model 640 as a main EDC for quite some time before I replaced it with a Spyderco Renegade. Few people realize that the Spyderco C-50 Centofante II is very close in scope to the BM Boguszewski model. I find the G-10 handle of the C-50 actually to be somewhat grippier than the aircraft anodized aluminum of the BM 640.

I do think that the C-50 is a Classic in the ripening process for 2 reasons. First of all it is a Golden Colorado knife. Second it was one of the more ignored Spyders out of the "ALL GOD's CRITTERS" era. I think we are about to see a bunch of them out of that era in the ripening process. But the C-50 is already drying up on Ebay and other places. I could however do away with that safety blade lock that they put on the later ones>> but I can live it if I have to.

Congrats on a great new EDC there Mr. YAB
 
I'd like to see a reissue of the Worker. I've long wanted one for my collection but don't want to shell out what it costs to get one on the secondary market.
 
moonwilson said:
I'd like to see a reissue of the Worker. I've long wanted one for my collection but don't want to shell out what it costs to get one on the secondary market.
Click to expand...

I have been almost to the point of screaming for a C-01 Worker with a ZDP-189 blade. If there ever was a Spyderco knife totally perfect for ZDP-189 blade steel it would be the C-01 Worker model. The Worker is a perpetual classic: >> it should never be forgotten and should be re-introduced with new handle and blade materials on regular intervals.
 
that's what i have been saying all along... BRING BACK THAT WORKER!!!

the more chime in the better tha chances of seeing another worker model.

Ookami
 
Renegade - to me it alway looks like a Blackhawk that got s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d, don't care for the proportions on it, perhaps others felt the same. Or perhaps G-10 had not yet become a "hot comodity" so the price point made it unattractive.

C50 Centofante - can't figure anything, other than the obvious - poor sales. JFJ still has a few of the SE ones in stock, as well as some C25 SEs, so they're not exactly in high demand even now.

Stainless C14 and C45 - have an idea that the kind of folks who use the Rescues may prefer a handle that stays cool when things get hot. Price may also be a factor as I'd bet the C14 and C45 have the highest "loss rate" of any Spyderco models, due to the situations they get used in. Those two factors may have doomed the SS Rescues.
 
Peter1960 said:
I second that! A C01PBM Worker, plain, black Micarta handles would be perfect for my purpose :D
Click to expand...

Well it's good to know that I am not the only one who would like to see the C-01 Worker model return. I think it's one Spyder that should have perpetual status just like it's counterpart models i.e. The Police model, The Harpy, ect,.

The blade design of the C-01 Worker looks to me to be made for laminated ZDP-189 blade steel. I guess I am somewhat sentimental about some of those older models but the point on the worker if made with ZDP would be great for finite, intricate work.

I've also always wanted to see the C-01 Worker model with either a Micarta or Carbon Fiber handle to go with the ZDP blade.
 
I was lucky enough to get a Commemorative Worker and wish it was still around in ANY version as I think it's great. I'd also love to have a SS Rescue and that will be put to good use if I ever do get one.
 
The last batch of Workers (the 20th Anniversary Model) sold slowly and poorly. Am sure if the Police or Harpy were selling as poorly, they would be history too. At least up to the last time I followed an auction for one a couple months back, they could still be picked up for around $100 NIB. Any re-issue would probably wind up costing more, especially if done in the currently trendy ZDP-189 steel. Micarta, G-10, or CF handles would all up the ante even more, and probably further narrow the market as well.

As an alternative, the 75mm Schempp Persian offers an excellent "splinter picker" tip in a very attractive and ergonomic package.
 
The Deacon said:
The last batch of Workers (the 20th Anniversary Model) sold slowly and poorly. Am sure if the Police or Harpy were selling as poorly, they would be history too. At least up to the last time I followed an auction for one a couple months back, they could still be picked up for around $100 NIB. Any re-issue would probably wind up costing more, especially if done in the currently trendy ZDP-189 steel. Micarta, G-10, or CF handles would all up the ante even more, and probably further narrow the market as well.

As an alternative, the 75mm Schempp Persian offers an excellent "splinter picker" tip in a very attractive and ergonomic package.
Click to expand...

Sure it won't sell good if you use the older handle materials and blade steel. That's the whole idea behind possibly revamping it. IT truly would be a whole new knife with ZDP-189 blade steel and a with better, more functional handle it would open up a new market.

The only people I've talked to that had anything bad to say about the C-01 Worker model all told me that they didn't like stainless handles. That's the whole thrust behind totally re-doing it all together. It's just a suggestion and so far most people like it :)

As far as what it costs to bring it to market>> they are all a gamble if you look at it that way. But most Spyders do come up 7 when you roll the dice now don't they :)
 
I've never handled a Worker:grumpy: , but when I saw a picture of it in an old '98 brochure, I've wanted it ever since.

Bring it in fully serrated ZDP(although I would settle for VG10 as well) with black, nested linered, G10 handles with Moki like fit & finish and I would buy several of them.

Heck, I'm even willing to trade 75% of my Spydies for it;)
 
I believe the G10 worker with ATS55 was on close out for months at SMKW about 5 years ago. Final price was around $35. Not a hot seller and not a good history for a rerun.
 
"One of my all time favorites is the C-50 Centofante II model."

I agree. I still wish I had the PE Cent II I traded to you so long ago. It was before I really knew what I liked and I let it go. I have two CE versions that I carry from time to time now but that PE was a treat.

I lucked into a trade of a SE large Calypso and that has seen the most pocket time of late. I also used to have the PE large and small micarta Calypsos but I let them go as well. The large Calypso is a joy to carry and hold. That smooth black micarta is one of the best looking handle materials I have seen. Just looks classy.

Here are my top three Spydercos of all time:
1. G-10 Police flat ground PE
2. large Calypso PE
3. Centofante II PE

Three of the best knives I have ever owned and I wish Spyderco would bring them all back.

For some reason, I am not a fan of the Native or the Renegade. I don't know what it is but I have owned both of them and they did zero for me. Strange because they are very popular and most people seem to like them.
 
kgriggs8 said:
"One of my all time favorites is the C-50 Centofante II model."

I agree. I still wish I had the PE Cent II I traded to you so long ago. It was before I really knew what I liked and I let it go. I have two CE versions that I carry from time to time now but that PE was a treat.

I lucked into a trade of a SE large Calypso and that has seen the most pocket time of late. I also used to have the PE large and small micarta Calypsos but I let them go as well. The large Calypso is a joy to carry and hold. That smooth black micarta is one of the best looking handle materials I have seen. Just looks classy.

Here are my top three Spydercos of all time:
1. G-10 Police flat ground PE
2. large Calypso PE
3. Centofante II PE

Three of the best knives I have ever owned and I wish Spyderco would bring them all back.

For some reason, I am not a fan of the Native or the Renegade. I don't know what it is but I have owned both of them and they did zero for me. Strange because they are very popular and most people seem to like them.
Click to expand...

Kevin those are 3 Great All Time Spyder Classics. I sold my flat grind G-10 Police model and I regret it terribly. I won't rest now till I get one back. That flat grind G-10 Police is a really decent blade. I am also in total agreement with you about the Centofante II C-50. I do a Top 10 list on the Spyderco.com forum about every 6 months or so and the Centofante II C-50 always either gets in my top 10 or at least honorable mention.

Plus it's a GOLDEN CO made knife which are near and dear to me. The blade design is so close to another all time favorite of mine and that being the Benchmade model 640 Boguszewski Spike. It is truly one of those Unappreciated Spyders that will eventually gets it's respect.
 
I have 2 Centofante II's and they're some of my favorite knives. Definitely a poker or cutter. The blade seems so fragile. I predict the C50GP (?) will go up in value as idiots use them to pry things open, invariably snapping the blade. I also think the original Endura wave (limited, FRN, no liners) was a very nice knife. Also a bit partial the the carbon fiber plain edge Harpy and Harpy/Merlins in general.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top