Lum Chinese: concept knife vs. production model.

Carlos

Carlos

Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
1,654
The poor Chinese folder suffered many transformations before coming to production. The original concept knives produced by Bob Lum were linerlocks with titanium scales. Then Spyderco modified it with a Rolling Lock, but the licensing deal fell through. So they tried to redesign it with a lockback, but it ruined the profile. So finally we got our linerlock with Almite scales. :D

<img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/pf35edb6333d049df5e53cb69c44bedce/fe5c9c71.jpg.orig.jpg">

Still, in comparing the production model with the mid-size concept knife, it seems that the profile had been made slimmer, both for the blade and handle. Any thoughts on why this was done? An "improvement?"

(BTW, I borrowed someone's image of their #464.)
 
Thanks, Carlos, for the side-by-sides. Enables one to really see the differences.

I'm the farthest thing from an expert on how collaborations between custom makers and knife manufacturers work. There are some where the likeness is nearly exact, and others with more substantial differences. For instance, I've read a number of threads where the poster very favorably compares the CRKT KFF to Crawford's own model. But others, certainly this Lum, have some differences. I believe there is a significant amount of difference between Carson's Model 4 and the Magna.

It's my guess that some makers don't want the collaborative knife to too closely resemble the original, either out of fear their own sales will drop, or because artistically they want their own original design to remain unaltered.

In looking at the pics you posted, I'd have to admit that I like the prototype even better than the collaboration -- and I like that very well. For me it is the blade shape. However good a slicer the Spyderco model is, it just appears to me that the Lum original would do even better, given the same steel.

Again, thanks for the pics. I "borrowed" it/them for my collection. :)
 
Carlos:
Thanks for putting my Lum (464)in the spot light. I purchased this from Johnnie at Knives Plus when they first became available ( she has standing notice to call me when ever a new Spyderco comes in) and I've carried it every day since. I feel it's the finest Spydie produced so far and I own nearly every style of Spydie made to date.
 
Hi guys,

I have one idea for the change in profile: improved penetration performance. The production model actually penetrates incredibly well, so perhaps the steeper slope of the concept knife's blade was a hindrance a penetration.
 
After some good advise from Carlos, I proceded to order my blue C65 Lum from Mike at Newgraham

.http://www.newgraham.com/ .

I expect to be the only boy on my block to have one.

Carlos told me "Spyderco is manufacturing a single run of Chinese folders with "gunmetal blue" (the same color on the Almite Navigators) for Boker, its distributor for Germany."

Mike at Newgraham added, "no problem in placing a backorder for the Lum Chinese in blue. Price will be the same as our online price which is 109and change. You can place an order on line or toll free and secure with a credit card. Your knife or knives will ship the same day we receive them. I expect delivery mid to late Aug. We will not bill your card till item(s) ship to you. BTW only 600 will be initally produced and only in plain edge. (per Spyderco this date). Spyderco is limiting dealers to 20 of the Lum blue, so I suspect they will get scarce fast. "

Thank you very much Carlos for your courteous and informative response.
 
Hi JustChuck. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Carlos, just one of those things that changed a little in the engineering. No reason or purpose. However, At this point, I would prefer not to tool up a new blade tool for a very slight change in the profile. Besides, you were the only one that noticed.

sal
 
Hi Sal,

LOL. That is interesting.

I can't image that it could perform much better than now, but perhaps when it comes time to re-tool in the distant future, you might restore the original profile.
 
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