Lum Tanto

JD Spydo said:
Interesting observation because to tell you all the truth I never really liked Titanium handles until I got the Titanium ATR and the Titanium C-46 Lum tanto folder. When I seen how well it gripped with a well designed handle I totally changed my mind 180 degrees about Titanium for knife handle material>> now it's one of my top 3 favs. Now I'm wanting more of my other personal favorite Spyderco models with Ti handles. What I wouldn't give for a C-60 Ayoob model with a Titanium handle.

But the LUM Tanto folder is so well designed and so ergonomically perfect that even FRN would feel better with that handle design :D. Oh sure the blade design on the Lum C-46 Tanto is truly a Van Gogh grade piece of art but also don't forget how perfectly designed that handle is as well. There is only one other handle in the Spyder kingdom that I like better than the one of the C-46 Lum and that is the handle on the original TEMPERANCE 1 fixed blade model. To me that handle and the one on the LUM C-46 are both close to perfection IMO.
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Now that's an idea, why not make an FRN run with a lock back? That would be neat. Or I thought why not make it part of the sage series and make a smaller one with some of the features we have talked about? Although I think the sage series is a homage to lock inventions it would fit as a classic American tanto; wasn't Bob Lum the father of the American Tanto?
At any rate; it would be a very nice and special run in whatever materials and lock configuration they chose to do it; I remember when the PM2 came out they couldn't keep it on the shelves, it was selling like carne Asada burritos out of Lolita's; I think it still is.
I say bring it back! Please? :)
 
Dodge said:
So it may be a small stretch but has anyone ever noticed just how much attention to detail Mr. Lum had? Here is my proof that he embodied the souls of Japan in his design.

Remind you of anything?

http://gaberios.deviantart.com/art/Mount-Fuji-201462677
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Yeah "DODGE" you see what I've seen for a long time>> because when I got my very fist Spyderco Bob Lum Tanto folder ( C-46) I immediately noticed that it was not at all like 98% of all the other Tanto designs I had encountered. And I had traded and obtained a lot of different tanto deisgns over the years. I bet I've had at least 6 of Cold Steel's tanto blades and I actually liked their Kobun fixed blade that I once had and found it to be handy for certain food jobs. But when I got my first Lum Tanto that Spyderco introduced it totally changed my mind about that design.

Because Bob Lum's tanto design is functional and very usable whereas many of the others are just "eye candy" for the most part IMO. Now the Spyderco LUM tanto has that "hamaguri" convex (appleseed) edge on it but it's not hard to sharpen once you get the hang of it. And the spine of both the C-46 and the fixed blade Lum tanto are so thick you would have to exert a horrific G-Force to even think of bending or breaking it. You can clearly see that the LUM Tanto truly had some serious brain-work involved in it's design.

I do hope that Spyderco does many Sprint Runs of both the LUM models over the years. Because the LUM designs are truly functional and proficient.
 
Indeed, That tip and edge are pure Japan reminiscences; and I do also hope they do many runs of it. Maybe Mr Gessler (I hope I did spell it correctly) is reading this thread, maybe he will have compassion on us. :)
 
makariotes said:
Indeed, That tip and edge are pure Japan reminiscences; and I do also hope they do many runs of it. Maybe Mr Gessler (I hope I did spell it correctly) is reading this thread, maybe he will have compassion on us. :)
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His name is Sal Glesser ( not Gessler) and he does indeed monitor these forums ( Bladeforums & Spyderco.com forum) and he does take into account of what we all like and don't like. I can tell you first hand because I've been on both of those forums since 2004. There are 4 models that I hope never leave the kingdom of Spyderville>> they are The C-44 Dyad, The JD Smith, The C-46 Lum Tanto folder and the unbelievable C-60 Massad Ayoob model ( PE & SE). Those 4 models have made a lasting impact with me and I find all 4 of them to be a real joy to carry and use.

I had never really appreciated Japanese blade designs until I got a few Japan made Spyders. The Japanese are true masters of cutlery and I use and carry quite a few of them. Quality is at the top of my list and it seems like Germany, Japan and the USA are the countries that really produce top notch cutlery. And for that reason I hope Spyderco maintains it's connections with the Japanese knife makers and designers>> and I also hope to see them do another German collaboration at some point too.
 
JD Spydo said:
His name is Sal Glesser ( not Gessler) and he does indeed monitor these forums ( Bladeforums & Spyderco.com forum) and he does take into account of what we all like and don't like. I can tell you first hand because I've been on both of those forums since 2004. There are 4 models that I hope never leave the kingdom of Spyderville>> they are The C-44 Dyad, The JD Smith, The C-46 Lum Tanto folder and the unbelievable C-60 Massad Ayoob model ( PE & SE). Those 4 models have made a lasting impact with me and I find all 4 of them to be a real joy to carry and use.

I had never really appreciated Japanese blade designs until I got a few Japan made Spyders. The Japanese are true masters of cutlery and I use and carry quite a few of them. Quality is at the top of my list and it seems like Germany, Japan and the USA are the countries that really produce top notch cutlery. And for that reason I hope Spyderco maintains it's connections with the Japanese knife makers and designers>> and I also hope to see them do another German collaboration at some point too.
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Thanks for the correction man, I hate it when someone misspells my last name as well, I could have looked it up but was too lazy; I am glad he monitors the forums. And I agree, I hope they retain their foreign designers and manufacturers; some of the Japan made knives I've had in the past have been very well made; the same goes for the Taiwan shop, they are putting some really high quality stuff.
 
Well today is a mixed day for me I traded away my titanium lum for this (see below, Pat Crawford large tanto), I am stoked for the new knife and it will be my first custom. I have been on the search for a knife similar to the lum, and so you don't feel too bad for me I still have the gray g10 sprint which I like it better than the titanium due to the grip.
wWRhuwd_zpsv9u7rr6y.jpg
 
Rare blade said:
Well today is a mixed day for me I traded away my titanium lum for this (see below, Pat Crawford large tanto), I am stoked for the new knife and it will be my first custom. I have been on the search for a knife similar to the lum, and so you don't feel too bad for me I still have the gray g10 sprint which I like it better than the titanium due to the grip.
wWRhuwd_zpsv9u7rr6y.jpg
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That's a helluva trade man! Very cool blade, congrats! Good thing you still have the gray one though; if you ever think of letting it go let me know:)
 
I got to admit that I do like the Crawford tanto design>> but not nearly as much as I do the C-46 Lum Tanto of Spyderco's. But hey we're all as different as our fingerprints and our tastes in knives the same. As far as the Titanium handle not being grippy?? When it comes to all metal handles the ones I like the best are #1 Titanium, #2 T-6061 Aircraft Aluminum ( anodized) and third a really well done stainless handle like my dearly beloved Spyderco Stainless RESCUE model.

Personally I wouldn't have made that trade even though I also wouldn't mind test driving that Crawford design I will admit. Every handle material they used on the C-46 Bob Lum Tanto Folder of Spyderco's were all great to me and I had every one of them at one time. I've also pondered how cool it would be to have the C-46 Lum Tanto in the Micarta handle like they used on the LUM fixed blade and I've also wondered how nice it would be to have a top grade carbon fiber handle on that model as well.

One of the biggest selling points to me for the C-46 Lum Tanto was the handle geometry, shape, contour and overall grip comfort. I rate the handle comfort on the C-46 Lum about the highest of any Spyderco folder I own.
 
I would love to add one of these to my collection. They had been out of circulation for about 2 years before I had enough money to add one to my meager collection. Now they are impossible to find.

Sal, my brother.. any chance we could get these back in the series.. maybe do an annual like the Sage?? I think you'd have a lot of takers. Tip up please too. :-)
 
Iamthejellyfish said:
Hap 40 lum tanto, the lamination lines would be amazing! Akin to a samurai swords markings


Sincerely,
Ego sum Chrysaora
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As far as aesthetics I will agree that some of the Samurai and other Japanese high end cutlery it does have a distinct beauty about it. I certainly wouldn't object to something that would simulate an ancient Japanese blade work. Because the main thing I liked about LUM's Tanto design was that he took a traditional tanto design and made it very functional. Because it was the very first Tanto design I ever owned that I actually felt comfortable using it on a day to day basis.

Whereas all the previous tanto designs I ever owned I didn't find any of them to be practical users. I don't mind stuff that looks pretty but I do insist on something that actually can be used and that's the difference between Bob Lum's tanto designs and unfortunately most of the others made by well known American knife companies.
 
Yeah, very well thought out design indeed, not to mention the construction by Spyderco is top shelf; I really haven't used mine to be honest, I'm afraid to scratch it but I don't doubt it would perform flawlessly, I wish I had another one I could carry and use without fear.
Some people buy knives to use them not just keep them in a safe, and I also do, but I'd rather trash one of my PM2s or Emersons than this one. One thing I really like about the Lum is the size of the blade, it's big; I love big blades.
 
makariotes said:
Yeah, very well thought out design indeed, not to mention the construction by Spyderco is top shelf; I really haven't used mine to be honest, I'm afraid to scratch it but I don't doubt it would perform flawlessly, I wish I had another one I could carry and use without fear.
Some people buy knives to use them not just keep them in a safe, and I also do, but I'd rather trash one of my PM2s or Emersons than this one. One thing I really like about the Lum is the size of the blade, it's big; I love big blades.
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I was extremely fortunate because the one Lum C-46 Tanto folder I use as an EDC I got in a trade and it was already carried and used previously before I got it. Otherwise I would have probably had a problem using it for the first time. I also remember the very first C-60 Ayoob model I got I loved the looks of it so much that it was about 3 months before I brought myself to EDC it and scratch it up. I know exactly what you're talking about because when you get a really nice new blade in the same league as that LUM C-46 and it looks like a work of art>> you just don't want to do anything to it.

But I got my C-46 in a trade a few years back and I was glad that it had already been carried and used. But it still looks like about a 9.1 on a 1 to 10 scale judging it's overall condition. I'm always slow to use a new knife especially when they look like a work of art. And that goes double for Spyderedged units because you know you're going to use them hard.
 
JD Spydo said:
I was extremely fortunate because the one Lum C-46 Tanto folder I use as an EDC I got in a trade and it was already carried and used previously before I got it. Otherwise I would have probably had a problem using it for the first time. I also remember the very first C-60 Ayoob model I got I loved the looks of it so much that it was about 3 months before I brought myself to EDC it and scratch it up. I know exactly what you're talking about because when you get a really nice new blade in the same league as that LUM C-46 and it looks like a work of art>> you just don't want to do anything to it.

But I got my C-46 in a trade a few years back and I was glad that it had already been carried and used. But it still looks like about a 9.1 on a 1 to 10 scale judging it's overall condition. I'm always slow to use a new knife especially when they look like a work of art. And that goes double for Spyderedged units because you know you're going to use them hard.
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Yeah, the one I have was already used, a little bit, it has a small scratch but it is barely visible, and the lock bar sits at about 40 percent in, but it is fine like that, it has a ton of life left in it; I wouldn't be surprised if the lockup came like that from the factory. Anyway, every time someone responds to this thread I start dreaming about having a new one; the suggestion about doing it in HAP-40 is a good one for sure, even with the ZDP/420 (can't remember if that name is correct right now) combo would be awesome. Maybe if we keep this thread going long enough, our cries for one will eventually be heard! :) What I am afraid of is not having enough money if it appeared on store shelves, that would be a real bummer; I remember that happening to me when the Ayoob was out, I was flat broke, as usual.
 
makariotes said:
Yeah, the one I have was already used, a little bit, it has a small scratch but it is barely visible, and the lock bar sits at about 40 percent in, but it is fine like that, it has a ton of life left in it; I wouldn't be surprised if the lockup came like that from the factory. Anyway, every time someone responds to this thread I start dreaming about having a new one; the suggestion about doing it in HAP-40 is a good one for sure, even with the ZDP/420 (can't remember if that name is correct right now) combo would be awesome. Maybe if we keep this thread going long enough, our cries for one will eventually be heard! :) What I am afraid of is not having enough money if it appeared on store shelves, that would be a real bummer; I remember that happening to me when the Ayoob was out, I was flat broke, as usual.
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OH make no mistake because I would almost bet a large sum of money that we will see another Sprint Run of the C-46 Lum Tanto folder but I also believe we might also see another Sprint Run of the fixed blade LUM too. The model is so well loved by so many Spyderheads and it also has a non-Spyderco fanbase as well. When I carry mine you wouldn't believe all the compliments I even get from "non-knife" people.

Every one of Bob Lums designs are practical and can be used. That DejaVoo model of his that Benchmade did was also a really nice piece as well. Bob Lum is one of the very few knife designers that did collaborations with Spyderco & Benchmade both. So right there tells you that he was pretty much in a league of his own. I actually got to meet and talk to the guy for quite a while at the 2005 BLADE Show in Atlanta and it was just like talking to your next door neighbor. Great guy and I was really sad to hear of his early demise. Oh yeah we haven't seen the last of Spyderco LUM designs I can assure you of that. They are just too well loved and they sell good from what I'm told.
 
You are right, again, amazing designs; I have a brand new Onslaught, full size, that I often think about using, but it is so beautiful I cringe at the thought of scratching it; now that is a big blade! I also have a black Encounter in D2 that I bought from Japan. But I hope you are correct and we get to have a new run of the C-46, I'd have to let some of my other knives go just to get one, or two. I say bring it back, maybe we should have a poll.
 
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