My opinion of the best overlooked folder on the U.S. market

soupah said:
One last thing though, Sal- I know it's just my opinion, but I'd really prefer a version of your new "Urban" that was 2.5" long rather than 2.6". Yeah, it's just .1", but can't you just see somebody someday exploiting that as a technically illegal knife somewhere? I imagine there's a prosecutor somewhere who be glad to nail somebody for an extra .1" over a limit. And what's a extra .1" to me or any other knife owner? Probably nothing...so I'd prefer to have the official legal length. It's just my opinion
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I share that opinion (and from reading this thread, it seems others do too), and I raised it on the Spyderco forum recently when the Urban was being discussed. It simply doesn't make any sense to me to design a knife that's specifically intended to be legal in many locales because it meets blade length and lock restrictions, but then have that knife be over the blade length limit (even by a tenth of an inch). The way I see it is this. People who aren't overly concerned with a blade length limit in their area can buy a UKPK, or whatever else they want. Those who are concerned will want a folder that's actually, indisputably, legal, not just "close enough". Clearly, there are certain compromises to be made when you're designing a folder for this market, but in my opinion, the knife should be designed within the constraints of the laws, or it defeats the entire purpose.
 
Hi Emre,

The "why" quesion :eek:

The original Urban was designed as a 2.5" knife, to meet that size requirement. Showing the model at meets clearly indicated that the handle was too short for most adults, so we increased the handle size 1/4", which made the difference.

Then the 2.5" blade looked really short for the handle. 2.7" will fit the handle, but I felt that was pushing the 2.5" limit too much so I compromised.

I know this shouldn't make a difference, but more of our customers complain about handle/blade ratio than complain about .1" :rolleyes:

I will consider your request.

Regarding stout 2.5" knives with strong locks. Probably the best is the new byrd "Robin". 2,5" mid lock-back in SS, G-10 or FRN, and quite reasonable at about $25 MSRP. You might look for any of the older Salsa's. Also the "S" is a novel 2.5" knife.

sal
 
The way people gripe about the blade to handle ratio on the Paramilitary, I can't blame you for adding a bit to the blade on the Urban, but I think you should consider leaving it at 2.5" to serve the application it was originally intended for. On the other hand, if you make it 2.5", some will point out that they are living where there is a 2" limit :rolleyes:

Since you are talking about a variety of blade shapes anyway, perhaps you could leave one below the 2.5" limit for those suffering under that restriction. You could even call it the NKP blade ;)
 
Thanx for the input and thanx for the thread.

We can make the blade "length overall" 2.5" without changing the blade. We did this on the Delica4 to keep within the 3" limit requests. It won't change function, ergos or cutting edge length.

I do believe that legal and NKP (Non Knife People) concerns over knives will change knives over the next 5 - 10 years. I believe that our new approach to "one hand open, non-locking, clip carry folders" will serve those changes.

The Pride, UKPK, T-mag, and our new "Urban" are the beginning of another "era" of folding knives of the future for: Carrying knives in urban environments, travel, social acceptance, legal requirements, etc.

sal
 
Those UK knife laws sound draconian. Is it really the case that locking blades are prohibited? This means the next time I go there I can't take my Opinel No.8 which has a collar lock or my Case Copperlock or Spyder Delica:eek: How come you can BUY them there though?

What's left? A Bark River Micro Slither? uh uh, fixed blade...

Plastic picnic knife:barf:

No wonder the original poster collects with an eye to possible bans....
 
Hi Willgoy,

I'm not an expert on British knife law, but I have been working closely with the (very bright) group at British Blades on depveloping knives for their Country & society that a will also appeal to knife "afi's" (aficianados).

It is my understanding that in the UK, you cannot carry a folding knife with a blade length of greater than 3" and it cannot be a locking folder unless you have a specific reason. Eg: you are on your way to go hunting or fishing or you are on your way to work and you work in construction, which justifies a locking blade.

"What's left?" are SAK's, slip-joints, friction folders................and Spyderco's

sal
 
The knife laws here in the U.K. are draconian and not logical in the slightest. One is restricted to carrying a slipjoint of no greater than 3". However, with 'a good reason' you can carry almost anything. Here is where it gets a tad Orwellian in that it's almost impossible to prove you have a sufficiently good enough reason.
You can, with the exception of autos, gravity, butterfly, push, and knuckle knives buy almost anything you want.
Also, if you already own any of the above, you can keep them at home.
Probably my favourite user/beater is my 15 year old Delica, which has given sterling performance but I'm now too paranoid to take it outside ( it's the spot checks on the underground with metal detectors that have tipped the balance.) I'm on the Tube every day.
Now I always carry the UKPK. It is still a little bit too tactical looking and I'd like one with a pretty coloured handle, still G10 if possible and maybe 2-3mm less blade.
I've loads of SAK's but they are just too humdrum.
 
Hi Jockohomo,

We're planning foliage green G-10 and orange G-10 handles for the UKPK in '08. The same as will be available on the "Urban".

sal
 
Sal,

That finger choil your company uses is one of my favorite things about Spyderco's designs. Having had lock issues on several occassions from different makers, I decided pretty much that the only safe folder is one with a good finger choil. Folders from your company have been seeing an increasingly large block of carry time with me and that's one of the reasons. Aside from the fact that overall ya'll just build great knives that appeal to me.
The lg. Manix, the Stretch and S30V Military have been with me a LOT in the past couple of months.
I hope your company stays on this path of being "safety conscious".
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Bayoublaster,

[]
It's interesting to note that the Brits said they weren't as enamored with the UK flag as "we Americans". We found that true elswhere as well. Perhaps, a bad marketing call on my part in the original plan to use country flags :o
[]
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Mr. Glesser, I suspect what the European market is yearning for is a knife with the hammer-n-sickle flag. Considering their political trends, this is where they are surely headed.

This is also worth a look:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...3&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true
 
Sal Glesser said:
The "why" quesion :eek:
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Hi, Sal. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. As an end-user, I can't imagine all the work and planning that goes into a knife design. Thank you for the insight.

I'll look into the knives you mentioned.

Emre
 
Just want to say that I'm REALLY looking forward to these Urban slipjoints - hope that the bolster and scales version is still in the running and we're going to get a wharncliff...
(I'm in the UK and I haven't bought a UKPK because it's too big)

Oh, and starboard - nothing in the daily mail is ever worth a look!
 
I can legally carry all my favorite knives and don't really travel enough to be impacted by knife laws/restrictions very often, but I am still really looking forward to this upcoming Urban.

The size sounds great for my use, and would make a great knife to pair with a larger locking folder. I really like the idea of different blade options (wharncliff especially) and handle colors. I like slipjoint knives and I have been impressed with the cutting power of smaller Spydercos like D-fly so this sounds like a great new knife to me.

Will it have the same clip as the UKPK/Caly 3?
 
Trying to sell a knife with a flag on it in the U.K. is a lost cause. The Union Jack is the official flag but many Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish prefer to avoid it an any products. Many English also avoid it as it's been semi-hi-jacked by rightwing ( racist ) thugs. This leaves the old national flags and variations of same. Ulster has some real beauties and showing the wrong one in the wrong place could earn you a very sore face!
Brits. seem more comfortable using, usually wearing, products with foreign flags. Favourites seem to be, U.S.A., Canada, Norway, Soviet Union, Germany and Italy.
I'm always amazed when I'm in the States at seeing all these well dressed business men with their little U.S. flags pinned to their lapels.
If you tried that here, at best you'd be thought eccentric at worst, a neo-nazi.
Go figure...
 
Sal Glesser said:
Thanx for the input and thanx for the thread.

We can make the blade "length overall" 2.5" without changing the blade. We did this on the Delica4 to keep within the 3" limit requests. It won't change function, ergos or cutting edge length.

I do believe that legal and NKP (Non Knife People) concerns over knives will change knives over the next 5 - 10 years. I believe that our new approach to "one hand open, non-locking, clip carry folders" will serve those changes.

sal
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You said a mouthful, Sal. I'm glad you're considering the 2.5" length. Heck, looks be damned, I would buy a folder with a "propotionally" over-large handle in a heartbeat! A lagre comfortable handle with a legal-length blade would be a winning combo for many.

I think your angle on the "one hand open, non-locking, clip carry folders" market is simply genius. That is (unfortunately) where knife laws are going, I think. We don't have to like it, but if I lose the battle to continue to carry what I wish, I WILL carry what's allowed. Your Urban may suddenly become one of few carry options for many people...especially for those that carry in workplaces with draconian laws.
 
I'd sure appreciate a version of the knife with the legal-length blade. I've dealt with the security folks where I work enough to know that they wouldn't think twice about busting someone for a blade that's .1" too long.
 
So would a Micro knife like the miniture "Police" tie clip/chain necklace be considered legal carry?
-http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/set/2292/necklacerev.htm
-http://www.holygoat.co.uk/blog/entry/2004-10-09-1
Because then, I would very much like to see more scaled down spydie minitures made for a change.
But it definately has to be more competitively priced unlike the discontinued police model discussed.
 
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