Narrow, Streamlined Bladed Spyders

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
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I was just thinking the other day what many of my all time favorite Spyders have in common. One sector of Spyders that are really special to me are their models with narrow blades. I dearly adore and have for many years favored their models with narrow, streamlined blades. I'm speaking of great models like the JD Smith, C-60 Ayoob, Chokwe, C-50 Centofante>> I could name some more but you all get the idea. Most of them strangely enough are collaborations but that doesn't bother me at all>> because I actually love many of Spyderco's great classic collaborations in a wide range of styles and designs.

It's been on my mind for a while because it seems as though there's a trend going away from those great blade styles with the narrow and streamlined designs with the possible exception of the Pattada. I'm wondering how many of you also like Spyderco's narrow bladed models and which ones you all like the best? How do you all rate their utility and defense aspects of those types of designs against some of the other Spyders? Also I'm wondering what's on the horizon in that sector?
 
My fav Spydie is probably the SS Police plain edge, very slim and pointy. Might not be the best EDC, it's slippery, shallow hollow grind, but it gives me the biggest smile out of any Spyderco.
 
Mick_1KRR said:
My fav Spydie is probably the SS Police plain edge, very slim and pointy. Might not be the best EDC, it's slippery, shallow hollow grind, but it gives me the biggest smile out of any Spyderco.
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Hey Mick glad you mentioned the POLICE model>> It was one of the Spyders I literally cut my Spyder teeth on back in the mid 90s when I first got addicted to Spyderco knives. The POLICE model I just love the best is the G-10 handled version. I have one of the originals from the ATS-55 era and it has a full flat grind and it's a beast.

The POLICE model with a full Spyderedge is truly a megabeast of a serrated blade. Great example Mick!
 
I really enjoyed the air. That knife was so small/light/narrow, but surprisingly functional. All the Goddard's are good in the narrow aspect as well. And you get alot of blade for the size of knife with those.
 
JD Spydo said:
the Pattada
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I would buy one tomorrow if I could get it with one of my favorite steels such as M4, M390 or VG10 in that order. I'm not so much for the extreme stainless steels. They hang on to the wire edge too well and are not as hard and edgy. I have tried to talk myself into the current one but I have my Cold Steel Ti Lite IV XHP ground full flat down to 1.9mm at the spine so that is pretty close to the Pattada.

But yes they make useful knives. As far as defense I think there are just too many booty traps to using a knife that way.
 
I totally agree with you, skinny knives have been the one thing that's been conspicuously absent in Spyderco's lineup.

I've been carrying the Boker Urban Trapper and I was just thinking about how often a knife is carried versus how often it is used to cut. The Urban Trapper is a very good knife and a joy to carry but it's definitely not the Spyderco that I could envision taking its place, for one, I would just rather have a Spyderhole and a big lock cutout to access it.

I could absolutely tolerate some reduced ergonomics and a thinner handle in an EDC blade that gets carried much more than it cuts.
 
When we say "narrow" are we talking about blade thickness or blade height?
 
From the examples given, it seems we are talking about blade height.

Hard to make a narrow blade when you have a spyderhole! ;)

Also, taller blades usually mean thinner behind the edge. FFG with twice the height will be much thinner behind the edge.
 
kniferbro said:
From the examples given, it seems we are talking about blade height.

Hard to make a narrow blade when you have a spyderhole! ;)

Also, taller blades usually mean thinner behind the edge. FFG with twice the height will be much thinner behind the edge.
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Yeah, I have a bit of a preference for broad blades Spydies exactly because of that.

That said, the G10 Ayoob is a favorite, I managed to snag a USN Catcherman that's my all time food prep folder (and while I'm an incompetent angler at best, handy when my friends drag me along fishing) and I'm eagerly awaiting the Police 4 that my beloved fiancée preordered for me as a gift.
 
Danke42 said:
I'd say the Mantra 2 and the upcoming Jess Horn should be on your shopping list.
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I agree on the Mantra 2 - that blade profile is what caught my eye. The only downside is you do give up the hole opener. So far the flipper works fine though (not a flipper fan, but love the blade shape).
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Yeah, I have a bit of a preference for broad blades Spydies exactly because of that.

That said, the G10 Ayoob is a favorite, I managed to snag a USN Catcherman that's my all time food prep folder (and while I'm an incompetent angler at best, handy when my friends drag me along fishing) and I'm eagerly awaiting the Police 4 that my beloved fiancée preordered for me as a gift.
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Yes a little of both worlds is great. That Police 4 has been catching my eye. I've recently become enamored with Seki lock backs with full steel back spacers. Cool that you already have yours locked down :)
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Yeah, I have a bit of a preference for broad blades Spydies exactly because of that.

That said, the G10 Ayoob is a favorite, I managed to snag a USN Catcherman that's my all time food prep folder (and while I'm an incompetent angler at best, handy when my friends drag me along fishing) and I'm eagerly awaiting the Police 4 that my beloved fiancée preordered for me as a gift.
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Those are two excellent examples of what I'm talking about. But my opening post kind of says it all as well. I too have a couple of the G-10 Ayoob models along with several of the Catcherman models.

It's interesting that a couple of the models have rather thick spines on them. The Ayoob and JD Smith in particular both are rigid in spite of having an overall narrow blade design. I've not yet landed a Pattada model but it's sure one I've got my eye on. I'm hoping that we'll see a Chockwe with a blade made of one of the Supersteels>> something like M390, M-4 or 110V.
 
Narrow bladed Spydies you say...two of my favorites ;)

Screenshot_20170811-163501.png

One is definitely thinner than the other though...

Screenshot_20170811-164539.png

~Chip
 
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I've been wanting to pick up the Pattada but Spyderco keeps coming out with others faster than you can swat a fly. With the Caly 3 close, the Pattada may have to wait a bit longer. Hoping that Spyderco will come out with their version of a kwaiken. Wouldn't necessarily need a supersteel, VG10, XHP or other would work. Would sell like hotcakes.
 
My first two Spydies. SS POLICE and Rookie G10.
Thin was what brought me in.
The POLICE is incredibly thin for such a large package.
I've been painting:)
Snoxowe.jpg

cCDstl8.jpg
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Yeah, I have a bit of a preference for broad blades Spydies exactly because of that.

That said, the G10 Ayoob is a favorite, I managed to snag a USN Catcherman that's my all time food prep folder (and while I'm an incompetent angler at best, handy when my friends drag me along fishing) and I'm eagerly awaiting the Police 4 that my beloved fiancée preordered for me as a gift.
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Those are two excellent examples of what I'm talking about. But my opening post kind of says it all as well. I too have a couple of the G-10 Ayoob models along with several of the Catcherman models.

It's interesting that a couple of the models have rather thick spines on them. The Ayoob and JD Smith in particular both are rigid in spite of having an overall narrow blade design. I've not yet landed a Pattada model but it's sure one I've got my eye on. I'm hoping that we'll see a Chockwe with a blade made of one of the Supersteels>> something like M390, M-4 or 110V.
 
fishface5 said:
booty traps???????
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Well I learned some stuff from the Blade Forums people here :
  • Why would you want to get that close to an assailant ?
  • Knife wounds are often more dangerous/life threatening than a gun shot wound.
  • In court, even if you are in the right, if you use a knife to defend yourself you may still wind up incarcerated for quite a while.
  • Many (most) of the real bad guys train to take a knife away from you and they may/will then use it on you.
I'm sure there are more but that's a taste.

PS: thank you Blade Forum members for reminding us of these things.
 
carrot said:
reduced ergonomics
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Superior ergonomics is why I would want a Pattada.
Case in point, my grail (which I now own) is a Boker Urban Trapper with a fat round handle very, very similar in shape to the Pattada but with a rubber/textured surface. Amazingly effective in use. It's the sheeet I tell you.
 
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