New FB01 "Moran" - pictures

J

James Mattis

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
3,264
The slightly revised knife:

FB01-1999.jpg


And the new sheath:

FB01-1999-sheaths.jpg


Note how the removable belt clip is adjustable for belt width, and also for carry position. I haven't figured out how many possibilities there are. The sheath seems to hold the knife, which is lightweight, very securely in the upside down position.

One thing I noticed about the sheath is that when I push with my thumb to draw the knife, the kydex halves part as you withdraw the knife, and then the close up, pinching my thumb just enough to be mildly annoying. To fix that one one of the sheaths, I pulled the knife part-way out to open the gap between halves, and shaved the inside edges of the kydex a little with the point of another knife, to bevel/round them, and now they don't pinch any more.

I like it.

I'm already imagining new SKU's based on that handle and sheath design.
wink.gif


A drop point, of course - though that can be done now, carefully with some sort of power sander and a bucket of water for frequent cooling. Also (and how can I leave out this wish?) a puukko type blade would be a nice option. And a six inch utility knife and a six inch chef's knife would also work nicely on the basic design, I think. Some folks already put the FB01 to kitchen duty.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Good pics of the sheath James, best I've seen to date. I agree about a drop point variation , the only thing left for Spyderco to do after that would be a nice camp knife, about an 8" blade with a handle similarly constructed, but in proportion to the blade size. Keep it relatively thin and flat ground, for those of us who don't attack castles or armored knights.
 
I love my new Moran. I really like the sheath. It is very versatile. The knife is also.
I too would like to see Spyderco produce a camp knife with a 8-10" blade. I believe there is a market for this type of knife. Especially if you look at the sales of knives like Busse basics, and RTAKs from Newt Livesay. I would love to see spydercos attempt at a knife such as that.

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-Dennis


 
That would be cool as well. I would like to see a drop point blade on the current Moran handle. The handle is very ergonomic and I would welcome different blades that used it.

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-Dennis


 
I'm ashamed to say this, but I like the old leather sheath better
redface.gif
. I know the new sheath is just bristling with bells and whistles and is much more practical. Maybe it's just my age showing, when I was a boy growing up, my knives all had leather sheaths. I just like the look and feel of the original sheath and the way the knife fits into it. I did buy an EdgeWorks slip sheath but can't bring myself to use it
frown.gif
.

There I've got it off my chest, "My name is Clay Kesting and I like leather"
smile.gif
.

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
Clay - That's perfectly all right. do you feel better now? That's the whole reason we made a leather sheath...just for you to have one for your collection. We just made a few extra's to make sure you got one.

Now we have to evolve. Nostalgia is good, high performance is more our thing.

sal
 
If high performance is always so high on the priority list, whey are there so many trucks on the road? Why are Jeans so popular? We like stuff that works, and works hard, and feels good while working. LEather does that. That and Kydex is noisy and less forgiving to wear. I have only had one sheath made of Kydex that was easy to wear, and it was a fluke of a design when it was made. Things just turned out good with it.

If we were all worried about performance we would be wearing Spandex while driving our Porches and Corvettes...

It ain't nostalgia.

YeK
 
Yek - Leather's OK. But the Moran is so sharp at the tip that many were poking the tip through the sheath...dangerous. We would have to put some type of plastic liner in just for safety sake. The second major complaint was the weight.

I think the major difference in preference would be collection vs useage.

sal
 
Leather is OK, but the new sheath is a HUGE improvement over the old leather one.

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-Dennis


 
Hmmmm . . . How about a variant with a blade no wider than the ricasso (where it joins the handle), and a drop point or clip point, and offer a kydex sheath like this one, or a Scandinavian style leather dangler sheath for walking quietly in the woods?

I agree that the upswept point on that knife begs for Kydex.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001


[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 26 September 1999).]
 
Thank you Sal, yes I do feel much better now. You now what they say about confession
smile.gif
.

However I should add, in my own defence, that I am not really a collector, I haven't bought a knife which I don't use, including my Moran. It is the knife I always grab when I'm going bushwalking or camping, leather sheath and all. OTOH, while I'm in the mood for confessions, I should say that I've never actually worn it on my belt
redface.gif
, I usually just throw it in my pack with the rest of the gear. Perhaps if I had the Kydex sheath I might actually wear it
biggrin.gif
.

------------------
Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.



[This message has been edited by Clay Kesting (edited 27 September 1999).]
 
I did not take the upswept point into consideration.

So I guess I will join Mr. Mattis in requesting for a drop point version and a Puuko style grind and sheath. Add that to my dream list of other Spyderco goodies I'd like to see. A Spydie MegaFolder, a g-10 Goddard (with screw together construction) and now a drop point Moran. I can dream I guess.

YeK
 
Well, I intend to get a kydex sheath for my Moran but I gotta admit this particular one looks ugly front and back.

I've been picturing a drop point or wharncliffe blade and it might work. I still think the knife could be bigger, even one inch would do it for me.
 
How about a half leather, half kydex, sheath? Sal? Any one?

I have 6 of the old shiny Morans. The knife is incredibly useful in the kitchen. The wife suggests that I make a steak knife set out of them. Hah!
 
Yek,please promise us........we do`nt ever want to see you in spandex.

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proud to be part of the problem
 
OK, drop point, yes; puukko, ditto. Now, how about a nice leather sheath for both with kydex liner... the best of both worlds. I removed the plastic liner from the (cheap) sheath that came with my Roselli hunter, made a latigo leather puukko style sheath (well, it's close, anyway) and inserted the liner. Fit perfectly. So I've got the security of a stiff plastic liner, and the look and feel of real leather.
 
Guys, you have to see the buckle on the sheath to really appreciate the ingenuity of the design.

I've only been truly amazed by three things I've seen this year at various shows, or in my day to day work at BladeForums.com

#1 was the Speed Tech Synergy, at the SHOT Show. We broke the story on it first right here on the forums, and it later went on to win a major award at it's first Blade show.

#2 is the James Brothers DA OTF, which should be out soon.

#3 is this buckle, which is coming from BladeTech. Tim did an outstanding job on the design of the piece and I can not say enough good things about it. The design is so good that I'm thinking it's going to revolutionize how we look at sheaths and other equipment (like magazine pouches, radio holders, holsters), etc. You truly have to see it and look at it from all angles to truly apprecieate it.

If it's constructed right (and by the looks of it, it sure is), you'll multi-position will take on a whole new level with this sheath. You'll be able to wear it in whatever position you want, and change it out rapidly as well.

This multiposition buckle on a Kydex sheath with the revised Spyderco Moran is just about as good as it gets. This is one knife/carry system that will fit the bill for 90% of the people out there

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
For the present blade type, this multi-position sheath seems just right. But for another look at a great idea:

James Mattis said:

" How about a variant with a blade no wider than the ricasso (where it joins the handle),
and a drop point or clip point, and offer ... a Scandinavian style leather dangler sheath for walking quietly in the woods?"

Now THAT would be SWEET!! A 'woodsy' knife with a pouch, dangler sheath! As comfortable, usable, and enjoyable as home.
smile.gif


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Cutting through all the muck,
we get to what's really important.

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
Very cool,

Been away for awhile and I come back to this, very nice.

I am getting one.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.


 
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