Prototype report with photos from the IWA show

M

Mr Blonde

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Oct 12, 1998
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Besides making videos at the IWA show in Nuremberg, Germany, I was also given the opportunity by the Spydercrew to bring my lightbox and photocamera to take some photos for all the online Spyderknuts. The next few days I'll be posting more pics and some background info on the various models.


Chicago
The Chicago is a gent's folder with an under 2 inch blade, carbon fiber handle and a liner lock. The wire clip is set up for left and right-handed carry. I don't quite remember the bladesteel, but I believe it was VG-10. The overall construction and blade design is very similar to the Sage and IIRC it will be made by the same maker as the Sage. Although similar in size and role as the Kopa series, the Chicago is very much a lightweight folder. It should make a nice folder for the office, where there are restrictions on bladesize. I also know there's a group of knife afi's that just really likes 'regular' linerlock folders, that are very quick to open and close. The Chicago should be right up their ally.

spyderco_prototype_iwa09_chicago.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_chicago_closed.jpg
 
The Cat is a bigger folder than the Chicago, the blade is around 2,5 inches. All other design features are similar to the Chicago: liner lock, left/right clip, linerlock, carbon fiber handle, leaf blade shape. Together with the Sage, the Cat and Chicago form a family of lightweight gent�s folders, at least that is my impression. With the various blade sizes, you can pick the right knife for your needs or (restricted) environment.


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_cat.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_cat_closed.jpg
 
The G10 Dragonfly has all the features of the regular SS model: VG-10 blade, lockback, leaf shape blade etc... The final production version clip is not shown, but it will be the left/right wireclip that we've seen on quite a few spydies so far, it will probably be the same design clip as the UKPK or Urban models. Since the clip will make this little knife a true left-handed design, I'll be sure to get one as soon as they come out. That small arrow-shaped blade is beautiful and very practical.


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_dragonfly.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_dragonfly_closed.jpg


Wouter
 
Great pics Wouter and thanks for sharing. I really don't need another Spyder in the house but I can see a FG 'fly coming my way.
 
Chicago and Cat are both on my "what a surprise" list as I knew nothing about these until this show!

BOTH are now on my "NEED" list...........:D

Regards,

BRIAN
 
aw, no jimping on the dragonfly? still looks very nice, though. that chicago is a must on my list--knives that fit in my jean's coin pocket are always cool.
 
Wouter

Thanks for the images.

As always, one of the most anticipated "news releases" of the Spyderco year!!!

David
 
All three of those look lovely. :thumbup: Carbon fiber on a sub 2" blade? Put me down for a couple. Those would be going to the kids. :D
 
The Chokwe is a large folder, with a blade in the 4 inch range. The folder features a G10 slab and on the clipside a handle slab from titanium with a Reeve Integral Lock. The clip is set up for right-hand carry only. The blade is made from S30V steel and tapers to a very sharp tip. The holes you see are not necessarily meant to be the divot hole we all know and like on the Temperance and Li'l Temperance, or the ATR etc... The holes are intended to lighten the knife and enhance grip. It handles very light and easy. Its thin profile makes it very easy (and tempting) to just stick it in my pocket and forget it's there. It reminds me of an art-deco version of the Police.

Forum member Clovisc encountered this design during his work for the Peace Corps in Zambia. There he saw the Chokwe fixed blade, that is used for everything from waging war to preparing meals. He had one made for Sal and the rest is history. The original custom made Chokwe is pictured below, next to the Spyderco version.

spyderco_prototype_iwa09_chokwe_original.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_chokwe.jpg



spyderco_prototype_iwa09_chokwe_closed.jpg
 
Last edited:
Like the previous year, and the year before that etc..., we will see a few new Kopas this year. You all know the specs so I won't bother you with that. One version is made with squash bone and the other features a carbon fiber inlay. The carbon fiber is finished similarly to the carbon fiber Kiwi. I've already put the carbon fiber Kopa high on my wishlist.

spyderco_prototype_iwa09_kopas_closed.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_kopas_closed1.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_kopa_cf.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_kopa_sb.jpg


Wouter
 
Another addition to the Ladybug family is the H1 steel version with its familiar bright yellow handle. I'm glad to see two edge options, I favor the SE in this small format. Funny how the knife seems to be bigger now that I've become used to the tiny Bug knife.

spyderco_prototype_iwa09_ladybugs3h1.jpg


spyderco_prototype_iwa09_ladybugs3h1_closed.jpg


Wouter
 
Excellent Wouter! Thx. Can you tell me, is the Chokwe going to be made in Golden?
 
amen74 said:
Excellent Wouter! Thx. Can you tell me, is the Chokwe going to be made in Golden?
Click to expand...

Nope, I don't know. I think the previous poster might be right. The titanium finishing looked exactly the same as that on the Sage II which will also be made in Taiwan.

Wouter
 
Thank you for the photos. Would like to see a wire clip on the Dragonfly.

RKH
 
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