Questions for Sal or Spydie historians

S

sixfoot7

Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
476
Two totally unrelated questions about Spyderco products. I don't post very often but read here daily, so if this should have been done as two separate posts, I apologize.

I have tried the search here and on Google, but I thought I would ask the man directly. Sal, have you ever used actual spider names (wolf, trapdoor, tarantula, black widow, huntsman, etc.) for any of your knives or not? I'm not sure if they are conducive to knife names, and I also have no problem whatsoever with the way you name them currently, I was just curious.

Next question, perhaps a bit more complex. I have a Native and a Tasman Salt in my modest collection of Spyderco knives, but they are the only 2 that are riveted as opposed to screwed together. I am guessing that this is a cost rather than function based reason, but I also own a Cara Cara, which utilizes screws. I realize that we are talking about 2 different countries for manufacturing, but is the cost differential that significant once you get to the retail level that screws are no longer an option for a particular model? Whether or not you would cover a riveted knife such as the Native if the rivets loosen, I would think it would then be less expensive for everyone (you and the end user) if screws could be tightened.

If I am missing something obvious, please let me know. If it's none of my business, feel free to tell me that too :)

I love the knives I have so far, and at least one finds it's way into my pocket or briefcase daily.

So far:
-Endura green combo edge
-Delica blue waved plain edge
-Byrd Crossbill,
-Byrd Cara Cara
-S30V Native
-BG 42 Military
-Tasman Salt
-Volpe
-Sharpmaker
 
I'm not Sal, but you can find the answer to your first question here: http://www.spydie.nl/
or you can accept my word that the answer is no.

On the second question, I don't know what the reasoning is, but from what I have seen since the introduction of the E4/D4 screw construction, they should all be pinned to keep people who think owning a tool automatically imparts the knowledge of how to use it correctly out of trouble.
 
sixfoot7 said:
I have tried the search here and on Google, but I thought I would ask the man directly. Sal, have you ever used actual spider names
Click to expand...

Does Kumo count? Generally, Spyderco tend to use names that are NKP friendly so naming a knife after a toxic spider isn't always appropriate.
 
The Caly3 is pinned construction and it is certainly not a "cheap" knife. Sal's explanation was that it would make the Caly3 thicker if he were to use screws, but I believe the UKPK was screwed construction.
 
no actual spyder name were used or harmed during the manufactoring process... :)

as for riveted vs screws construction, there is no particular logic or pattern that can be deduced from the line-up. both japan and golden spydies get both types. it can even change between 2 generations of the same model and i doubt that the price would have something to do with it.
 
carrot said:
The Caly3 is pinned construction and it is certainly not a "cheap" knife. Sal's explanation was that it would make the Caly3 thicker if he were to use screws, but I believe the UKPK was screwed construction.
Click to expand...

The UKPK is screw construction, but it is also linerless and lockless, so it is a much less complex unit.
 
Carrot,

You're right about the UKPK being screwed construction, but it doesn't have full liners like the Caly3, so that might be a reason for the Caly3 being pinned.

That said, I'm not sure if a screwed construction HAS always to be thicker than a pinned one. I could imagine little screws instead of pins in my Caly3 anytime :D
just kidding, if Sal really said that, Im sure you can count on it :)

Dennis

EDIT: beaten by yab.... have to type faster :-)
 
Hi Sixfoot7,

on the spider names, no. We had a hard enough time overcoming fears of spiders. Our "Spyders" came from high performance cars more than the bugs. Once we were going, bug names became more common, but nothing offensive or fearsome.

both screw consutruction and rivets have advantaes and disadvantages. Matching the construction and models has challenges.

lock parts, liners, clip screws, etc. all influence the choice. The Caly3 would have to be wider if we used screws for the lock. only enough room for screws in the pivot without changing the pattern.

byrd SS models are riveted. G-10 and FRN models are screwed. Hard to finish SS models if screws are used.

Our customers have indicated that they like to adjust pivots on some models. Some like to take some models apart, some don't.

We're still learning.

sal
 
Thank you all for your responses, especially you, Sal. What you said makes perfect sense, and the fact that the name came from cars makes them even more appealing to me (bonafide car freak).

I couldn't imagine Bill Gates answering questions on a Microsoft forum. I'm impressed and appreciative that you take the time to answer trivial questions such as mine.

Rik Verra
 
Sal's attention to what customers actually WANT is what makes Spyderco products so great... An unfortunately outdated attitude among companies in this day and age. Attaboy, Sal.
 
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