R & D - Re-design project - need opinions

How about a Rookie-style/size with a ATS-55 or better flat ground blade with G-10 handles, dual stainless or titanium liners, with the new style (Delica/Endura 98) pocket clip, and possibly a solid liner lock? Of course the choice of materials would dictate the price but I would keep the price under $75 street value. Oh, yeah and offer it in a partially serrated blade. This would be my ideal utility folder: sturdy, light, and made by a quality company out of quality materials.

jj

Sorry to be dreaming...I know that Sal was asking about the Co-Pilot, but I was just "turning over" another stone!

[This message has been edited by jeffj (edited 01 August 1999).]
 
The Copilot is one model I haven't looked at very hard, perhaps because there be Dragonflies.

Plain edge is good in a little knife that's going to do precise work, and it wouldn't be a bad option on the Ladybug too, for either precise paper cutting or to keep it from scaring the very nervous.

A redesign of the Copilot should be recognizable as a Copilot and not a whole new model. I like the flat grind.

A little knife might be a good model for making upscale variants with super-premium blades, like Talonite and such.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
There seems to be a recurring theme of a flat-ground plain edge blade, and I feel very strongly about that myself. I must say, since I've received my blue forum Native, I'm totally impressed with the colored G-10. I am, without a doubt, a G-10 lover. But, being able to color it like you've done on the Native adds a whole new perspective to the "tactical" handle material. Being that textured G-10 feels so secure to the hand, which is all the more important to me on a small knife (since you would normally do more precision cutting with it), and being that Spyderco has shown they can effectively and beautifully color the material, then I feel colored G-10 combined with the flat-ground plain edge would be awesome! Make batches of different colored G-10 CoPilots. Maybe a forest green, red, blue, white, etc., etc. It would keep the CoPilot up to date with a modern handle material, lighten it up a bit, and the color would make it seem more "friendly" to airport personnel. Maybe offer an aluminum model also with the kraton inlay, for those of use that would like to add jigged bone, cocobolo or other handle enhancements!
 
I love you guys.

We are saying.

Keep the design the same, except for a flat ground blade.

Maybe make the blade of different materials.

Make the handle of all sorts of materials.

Yes, this could be very cool.

A design with high inherent tool value, with all sorts of fancy treatments.

WOW

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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.

Check out the blinking story, an online pleasure. I also revise my page daily.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/index.html


 
Notice how our idea of "re-design" tends to be "Give us several more SKU's!"?
wink.gif



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
I always thought more holes would be neat looking. 3 holes, thumb hole and 2 more progressively getting smaller towards the point.

More linerlocks in the $50-$75 range.

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"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb

 
Marion raises an interesting thought.

Look at the Sebenzas with their different yearly handle slabs. Doesn't impact the major tooling. Promotes exclusivity and collectibilty.

How about a single SKU (ala the new CoPilot) where the handle material/color changes every year? Classy versus tactical black.

Joel
 
Well, I dont have and idea for redesigning an existing model, but how about a custom colaboration with AT Barr. Something along the lines of a 3 inch clip point with jigged bone scales, and the Spyderco hole????
 
Totally cool.

That would be a bold step by Spyderco.

Delica, bolsters fore and aft. Wood in between.

Kind of "We have never done this and here we go....."

A traditional set up on the modern funtionality of a Spyderco shape.

------------------
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.

Check out the blinking story, an online pleasure. I also revise my page daily.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/index.html


 
Thanx for all of the input...useful stuff

The main problem with the CoPilot is that the design is somewhat atiquated compared to what we can now do.

We will keep the blade length under 2". We will make a plain edge version. There have been suggestions to alter the handle shape (& size). The "theme" will remain the same (airline travel).

Prigger - FAX number in R&D is 303-277-1429

Dennis - if we cannot "update", we may end up dropping the model in 2001.

We thought about asdding useful accessories like a small compass and map magnifier?

sal
 
Small compass and map magnifier? I dunno, I've never been on a plane where they asked for my help navigating. I'm no survival guru, but I know how to use a proper compass and the little ones you see on knives and car dashboards simply don't seem adequate for even the most casual orienteering. Better to leave it off, IMO. A magnifier might be good, but if you're going in that direction, tweezers and a pen would be handier, I think. Maybe a toothpick, but I question how many folks use those on SAKs... I did, and it's the one thing I really misss now that I have a Micra
frown.gif


Hey, don't think because I've been silent on this topic that I'm not working on it. Just that a picture's worth a thousand words, right?

Are we wasting our time if we try to make the knife a liner-lock like the Cricket? I don't think the (IMO exaggerated) linerlock gripes some folks have lately apply to a knife this size.

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
Ugh. Compass and magnifying glass?

IMHO, gimmicks versus real functionality. What's the purpose of the knife and who is the ELU that it's targeted to?

I'm sure some gadget-crazed ELUs would love such a model (don't forget to include a built-in LED flashlight and toothbrush). But my hunch is the majority won't, and it will soon end up as a discontinued model.

Joel

 
I agree that a screwdriver, tweezers, and or toothpick would be more useful than a compass or magnifier.

Corduroy I took a SAK (Victorinox) toothpick and stuck it between the arms of the tweezer on my Micra. The toothpick is long enough that the ends are held in place when the tweezer is closed. This exposes the toothpick to pocket lint and stuff but it can't be any worse than what is probably growing down in that little slot on my SAKs.
 
IMHO - (And I do travel often by air and sea) - Plain edge is a must; some innocuous-looking handle; don't extend the handle (this gives it more of a 'weapon' look); flat grind; and keep it WELL inside the FAA parameters. Some of us users travel in other countries that are stricter than the good ol' US of A! The more 'innocent-looking', the better, if airline travel is really what you're after. If it looks innocent enough, I'll buy one (and so would a lot of other 'traveler' types)!

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

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
Oh, and one more thing: Forget the accessories (unless you can stick a micro-sized palmtop computer in it, so I can check out the forums while running through the airports or seaports!). I think it would 'cheapen' the look of your products. You're good at what you're good at; stay focussed. Let the SAKs keep the magnifiying glass users. (On the other hand, if you're thinking of making the toothpick and tweezers gold-plated BG42, to match the clip and lanyard hole, and still keeping it under $70 retail, ...
wink.gif
)

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

John 3:3-7

God Bless You!
 
Ditto on chucking the accessories.

If this is an airline knife, how about less metal (G-10 scale and/or talonite) for the detectors and inspectors to complain about.

At the very least, the handle or blade should get a nice flying motif (wings or propellers or a spider with wings) so the inspectors will KNOW this is an airline knife. A low cost addition, I'd think...and a nice touch for anyone into flying.
 
I would agree on ditching the compass and magnifying glass idea. My wife says the only accessory she could think of as being useful on the plane would be a inflateable pillow attached to the knife. That gave me a chuckle.

On those redeye flights the plane however does get quite dark, and those annoying lights above your head just don't do much if you drop something. Possibly a light of some sort? It may be good to ask airline pilots too.

-RYan
 
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