Save the Spyderco automatic clipit.

I collect auto knives and balisongs. The first Spyderco knife I bought was the Spyderfly. I have handled the proto's of the Smallfly and Sabofly and will also buy both when they are put into production.

I would very much like to see a Spyderco auto. Preferably in D/A so I would have the option of opening it manually or with the spring. Living in Oregon, I can legally carry an auto knife. While I have many military style auto's in the collection, I carry an EDC cutting tool type auto most of the time. I don't carry a knife for self defense.

Microtech and Benchmade have both auto's and manual knives in their producton line. They are offering their product to an expanded customer base. Buy the one you like.

To be successful in any business, you must expand your market share in all areas. You also have to be inovative and have imagination. Sal and Eric have shown both with the Spyderfly. I for one hope they show it again with a Spyderco auto knife.
 
Well, I think that we really need to look at what folks are really saying here. If Spyderco wants to produce an auto I don't think the "image" thing really should come into play. It is a legal company producing a knife for sale in places where legal. The more you bow to those who do not want you to do something based on their perception the quicker you lose ground. So they make us not produce autos. Then they don' like a certain look. Then its one handers. Don't believe me? it happened with firearms. We ought to make what we like and what is legal and not be ashamed of it but rather inform. The opposition is doing a great job of misinformation it is about time we do as good a job of information rather than worry about what sort of knife will make everyone happy.

BTW, I'd love a scale release DA built on the design of the first gen. Chinook. :)
 
I'm on board. Two of my favorite qualities in a knife finally brought together. Now would a D/A be to much to hope for? :D
 
I have one of these "torsion bar" Kershaw blackouts. It's really fun to play with, but it's really THICK and HEAVY to make room for all that fancy gadgetry. I use my Spydercos for EDC because they are thin and light and less obtrusive. The Spyder hole is only milliseconds slower to open. If Spyderco makes an auto, please let it be thin and light, and I have faith it will blow all others away. Some new patent that only Spyderco will have. No torsion bars, no springs, something different and better, like electro-magnetism! Someday it'll happen, and when it does, I will buy a bunch of 'em ONLY if they are superb. If they are similar to this Kershaw, then I don't want one.
 
While I have no doubt that if Sal decides to build an auto, it'll be the best one out there, I just don't see it.

Just doesn't seem to me to be the kinda thing that fits with Spyderco's image and product line at all - kinda beneath them, to be frank.

But what do I know? :)
 
I think it’s illegal to possess autos in CO unless you’re a police officer or a member of the armed forces. I’m not sure how this law would affect Spyderco if they wanted to make or import autos.
 
An auto as a 100th piece would be very unfortunate for many people. Like me for example. They are forbidden in Belgium (as are balisongs).
But what do you need an auto for anyway ? I can open my Spydie in the blink of an eye, even faster than a balisong (afaik). And the Delica II isn't really renowed for it's smooth opening or something. I bet there are way more smooth Spydies than the Delica, which will allow much faster opening too.
And pushing a button with your thumb, or using the Hole to open a blade. Think about it, the movement is quite identical.
Stick to the hole, Spyderco, and I'll stick to you like a gluefactory ;) .
 
I liked spyderco's tool based philosophy towards knives. I respected the fact that the only two weapons they produced were not advertised.

Then came the 21st century and spyderco now panders to the knife fighting crowd. They give instruction, they have a line of fighting knives, the ugliest least functional balisong (no latch), another balisong desgined as a fighter and now an automatic. Balisongs are great utility knives, but not when they have a figthing blade and no latch.

What ever happened to the tool company? I liked spyderco better when it was smaller and less blood thirsty. Seemed more ethical to me. They also had a better warranty.
 
like electro-magnetism
Click to expand...

See the DIGMON mechanism here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347861

c100.jpg
 
A Spyderco auto would irrelevant to me because possession of an auto in Illinois is a felony, I believe. I'm sure there are people who would snap up a Spyderco auto like hotcakes, but I just don't see the point. Spyderco is know for the hole in the blade opening method. If they make autos, they are just one of many.
 
i still say the DIGMON is a great idea. how can you lose? it has a blue LED!!!!!
 
brownshoe said:
I liked spyderco's tool based philosophy towards knives. I respected the fact that the only two weapons they produced were not advertised.

Then came the 21st century and spyderco now panders to the knife fighting crowd. They give instruction, they have a line of fighting knives, the ugliest least functional balisong (no latch), another balisong desgined as a fighter and now an automatic. Balisongs are great utility knives, but not when they have a figthing blade and no latch.

What ever happened to the tool company? I liked spyderco better when it was smaller and less blood thirsty. Seemed more ethical to me. They also had a better warranty.
Click to expand...
Do you even own a balisong?

The Spyderfly filled a consumer demand for a quality yet economical balisong that wasn't just another balisong. Spyderco's always been unique and this is obvious in the Spyderfly.

Your assessment that the Spyderfly is a weapon couldn't be more wrong. Firstly, I'd classify the Spyderfly as more of a sport knife. Like a target pistol. Sure, a target pistol could be used as a weapon, but there's more appropriately suited firearms for that. But that's just how I see it, since I don't use the Spyderfly as a user myself.

Secondly, the lack of a latch that locks the blade open in no way inherently makes the Spyderfly a weapon.

A) The knife's inability to latch open is a result of Colorado's laws.
B) Not being able to be latched open in no way makes a balisong useless as a cutting tool. I use a balisong as my primary carry knife about half of the time (the other half of the time I carry an auto). And when I use my balisong for a cutting task, I'd guess that 90% of the time I never latch it open, because it's unnecessary and takes too much time. But that in itself is one of the great things about balisongs, is that they don't need to be locked open. Latching the blade open is more of a convenience if you're going to be using for an extended period of time. But it's not necessary.

Thirdly, intent as a weapon lies in the user, not the knife (well, save the Civilian and Matriarch, but even then, it's the customer that buys them). I own over 20 balisongs and over a dozen automatics. None of these are weapons. I own one knife that I purchased for the intent of (hopefully never) using it as a defensive weapon: A Spyderco SPOT.

There's nothing "bloodthirsty" about a balisong or an auto. A Spyderco auto would be nothing more than any other cutting insturment, just with an automatic release.
 
Unless I'm comletely misinformed, the biggest problem with this may very well be one of logistics. From what I have read, automatics are illegal in Colorado, so manufacturing an shipping them from Golden would not be possible. Federal law, although admitted one that has never been enforced in the nearly fifty years it has been on the books, prohibits all import of automatics. While flaunted by the same importers who flood the market with cheap clones, I doubt Sal would want to take that risk, so that would seem to rule out production in Seki. So, short of relocating the company in a "auto friendly" state, that leaves contracting with another US maker, located in as state where automatics can be legally manufactured, as the only option. The question then becomes who and where, and, if it were done that way, how Spyderco would enforce QC standards and provide warranty service on a product they could not inspect prior to sale, or service after sale, in Golden.
 
I'd like to see a Spyderco DA/auto, but one that was very utility/tool oriented. I don't think it's quite right for their 100th though. Of course, it's probably a moot point for me, as autos with more than an inch of blade are illegal in Canada
 
With my eyes, the spyderco balisong looks like a dagger and fits into the dirk/dagger description of many cities, counties and states. A balisong with a latch is an excellent utility tool, one w/o and a dagger like blade becomes a weaopn. Any blade under the MBC title can be considered a weapon since the manufacturer has designated it as such. The manufacturer's marketing will trump whatever "lie" the poor sucker with a MBC knife "concealed" in his pocket tells the PO, DA, jury, judge etc. Now a Calypso in your pocket, that's a tool, by your word and spyderco.
 
There are a few points to consider:

1) I'm sure the the target ELU will be military and law enforcement.

2) There are advantages to automatics over using the thumb hole to open the knife.

3) Spyderco's history.

Item 1:
The LEO and military markets are huge. It is in Spyderco's best interest to get as much of this market as possible. Why should Spyderco sit back and let other knife companies have a competitive advantage?

Item 2:
There are times when fine motor control is diminished or minimized. For example, when a person is very cold, when blood pressure drops or when experiencing an adrenaline surge. It is easy for us to say anyone can open a Spyderco knife anytime. We sit in front of the television opening and closing our knives thousands of times. We are not normal people! Most people who use knives find it easier to push a button than use their thumb to open a knife. Think of a rescue diver with cold hands, a police officer fighting with a POS who is trying to take their gun, a soldier having to cut away webbing or rope while under fire, etc. In these conditions I would want a button fired automatic. Some people will respond, "they should use a fixed blade". Saying or think this ignores the obvious. Stuff happens and when it does people use what ever they have available. If a folder is the last resort, it should be an automatic.

The automatic should be as easy to use as possible. This eliminates bolster and scale releases. It should be fired big button that is easily seen and felt. It should be opened by coil springs rather than a kicker spring. Kicker springs rely on momentum to open the blade. If the blade it obstructed during firing, it will not open when it become unobstructed. The coil spring(s) should have enough tension to push the blade open from any position. It should also open the blade under water.

Item 3:
Spyderco has a long history of innovation. The triangle sharpener, opening hole, pocket clips, ball bearing Lock, compression lock, bidirectional textures, cobra hood, etc. They have always encouraged the responsible use of knives. Anything they develop will have the same innovation and responsibility.

I live in the state of Washington so I cannot have an automatic. However, I want Spyderco to develop an automatic. To not want them to make an auto because I cannot have one would be selfish of me.
 
An auto Spyderco would be a must-have for lots of folks. If I had access to one, it would be as a collector piece- I doubt it would get any/much carry time w/ me. Hell, I'd buy two. In terms of practicality, I'm firmly convinced that a good one-hand opener is actually faster - thereby negating the supposed 'advantage' of an auto. In case anyone thinks that an auto is 'faster' than a folder, the sight of Sal Glesser taking a Millie out of his pocket is something to behold. :cool:
I agree that the price point should be set as to keep the boogereater knucklehead crowd away.
Spyderco is known above all for innovation & quality- I'm certain that whatever leaves Golden/Seki w/ the Spyderco name will be at the very least damned interesting.
 
Maybe instead of the c100 Spyderco should consider producing a DA or auto police model. That would help overcome some of the negative image issuesw (which again I don't think are really serious issues) but its a classic Spydie design that lots of folks use and love.

Come on Sal just do it;-)>

As far as those of you who think the spydiefly is not a useful utility knife I think you are dead wrong. What disadvantage does the latchless open mode present to you? How is a razor sharp, strong and long piece of vg10 with a useful point not a useful design? I personally think the spyderfly is the best utilty bali I have handled. Based soley on BM products not on any customs.
 
After owning an auto Benchmade (which I traded), and a new Waved Endura (which I will definitely keep), I would love to see another Waved model. An automatic adds a level of complexity and fragility (springs, safeties, etc.) that is somewhat counter to the utilitarian theme that is one of Spyderco's endearing qualities.

For me, the auto was neat, but in the end, I did not find that the mechanisim was any faster. In an SA, the hand must find a release mechanisim, which is generally smaller than The Hole. DA's are a step up, but still not advantageous enough to warrant the extra cost and mechanical complexity (IMO).

Be it a "classic Spydie" (Police, Military, etc.), or a new model with G-10 scales and steel liners to complement the Endura, I find that the simple Wave function makes an otherwise very useful folder that much better.

I realize that given the model number event, a collaboration with another manufacturer might not be what Spyderco wants, but it would make for a very nice piece.
 
The Deacon said:
Unless I'm comletely misinformed, the biggest problem with this may very well be one of logistics. From what I have read, automatics are illegal in Colorado, so manufacturing an shipping them from Golden would not be possible. Federal law, although admitted one that has never been enforced in the nearly fifty years it has been on the books, prohibits all import of automatics. While flaunted by the same importers who flood the market with cheap clones, I doubt Sal would want to take that risk, so that would seem to rule out production in Seki. So, short of relocating the company in a "auto friendly" state, that leaves contracting with another US maker, located in as state where automatics can be legally manufactured, as the only option. The question then becomes who and where, and, if it were done that way, how Spyderco would enforce QC standards and provide warranty service on a product they could not inspect prior to sale, or service after sale, in Golden.
Click to expand...


I'd love to see Spyderco make an auto, but I don't really care if it is numbered C100 or not. Whatever Spyderco makes for C100, you can bet it will be special.

Regarding logistics, I wonder if Spyderco could make a "D/A ready" knife and sell the parts that make it auto separately. Everyone could be happy with that, especially if warranty was not voided by disassembly. Alternately, Sal would have to make all the parts in Golden with final assembly at another facility. Perhaps there could be further collaberation with Kershaw.
 
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