Spot revisited

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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Joined
Dec 27, 1998
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I must confess that I have been influenced by the persistence of RLR (Spyderco site forum) and J.Davey (Bladeforum Spyderco forum) to re-think the SPOT concept and design.

The original SPOT design was the result of much comversation on the forums.

For what it was designed to do, the Perrin finger hole and the Spyderco ergos work well.

1. The knife is not likely to be dropped.
2. The hand is not likely to slide down onto the blade.
3. The action required for use is a natural motion.

The bladed shape needed to be addressed and after much thought, I will concede that the warncliffe blade shape would function quite well. Again, thank RLR & J.Davey. A "leaf" would be my second choice.

I've decided to make a few pattern concept models with the warncliffe to see if the shape and size needs modification. The design as drawn is very similar to the Spot. Slight ergo mods. The blade is a full flat ground warncliffe about 2.25" long.

We'll cut out a few and treat it as an "R&D test".

RLR & J.Davey; if you would be so kind as to email to me your mailing address, I will send each of you one. You can help.

I will also be addessing the sheath/deployment system. I think that a compact sheath, with a clip system and "thumb-push" deployment method that we use on our other Boltaron sheaths would be best. Although opinions are appreciated.

I think a neck hanging system is not as effective as a fixed location that doesn't move or dangle. Deployment ease and speed being important. Immediate access from any position.

Thoughts?

sal

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Sal, perhaps you could build into the design another purpose for SPOTs (this was what I advocated years back) - as a fixed blade rescue / paddling / whitewater / climbing knife. Blade length of 3 inches and a "fuller" palm grip. Fingerhole works great and a full serrated blade is good too.
 
Howdy Sal, Way back when, I remember you saying something (a resopnse to Nakano & myself) about perhaps considering other/additional blade shapes if there was enough interest. Glad to hear all of the voices chiming in for this!
While I really like my SPOT, and it gets carry time, a slightly larger blade w/ a utilitarian blade shape (a shrunken Lum Chinese blade design... wishful thinking) would be a go-to EDC. Even an additional inch or so in a wharny or leaf (as mentioned) wouldn't add enough size to the overall package to be unwieldy, but would increase overall performance as both an EDC/utility or defensive blade. An optional 'pull-the-dot' loop or "J-Hook" would be a nice fixed-position carry option. I eagerly await this one!
Thanks for not letting this one die on the vine.
Best Regards,
Mike
 
I'm just waiting for a larger version of the spot... like 4" of gripping surface instead of the 2.5 or so now.

Looked at the spot when it came out, too small for my paws.
 
Sal

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

Like others, I find the handle is just a bit too small for my hand. When I grip the handle firmly, my pinky finger gets pushed off the back end of the blade and the finger grooves don't fit comfortably. Maybe a slightly longer handle without the finger grooves would be accommodating to a wider range of hand sizes. I would also prefer a slightly larger diameter hole for the index finger.

I don't have a problem with the current blade shape, but I don't carry it for utility use. A Warncliff blade shape would be OK with me if it still had a point which allowed piercing (i.e. like the Ronin not the Assist). A leaf shape might be OK but I'm not sure how that would align the cutting edge of the blade tip to the hand position with the down-turned handle position.

David
 
Perhaps a full tang, rather than the skeleton style handle? I played around with a Spot at the last gunshow, and just could not get comfortable with the handle. The fingerhole worked great, but the rest of the handle just wasn't comfortable for me.
 
This is very good news! Finger-hole knives are my passion and the SPOT is the best production version I've seen. I was sad to hear that it was going away.

My preference for blade shape would be the leaf, but a wharncliff will be good too. Each has slightly different advantages. Both are flexible enough to handle most jobs.

I will be glad for the slightly longer blade, but would caution against extending it much beyond 2-1/2" unless you scale up the grip too. Leverage becomes a serious issue very quickly with finger-hole knives.

--Bob Q
 
Finally, a SPOT for me :D
Full flat grind wharnie, fixed position carry (never liked the neck knives - except for my Mini Police, of course) ;), I just can't ask for more... well, S30V (ZDP-189)? :footinmou
I understand that it will no longer have that rivet to hold the knife into the sheath, which is great news also.
 
Aloha Sal!

(Hey Alex!)

Uh...the SD in me is screaming hawksbill. BUT...I think either a Wharnie or a blade like the Calypso Jr./ Dragonfly would be great!!! Maybe not TOO long, or it may start looking like that UUK! (Was it Perrin or Szabo that used to make these?)

My SPOT is still going strong, but the black coating is coming off rather easily. I have never had any trouble with the tension screw on my SPOT Sheath, but on my Ronin sheath...*ugh*!!!

Well, can't wait for this one!!! Mahalo for hearing all of us Sal who expressed their sadness on the SPOT being disco'd!

God bless!
 
I agree. While neck sheaths are a nice idea, I find all it does is get tangled up at work. I'd like a SE knife that I can pull out, slice, and put back in place easily and fast. Don't have time at work to be looking for the swinging sheath.
 
Hi Sal!
I think that a sax blade (wharncliffe) is an improvement. One thing that concerns me from a sales point of view, is the difference in price between the SPOT and the competing product from Benchmade. I really like the SPOT, especially the VG-10 with Micarta handles.
BTW-One of the big reasons I love Spyderco is that you seek out opinions from ELU's and take what they say seriously.
Anyway-here's wishing you and Spyderco continued good fortune.
 
Sal, I e-mailed you my mailing info. Thank you for including me in the testing of the new SPOT! It is truly an honor! A suggestion on the sheath: I looped a leather thong through the holes on mine so that I could carry it sideways on my belt. I feel that the sideways belt carry is very effective and comfortable. The sheath is barely wider than the belt i wear, and practically disappears when it's on (as the belt is black, also). I personally like the current spot sheath, and a little ingenuity allows several carry options. The only thing that I think would be interesting is to put some slots on the sheath sides so a belt could be thread through them. I think the addition of something like a teklock would cause the sheath to stick out too much and limit its concealment. Just my opinion; I could be wrong. Once again, huge THANKS!
 
I just loved the original Spots. Reckon the blade length could be just a tad longer, but my real problem is with the sheath. Horizontal belt carry would be nicer, but not sure whether tech-lock or J-hook would work better?
 
A wharncliffe SPOT is a great idea. The only reason I never bought a SPOT was because I dislike "S" curve blades.

I see a lot of potential in the SPOT as a dive or rescue knife. The fingerhole allows the user to retain the knife while doing precison work with the fingers. (Tying knots, adjusting equiptment, etc.)

While I'm not crazy about neck carry, a lot of people do carry knives this way. I would like to see a sheath that allowed for neck carry or carry via a teklok. This way, everyone can be accomidated.

Will the steel still be VG-10? If so, I really hope that Spyderco goes with a satin finish.
 
Sal, what are the chances of you posting a pic or sketch of the re-design? Just wondering. On the Spyderco website forum many forumites have posted pics of their concepts, and while there are some pretty cool designs, I'd much rather see the real deal! Thanks again, Sal!
 
On the pics....slim to none. Until a design is nailed down, interim pics cause grief for our sales dept.

sal
 
Wahey! How pleased was I to notice this thread? Very!

I'm not adding anything new but I would also agree with:
-Wharncliffe or leaf blade shape (2.25" FFG wharncliffe suits me fine! Like the Ronin?)
-Larger handle; I'm still trying to work out if I'm holding mine correctly
-No tension screw on the sheath
-Belt carry, horizontal preferably

Of course new steels are always appreciated, S30V or ZDP-189 ;) as dialex suggested earlier would be lovely, but not essential-it already works well in VG-10.

Maybe I'm a freak for being bothered about this, but as someone mentioned the UUK earlier. I do think the blade at 45° to the handle axis enables more force to be put behind the blade.

Here's hoping this comes to fruition-cheers again Sal!
 
I've decided to make a few pattern concept models with the warncliffe to see if the shape and size needs modification. The design as drawn is very similar to the Spot. Slight ergo mods. The blade is a full flat ground warncliffe about 2.25" long.

This is great news! I am a huge neck knife and small fixed blade fan. I must confess my daily necker is from a competitor starting with "B". However, I think the finger hole and ergonomics of the SPOT are right on. A warncliffe blade will most likely give it the #1 spot, so to speak. The only two reasons the SPOT hasn't earned my #1 carry status is the tiny size and blade shape. Nothing wrong with either of them, I just tend to accidently poke holes in things with a pointy blade and a slightly larger handle feels better to me.

I will also be addessing the sheath/deployment system. I think that a compact sheath, with a clip system and "thumb-push" deployment method that we use on our other Boltaron sheaths would be best. Although opinions are appreciated.

I think a neck hanging system is not as effective as a fixed location that doesn't move or dangle. Deployment ease and speed being important. Immediate access from any position.

True a necklace carry is not as good for rapid deployment in some situations. However about all I can get away with exposing at work is a SAK or multitool without someone freaking out. So, I would suggest keeping a neck option, with the addition of a mini tek-lok or the like.

Looking forward to the new flavor!
 
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