Spyderco Amsterdam Meet 2025 Report

[Mr Blonde]

On Sunday 23 February, 70 Spyderfans gathered to meet Eric, Morton and Lisa in Amsterdam to share their enthusiasm for Spyderco knives, and to get a sneak peek into the future of Spyderco.

Eric brought many new knives to show and discuss with this group of fans. Some of these new knives are production samples that are expected to be delivered soon, other knives were concept models that were shown during their development, and there were even a few knives that came fresh from the workbench from a custom maker who submitted it to Spyderco.

Eric started the day with an in-depth presentation of the new designs that are being developed at Spyderco. Once Eric went over the many new models that are in development, Spyderco R&D engineer Morton gave the group an elaborate presentation on coatings, colors and all that is involved in creating the coated blades with the most consistent quality and durability. During the presentations and Q&A sessions, Lisa raffled of a good number of knives, T-shirts and mugs to the 70 attendees. Thanks to all who visited the 18th Spyderco Amsterdam Meet, what a great group, you made it a great event!

I was given the opportunity to photograph 4 new designs to share with you online, as well as various samples of knives and parts that feature all-new coatings. These knives are expected to be delivered this year.

Please note, I have no information about the availability or pricing of these knives and products. I took some notes down, but I’m well aware I didn’t catch all the info, as I was making sure the event was going along as best as possible. If any other attendees have any corrections or additional info on the models I’ll show, please add to it! For the models that haven’t been revealed in catalogs before, I took rudimentary measurements, none of which should be considered ‘catalog-correct’. Any mistakes or deviations etc… are mine. Basically, when it comes to these photographs, videos and measurements; I’m a fan – not an expert.

I’ll post the first batch of content momentarily, and I’ll add more to this thread in the coming days.

-Wouter

 

[Mr Blonde]

Cobol – Paul Alexander Design Production Sample 2025
With the Ikuchi and the Nand, Paul Alexander has shown he likes those sleek and slim designs. The Cobol seems to take off where the Nand ended so to speak. This is a non-locking slipit with a slender modified tanto blade and a titanium handle. When closed, the exposed tang of the blade can be used to one-hand open the blade, much like a friction folder. The handle features two ‘bars’ with embedded ball detents that ‘grab’ onto the blade and keep it open with reasonable stability. It is a similar system as was used in the Spyderco Bob Terzuola slipit.

I appreciated the wireclip. Not only did it fit the design aesthetically, to me, it can also be switched for left-hand carry. The feel in the hand was good, although the Cobol felt considerably longer than other slipits in Spyderco’s line-up so far. It packs a lot of blade length in a very thin and easy to carry package. I think this new Cobol would make for a nice stylish gent’s slipit, that could also double a steak knife if you disagree with the blunt ‘spatula’ the restaurant offers. Theoretically at least, the tanto tip would be the only part of the blade contacting the ceramic plate while you cut your steak, right? I could also see the Cobol at home as a modern high-tech take on the ‘desk knife’, a stylish way to open your letters and packages. Then again, I only had a few minutes with this prototype before I handed it back. I’m sure I’d find plenty of other practical uses for this design once it’s permanently in my pocket.

Approximate Specifications
Closed: 4.72 inch / 120 mm
Overall: 8.50 inch / 216 mm
Blade: 3.77 inch / 96 mm
Thickness: 0.101 in / 2.57 mm
Steel: M390
Weight: 2.18 oz / 62 g
Grind: Saber
Lock: N/A
Handle: Titanium
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 2-position, tip-up
Origin: Italy

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Charisma – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2025
The Charisma is an Eric Glesser design that was unveiled at last year’s Amsterdam Meet. This new knife features an ultra-light and ultra-thin design, that proved to be a little too thin apparently. The Charisma has been beefed up just a little to increase overall strength and stability.

From my memory, I could not tell any significant difference with the previous sample. At least in terms of weight. My scale still says it’s 23grams, like last year’s sample, although it is not a professional scale and might very well be inaccurate. The handle does seem a little more solid and not prone to flex when gripped firmly. The Charisma is still light enough to carry in a shirt pocket, without dragging down your entire shirt. It also has that look and feel of a folding paring knife, with a nice reversable wireclip. I liked the 3D sculpted FRN handle design and it packs a lot of cutting edge, almost as much as a Paramilitary 2.

Approximate Specifications
Closed Length: 3.81 inch / 97mm
Overall Length: 6.85 inch / 174 mm
Blade Length: 3.03 inch / 77 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.05 inch / 1.3 mm
Steel: CTS-BD1N
Weight: 0.811 oz / 23 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 2-position, tip-up

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

 

[Mr Blonde]

More to come tomorrow...

 

[fishface5]

Look forward to your updates every year!

 

[M.FREEZE]

Great pictures! Interesting knives.

 

[Mr Blonde]

WolfMouse – Gareth Bull Design Production Sample 2025
The WolfMouse is one of my personal favorites of the new upcoming knives that Eric showed at the Amsterdam Meet this year. It is an almost classic lil’ big knife, like the lil’ Temperance, but -a lot- better looking .

The 3D rounded full carbon fiber handle houses thick stainless steel liners to create a big linerlock (as thick as a lot of reeve integral locks out there), to support a wide but relatively short and slightly upswept full flat ground blade. There is a subtle but very effective front-flipper machined into the tang of the blade. I didn’t even realize it was there until Eric presented the knife. Suffice to say that regular round opening hole works very well too, although it might be made a tiny bit smaller in production. There is a nice design feature at the back of the handle for the lanyard hole, that also makes it easier to install or access lanyard hole. The WolfMouse uses a foldover wireclip to clip it to your pocket or waistband.

The ergos of the WolfNouse are great, or at least worked very well for my hands. As a fan of the Stretch designs, I’d love a chance to put this variation of the drop point blade to work. This Gareth Bull design seems to be one of those designs that combine great practical function with great looks. This one is definitely on my wish list!

Approximate Specifications
Closed Length: 3.89 inch / 99 mm
Overall Length: 6.69 inch / 170 mm
Blade Length: 2.79 inch / 71 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.05 inch / 3.05 mm
Steel: M390
Weight: 3.20oz / 91g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Linerlock
Handle: Carbon Fiber
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 2-position, tip-up
Origin: Taiwan

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Balance – Ed Schempp Design Production Sample 2025
2025 is indeed a good year to bring back balance to all parts of life, especially when it’s the Ed Schempp Balance.

This is planned as a sprint run, but it isn’t a simple ‘re-issue’ of the old carbon fiber design with blue G10 handle scales. The blade marking on this sample indicated VG10 but the plan is to make it in SPY27. The Balance has been reviewed and beefed up a little for this new sprint run. I especially noticed the thicker scale and material used for the scale with the reeve integral lock.

The Balance still has that same good grip and one-hand operation, especially if you consider how small this knife actually is. And the small hourglass shaped clip does not get in the way of a good grip. I don’t consider the Balance a lil’ big knife as it’s actually still a very small package. The performance is up there though, it’s one of those ‘portable zippers’. The Balance will open any package or letter you’ll come across. And I also found it work pretty well in an edge-in grip to peel fruit for example. The small leaf shaped blade is ground very thin, so watch those fingers, I’m speaking of experience…

Approximate Specifications
Closed Length: 2.51 inch / 64 mm
Overall Length: 3.85 inch / 98 mm
Blade Length: 2.04 inch / 52 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.081 inch / 2.06 mm
Steel: CPM SPY-27
Weight: 1.41 oz / 40
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Reeve Integral Lock
Handle: Carbon Fiber
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 2-position, tip-up

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

 

[Mr Blonde]

more to follow tomorrow...

 

[stillshot2]

I think the specs maybe wrong on the balance it says spy 27 and carbon fiber but the knife is clearly g10 and VG10 marked

 

[dan35]

Nice to see the balance back. I have the CF version. Nice design for a small capable piece.

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

I think the specs maybe wrong on the balance it says spy 27 and carbon fiber but the knife is clearly g10 and VG10 marked

Blonde addressed this in his write up:

"The blade marking on this sample indicated VG10 but the plan is to make it in SPY27."

 

[stillshot2]

Blonde addressed this in his write up:

"The blade marking on this sample indicated VG10 but the plan is to make it in SPY27."

In that case that is exciting. I wonder if Spy27 will eventually phase out vg10

 

[sgt1372]

Thanks for the pics but what is presented is disappointing to me because of the smaller size orientation & decidedly Kershaw appearance of the design of a couple of them.

These knives make me feel the same way about Spyderco as I do about ZT . .

disappointed in their current offerings & direction & wishing they'd go back to what made them successful & their knives more attractive & collectable in thr past.

Oh well . . .

 

[Mr Blonde]

Zirconium Based PVD Coatings
Eric did mention it last year and he showed a few samples, but this time we got to see a full presentation of the new Zirconium Based PVD coatings Spyderco is working on for blades and other parts. Mind you, as I understand it, these coatings are in various stages of development and this is truly a sneak peek into these new coatings Spyderco is working on. Remember, nothing is 100% final until you see an announcement in the next Reveal catalog .

R&D engineer Morton gave us a full presentation, complete with reference to scientific studies and models, to show how Spyderco went about to create not only the best and most durable functional coatings possible, but also how to achieve the most consistent colors. I am positive I cannot do justice to Morton’s presentation, but my takeaway was that Spyderco didn’t just get a couple of cans of paint and started to coat blades in-house. No, far from it. We are talking attention to details; down to the atomic scale and dealing with processes that are quite literally out of this world.

It seems Spyderco started with a clean slate and asked 3 basic questions: “How can we create the most durable functional coatings for production, without sacrificing properties expected from currently offered DLC or FDE?” , “How can we make sure the colors are the most consistent?” and “Can we make coatings cheaper for the customer?”

Drawing from the latest insights from scientific literature, and after procuring a machine that I’m sure could create a hole in time and space – judging from the short videoclip we saw of the process - , Spyderco is planning to release a few interesting new options for Zirconium Based PVD coatings, and still has many more to explore. These new PVD coatings will not only bring a collage of colors not before possible, but will also bring new possibilities to what can be coated.

Spyderco is known for being the exotic steel experts of the knife industry, and these coatings are an expansion of their expertise. It turns out that coatings are just as complicated as steels and the small details make big differences, just like a good knife design. Important to note is that the perceived color does not just come from the coating particles composition itself, but also the surface finish of the blade, or part, itself. We were shown various samples, from dull to shiny, and how it affected the perceived color of the coatings.

Morton, also brought along a few blades with coatings that were tested against salt water corrosion. As per the Spyderco Salt Series Standard, this salt water corrosion test is not your standard Salt Fog Spray and pushes the limits of Spyderco’s corrosion expectations. Safe to say is that not every coating is created equally when it comes to protecting the blade steel. All this innovation and research sounds expensive, but due to the increased control over the coating process Spyderco will be able to optimize their coated products like never before. This will open up new opportunities for cost savings without the risk of sacrificing quality.

The samples we were shown, included black, grey, flat dark earth, rose gold, gold and blue. I thought it was very impressive, especially with the elaborate planning, research and development that went into it.

Black

Grey

Flat Dark Earth

 

[Mr Blonde]

Rose Gold

Gold

 

[Mr Blonde]

Blue

Parts with different finishes

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

 

[Mr Blonde]

These were the last of the photos I can share, I still have some videos I took of the 4 production sample knives. Hopefully, I can share those tomorrow. Thanks for watching!

 

[stillshot2]

Those coatings look awesome. Being zirconium based I can only assume they will be durable, and most likely food safe as well I hope?

 

[Mr Blonde]

Video: COBOL – Paul Alexander Design Production Sample 2025