Spyderco Bushcraft

O

oguruma

Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
1,289
Alright, so I am looking to add a nice bushcraft knife to my collection. I saw the Spydie Bushcraft a while ago and I was drawn to it. I went looking online for one to purchase. Soon thereafter I found out that they pretty much all had problems with the handle scales cracking. I found that the Spyderco website sold factory seconds of these for $90. Since they were discontinued I checked the bay. I found them selling there for twice that! What is it about this blade that makes people want to pay twice the cost of a factory second for a blade that for sure, has cracks in it?
 
It's a really nice blade even with cracked scales and folks are realizing that. Plus, there is probably some speculation that even with cracked scales there will be a collector market for it at some point, at least that's my opinion.

I picked up one of the factory 2nds (only a couple small cracks in the scales) and it's a great kinfe all the way around. Would I pay $180 for it, probably not but then again I wouldn't pay $180 for any Bushcraft design. I'm just not that into it.
 
oguruma said:
Alright, so I am looking to add a nice bushcraft knife to my collection. I saw the Spydie Bushcraft a while ago and I was drawn to it. I went looking online for one to purchase. Soon thereafter I found out that they pretty much all had problems with the handle scales cracking. I found that the Spyderco website sold factory seconds of these for $90. Since they were discontinued I checked the bay. I found them selling there for twice that! What is it about this blade that makes people want to pay twice the cost of a factory second for a blade that for sure, has cracks in it?
Click to expand...

I own 2 of them, and 1 is a user. The ergonomics on this knife are awsome, as well as the blade steel. The cracks in the handles are not a huge issue for me. I have already sanded and glued the handles on my user. The reason that this knife is so popular is because it was created as a collaboration with the Bushcraft.uk folks, and it uses high end materials. The sheath on this knife alone is worth about $60 or more. Plus, you get O-1 tool steel, very nice burl handles, brass hardware, etc.
It's not unusual for some people to buy sprint run knives or seconds of a popular knife, then wait and sell them online for well over what thet sold for at retailers. The cracks can be fixed easily, and if done correctly you'd never know there were cracks in it at all. It's just a really good knife, as you say it is discontinuned.
EDIT: The model will live on with alternate materials :) I hope.
 
Last edited:
Not precisely discontinued. This run featured "stabilized" spalted maple burl scales that proved to be improperly stabilized...after more than a thousand pieces had been completed. Sal has not given up on the model and has mentioned that several prototypes with other handle materials have been made and are being considered for future production.

I'm not a bushcrafter, and I'm not a fan of scandi grinds. I was fully prepared to let this one pass. When the problems surfaced and Sal decided to dump them, I picked up a couple as seconds. In my opinion, they are worth double what I paid.
 
Not sure why people choose to may higher than MSRP or when new prices. However, the Spyderco Bushcraft is a decent design and I hope to see further versions.

And, if you wanted one, why didn't you buy one earlier?
 
The next one will likely be in polished G-10. I saw the knife at the Eugene show, and it was a beaut.

I wish I would have snagged one of the seconds, but I was without the capital at the time... I found one on the secondary market, but my brother wanted it super bad, so I arranged the purchase for him.

Now I just have to hope that someone will kick one down without too much vig.

Best,
Marion
 
My non-experienced in bushcraft hands say they feel really good to hold, a pleasure indeed. Despite the fault lines (actually I am exaggerating they are regular cracks) they are very very pretty to look at.
 
yablanowitz said:
Not precisely discontinued. This run featured "stabilized" spalted maple burl scales that proved to be improperly stabilized...after more than a thousand pieces had been completed. Sal has not given up on the model and has mentioned that several prototypes with other handle materials have been made and are being considered for future production.

I'm not a bushcrafter, and I'm not a fan of scandi grinds. I was fully prepared to let this one pass. When the problems surfaced and Sal decided to dump them, I picked up a couple as seconds. In my opinion, they are worth double what I paid.
Click to expand...

You are correct Yab. If I remember correctly (or incorrectly?), Sal mentioned in the Spyderco Forums that a future run would feature CPM-S90V and G10, with a full flat grind.
 
Leeble611 said:
spyderco is very collectable i have 23 of them demand once they are discontinued drives price
Click to expand...

23? Holy smokes, that's a lot.

I have 2 and they're both fine examples of what bushcraft knives can be. I've refinished them with many coats of Watco finish and sealed the gaps. I'm not particularly fond of the included leather sheath but a bit of kydex should fix that. :D
 
dsmegst said:
23? Holy smokes, that's a lot.

I have 2 and they're both fine examples of what bushcraft knives can be. I've refinished them with many coats of Watco finish and sealed the gaps. I'm not particularly fond of the included leather sheath but a bit of kydex should fix that. :D
Click to expand...

He may mean 23 Spydercos, at least I think he does.

Canis
 
It's a fine Bushcraft knife. I did not buy a factory second, and mine has performed quite well. No cracks, great ergos, and shipped extremely sharp. The scandi grind was even and well executed. With 1st use I did micro chip the edge a little, but since I have sharpened the knife it hasn't happened again. Oh and it takes a hell of an edge!

I will buy another when they make it in a different handle material.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top