Spyderco Fixed Blades - Opinions?

Pelle · Jul 3, 2000

Hmmm...
Seems like I´m not the only one wanting a Spydie/Bob Lum FB.
I have to agree with Mattis that Puukkos are great utility blades, but I think Lums have a more appealing look. And that´s very important. Also, the Lum tantos are one of the few tanto shapes that are useful as utility blades.
1.st priority: Bob Lum / Spyderco
2.nd priority: Kaj Embretsen / Spyderco
3.rd priority: Roger Bergh / Spyderco

red mag · Jul 3, 2000

Thanks for asking!

While I type this I have to look at the CQB-1. I wish it was made by Spyderco.
ad 1) I wouldn't limit myself to a special type of fixed blade.
ad 2)I'll prefer stainless. (D2 ithink is also a great steel); Anyway make it a high quality steel; Spyderco equals quality.
Handle-material: I'll prefer g-10 or micarta to kraton on fixed blades.
ad 3)while concealex sheaths are very sexy they are not stealthy (also required on hunting-knives)and can produce those nasty scratches (colectors). I think cordura is a great choice. I'm sure one can wrap a concealex sheath to prevent noise.
ad 4)it depends! I think you are long enough into knives to know.
ad 5) interesting one: as an ELU i like a good price/performance ratio. But I can imagine to segments: a user-segment hunting,utility etc with a fair ppr;
a different-segment: higher priced pieces:
target groups like collectors and high-end-users.(knives for special needs)
ad 6) no prob. It's the quality that counts.
OK I prefer a knife that has not the letters "made in taiwan" printed on the blade.
hope this helps

Greetings
red

Endura Duck · Jul 3, 2000

Ahhhh.. Spyderco FB knives...One of two dreams I have.(The other can't be discused here because ive been ordered by attorneys not to mention Shania twains name again..DOH!!.. I did it again.)

::Slap-Slap::Back to reality::

"I would rather Spyderco lead than follow but something along the lines of the BM Nimravus would be awsome.Lum Tanto would be sweet."

" Sheath- Kydex,Kydex and velvet lined kydex for the collector/presentation model.(kydex fetish)

" Handles- Micarta or G-10..Color,color and more color please."

Now If that only said Spyderco/Elishewitz..Sigh..

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scorpio · Jul 3, 2000

hey Sal,
good idea! spyderco should have entered the fix blade market some time ago.
what i would like to see is some kind of urban\fighting\utility kind of blade.
something along the line of what Bud Nealy does or the BM nimravus.
blade should be 4-5 inch and VG 10 sounds good,handle meterial G-10 and option for wood. sheath should be kydex with SLIM profile. and last MSRP should not exceed $100.
i hope it is not too muchto ask in too little money. but price for a deacent little fixed blade should not go over that.
need some desighns from israel?
scorpio.

Jan P · Jul 3, 2000

Hi Mr. Glesser

Like the other members in this discussion, I would surely welcome further fixed blade offerings from Spyderco. After the industrys tight focus on folders in recent years, I think there is a real vacuum to be filled in the marked for high quality, high design, production fixed blades.

Benchmade has succeeded well in translating some of the essential design qualities from their folders to their Nimravus fixed blades. Like-wise I think it is important for Spyderco to hold on to your brand profile, which is characterized by high quality materials/workmanship and innovative design.

Ideally, your fixed blades should be instantly recognizable as Spydies, though I am of course aware that it is not easy to find a unique feature like your trademark round hole as a common denominator.

Regarding your questions:

1. I think you should focus on general utility types of blades. That does not mean they can not be useful for purposes of hunting or self-defense. Maybe your should stay away from outright tactical blades, as has already been suggested.
2. I, personally have had enough of Zytel and Kraton and regarding blade materials, I think you should stick to high quality steels like VG-10 and BG-42, but that also depends on what price range you aim for.
3. Kydex is very practical, but tend to scratch the finish, which is im-portant from a collectors point of view!
4. Like most here I would say blades no longer than 5. Somehow I dont see Spyderco marketing huge camp- or fighting knives. Small and very small personal knives that could maybe replace a folder or pocket-knife for daily carry would also be nice.
5. The price range you aim for should in no case be so low that it threatens to compromise quality, but then you already have versions of the same model employing different materials and priced accordingly and that seems to work just fine. BMs Nimravus' dont come all that cheap and they seem to sell well enough.
6. Country of origin is not so important I think personally CRKT products are made in Taiwan and they are generally very ok. It might be important on your home market though.

Hope you can use some of my input.

Regards, Jan Pasternak

Brian_Turner · Jul 3, 2000

Hi Sal -

Two of my suggestions have already been mentioned: The Wegner/Simonich big brother to the Wegner Clipit (with Kydex and Tek Lok), and a puukko.

My third suggestion would be a fixed Shabaria in kydex. Nothing out there like it.

samo · Jul 3, 2000

Fixed bladed spydies are indeed a refreshing idea! Gives more confindence to ELU's like me

Blade material should be versatile enough to hold an edge which can be easily sharpened. Handle ought to incorporate the latest composite materials for a good grip and ergonomics. Heard plenty about the Moran featherweigt but haven't got the chance to own this goodie. Price range should not exceed 150 US dollars. This way, guys like me living in the Far East would afford to own one even if the freight charges are too costly. I think those 'lil Finnish Puukkos are worth looking at in terms of design and practicality in use. As for country origin of opinion, I have no preference. Just as long as you guys are willing and able to churn out more practical knives : you've got a loyal spydie customer here in Malaysia!

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stilltryintokeepitsharp!

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James Mattis · Jul 3, 2000

Coungtry of origin ....

Anyplace where

a The manufacturer can get the heat treatment right and otherwise produce a quality product, and

b A citizen publicly can call the chief of state a liar and a fool, and sleep at home that night and go to work as usual the next day.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

samo · Jul 3, 2000

Huh?

christopher · Jul 4, 2000

Sal,

The drop point sounds outstanding.

Could I make on request? Please consider making the grip a little larger. I have the FB01 Moran and, while I love the blade, and the grip is shaped very nicely, it is a bit small.

My $.02.

Chris

dogboye · Jul 4, 2000

1. What types of models do you think we should produce? (hunting, urban, MBC, etc.)

Not being into MBC myself (not from lack of interest, but lack of resources), I would eliminate that one quickly, for myself. Also, in general, it would probably be limited in sale-appeal to the general public. Hunting would be good. Not sure what urban is, unless that is something like the MOD Ayoob. If that's the case, YUK!!! (sorry Ferret) No way. Or at least, not as thick a grind. If urban is roughly synonymous with covert, then that would be fine and dandy.

Something in roughly the puuko shape would be GREAT. Also, I've said it before, but I'll say it again... a blade shape like the Military is awesome, IMO. Even with the Hump (heck, that would be an enhancing characteristic. Like a handguard. Also, I just read someone's post mentioning the Wegner/Simonich fixed blade. THAT is a nice knife as well.

OH, and one other thing, please full tang, with a lanyard hole.

2. What materials do you think would be most appreciated?

Well, I know I would appreciate micarta, g10, or something natural. I just can't warm up to FRN. I would think, though, some type of micarta would have most sale-appeal, especially in something other than black (although still muted). All the micarta handle knives I have always have a nice wood-grain looking texture, which I would think would have a lot of appeal.

As for steel... well, my favorites are probably D2, M2, and BG42, in that order. For an outdoor/hunting knife, I'd probably have to say not M2, as it is going to require a little more maintenance than either of the other two. I think I'd like to see maybe S90V, although I'm not sure. Please not ATS-34. VG-10 would be fine.

3. What type of sheaths are best?

Kydex/concealex for function, leather for beauty (and in some applications, convenience). If it is a hunter, leather is nice, and I've never had any problems with my leather-sheathed camping knives. Especially if the blade is stain-resistant. Most importantly, though, I would recommend a multi-carry type sheath. This does not necessarily mean kydex, though. Specifically, my ideal camping knife sheath would be sturdy leather that I could carry in a low dangler style on my belt, yet have a fastener style that I could affix it to my backpack should strap or hip belt (unlike the standard leather sheath loop that is on my Buck Vanguard).

But, if covert carry is envisioned as an option at all, it's gotta be kydex. Oh, and if the knife IS outdoor/hunting AND kydex sheathed, I'd recommend some way of disassembling the sheath to clean it out (like chicago screws instead of eyelets).

4. What size range (blade)?

3.5 to 5 inches.

5. What MSRP do you think we should try for?

Maximum acceptable: $100 US. Goal: <$80 US for sale-appeal to the "uninitiated".

6. Country of origin opinions?

You planning on moving Spyderco??!!

OH! And one other thing. THANKS FOR ASKING, SAL!!!!

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iktomi

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ceya one · Jul 3, 2000

hey sal,
thanks for bringing my topic back to the front. i think that spyderco going to the fixed blade market will give it an all around feel to the company. i'll give you full details on what it should have,cost and material. thanks again
semper fi,

Pelle · Jul 3, 2000

As for the production, Moki can never be wrong. I think they have an outstanding degree of quality. But that´s no news to you. Just my 2 cents...

Mr Blonde · Jul 3, 2000

Although the idea of a fully serrated 5 to 6 inch bladed fixed Civilian comes to mind

, I think the fixed blades should reflect the design philosophies of the folders. These are IMO utility type knives wih great edge geometry, from that I'll pick my own MBC knives such as the Military and Moran. I really like the concealex sheath on the Moran, I couldn't see any way to improve on it for me. No rubber on the handles for me please.

Something like a tactical kitchen knife would appeal to me, like the Talmadge Tactical Kitchen Knife by Trace Rinaldi. On the other hand, a production version of an R.J. Martin neck knife would be nice as well. Furthermore, I like to see a utility neck knife, that's flat enough to be carried discreetly.

Eventually, I too would really like to see Spyderco challenge the CS trailmaster.

[This message has been edited by Mr Blonde (edited 07-03-2000).]

Sal Glesser · Jul 3, 2000

Getting a lot of great input. Appreciated. I'd like to add a little reality to the brew.

To create a quality (real quality, not sales pitched) fixed blade with the steels being suggested, and the sheaths being suggested will almost have to have an FRN handle of some type to keep the MSRP in the $100 range.

sal

jeffj · Jul 3, 2000

Sal,

If the MSRP is $100 then that would make the knife go for considerably less. How about a street value of $100. That would give you more room to consider other options for the handle...right? I've seen several suggest in the $100 range but there is a considerable difference between MSRP and street value.

You also have some email I sent...

Jeff Jenness

Pelle · Jul 3, 2000

Well, the BM Nimravus has a $160 MSRP so there should defenetly be room for something more exotic than FRN.
Sal, what are your opinions on Lums & Puukkos? Realistic or just for us to dream about?
Another designer I think ought to be mentioned is Steve Corkum. I think he blends traditional japanese knifemaking with modern design in a very nice way.

Ferret · Jul 3, 2000

"something like the MOD Ayoob. If that's the case, YUK!!! (sorry Ferret"
LOL, you aren't the first to say it!

FWIW, I agree that if the Nimravus was a Spyderco I'd have one already.
Also, bugger the $100 price point, you could shift the price into the large folder MSRP and the design parameters could move with it.

dogboye · Jul 3, 2000

Maybe I should amend my price figure suggestion to something on the order of $160 (US) MSRP. So the knife itself would be directly competitive with the Nimravus (or Cub). Would that get something other than FRN, Sal?

Thanks again.

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iktomi

Alan_B · Jul 3, 2000

Sal,

I would think that there is a niche available for a fixed blade rescue knife (especially for whitewater boaters). For a kayaker inverted in cold water not having to open a folder provides additional safety (IMHO). Both Buck (Tiburon?) and Gerber (many) have models targeted at this market segment but none has the cutting power of a Rescue with it's spyderedge and the Gerber sheaths are not the most secure (haven't seen Bucks).

1. What types of models do you think we should produce? (hunting, urban, MBC, etc.)

Serrated rescue sheepsfoot blade.

2. What materials do you think would be most appreciated?

Brightly colored handle/scales in case dropped in water. For a basic model, exotic materials are not required, an FRN handle and ATS-55 are more than sufficient. Deluxe models with grippy G10 scales might be something to try later on.

3. What type of sheaths are best?

Kydex or Concealex that is secure when inverted and easily attachable to life jackets.

4. What size range (blade)?

Similar to existing Rescue and Rescue Jr.

5. What MSRP do you think we should try for?

Similar to existing Rescue and Rescue Jr. plus a bit for the sheath.

6. Country of origin opinions?

Whichever gives the best value, otherwise not important.

I'm looking forward to whatever fixed blades you add.