- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 3,531
It amazes me that a company so unique, so quirky and so utterly different from everything else on the market is able to be successful and create such an impressive legacy.
When I turned 18 and began my love affair with knives, I saw them as many do: Manly pocket accessories that I could mess somebody up with if they were foolish enough to mess with me, right? "I got a Cold Steel, bro! Keep walkin!" I thought Spyderco knives looked downright stupid. "Who in the world buys these idiotic looking knives? Why are they so popular? "
I felt that way because they were different. They weren't made to look bad ass or "tactical". They were made to fit the human hand like it grew there, and they were made to cut better than anything else on the market. You can't see that in pictures, though.
Fortunately, though I was ignorant, I wasn't stupid, and I continued to educate myself on all knife brands. I eventually bought a gray Calypso Jr. after reading that it was the best little slicer out there. It was true. My Boker AK 47 and Cold Steel Recon1 Tanto didn't cut like that. Not even close. That little thing was a laser. It also fit my hand like it was made for it. It was no brick of plastic and aluminim. Still, I was young, and that little Calypso was an ugly little goblin of a knife. I carried it though. Eventually, I carried it everyday. As time passed, it wasn't ugly anymore. It was comfortable, useful, plain and beautiful. Wabi Sabi.
That was when my inner mall ninja died. Spyderco and their genius knife design killed him dead. I never went back. I bought probably 50 different Spyderco folders. Not all of them were for me. Some I hated. Some had some issues, but eventually I found several knives I intend to carry for life.
The great thing about Spyderco is that they constantly improve and updates designs, even their best models get updates. That's why I no longer have a Calypso Jr. I have a Caly 3.5 . I no longer have a Stainless Kiwi 1, I have a Kiwi 4. I like larger knives, you see. I've sold hundreds of knives and no longer care to look. I know nothing is going to feel or cut better than something the man himself, Sal Glesser, designed.
I could touch on the rich history of innovation: pocket clips, one hand opening, serrations, 50/50 choils that Spyderco either had a hand in our is outright responsible for. I believe the knife industry owes much to Spyderco. How about Mr. Glesser's outstanding presence in the online knife community? He's always kind and patient in the face of discourse, and he's willing to share the kind of unique wisdom and experience that only a man of his legendary status can obtain. I consider the man a bit of a personal hero, honestly.
Ultimately, I just wanted to type out what I feel each time I wrap my hand around one of Spyderco's classic designs. How perfect they feel and cut. I'm a customer and admirer, for life.
When I turned 18 and began my love affair with knives, I saw them as many do: Manly pocket accessories that I could mess somebody up with if they were foolish enough to mess with me, right? "I got a Cold Steel, bro! Keep walkin!" I thought Spyderco knives looked downright stupid. "Who in the world buys these idiotic looking knives? Why are they so popular? "
I felt that way because they were different. They weren't made to look bad ass or "tactical". They were made to fit the human hand like it grew there, and they were made to cut better than anything else on the market. You can't see that in pictures, though.
Fortunately, though I was ignorant, I wasn't stupid, and I continued to educate myself on all knife brands. I eventually bought a gray Calypso Jr. after reading that it was the best little slicer out there. It was true. My Boker AK 47 and Cold Steel Recon1 Tanto didn't cut like that. Not even close. That little thing was a laser. It also fit my hand like it was made for it. It was no brick of plastic and aluminim. Still, I was young, and that little Calypso was an ugly little goblin of a knife. I carried it though. Eventually, I carried it everyday. As time passed, it wasn't ugly anymore. It was comfortable, useful, plain and beautiful. Wabi Sabi.
That was when my inner mall ninja died. Spyderco and their genius knife design killed him dead. I never went back. I bought probably 50 different Spyderco folders. Not all of them were for me. Some I hated. Some had some issues, but eventually I found several knives I intend to carry for life.
The great thing about Spyderco is that they constantly improve and updates designs, even their best models get updates. That's why I no longer have a Calypso Jr. I have a Caly 3.5 . I no longer have a Stainless Kiwi 1, I have a Kiwi 4. I like larger knives, you see. I've sold hundreds of knives and no longer care to look. I know nothing is going to feel or cut better than something the man himself, Sal Glesser, designed.
I could touch on the rich history of innovation: pocket clips, one hand opening, serrations, 50/50 choils that Spyderco either had a hand in our is outright responsible for. I believe the knife industry owes much to Spyderco. How about Mr. Glesser's outstanding presence in the online knife community? He's always kind and patient in the face of discourse, and he's willing to share the kind of unique wisdom and experience that only a man of his legendary status can obtain. I consider the man a bit of a personal hero, honestly.
Ultimately, I just wanted to type out what I feel each time I wrap my hand around one of Spyderco's classic designs. How perfect they feel and cut. I'm a customer and admirer, for life.
