Spyderco-Lum "Chinese Folder" Prototypes

J

James Mattis

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
3,264
Here are three sizes, open and closed.

proto-lumchinese-500.jpg


proto-lumchinese-closed-300.jpg


Higher resolution:
www.chaicutlery.com/spyderco/proto-lumchinese.jpg
www.chaicutlery.com/spyderco/proto-lumchinese-closed.jpg

Don't be surprised if the production versions don't have the hand-rubbed finish, and don't be surprised if they have more conventional clips. Also, don't be surprised if they don't make all three sizes, at least not right away. These are hand-made knives, by Bob Lum. Butt-end clips on liner locks require good ball bearing detents, and these hand-made prototypes have them.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
 
Now, these are my favorite of all the concept models. I love its clip design. Hope they can preserve it, maybe on a stainless or anodized aluminum scale?

What are the blade length of each, James?

sjc
 
I'd agree, out of all the proto pix you've shown us, the new Lum models are the best; really awesome! The clip is nice, too. Too bad they'll have the traditional clip for production, as I'd rather see the one pictured. I hope they're easier to get than the current Lum model
smile.gif
!

Chad
 
Oh My Lord.

I've got the vapors.

Smelling salts, Smelling salts.


Spyderco, YOU ROCK.

No, what I really mean to say is that YOU ROCK.

If I can have a moment to say that a different way I would say ....... HHHMMMMMM

YOU ROCK

Lum to me my baby, Lum to me.

Come on, I am gonna pull that fat daddy out to my pocket and the crowd is gonna go....

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

In fact it kind puts my Delica to shame. But ther will always be a place in my heart for the Delica.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com

I wrote a review of the Kasper AFCK variant, an interview of Bob Kasper, and some thoughts and brainstorms of the AFCK in general. It can be found in the Reviews Section. If you have the time, check it out and tell me what you think.

"I'm just an advertisement for a version of myself." David Byrne

 
Well the clip is nice, but it looks like the knife will ride to high. I'll have to put my vote in for a regular clip. Sorry guys.
smile.gif



Blades
 
A fully flat-ground blade that wide ought to have killer edge geometry.

I'll have to vote for the standard Spyderco clip as well.

David Rock
 
I've been waiting for one of these for over a year now and will probably wait as long again before they reach the shops. No matter this will be my next high end folder. I don't even care were the clip ends up as long as it doesn't spoil the lovely flowing lines of the design. It would however be nice if it had burgundy micarta scales to match the burgundy scales of my new Calypso Jr Lightweight
biggrin.gif
. (Sorry Michelle, had to have one last dig before I went away.)

IMHO this is a trilogy to rival the Sebenzas. In appearance of course, I wouldn't expect Spyderco to reach the same manufacturing tolerances as Chris Reeve.

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Take care,
Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

 
I've handled one of the handmade Ti handled versions of this knife. It seems like it might be a bit too easy for a finger to slip up onto the edge. Perhaps a small guard or cutout in the lower bolster area would be a good idea. I know it would break up the flowing lines, but that's better then flowing blood. At least I think it is.
 
Rick,
I agree, some anti-slip protection for the phlanges would be nice
smile.gif
. That's why I've always loved the Goddard collabs. The Lum design is still admirable "as is", but if you ever put it to real use, the handle could potentially create a problem. Also, the high-ride design of the clip is not something I like (as Blades and David Rock stated), but the clips look so GOOD! If the clip could be designed to ride deeper in the pocket, that would be nice. But, the regular clip would solve that problem, as they're easy to place just about anywhere on a handle. I really don't see anything else I would change on the knife without actually holding it in my hand. Now, about that hand protection...
 
I say don't mess with the lines of these knives for a guard or a speed-bump. There are a lot of other designs out there with guards and guard equivalents. Good knives without any sort of guard include, among others, the Benchmade Leopard, the Spyderco Centofante, and most traditional pocket knives including the "Boy Scout" and "Swiss Army" types.

These Lum hand-made prototypes are going to be the hardest of the bunch to pack up and ship back! Seriously nice knives, even after having been fondled by so many strangers at knife shows.

I do have my doubts about butt-end clips on any liner lock, and, though these hand-mades and the Spyderco production Wegners have good ball bearing detents, I would recommend carrying them with the spine of the blade against the corner of the pocket to limit accidental opening.

Now I have a basic question:

That "different" wide blade with a radical drop point, combined with the handle that makes a continuous curve, looks very very cool, but I may have to explain why it is as useful as or more useful than a conventional shape. It looks as much like a non-sticker as a sheepsfoot blade; does it substitute for a plain-edge sheepsfoot? What is Bob Lum's explanation for its utility?


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
 
The blade shape is a type of "modified sheepsfoot" in a sense. That would make it an ideal utility type, but not a penetrator. The more I look at these Lum protos, the more I think a "hump" or finger groove might spoil the lines, which are so beautiful. But, any knife that has a handle that's in-line with the blade should have thumb and index finger grooves on the top of the handle/blade and on the bottom part of the handle. Just something to give the fingers a good, solid hold. Safety is paramount, and combining safety with beautiful design can really make a knife all the better. Also, everyone knows that I LOVE (and won't hesitate to tell 'ya why!) carrying liner-locked knives in a tip-up fashion against the seam of my right front pocket. When it comes to liner lock safety, I have sincere confidence in all my Spydercos. I believe the custom collabs from Spyderco should come with extra little features, since they're the company's "special" line of knives. As a bonus feature, I would like to see all the custom collabs be provided with the option of which end to put your clip on by the consumer (drilled and tapped at both ends for tip up/down). For the these new Lums, the other bonus would be finger grooves for the thumb and index fingers. The Centofante could use a good set of grooves on its handle, too!

[This message has been edited by Savman (edited 10 July 1999).]
 
I've been thinking about the clips. What would be interesting is to have that same clip, but have it fold over the top of the knife. Does that make sense?? Then it would be a deep carry knife.
I also thought Mr. Glesser had mentioned using the Rolling Lock on these knives. Whatever happens I'll be happy when they are for sale.


Blades
 
To alleviate the no guard issue, they could ass some serrations to the tang ala the Herbst, but make them a little more aggressive.


------------------
Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com

I wrote a review of the Kasper AFCK variant, an interview of Bob Kasper, and some thoughts and brainstorms of the AFCK in general. It can be found at http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000568.html . Check it out and tell me what you think.

"I'm just an advertisement for a version of myself." David Byrne

"It's the action, not the fruit of the action that's important. You have to do the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing there will be no result." Gandhi

 
Not every knife has to have a guard. I presume that the Lum "Chinese Folder" is designed for cutting on the pull stroke, or light chopping. Many traditional Scandinavian fixed blade woodcraft knives are also completely guardless, and folks brought up around those sorts of knives still have ten fingers. Knives like the Spyderco Centofante and the Benchmade Leopard, Boy Scout/Swiss Army knives, and most traditional pocket knives also get along without any sort of guard

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001


[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 27 July 1999).]
 
I dig.

Just trying to figure out a compromise that will make the Guard fans feel secure while not ruining the flowing looks.

------------------
Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com

I wrote a review of the Kasper AFCK variant, an interview of Bob Kasper, and some thoughts and brainstorms of the AFCK in general. It can be found at http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000568.html . Check it out and tell me what you think.

"I'm just an advertisement for a version of myself." David Byrne

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao Tsu


 
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