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- May 16, 2010
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Spy-DK Denmark legal slipjoint folder.
Specifications
Blade Length: 2.69" (68 mm)
Cutting Edge: 2.30" (58 mm)
Overall Length: 6.29" (160 mm)
Closed Length: 3.60" (91 mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.110" (2.8 mm)
Hole Diameter: 0.20" (5 mm)
Blade Material: N690Co
Handle Material: FRN
Locking Mechanism: Slipjoint
Weight: 2.0 oz. (57 g)
Made in Italy
Just received a package containing the new Spyderco Spy-DK, which is EDC legal for the knife carrying public in Denmark and I thought, that Id post my initial impressions here. This will just be a Q&D mini-review and a few pics.
How ever, I must square away a couple of things first:
1. I have no affiliation with Spyderco or Sal apart from being a knife afficionado and a fan of Spyderco knives.
2. How ever, in regards to the Spy-DK, Im highly biased, as Im not only a Spyderco fan but also a huge fan of their leaf shaped blades as seen for example on the Calypso and Chaperral family of knives etc.
Spy-DK
In order for a knife to be legal for EDC in Denmark (DK), it has to be a two handed opener and have NO lock. Denmark is a very small country and for a knife company to concentrate on making knives, which are aimed specifically for the DK knife buyers, is a pretty big thing IMO.
Spyderco has made not only one but several knives in order to make it possible for knife owners in Denmark to carry a Spyderco
BTW this is the third knife, that Spyderco has made for Denmark. Its of course available for the rest of the world as well (where legal).
Id seen pics of the prototype Spy-DK and as such expected certain features.
When opening the stout Spyderco package, I still could barely refrain from yelling YES!
Upon reviewing the second knife, that Spyderco made for the specific strict knife law in Denmark, I and others remarked on several features, that we would like in a DK legal knife. Lets see how this wish list stacks up against the Spy-DK:
Leaf shaped blade check.
Decent steel check.
Slim FRN handle check.
Wire clip check.
I didnt get a tan option for the handle (the Spy-DK comes in orange and black and I realize, that I might be in the minority for a tan handle option for a knife like this
), but hey; four out of five aint bad. Not too shabby at all in fact!
In a world where nothing is perfect, this knife comes pretty dang close IMO.
Blade
Blade steel is N690Co and stamped Maniago, Italy on the reverse. In short a win-win situation IMO.
A quality maker and a quality steel. Ive heard N690Co called the European VG10 (did Sal coin that phrase at some point?) and being a huge fan of VG-10, the steel seems to share the same qualities, from what I can tell.
My Spyderco-Perrin and Spyderco-Moran are both VG-10 are both mean slicers. They take a mean edge and keep it for a considerable time. The Spy-DK seems to share those qualities. It certainly is razor sharp to use a cliché.
Blade opens smoothly but against what is clearly a strong backspring.
I had confidence in the blade holding open, while performing a few mundane tasks, that my knives are typically asked to do. From slicing fruit, sawing through paracord while setting up the hammock to ripping cardboard, I had full confidence in the knife blade holding open in spite of the knife having no lock.
Again, the choil is a great help in that. I really like that design in a knife such as this.
I tried to force a scenario, where the knife would close, It only dips a little, as you index finger on the choil stops the blade from closing on your fingers. A great safety feature.
The leaf shaped blade is very much to my liking also and IMO its beautiful. A strong spine tapering to a sharp edge. Blade and edge have the correct proportions for a pocket knife of this type. Not too big, not too small, but just right.
The elongated sleek graceful lines of the Calypso 3.5 scaled down and not the more stubby look of the shorter Calypso, is what the Spy-DK blade reminds me of.
Blade play: No such thing on my example. Not the slightest.
Further more, the blade is perfectly centered.
Spyderco QC strikes again.
Choil
Huge fan of the choil and the traditional Spyderco handle lay-out. It makes the knife so versatile IMO. Especially for a knife, that cant have a lock on it, the choil is important to me. Again, Im a huge fan of the Calypso-type knife and the design of the Spy-DK share the same characteristics in regards to ergonomics and the choil.
In the case of the Spy-DK, the choil is an extra safeguard against closing the knife on your fingers.
Jimping.
Ive gradually moved away from liking (superfluous )jimping on knives, but thats just me.
On some knives, jimping seems to be present just because some customers want excessive amounts of jimping. At one point it was de rigueuer to have deep cut jimping, which seems out of place on at least some knives.
Luckily, the Spy-DK has just enough jimping in the right places and not an iota of jimping, where it is not needed.
Actually, thats a pretty good description of the knife as such; just enough and nothing superfluous, but I stray.
On the back of the hump of the blade spine, where one might place ones thumb, there is a restrained segment of jimping.
A somewhat larger and VERY effective jimping segment is cut in curve of the choil, where ones index finger will rest.
Both very effective and I wouldnt do without either.
Handle
A pet peeve of mine are handles which protrude unnecessarily and which are far bigger than the blade they hold. Such is not the case here. A pocket sized handle correctly proportioned for the blade. This is not a big knife, but none the less, the handle fills my average sized hand perfectly with the index finger in the choil and ample handle material for the pinky area.
I could discern no hotspots no matter how hard, I gripped the handle. The wire clip disapperars into the palm of ones hand, as if it isnt there. I suspect a beefier clip would be felt more.
Those familiar with Spyderco knives sharing the same handle design will know, how the handle feels.
Some like FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon), some dont. Personally, Im a fan of the slim FRN handle for this type of knife.
This is a low profile slim dont-notice-it-till-you-need-it pocket knife and the handles are perfect for that.
As with the Spyderco Pingo, the FRN handles makes for a slim light weight package with the FRN slabs being thin but solid and they help the knife to being a solid performer.
The checkering pattern on the FRN handle slabs is very grippy.
Sure, I like my Super Blue steel, exotic wood handle and a slab of titanium on knives, but not only would that be out of place on this knife, it would not make it the lithe folder that it is nor would it then be placed in the same very attractive price bracket.
On my example of the Spy-DK, the backspring protruded a fraction of an inch over the FRN. I suspect, that this is in order to ensure positive force against the blade when opening and when blade is open.
Remember, the force of the spring has to be strong enough to ensure two handed opening.
Wire clip
I like wire clips especially on a sleek discreet pocket knife such as this. Some dont seem to like them, but they certainly hold the knife just fine. Ive never had a Spyderco wire clip fail on me. For this knife, the wire clip is perfect for this type of knife and I wouldnt want it any other way.
As mentioned, the wire feels as if it isnt there when working with the knife and does its job of holding the kife in the pocket when needed.
For a discreet pocket knife, the wire clip adds another level of discreet-ness. I can see, how others (not only Danes) wanting a discreet under the radar pocket knife acceptable in most places, would go for the Spy-DK.
A small inoffensive looking folder whilst in the pocket and the well known typical Spyderco slicer when deployed and a its being used to perform a day to day task.
Conclusion
A well made high quality knife with features, that I and other Danes asked Sal to make.
I cant speak for others, but Im over the moon with the Spy-DK .
One invariably has to compare it to its predecessor (the Pingo) and the ergonomics of the Spy-DK is far far FAR better IMO.
For the first time in many years, there is now a DK legal Spyderco with the traditional Spyderco features available for the knife buying public in Denmark.
That is a good thing in my book
Thanks for reading.
Specifications
Blade Length: 2.69" (68 mm)
Cutting Edge: 2.30" (58 mm)
Overall Length: 6.29" (160 mm)
Closed Length: 3.60" (91 mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.110" (2.8 mm)
Hole Diameter: 0.20" (5 mm)
Blade Material: N690Co
Handle Material: FRN
Locking Mechanism: Slipjoint
Weight: 2.0 oz. (57 g)
Made in Italy
Just received a package containing the new Spyderco Spy-DK, which is EDC legal for the knife carrying public in Denmark and I thought, that Id post my initial impressions here. This will just be a Q&D mini-review and a few pics.
How ever, I must square away a couple of things first:
1. I have no affiliation with Spyderco or Sal apart from being a knife afficionado and a fan of Spyderco knives.
2. How ever, in regards to the Spy-DK, Im highly biased, as Im not only a Spyderco fan but also a huge fan of their leaf shaped blades as seen for example on the Calypso and Chaperral family of knives etc.
Spy-DK
In order for a knife to be legal for EDC in Denmark (DK), it has to be a two handed opener and have NO lock. Denmark is a very small country and for a knife company to concentrate on making knives, which are aimed specifically for the DK knife buyers, is a pretty big thing IMO.
Spyderco has made not only one but several knives in order to make it possible for knife owners in Denmark to carry a Spyderco
BTW this is the third knife, that Spyderco has made for Denmark. Its of course available for the rest of the world as well (where legal).
Id seen pics of the prototype Spy-DK and as such expected certain features.
When opening the stout Spyderco package, I still could barely refrain from yelling YES!
Upon reviewing the second knife, that Spyderco made for the specific strict knife law in Denmark, I and others remarked on several features, that we would like in a DK legal knife. Lets see how this wish list stacks up against the Spy-DK:
Leaf shaped blade check.
Decent steel check.
Slim FRN handle check.
Wire clip check.
I didnt get a tan option for the handle (the Spy-DK comes in orange and black and I realize, that I might be in the minority for a tan handle option for a knife like this
), but hey; four out of five aint bad. Not too shabby at all in fact!In a world where nothing is perfect, this knife comes pretty dang close IMO.
Blade
Blade steel is N690Co and stamped Maniago, Italy on the reverse. In short a win-win situation IMO.
A quality maker and a quality steel. Ive heard N690Co called the European VG10 (did Sal coin that phrase at some point?) and being a huge fan of VG-10, the steel seems to share the same qualities, from what I can tell.
My Spyderco-Perrin and Spyderco-Moran are both VG-10 are both mean slicers. They take a mean edge and keep it for a considerable time. The Spy-DK seems to share those qualities. It certainly is razor sharp to use a cliché.
Blade opens smoothly but against what is clearly a strong backspring.
I had confidence in the blade holding open, while performing a few mundane tasks, that my knives are typically asked to do. From slicing fruit, sawing through paracord while setting up the hammock to ripping cardboard, I had full confidence in the knife blade holding open in spite of the knife having no lock.
Again, the choil is a great help in that. I really like that design in a knife such as this.
I tried to force a scenario, where the knife would close, It only dips a little, as you index finger on the choil stops the blade from closing on your fingers. A great safety feature.
The leaf shaped blade is very much to my liking also and IMO its beautiful. A strong spine tapering to a sharp edge. Blade and edge have the correct proportions for a pocket knife of this type. Not too big, not too small, but just right.
The elongated sleek graceful lines of the Calypso 3.5 scaled down and not the more stubby look of the shorter Calypso, is what the Spy-DK blade reminds me of.
Blade play: No such thing on my example. Not the slightest.
Further more, the blade is perfectly centered.
Spyderco QC strikes again.
Choil
Huge fan of the choil and the traditional Spyderco handle lay-out. It makes the knife so versatile IMO. Especially for a knife, that cant have a lock on it, the choil is important to me. Again, Im a huge fan of the Calypso-type knife and the design of the Spy-DK share the same characteristics in regards to ergonomics and the choil.
In the case of the Spy-DK, the choil is an extra safeguard against closing the knife on your fingers.
Jimping.
Ive gradually moved away from liking (superfluous )jimping on knives, but thats just me.
On some knives, jimping seems to be present just because some customers want excessive amounts of jimping. At one point it was de rigueuer to have deep cut jimping, which seems out of place on at least some knives.
Luckily, the Spy-DK has just enough jimping in the right places and not an iota of jimping, where it is not needed.
Actually, thats a pretty good description of the knife as such; just enough and nothing superfluous, but I stray.
On the back of the hump of the blade spine, where one might place ones thumb, there is a restrained segment of jimping.
A somewhat larger and VERY effective jimping segment is cut in curve of the choil, where ones index finger will rest.
Both very effective and I wouldnt do without either.
Handle
A pet peeve of mine are handles which protrude unnecessarily and which are far bigger than the blade they hold. Such is not the case here. A pocket sized handle correctly proportioned for the blade. This is not a big knife, but none the less, the handle fills my average sized hand perfectly with the index finger in the choil and ample handle material for the pinky area.
I could discern no hotspots no matter how hard, I gripped the handle. The wire clip disapperars into the palm of ones hand, as if it isnt there. I suspect a beefier clip would be felt more.
Those familiar with Spyderco knives sharing the same handle design will know, how the handle feels.
Some like FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon), some dont. Personally, Im a fan of the slim FRN handle for this type of knife.
This is a low profile slim dont-notice-it-till-you-need-it pocket knife and the handles are perfect for that.
As with the Spyderco Pingo, the FRN handles makes for a slim light weight package with the FRN slabs being thin but solid and they help the knife to being a solid performer.
The checkering pattern on the FRN handle slabs is very grippy.
Sure, I like my Super Blue steel, exotic wood handle and a slab of titanium on knives, but not only would that be out of place on this knife, it would not make it the lithe folder that it is nor would it then be placed in the same very attractive price bracket.
On my example of the Spy-DK, the backspring protruded a fraction of an inch over the FRN. I suspect, that this is in order to ensure positive force against the blade when opening and when blade is open.
Remember, the force of the spring has to be strong enough to ensure two handed opening.
Wire clip
I like wire clips especially on a sleek discreet pocket knife such as this. Some dont seem to like them, but they certainly hold the knife just fine. Ive never had a Spyderco wire clip fail on me. For this knife, the wire clip is perfect for this type of knife and I wouldnt want it any other way.
As mentioned, the wire feels as if it isnt there when working with the knife and does its job of holding the kife in the pocket when needed.
For a discreet pocket knife, the wire clip adds another level of discreet-ness. I can see, how others (not only Danes) wanting a discreet under the radar pocket knife acceptable in most places, would go for the Spy-DK.
A small inoffensive looking folder whilst in the pocket and the well known typical Spyderco slicer when deployed and a its being used to perform a day to day task.
Conclusion
A well made high quality knife with features, that I and other Danes asked Sal to make.
I cant speak for others, but Im over the moon with the Spy-DK .
One invariably has to compare it to its predecessor (the Pingo) and the ergonomics of the Spy-DK is far far FAR better IMO.
For the first time in many years, there is now a DK legal Spyderco with the traditional Spyderco features available for the knife buying public in Denmark.
That is a good thing in my book
Thanks for reading.
