Spyderco - traditional slip-joints

J

jurisprudence

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Jul 17, 2009
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Recently, my interest in traditional slip-joints has renewed and I have picked up a custom, collaboration (semi-custom), and production slip-joint. Keeping in the spirit of "shinny footprints," I will not list names of manufacturers, but will point out that Spyderco would compete very well in the traditional slip-joint market in terms of quality, fit and finish, and price. In fact, I would expect Spyderco to be at or near the front in terms of quality.

As a Sypderco fan, I would love to see a traditional slip-joint pattern offered. Like a Kopa in appearance, but with no Spyder hole, just plain nail nick and as a slip-joint. Such patterns would appeal to many Spyderco loyalists, as well as traditional slip-joint fans (which may or may not like the Spyder hole). Another quality option in this market would be most welcome.

In anticipation of the thought that the Spyder hole is trademark that Spyderco must include, this issue could easily be addressed by creating another line of knives. Similar to the Byrd line, which does not have a Sypder hole, a traditional line of knives (even if a limited offering) could use a nail nick. It could be the Glesser Cutlery Company, for example.

Would any of you be interested?

Also, I suspect that Spyderco has consider this in the past and wonder if they would care to share their thoughts?
 
Interesting thoughts. Personally, as a Spyderco fan I appreciate the ergonomics and one-hand opening hole of their knife designs. I'm not so sure I would prefer them diverting significant time and resources toward constructing nail-nicked slipjoints.

I believe that Spyderco made a sprint run of a Jess Horn folder that had a trapezoid-like nail nick. If they were to make any traditional slip joint, I'd prefer a trapezoid over a nail nick. Just my two cents. :)
 
None for me, thanks. As a former resident of the Ellenville NY area, if I wanted a nail nick slip-joint, I'd go with one of Canal Street's. Truth is, I find nail nick openers difficult to use and prefer a locking folder. Kiwi is as close enough to a "traditional" folder for me. :D

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
D1omedes said:
Interesting thoughts. Personally, as a Spyderco fan I appreciate the ergonomics and one-hand opening hole of their knife designs. I'm not so sure I would prefer them diverting significant time and resources toward constructing nail-nicked slipjoints.
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I too really like the ease of one-hand opening, but also appreciate a traditional knife - especially as an EDC in an office environment and around non-knife folks. On the weekend and evenings, I carry various Spydercos and value all the benefits of the one-hand opening locking folders Spyderco offers.

Regarding resources, I am merely tossing out an idea and Spyderco would have to do some market research on whether it would be successful or not. Further, I would want them to pursue ideas that increase revenues not detract from time and resources (after all, we all want Spyderco to be around for years to come and to be able to further diversify their offerings). There seems to be a large market for such traditional folders and an experienced quality company such as Spyderco could produce some first-rate alternatives that would quickly garner attention in the market.

The Deacon said:
As a former resident of the Ellenville NY area, if I wanted a nail nick slip-joint, I'd go with one of Canal Street's.
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Thanks for posting, Deacon. I have not heard of Canal Street knives. Good looking products. Do you know if their knives have half-stops?
 
jurisprudence said:
IThanks for posting, Deacon. I have not heard of Canal Street knives. Good looking products. Do you know if their knives have half-stops?
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Been a couple years but, IIRC, the Cannitler and Trapper, which were the only two I handled, had them.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I like traditional slipjoints a lot and regularly buy GEC and Queen (recent Queen and Schatt & Morgan knives haven better F&F than those made just a couple of years ago and come sharper, too). I'm also waiting for the Case Bose Tribal Spear, which should have a quality superior to their regular line. However, I found Spyderco quality superior to the traditionals, at least in my price range ($100 to $120 or thereabouts). Spydies have a different construction, therefore perhaps a direct comparison is not fair. But I am spoiled by the quality of modern folder construction and became quite picky. Having said that, if I want a slipjoint I buy traditional and was never able to warm up to the slipit line...
 
Drop point Barlow with small spydie hole and made CPM-S30V with spydie logo, carbon fibre handles and long pull? Where do I sign up? :D That kind would be quite awesome but Spyderco is know for one hand opening and spydie hole you kinda have to stop using at least one hand opening... It would be really nice and such. Perhaps because NYC's DA there might be more use for such line even for Spyderco.

Still... I can't imagine Spyderco knife without spydie hole...
 
Kiwi and Kopa are good enough for me, thanks. I see a jigged bone Kiwi sitting unloved at a local dealer for about 170 dollars...may just snag it.
 
I have to say with respect I would not be interested in this idea.

It would mean losing the huge benefits of the Spyderhole and getting nothing useful in return.
 
It would be interesting to see what Spyderco might come up with in the way of a non-Spyderhole traditional-ish slip joint. But I have absolutely no interest in seeing, say, a stockman or trapper with the Spyderco stamp on the tang. I look to Spyderco more for innovations that can't be found elsewhere. I value Spyderco for moving away from traditionalism. This is where knives like the Kiwi and the Byrd Wings slipit appeal to me. They have elements of traditionals that I like, such as bolsters or slipjoint pivots, but are unlike anything that's come before.
 
The dyad / micro dyad is the closest thing to what you are looking for, and is not bad, but the two blade option with one serrated doesn't work for everyone. I like the hole opener personally, but it can make for an odd size in pocket.
 
The closest thing I've seen to 'Traditional', from Spyderco, were some older Spyderco-branded knives that I think were produced by Moki (Japan). Although most/all of those were 'traditional' lockbacks, otherwise they come close to the 'traditional' criteria (nail nick, natural/exotic handle materials, slim 'gent's knife' style). Steel was/is AUS-8 and VG-10, same as a lot of Spydies of similar vintage. The fit/finish of the Moki knives is excellent, too. Again, I think most/all of the Moki knives were 'conventional' lockbacks though.
 
I would not be interested in a Spyderco without a Spyderhole. Nail nicks are never enjoyable for me to carry over that. As previously stated, the Microdyad, Kiwi, and Kopa all have a gentlemens/traditonal look but with modern materials and ergonomics. It seems that it wouldn't be hard to make runs of those as slip joints to fill this niche.

In short, a nail nicked Spydie would be like purchasing a new car in 2010 without power steering.
 
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I think it would be great, but the traditional slipjoints are my favorite knife so I am always looking for "new" traditional knife makers. I carry either a Caly 3, or a Kopa every day, so I actually carry a Spyderco more than any other knife brand and would really like to see a "Slippie" from Spyderco.

I have no doubt that Spyderco could pull it off, and I would be curious if it's something they would like to try as a special project. If I remember right they made some Laguiole style knives in the past (with no Spyderhole), and the Sage is an homage to innovative lock designs. The Kopa has featured many natural handle materials that are the staples of the traditional slipjoints. Why wouldn't they? I would like to see maybe a three knife run, one per year. First maybe a Trapper,Then a single blade like the Case/Bose Tribal Spear, and finish it out with a 3 blade Stockman.

Just imagine posting pics of a Spyderco on the Traditional forum :eek:, and getting away with it :D. I tried it once with a Kopa, didn't fly.
 
If they ever did go into traditionals, I am sure it would be mind-blowing!:thumbup:

I would love to see a traditional slip joint from Spyderco.:) The idea of creating a separate company name to produce the knives is also a great idea. With Spyderco's resources, they could serve the market like never before. Their Spyderco trademark could be represented as the shield on the handle cover:thumbup::cool: (the little "spyder" symbol)

Spyderco could use the high-end blade steels that they are accustomed to and which other companies never use.

They could use CPM-S30V for their stainless steel and CPM-M4 for their carbon steel and make them in the USA. The stainless -for those who don't want to deal with maintenance and the Carbon -for those who like a patina.


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I see a 3.75" Barlow pattern with a primary spearpoint blade and a secondary wharncliffe blade -both made of CPM-M4. Pick your handle cover of choice;) and set within your favorite handle material would be a simple spyder-shield. The blades would only be marked on the base of the tang on both sides: "Spyderco CPM-M4" on one side and "Golden, Colorado USA earth" on the other.

That would be awesome:).

PS -I have only read that M4 takes a patina -is this true? It would be nice to use high end steels and still get the "old patina look."
 
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Interesting ideas guys. Many of you have made a great point that Spyderco may be inclined to offer such knives in high-end steels, such as M4 and S30V. Just another way Spyderco could differentiate themselves in the traditional folder market.
 
It's been discussed and dismissed so many times.

It's simply not in tune with the company philosophy to make them.
 
Itch Blade said:
It's been discussed and dismissed so many times.

It's simply not in tune with the company philosophy to make them.
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True but legistlations are getting tigther somewhere in the states as district attorney Vance Jr's actions in NYC showed. Eventually these things might become more frequent and in the end companies need to adapt changing times. If times change enough, I am sure Spyderco will do adjustments necessary to keep 'em in the game.

If someone would have said spyderco would made slipjoints in Future in 90's, how many of Spydie fans would have laughed the idea? Slipjoints are getting more common as laws get tighter. UKPK and DKPK are proof that Spyderco makes necessary adjustments when law's change so I wouldn't be that sure dismissial would be so sure. Times are now very different.
 
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