Spyderco Volpe

A

ASBOB

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Feb 8, 2008
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A friend of mine showed me his Spyderco Volpe yesterday and it caught my eye. Ergos were good and f & f seemed solid. What do folks think of this knife?

Also, a possibly ridiculous question: is this considered a "real" Spyderco? I know it has the hole, and says Spyderco, but it's made by Fox in Italy, rather than by Spyderco in Colorado.
 
Spyderco manufacturers knives in China (Byrd, Tenacious, Persistance), Seki Japan (All VG-10, H1, ZDP-189, G2 / Gin models), Golden (S30V models, 154CM models, Automatic knives and bali's), Taiwan (Sage, Bob T, Chowke), and Italy (Hossom series and all N690Co steel, including Volpe).
 
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I consider it a real Spyderco. If it says Spyderco, has a Spyderhole, and isn't an illegal copy, then I'd say it's a Spyderco.

And to add to what Josh K said, the ZDP-189 models are also made in Japan. I don't think all of the Japanese models are made by the same maker in Seki though, as some knives just say Japan. I'm not certain though. And S90V which is popular atm is made in Golden, CO.
 
But he forgot they have also had HP Klotzli of Switzerland build one (C22 Walker). ;) From what Sal has posted, Spyderco works with several makers in Seki. Wherever they are made, and whoever makes them, they all have to meet Sal's standards.
 
As previously mentioned, the Volpe is made up to Spyderco standards, in this case by the excellent italian company Fox cutlery.
I like my Volpe quite a lot, it is one of the few "big gentlemen-style" knives, and the quality doesn't need to take lessons from anyone.
 
_habit_ said:
I consider it a real Spyderco. If it says Spyderco, has a Spyderhole, and isn't an illegal copy, then I'd say it's a Spyderco.

And to add to what Josh K said, the ZDP-189 models are also made in Japan. I don't think all of the Japanese models are made by the same maker in Seki though, as some knives just say Japan. I'm not certain though. And S90V which is popular atm is made in Golden, CO.
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Are the Mules (9Cr13MoV and ZDP) made in China and Japan respectively? I don't have them so I'm not sure.

What models don't say Seki City?

yablanowitz said:
But he forgot they have also had HP Klotzli of Switzerland build one (C22 Walker). ;) From what Sal has posted, Spyderco works with several makers in Seki. Wherever they are made, and whoever makes them, they all have to meet Sal's standards.
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I did not know that. :o
 
Ya learn sumthin' new every day. :D

Yes, the ZDP Mules were made in Japan and marked as such, and the 9Cr18Mo Mule is marked China.
 
yablanowitz said:
Ya learn sumthin' new every day. :D

Yes, the ZDP Mules were made in Japan and marked as such, and the 9Cr18Mo Mule is marked China.
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I just caught wind of a couple pictures of the C27 Jess Horn. That is a beautiful knife. :D Now I just have to find one up for sale. :(
 
Josh K said:
Are the Mules (9Cr13MoV and ZDP) made in China and Japan respectively? I don't have them so I'm not sure.

What models don't say Seki City?



I did not know that. :o
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That I have personally seen, the 75mm Persian, Kopa, Viele 2 all say just Japan.

I believe the Caly series also says just Japan.
 
Spyderco does a number of collaborations, both with custom knife makers and production knife companies. They did a collaboration with Kershaw a while back, called the Spyker. (Get it? SPYderco and KERshaw....)

Volpe means "fox" in Italian and the knife was designed by manufactured by Fox with input from Spyderco. Fox has a few models that are somewhat similar.

As to the knife itself, the opinions vary. Some people of this board rank it among their favorite Spydies. Others don't care for it. I had one and liked it, but found that I liked other knives more.
 
Volpe is a great knife. BUT... it is a little on the heavy side, due to the SS handle. You might also what to look at the Spyfox, which is a smaller version. This is not officially a Spyderco, as I understand it, but a Spyderco approved knife.
 
The notch in the spine really bothers me. Other than that I think it's a nice looking knife. I considered one for a long time, but in the end I went with a Kershaw Nakamura instead.
 
Dekz said:
The notch in the spine really bothers me. Other than that I think it's a nice looking knife. I considered one for a long time, but in the end I went with a Kershaw Nakamura instead.
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It's another example of a function-based Spyderco design (actually a G&G design for Fox/Spyderco). The notch looks goofy, but is really great as a thumb rest for detail cutting. With the FFG blade, it's actually a wicked cutter. The olive wood inserts are just a nice touch. Form follows function, and if you do it right, it can look pretty cool as well.:D
 
IMHO Volpe is one of the most underappreciated Spydercos.
It has almost everything the good knife should have: full flat grind blade, good steel, excellent size (not too big, not too small) for my taste, great ergos, outstanding workmanship (I can only wish that Fox would make more Spydercos), great look. The only little issue I have: lock is little hard to open, when you close the blade. It doesn't bother me much, and would never prevent me to buy this knife.
 
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