Spyderco Yellowhorse clip it 80s

[Skelator88]

Hello All,

Very much a yellowhorse fan while I’ve been a collector of buck knives, I’ve now started to explore some spyderco which have taken my fancy. Especially the Bob lum tanto early versions.

However once I saw these original spydercos customised by David yellowhorse back in 1989 I had to start searching.

I never thought I would come across a set so soon!
I spoke to David regarding the set he can’t remember if he made 10 sets or 50! He just know he made very few.

Does anybody else here own a set?

Two of them still have the original signed documentation from Sal!

 

[sgt1372]

Don't own any.

I've seen a few offered on EB and ACZ from time to time but never knew they were and authorized released sponsored by Spyderco.

If you own a complete set (w/COEs) that would be quite rare.

Congrats!

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Skelator88,

Unfortunately, that is not my signature on the documentation. It's a forgery. That is not my name.

As I remember, Steve Gartin and Eric Hilburn were commissioning those knives from David Yellowhorse, unauthorized, while they worked for Spyderco as employees. We were trying to get some made from David, and he did make some for us, but then Buck Knives told him that he couldn't make them anymore, so he stopped.

They look like they might be originals from David Yellowhorse, but your documentation is false. Sorry.

sal

 

[Skelator88]

Hi Skelator88,

Unfortunately, that is not my signature on the documentation. It's a forgery. That is not my name.

As I remember, Steve Gartin and Eric Hilburn were commissioning those knives from David Yellowhorse, unauthorized, while they worked for Spyderco as employees. We were trying to get some made from David, and he did make some for us, but then Buck Knives told him that he couldn't make them anymore, so he stopped.

They look like they might be originals from David Yellowhorse, but your documentation is false. Sorry.

sal

Hey Sal,

Firstly thank you so much for replying to the thread!

The documentation is only for two of the knives the police & the Hunter. These were bought from a couple who are now in their 80s. They stated to me they had them since new. Originally they had all 4 pieces of documentation. Could you clarify if it’s the signature alone that’s been forged or if the paperwork is also not correct for that time period. There is another signature below on the paperwork too looks to be Eric Hilburn.

It states on the spyderco original advertisement that they come with signed documentation?

Thank you

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Skelator88,

I believe the knives are genuine. I can't speak to the documentation . I know we made documentation for different things, but that was a long time ago. I know that I would not have signed my name Sal S Glesser, because that is not my name.

Steve was our Sales Manager at the time and Eric Hilburn was handling our export sales. Steve took it upon himself to commission David Yellowhorse to make the mods to the knives without my knowledge or consent. He was selling them on his own. Eventually I found out and we then worked with David to continue making them which became a problem because Buck Knives had been doing work with David and I guess they had some type agreement which Steve's commission violated. We then moved to Santa Fe Stone Works for that type of embellishment, with whom we still work.

It was a pretty stormy time with Steve as he, for some reason thought he had more power within the company than he was given. Steve and Spyderco parted company in the beginning of 1990 and he went to work for Western Cutlery. Eric Hilburn left the company about the time we began working with Michael Walker.

Steve and Eric then posted somewhere, sorry, I don't remember where but I think it was one of the forums, they they were the true owners of Spyderco. I don't know why they even thought that? We hired Steve to demonstrate our products, first at Sears in Denver and later working at shows and fairs as we were promoting the company. He was a good salesman and was quite successful working on commission until the mid 80's. Then travelling became more expensive and we were selling to dealers so the sales at shows declined. At that time we (Gail and I) brought the traveling salesmen (we called them road warriors) in-house so they could continue to have work.

I believe that they're both still around. Steve was an exceptional martial artist and continued to do videos and market his Kun Tao style of Silat and I believe Eric went into making custom knives. I've not communicated much with either of them since they left the company. We hired Steve back into the company several years later as a rep as he was having his challenges (Gail and I always try to be fair) but that didn't work out.

Spyderco has a long history and unfortunately most of that is in my head. I'll try to get it out before I'm gone.

sal

 

[Skelator88]

Hi Skelator88,

I believe the knives are genuine. I can't speak to the documentation . I know we made documentation for different things, but that was a long time ago. I know that I would not have signed my name Sal S Glesser, because that is not my name.

Steve was our Sales Manager at the time and Eric Hilburn was handling our export sales. Steve took it upon himself to commission David Yellowhorse to make the mods to the knives without my knowledge or consent. He was selling them on his own. Eventually I found out and we then worked with David to continue making them which became a problem because Buck Knives had been doing work with David and I guess they had some type agreement which Steve's commission violated. We then moved to Santa Fe Stone Works for that type of embellishment, with whom we still work.

It was a pretty stormy time with Steve as he, for some reason thought he had more power within the company than he was given. Steve and Spyderco parted company in the beginning of 1990 and he went to work for Western Cutlery. Eric Hilburn left the company about the time we began working with Michael Walker.

Steve and Eric then posted somewhere, sorry, I don't remember where but I think it was one of the forums, they they were the true owners of Spyderco. I don't know why they even thought that? We hired Steve to demonstrate our products, first at Sears in Denver and later working at shows and fairs as we were promoting the company. He was a good salesman and was quite successful working on commission until the mid 80's. Then travelling became more expensive and we were selling to dealers so the sales at shows declined. At that time we (Gail and I) brought the traveling salesmen (we called them road warriors) in-house so they could continue to have work.

I believe that they're both still around. Steve was an exceptional martial artist and continued to do videos and market his Kun Tao style of Silat and I believe Eric went into making custom knives. I've not communicated much with either of them since they left the company. We hired Steve back into the company several years later as a rep as he was having his challenges (Gail and I always try to be fair) but that didn't work out.

Spyderco has a long history and unfortunately most of that is in my head. I'll try to get it out before I'm gone.

sal

Hey Sal,

That was a great reading, thank you for your respected input.

Yes the knives are genuine no doubt, David also verified them as his early work. Didn’t go into as much detail as you.

Maybe the paperwork has some dark mystery of an employee on a power trip forging your signature haha.
Hopefully in the meantime I can find somebody else who maybe has a set. I saw a post from you back in 1999 which stated 185 each were made of each model. Slim pickings for sure!

Thank you for a snippet from memory lane

Much appreciated

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Skelator88,

You are most welcome. Thanx much for your interest and support.

sal