Spydie Holes?

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
I've heard that any maker who wants to use an opening hole of any kind on their folders has to pay a one time licencing fee to Spyderco. Is this true? Who do I need to contact for this?
 
you were close Ferret....I recently contacted Spyderco for the same matter......You need to fill out a form and pay 50$/year. I believe you need to show a sample of your work, awards, or anything else you might show to establish your commitment to the art.

Contact Peter H. Jhones at: Spyrdl210@aol.com for information
 
Fifty bucks a year? That's a steal. I imagine this figure is dynamic. No flame intended. Maybe it was based on how many units you planned to sell. Someone like Buck or CRKT would probably be charged *much* more.
 
Thanks Harry!.....As you can see I like holes in my blades..and I am starting to make folder so the Spyderhole is just the thing for me...I really like Spyderco knives and have several as EDC..at least untill I get my self made a decent forlder...one has blade in HT at the moment. Well I like the company and the knives and like to support a great idea.
 
Thanks Jens. I will contact Sal when I'm ready to sell a model with a thumbhole.

This brings up another question though: What is the ideal size and shape for an opening hole? We have slots, ovals, rounds, squares and triangles. What does the Spyderco hole measure?
 
The hole size (excluding Ladybug and Jester) ranges from 8.5 mm to 14.5 mm. The original Worker had a 10 mm hole. The "typical" hole is 12 mm.

I have owned (and still have many) most of the Spyderco knife models. Each thumb is different, but I find that the holes that are less than 12 mm difficult to use accurately. I much prefer the 14 mm hole size. Spyderco has slowly been increasing hole size on their newer models.

The only model with the 14.5 mm hole is the Chinook.

I believe that the trademark applies to the round hole only, not hole of other shapes.
 
Hey, thanks Architect, that's precisely the kind of nitty gritty info I needed. Any other opinions out there?
 
Why dose the hole have to go thru the blade?Why not use an end mill and go part way thru from both sides leaving some material in the middle?IT would still be ambidextrous,and I believe somewhat stronger.
 
Spyderco somehow has some kind of right to a HOLE?????

And now anyone who puts a HOLE in a knife is expected to pay them something?

For a HOLE?

Dave
Really surprised in Tenino
 
I was thinking the same thing Dave.

Thank goodness that noone has patented thumstuds for opening folders or pocket clips or generic serrations on the blade or liner locks or heck, even steering wheels for cars.

I mean I can see patenting the size and orientation of the hole for opening and also a small tooth on the spine shaped in a particular way (referring to the Emerson Wave feature) or especially Onion's assisted opening feature. But to patent "using a hole to open a folder" or "an extention of the spine to catch the pocket corner" seems a little excessive.

But hey, I am keenly aware that lots of time and $$ go into research and development of these concepts. If $50 a year is a good deal (I'm not in the market, don't know) then good for Spyderco for allowing the little guy to take a whack.

Anyone have any idea how many other patents there are that cover a wide range of possibilities? Someone mentioned CRKT and Buck... what do they have reserved?
 
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