Stainless Steel Spydercos

I think they made a Mariner variant that was solid H1. Other than that, no, and it doesn’t really matter. It’s a soft standard construction steel. Likely a 3xx or 4xx series stainless (or its Japanese equivalent). Whatever is cheap and easy to machine.
 
zhyla said:
I think they made a Mariner variant that was solid H1. Other than that, no, and it doesn’t really matter. It’s a soft standard construction steel. Likely a 3xx or 4xx series stainless (or its Japanese equivalent). Whatever is cheap and easy to machine.
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Yeah it doesn’t really matter. I was just curious. Thanks!
 
I have had a stainless VG10 Endura for many years and it is a nice midrange priced folder. I haven't noticed any issues with the stainless handle. I like the size and weight of this model. It will never beat my EDC Gayle Bradley #1, but it is a good knife, much different than Spyderco's lightweight models.

 
One of my all time favorite Spyders to use in all the time I've carried and used Spyderco knives is one stainless handled model that very few people are even aware of. I'm speaking of the stainless handled RESCUE models from the ATS-55 era. I started out with my first Spyder also being stainless>> which as a GIN-1, SE stainless handled MARINER model. But I later traded it in favor of using the Stainless RESCUE model which is much more rigid and has the bulk like not many other Spyders do>> and I'm carrying it on me this very day.

The ATS-55 era Stainless RESCUE models came in the C-14 & C-45 RESCUE series and both are awesome and I wish we would see both of them back again at some point. But there were a lot of Stainless Spyders I have a fond memory of. The STainless handled Calypso Jr model with AUS-8 blade steel which was available in PE & SE both ( the good old days). It was the only one out of the Calypso Jr series that had a hollow grind for some strange reason.

Also another great stainless model from the ATS-55 era was the stainless handled ROOKIE model. But I can't say that there is a stainless handled Spyder I don't like. They are all good "users" period.
 
JD Spydo said:
One of my all time favorite Spyders to use in all the time I've carried and used Spyderco knives is one stainless handled model that very few people are even aware of. I'm speaking of the stainless handled RESCUE models from the ATS-55 era. I started out with my first Spyder also being stainless>> which as a GIN-1, SE stainless handled MARINER model. But I later traded it in favor of using the Stainless RESCUE model which is much more rigid and has the bulk like not many other Spyders do>> and I'm carrying it on me this very day.

The ATS-55 era Stainless RESCUE models came in the C-14 & C-45 RESCUE series and both are awesome and I wish we would see both of them back again at some point. But there were a lot of Stainless Spyders I have a fond memory of. The STainless handled Calypso Jr model with AUS-8 blade steel which was available in PE & SE both ( the good old days). It was the only one out of the Calypso Jr series that had a hollow grind for some strange reason.

Also another great stainless model from the ATS-55 era was the stainless handled ROOKIE model. But I can't say that there is a stainless handled Spyder I don't like. They are all good "users" period.
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I just picked up a stainless dragonfly. I really enjoy the rigidity that the steel offers over the FRN version. I only wish it had the awesome Spyderco jimping.
 
Berickson47 said:
I just picked up a stainless dragonfly. I really enjoy the rigidity that the steel offers over the FRN version. I only wish it had the awesome Spyderco jimping.
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That is so interesting to hear you say all of that "Berickson" because for years I've thought that Spyderco's stainless models have gotten a bum rap. Now there is no argument that when working in wet conditions that a stainless handle can get slick>> but there are a couple of ways around that. First you could implement the use of a "Lanyard" and if I were working in marine conditions or in a boat I would most definitely have a lanyard no matter what type of scales I had on my folder. To me it would be a horrible heartbreak to see a good Spyder go overboard :eek:. Second: You can always put some grip tape or something similar on the handle for added grip/purchase. It wouldn't take a scientist to figure out a way to get around the "Slick" problem. I'm currently EDCing one of the older Stainless handled RESCUE model ( ATS-55 era) in full Spyderedge and it's a great companion blade. And like I said in normal use I hardly ever encounter wet conditions and if I do I'm just very careful.

And if you ever got your hands on one of these Stainless RESCUE models you would flip out because it's built like an Abram's Tank. It's probably easily one of the top 3 most rigid Spyders I've ever owned or used.
 
JD Spydo said:
That is so interesting to hear you say all of that "Berickson" because for years I've thought that Spyderco's stainless models have gotten a bum rap. Now there is no argument that when working in wet conditions that a stainless handle can get slick>> but there are a couple of ways around that. First you could implement the use of a "Lanyard" and if I were working in marine conditions or in a boat I would most definitely have a lanyard no matter what type of scales I had on my folder. To me it would be a horrible heartbreak to see a good Spyder go overboard :eek:. Second: You can always put some grip tape or something similar on the handle for added grip/purchase. It wouldn't take a scientist to figure out a way to get around the "Slick" problem. I'm currently EDCing one of the older Stainless handled RESCUE model ( ATS-55 era) in full Spyderedge and it's a great companion blade. And like I said in normal use I hardly ever encounter wet conditions and if I do I'm just very careful.

And if you ever got your hands on one of these Stainless RESCUE models you would flip out because it's built like an Abram's Tank. It's probably easily one of the top 3 most rigid Spyders I've ever owned or used.
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JD, I was in a shop the other day that had a couple of older stainless Delicas and...an older model orange Rescue. (they also had some old Native 1's and 2's).
 
I have a cricket that's in stainless and has been clipped to my coat(s) I wear YEAR ROUND. The VG-10 has patina on it and there wasn't a spot anywhere on the scales. It can't be 3/4 it's very resilient. It also can't be H1 because that stuff is malleable like gold imo. By the way the stainless cricket is a beautiful knife. I stare at the tiny thing after every random time I pick it out to show someone how "a knife's size doesn't make it a weapon" as the hawkbill recurve blade on it is much more lethal than the PM2 if you smack someone with it.

Edit: How does one determine what alloy (steel) is used anyway? Do we need a lot of chemicals and machines?

GatorFlash1 said:
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This is a very nice video.
 
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Hey LEGS!! thanks for mentioning our wonderful little Spyder-Guy we know as the CRICKET model. I had forgotten all about the Stainless Cricket model. They made that Cricket in so many different types of handle/scales that I just kind of lost track of the Stainless Version. The Carbon Fiber Cricket is my all time fav but that is really a "moot point" because I rarely ever use a folder that small. Actually the NATIVE is about as small as I ever use. And YES!!! they did have some Stainless handled NATIVE models too>> the two Stainless NATIVE models I had both had AUS-10 blade steel.

And as far as I know that Stainless Native may have been the only Spyder that ever had that AUS-10>> which wasn't bad blade steel either. I would compare it to ATS-34 or something in that league.

I also seem to remember that there was a Stainless version of the Ladybug>> I can't remember a STainless JESTER but if anyone knows whether they did that model in Stainless please let us know. Oh yes they did a lot of little models in Stainless handles.
 
zhyla said:
I think they made a Mariner variant that was solid H1. Other than that, no, and it doesn’t really matter. It’s a soft standard construction steel. Likely a 3xx or 4xx series stainless (or its Japanese equivalent). Whatever is cheap and easy to machine.
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8cr13mov would be my guess, as models in that steel also come from that region.
 
maugust09 said:
8cr13mov would be my guess, as models in that steel also come from that region.
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No, that’s a cutlery steel. Like I said, it’s probably a common general purpose steel. Likely chosen for machinability and rust resistance.
 
JD Spydo: " The STainless handled Calypso Jr model with AUS-8 blade steel which was available in PE & SE both ( the good old days). It was the only one out of the Calypso Jr series that had a hollow grind for some strange reason.."



Mostly accurate. I have a black FRN fish-scale with a hollow grind, but that's the only one I've ever seen. Anyone else have or have seen one?

The SS Spydies are a sturdy lot. An unclipped SS Dragonfly makes a great watch-pocket 2nd knife which performs far above class (as does the SS Cricket).
 
JD Spydo said:
And as far as I know that Stainless Native may have been the only Spyder that ever had that AUS-10>> which wasn't bad blade steel either. I would compare it to ATS-34 or something in that league.
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Yes, the Stainless Native is the only Spyderco made with AUS-10. (eyes peeled for any exceptions!)
And speaking of rare exceptions, there were a very few SS Natives made with VG-10. (though not mentioned in the Wiki).
 
nickedone said:
Yes, the Stainless Native is the only Spyderco made with AUS-10. (eyes peeled for any exceptions!)
And speaking of rare exceptions, there were a very few SS Natives made with VG-10. (though not mentioned in the Wiki).
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Yeah I heard about the stainless NATIVE models with VG-10>> there were also some of the last Merlins ever made that had VG-10 blade steel. I know that for a fact because I own one of them. On the VG-10 NATIVE or MERLIN I seriously doubt if there were more than 500 of either one.

Some of these older stainless models are getting really close to being serious collector pieces. Two of them that stick out to me are the really old SPUR model and the two Stainless Calypso Jr. models.
 
I have a Native 2 ss in AUS10.
Hands down 1 of the best EDC. Slim profile solid lockup. What more can a fella ask for
 
Ben Reidy said:
I have a Native 2 ss in AUS10.
Hands down 1 of the best EDC. Slim profile solid lockup. What more can a fella ask for
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Yeah it was a really good version of the NATIVE model>> I've had two of them>> one was plain edged and the one that I used was a combo edge. And AUS-10 blade steel wasn't bad at all. I liked it better than 440C for instance>> however I didn't like it quite as good as I do VG-10 but it was far from being junk steel. I would EDC one today if I could get one in full Spyderedge>> not sure if it was ever available in full SE or not but at the time it was in the main line up I would almost bet on it.

You don't see the AUS-10, STainless handled NATIVE models show up very often anymore either.
 
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