The Ion

Saw the Ion on Mr. Southard's instagram. What a fantastic design!!! I am continually amazed at the talent and craftsmanship. And the Spyderco collabs are just....amazing!!

This is one I am most assuredly picking up at some point.


Off topic a bit: Wish I could pick up a real Southard at some point, but being on budget makes it damn near impossible to time the money with the release dates.
 
Nice!!! Been waiting to see pics of this one. Deff guna be picking one of these up. And it has a wire clip!! My favorite clip on any knife. Wish it was a framelock though...
 
Well, this looks great. If I'm being honest I would have liked to see something other than plain jane cf for the scales, but I'm sure aftermarket options will start popping up not long after release. I for one am happy that they went with a liner lock; I like frame locks as much as the next guy but imo they aren't ideal for use with flippers.

I'll definitely be picking one of these up. I can only assume that since they weren't listed in the catalog we won't be seeing them this year?
 
I so want this one


It's on my list. The full size Southard still is and almost happened but fate had other plans
 
martinlutherbling said:
Well, this looks great. If I'm being honest I would have liked to see something other than plain jane cf for the scales, but I'm sure aftermarket options will start popping up not long after release. I for one am happy that they went with a liner lock; I like frame locks as much as the next guy but imo they aren't ideal for use with flippers.

I'll definitely be picking one of these up. I can only assume that since they weren't listed in the catalog we won't be seeing them this year?
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I quite like the contoured CF scales (moreso than peel-ply) and wire-clip look. I also wouldn't mind a Ti handle, a la the original Trot.

trot-zirconium-inlayed-linerlock.jpg


I'm not too familiar with the nuances of all the lock types, but how is a liner lock different from a framelock for a flipper implementation?
 
my eyes are definitely going to be peeled for the production model of whatever eventually emerges as the Ion collaboration between Brad and Spyderco. and I can't imagine that it won't hit production, because I don't think you can mix Brad and Spyderco without coming away with a total hit that consumers are going to jump all over.
 
Wow, the Ion looks pretty different from the Trot although the general design is the same.

hoimin said:
how is a liner lock different from a framelock for a flipper implementation?
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I suppose you won't risk pressing on the lock bar while flipping if you have a liner lock.
 
kubelik said:
my eyes are definitely going to be peeled for the production model of whatever eventually emerges as the Ion collaboration between Brad and Spyderco. and I can't imagine that it won't hit production, because I don't think you can mix Brad and Spyderco without coming away with a total hit that consumers are going to jump all over.
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Yeah, Brad Southard + Spyderco = money in the bank (and knives in our pockets). The Ion fixes the minor downsides of the first Southard flipper: symmetrical scales, FFG, not-pointy pocket clip.

mrdeus said:
I suppose you won't risk pressing on the lock bar while flipping if you have a liner lock.
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Thanks! I didn't think it'd be a problem (framelock-flipper-fad?), but the liner-lock design does obviate any potential issue. A compression lock would also be interesting as both opening and unlocking mechanisms will use the same grip.
 
It's not a huge issue, but pressure on the lock bar can definitely cause failed or incomplete deployment. This is more of a problem with flippers imo. Not a huge deal but again, a liner lock eliminates the issue completely.
 
hoimin said:
A compression lock would also be interesting as both opening and unlocking mechanisms will use the same grip.
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I've often wondered about this myself. Brought it up in the past with little response.
Even if it were a front corner flipper of sorts. Not sure how it may work with a Comp-lock, but would definitely contribute to a fast and intuitive folder!
 
Mr Blonde said:
Spyderco's Eric Glesser gives a short presentation on the new Spyderco ION prototype, designed by Brad Southard. Sorry for the poor video quality, but I hope you'll enjoy the background information. For reference, the -better- images of the ION can be found here.

[video=youtube;t1A7ccnxjl0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1A7ccnxjl0[/video]
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The prototype runs 204p! Targeting release for Summer 2015!
 
Nice work Brad and Spyderco! This looks like it'll be an excellent EDC...

Sal, get ready for some huge demand on this one! You guys have a total winner with this one :thumbup:
 
Wow. 204p? But the blade on the production prototype said S30V. Perhaps it was just a place-holder. So I guess that bumps the price up a bit.
 
The first photos were from Amsterdam (S30v). The demo model in the video was at IWA Germany (204P), where the handle scales don't really look like CF.

Will we really notice a performance difference between S30V and 204P in the designed use of this gentlemens folder?
 
Would we really notice a performance difference between 440C and M390/204P in the designed use of a gentleman's folder? :confused:

Far too much emphasis is placed on the alloy used in the construction of lightweight, light-duty folders. For a knife like the Ion, S30V would be more than sufficient for me . . . particularly if it helps keep the cost down and production up.
 
bld522 said:
Would we really notice a performance difference between 440C and M390/204P in the designed use of a gentleman's folder? :confused:

Far too much emphasis is placed on the alloy used in the construction of lightweight, light-duty folders. For a knife like the Ion, S30V would be more than sufficient for me . . . particularly if it helps keep the cost down and production up.
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Very much agreed.

S30V is perfectly fine for everything I would use it for.
 
Yep. I've got lightweight folders in 440A, 440C, 12C27, 420HC, N690, VG-10, ATS-34/154CM, AUS-8, Acuto +, et. al. For the kinds of tasks I need my lightweights to perform, they all hold up just fine. Don't get me wrong. I'll take S30V, S35VN, Elmax, ZDP-189, RWL-34, M390/204P, M4, CPM-3V and other super-duper steels if that's what's offered in a design I like. But they're really overkill for my purposes. The thing those alloys are most effective at doing is driving prices up. :mad:
 
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I was just looking at the photos of the Ion and, open, it makes me think of a jackdaw (had to look up the English name). We have many of them here. The blade is kind of like a bird'a head. /random
 
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