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Can a humble box cutter be a Rolls-Royce of knives? The answer, apparently, is yes. Exhibit A: the Spyderco Dodo. Here is a knife only a mother, or a knife lover (or a mother of a knife lover) could love.
The thing is so ugly it's beautiful. That's why only the serrated blade version will do--it's even uglier, and more beautiful, than the plain blade version, which is a blatant attempt to tone down this blades inherent double life as a weapon of offense or defense. And since Spyderco invented and perfected the serrated blade design, you're really only getting half a Spyderco if you insist on a plain edge knife. (Were dying to say that its toothless, but in fact the plain edge Dodo is nearly as ferocious as its nastier-edge cousin.)
But we digress. The shape of the Dodo's blade is sort of a modified Wharncliff design. The blade points south. The point is strong and made to execute small surgically precise cuts and deep slashes with equal ease.
But in its quiescent mode, the Dodo is a handsome, efficient utility knife. For cutting cord, cardboard, or leather, it's stronger, better-suited, and will most likely outlast a knife with a spearpoint or even a tanto blade used for the same sorts of tasks.
The contoured handle is comfortable to hold and allows for precise manipulation of the knife. You could get the Dodo in basic black, but I love that it comes in a cheerful sky blue. Its actually a bit of black humor. A bright sunny color gives what is really quite a nasty little knife a friendly appearance. That looks are deceiving is part of the Dodos charm.
Open the Dodo's blade partway and with a wrist flick it snaps open with solid positive lock. And the blade stays open because it has an innovative locking mechanism: a ball bearing that you must retract with your fingers to release the blade. It's the only locking mechanism of its kind. (Patent pending.)
And, like the tenacious Benchmade Axis lock, the Dodo's locking mechanism represents an important technological experiment in the ongoing attempt to invent the strongest, most stable folding knife with a combat heritage. The technological innovation the Dodo represents should make it a must for collectors who consider the which-folder-locking-system-is-best? debate to be ongoing and advanced by revolutions such as the Dodo represents.
MSRP $139.95. Original asking price: $75. New price: $65 firm including CONUS. Prefer Paypal (will eat the 3%) but will take an MO. Contact: chesanow@optonline.net
length overall 6 1/8" (156 mm) blade length 2 1/16" (53 mm) blade steel CPM-S30V
length closed 4 3/8" (111 mm) cutting edge 1 3/4" (44 mm) weight 2.6 oz (74 g)
hole diamter 1/2" (13 mm) blade thickness 1/8" (3 mm) handle material G-10
Here's what Spyderco has to say about the Dodo:
Spyderco has received endless comments about the Dodo's unconventional, unusual appearance. With a face only its designer could love, the Dodo fulfills many of Spyderco's design philosophies. It's a 'little big knife' that was 'designed in the dark' (and should be judged by its ergonomics) which we manufacture with top-drawer materials and features. Take our challenge -- put it in your hand, cut with it, then let us know what you think.
One of its curious features is its blade shape. Although the blade has less than two inches of cutting edge, the curved belly supplies big cutting capability and its downward-pointed tip is intended for detailed/fine cutting. The blade is laser cut from CPM-S30V stock, then hollow-ground with a swedge running from the tip halfway up the spine.
To create a fistful of leveraging points, the G-10 handle is fashioned in a grouping of finger choils ending in a tail. The tail becomes both a pinky shelf and a striking tool. For the Dodo specifically, Spyderco developed the Ball Bearing Lock. It works by dropping a pea-sized ball of steel into a recess on the blade's tang, locking the blade open.
Once in the recess, the ball is compressed by the open blade and can't move or wobble. A remarkably strong locking system, that rates for MBC and heavy-duty on Spyderco's lock strength scale. To unlock, pull back on the ball- accessible on both sides of the knife for left/right handed use. Flexible wire tension-clip carries ambidextrously, tip-up. Available with a black or blue handle. Made in Golden, Colorado
Can a humble box cutter be a Rolls-Royce of knives? The answer, apparently, is yes. Exhibit A: the Spyderco Dodo. Here is a knife only a mother, or a knife lover (or a mother of a knife lover) could love.
The thing is so ugly it's beautiful. That's why only the serrated blade version will do--it's even uglier, and more beautiful, than the plain blade version, which is a blatant attempt to tone down this blades inherent double life as a weapon of offense or defense. And since Spyderco invented and perfected the serrated blade design, you're really only getting half a Spyderco if you insist on a plain edge knife. (Were dying to say that its toothless, but in fact the plain edge Dodo is nearly as ferocious as its nastier-edge cousin.)
But we digress. The shape of the Dodo's blade is sort of a modified Wharncliff design. The blade points south. The point is strong and made to execute small surgically precise cuts and deep slashes with equal ease.
But in its quiescent mode, the Dodo is a handsome, efficient utility knife. For cutting cord, cardboard, or leather, it's stronger, better-suited, and will most likely outlast a knife with a spearpoint or even a tanto blade used for the same sorts of tasks.
The contoured handle is comfortable to hold and allows for precise manipulation of the knife. You could get the Dodo in basic black, but I love that it comes in a cheerful sky blue. Its actually a bit of black humor. A bright sunny color gives what is really quite a nasty little knife a friendly appearance. That looks are deceiving is part of the Dodos charm.
Open the Dodo's blade partway and with a wrist flick it snaps open with solid positive lock. And the blade stays open because it has an innovative locking mechanism: a ball bearing that you must retract with your fingers to release the blade. It's the only locking mechanism of its kind. (Patent pending.)
And, like the tenacious Benchmade Axis lock, the Dodo's locking mechanism represents an important technological experiment in the ongoing attempt to invent the strongest, most stable folding knife with a combat heritage. The technological innovation the Dodo represents should make it a must for collectors who consider the which-folder-locking-system-is-best? debate to be ongoing and advanced by revolutions such as the Dodo represents.
MSRP $139.95. Original asking price: $75. New price: $65 firm including CONUS. Prefer Paypal (will eat the 3%) but will take an MO. Contact: chesanow@optonline.net
length overall 6 1/8" (156 mm) blade length 2 1/16" (53 mm) blade steel CPM-S30V
length closed 4 3/8" (111 mm) cutting edge 1 3/4" (44 mm) weight 2.6 oz (74 g)
hole diamter 1/2" (13 mm) blade thickness 1/8" (3 mm) handle material G-10
Here's what Spyderco has to say about the Dodo:
Spyderco has received endless comments about the Dodo's unconventional, unusual appearance. With a face only its designer could love, the Dodo fulfills many of Spyderco's design philosophies. It's a 'little big knife' that was 'designed in the dark' (and should be judged by its ergonomics) which we manufacture with top-drawer materials and features. Take our challenge -- put it in your hand, cut with it, then let us know what you think.
One of its curious features is its blade shape. Although the blade has less than two inches of cutting edge, the curved belly supplies big cutting capability and its downward-pointed tip is intended for detailed/fine cutting. The blade is laser cut from CPM-S30V stock, then hollow-ground with a swedge running from the tip halfway up the spine.
To create a fistful of leveraging points, the G-10 handle is fashioned in a grouping of finger choils ending in a tail. The tail becomes both a pinky shelf and a striking tool. For the Dodo specifically, Spyderco developed the Ball Bearing Lock. It works by dropping a pea-sized ball of steel into a recess on the blade's tang, locking the blade open.
Once in the recess, the ball is compressed by the open blade and can't move or wobble. A remarkably strong locking system, that rates for MBC and heavy-duty on Spyderco's lock strength scale. To unlock, pull back on the ball- accessible on both sides of the knife for left/right handed use. Flexible wire tension-clip carries ambidextrously, tip-up. Available with a black or blue handle. Made in Golden, Colorado
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