The Spyder Essence: hole, clip, or serration

S

slowjocrow

Joined
Dec 30, 1998
Messages
89
Which one (or ones) of the three Spyder distinctives (that precipitated the revolution in the pocket knife industry) makes (or make) us love our Spyders so much?

sjc
 
It has to be the hole. I love the partially serrated blades over the full serrations. But good quality, and constantly upgrading the steel in all models keeps me spending more money!
 
The hole has got to be the most important features for me.The clip is probably the reason why I'll not buy a folder that doesn't have one (I can almost hear Bill McWilliams' sigh of exasperation from here
smile.gif
).As far as serrations are concerned, I really don't care for them.I've yet to encounter anything that a shaving-sharp non-serrated blade couldn't cut.And after popping many ballons with a Spyderco and a borrowed auto, I've come to the realization that I really don't need to own an automatic knife(for me that hole is faster than a button).Of course I really don't need to own three dozen knives either.Innovation is the reason that I find myself buying new knives now. Spyderco probably leads the industry in the area of new and interesting ideas and features albeit not by a large margin.There are certainly MANY knife manufacturers, both large and fledgling, coming out with new and awe-inspiring innovations.What a great time to be a knife knut!
 
Well, lets see, way back when I got my first one (ss Mariner) it was the serrated edge that first caught my eye; next the easy opening afforded by the hole; clip love next. Over the years I have become less of a full serration fan, on some things they're ok, but on others they get in the way of precision.
I guess now it's the hole that is foremost to me, with the clip second.
 
I'll buy a folder without a hole before I'll buy one without a clip. Serrations I can usually live without. I love Spydie holes, though, and even I like serrations sometimes. My vote goes to the clip.

David Rock
 
I would say the hole.

When I bought my first Spyderco back in 1992, the hole is what drew me to it.

I didn't want serrations.

I didn't care one way or another about the clip.

But the hole cinched the deal.

And I am still buying Spydercos...

smile.gif


Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
A T Barr, who makes wonderful folders, of which I have two, uses the Spyderco hole. Under license. I do not believe clips or serrations are licensed. The hole it is. Walt
 
My vote goes to the clip. When I horse traded and got my first Spydie, I was hooked on the idea of the clip.....but....All of the design features have had a great impact on the rest of the knife world. The hole initiated a plethora of one handed opening knives. Serrations were once relagated to bread knives, but now can be found on almost every type of knife, in dozens of different styles.

What I thought distinguished Spydercos wasn't really the particular features of their knives, but the odd shapes that they came in. Up until I saw my first Spydie, there was drop points, clip points, and spear points, and sometimes tantos. The blade shapes that Spyderco introduced opened up a new world in knife design, and has set the standard for what is considered modern. How do you define these hunchbacked oddities, with roughly leaf shaped blades that slice and poke so well? With what words do you use to describe the contured handles that fit the hand better than any brass bolstered buck that came before? Spyderco.


YeK
 
The blade shape is a curious one. I wonder how the non-traditional shape of the blade came into existence. Did the hole opening concept cause the formation of the "leaf-shaped" blade, or the hole came as an afterthought? Can you enlighten us, Sal?

slowjocrow
 
slowjocrow - The hole was first. The blade shapes that followed were all trying to figure out a way to incorporate the hole into the shape of a blade. Didn't want to make the hole too small (I personally like the 14mm hole size, like the Military).

The earlier models had the hole "stuck" onto a more conventional blade (1981,82,83) Then we went to the wedge" shape (encouraged by one of our early dealers (Jess Nichols) to "give it a shot". The later shapes", leaf" etc., is again trying to incorporate a fairly "non flowing" hole into a flowing blade shape.
sal
 
It's gotta be the hole for me. Not only is it the best design for opening the knife, but of the different styles I own it is the only one that does not interfere with usage.
I also agree now, that I will not purchase a folder if it does not have a clip. Convenience and accessability are always a major factor in my choice.


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Norwegian Misfit

"When strong, appear weak"



 
The hole is the big thing for me, clips next, then serrations.

I am reassessing my thoughts on serration.

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You may want to travel the following hyperlink/wormhole to the Spyderco Forum, where I am building interest in a knife I like to call the Worker 2000, hopefully one day made by Spyderco. Your interest and innovation would be appreciated.
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum20/HTML/000224.html

One may want to keep an Eye out for my review of the Bob Kasper designed, Kevin Gentile modified AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper. Sorry about the wait, my review and interview should be online shortly, look for it right here at BladeForums.com. The delay has been getting pictures, luckily Spark has graciously offered to do the pictures. Knife writer I may be, photographer I am not, yet.

Marion David Poff ska Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com

"A journey of a thousand miles begins but with a single step" Lao-Tzu from the Tao Te Ching

If you are interested in a really good book, read "Finite and Infinite Games" by James P Carse.

 
I'm not what you would term a spyderco fanatic. *sounds of boos*

Of the items I have handled, I tend to prefer those made by that OTHER company (*cough*benchmade*cough*), though I admit that Spyderco stuff is certainly just as good, and from what I've seen/heard, Spydie's QC is better.

However, I know what makes a spyderco a spyderco to me...it is the humpbacked blade. Obviously, this stems from the hole. However, it is not JUST the hole. The AFCK sports a hole, and could NEVER be mistaken for a spyderco. Sure, some spydercos do not sport 'hunchback' blades, and to me they do not look like 'real' spydercos.

One way or the other, its not the clip. Everyone has them. Its not serrations. Again, common. Hole? Naw... its the unique blade profile that comes from the hole, IMO.

In a side note, be aware that I'm buying a Rescue 98 sometime in the future, so there is hope for me yet. And my wife says Spydercos 'look pretty'...
wink.gif


Mike


 
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