The Spyderco numbering system?

[Zardoz]

Went along to an arms fair today and struck sooooo lucky..
a beautiful mint in box PE Gunting, numbered 022. Any numbered Spydie is a rare find on this island, and although I've been promising myself a drone and some training first, I had to have it. Bram - I promise I won't be practicing kin-ops on my dog till the drone arrives.

But back to the topic. I have a vague idea how the numbering system works, first run in-house Spydies are numbered 000-200, and first run custom collabations are numbered 000-999, and the registered collectors get first pick? Does each variation (PE, SE, handle etc.) get it's own run of numbers?
Which worries me a little - can the number be easily faked to raise the price? Although this one was a normal price for the model, the number, graphic gunting squiggle (what IS that?), and the "Spyderco Golden, Colarado U.S.A. CPM 440V" are a dark coloured print with little or no depth into the blade, not stamped into the metal like my Harpy.
Is there a register, either voluntary or official, of the numbered models? Can I work out the approximate year of manufacture or any history from the number 022? The clip is bright stainless which I've read does make it an earlier one, so I'm optimistic it's genuine. Either way it's a beautiful bit of kit.

Is the graphic Bram's signature?

 

[4 s ter]

Zardoz

I can't help with the numbering questions, but as far as I know CPM440V is laser engraved rather than stamped. I think I remember someone (Sal?) saying that stamping the 440V can cause problems.

I'm sure someone will be along soon who can give you a more definative answer.

 

[java]

Zardoz,

General rule of thumb is the first 1000 of a production run are numbered. Collectors receive numbers 001 - 200 if they choose to. Collectors numbers are usually followed with a V. If the collector chooses not to buy, the numbered unit is sold in the remainder of the production run. Numbered knives are sold the same price as others from SFO. Other collectors may pay a premium to snap up numbered editions on e-bay or other auction sites, with lowest numbers commanding higher prices. Occasionally the numbering system goes awry. We had a discussion about micarta Jesters on the Spydie forum and no one could answer why, with production limited to 1000 knives, not all had numbers. For better info on the numering, contact Spyderco at contactus@spyderco.com. The folks are super about helping out - Patti (Lokelani) has been a tremendous help to me on all my obscure queries.

Great find on the Gunting by the way. Don't let up on that promise either. The Gunting deploys faster than greased lightning. The kin op ramp is designed to open the knife on an object about the width of an openents arm. On larger objects, the tip will dig in as you continue to draw the knife across the surface and will easily cut whatever it is in contact with. The trainer is great for demonstrating this. Sorry to be so long winded here but Bram's word is golden on this. The Gunting video series is another wise investment.

Stay safe! Stay sharp!

 

[Zardoz]

Thanks for that Java (I thought I'd disabled Java on this computer sorry - you must get that a lot)
Mine has no V after the number so I guess collector 022 didn't want the Gunting and it went onto the open market. It will almost certainly never go out of the house, the Drone and CRMIPT are a more sensible street option over here, and there is a nearby club at Slough that teach Bram's system that I'm building up courage to attend.
When Bram next comes to the UK I'll be bullying him to sign the Gunting box though.
Ermmmm.... how do you bully Bram?

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Java,

You're close to right.
The first 1000 of any custom collaboration are numbered with 200 going to collectors.
The first 200 of a regular production model are numbered, all going to collectors if they choose to buy them. This is why not all 1000 Jesters were numbered: they're not custom collaboration pieces.

V at the end of a number only means "variation" model or "variant." For examply, my Lil Temperance pair is numbered 015 on the leaf point and 015V on the trailing point since the trailing point is a variation.

Hope this clears things up.

EDITED to add this quote from Sal:

Originally posted by Sal Glesser
We usually numner the first 1000 (as mentioned) of a collaboration design. In house designs usually get the first 200 numbered for the collectors.

sal

BTW - My numbered Guntings look the same as yours, Zardoz: dark lettering. As mentioned, this is the result of the laser engraving.

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Originally posted by Zardoz
...gunting squiggle (what IS that?)...

IIRC, It's Bram Frank's (designer of the Gunting) artistic representation of a conceptual flow drill in Arnis. It also composes part of the logo for his company, Common Sense Self Defense.

 

[Joyce Laituri]

Zardoz,

Love the 'Kermie with the Civilian'!

TOTT and Java are right on about the laser engraving and numbering. Should a collector choose to take the variations, they receive the variant knife with their number followed by a V. We don't number 200 variation pieces, only those collectors opting for the variation.

"How do you bully Bram". That's easy, say "please", he's a very nice man and I'm sure would be tickled if you asked him to autograph your CRMIPT box. ~LOL

Joyce @ Spyderco

 

[BRAM]

Ms Joyce is correct..
all you have to do is ask.I'd be honored to sign the box..
I'm really a softee..Just ask the guys in Slogh 'n London 'n Mansfield...Yo..Paddy, Darren n Steve? you guys listening?

Thanks for the description of the logo..
I'm ealy pleased that people actually read, listened and cared..
thanks..
The Logo's name is one of the late Professor Presas' favorite moves the Abaniko Double action: you are seeing it third person..watching the person's knife or sword do it...an intercepting #1 cut, an Abaniko largo, another abaniko largo, #10 cut,( #8 for you Modern Arnis stick guys!) the upward florette back to start....

be safe

Bram

 

[Zardoz]

I love this forum! Where else can you chat to the people who designed, built and distributed your latest and favourite acquisition. Makes even a newbie like me feel part of the big Spydie family.
My other pastime is motorcycling, but nobody from Honda comes into the bike forums and explains why this part just had to be that shape, nor are we free to badger the MD into making the next product in a different material.
I'm hooked.