what was the first production CPM blade?

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
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On the Spyderco wikipedia page it says that they were the first to use PM steel in a production knife back in 94. Back then, the only spydie I had was a delica, and I didn't hear about CPM until 98 with the random task.

Was it the military, native, starmate, or something else? Having trouble narrowing it down with google.
 
I'm reasonably sure that it's the military but I could be wrong.
 
I am fairly certain that the Military was the first production CPM-440V (Later called S60V) blade steel knife in 1995 or early 1996.
 
The Military and 440V (CPM S60V) were introduced together. That isn't what the Wiki says, but that is what Sal said in a thread here on this forum.
 
Good luck. They had a lot of chipping issues with the first run and switched to ATS-34 while they sorted it out.Finding one in good shape may be a real challenge.
 
I used to collect the Military models, the last two screw 440V Military I saw for sale was a factory prototype for sale here. It was last May. Two screw ATS-34 ones I've seen...best of luck.
 
I did a lot of searching and emailing looking for an original 2 screw Worker, and I finally got lucky and caught a BIN/OBO on the bay, hopefully the same/similar will happen here.

I've been trying to get together what I consider to be significant knives in the development of the 'tactical' or modern folder. I have the Worker as mentioned, a version 1 variation 1 Buck 110, an Al Mar SERE 3003, & a Gerber V-steel Folding Sportsman. It's funny, but one I'm having trouble tracking down is a Strut n Cut. I also want an LST from the '81 period. I am also waiting to hear back on a Kershaw mini task, since I am going back and forth on the AO thing. I don't know if KO or Blackie gets the credit for doing it first, but the SnC was the prior production AO knife by a year, while KO/Kershaw are really the ones who made it popular. Then there is tracking down a CRKT M16 without LAWKS for the Carson Flipper, and when I can bring myself to spend the money and actually find one, a Samson ground Bali-Song from around '79.

I don't know what else I am going to look for, but the first production knife with PM steel is a biggie for me, hence the search for the Millie. The only thing that kind of bugs me is that half these knives first hit the market after I was into the hobby and actively buying. If I had great foresight, they would have been sitting in my collection for the last ~15 years.

edit: jeeze, a quick google just showed that a '95 prototype millie went for $99 just in November with only a single bid.
 
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I remember that one now...I was real picky when I was collecting Militaries; I only wanted ones in plain edge so I passed on that one. The one that was on here back last May had a plain edge. Notably, it also had a different thumb ramp. It was straight rather than the curved one. Unfortunately, the pictures from that thread are gone.
 
Hardheart, have you considered a M2 710 ? (first run had that prototype writing on it, I used to have one). The rest look good and should be nice and difficult for you to find the remaining ones if the effort and time it took me to get the Gerber Sportsman 2 "V" steel is any indication. I'll look for an old non LAWKS M16 for you. I used to have one in G10, believe it or not. Sold it at my gun show table years back. I'll check my old boxes for stuff over the next week.

I have a like new, never used, no box, 3 (?) screw 440V millie SE I'd donate to your collection if it will help you in some sort of trade or work around.. I imagine you are looking for PE, at least I would be in that situation. I'd have to double check the knife but I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I do know it's SE anyway.

Are there any other knives you want us to keep our eyes open for? I have a collection going back to the 60's and 70's in some cases with the occasional old one thrown in.
 
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