What's the bump by the pivot on an old FRNR Spyderco Delica

[peacefuljeffrey]

I'm looking at one of my old Delicas, a FRNR handled original model -- the kind with the integral plastic pocket clip. If you look at the knife from the spine, there is a noticeable hump to the plastic on the right side of the pivot. What's the need/reason for that?

I can't figure that there's anything under there related to making the pivot work whereas it would not work without that extra thickness. I am thinking that maybe it's just to help keep the knife retained in a pocket, since it creates a kind of curved contoured channel in conjunction with the clip... I could be totally wrong.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has insight (or actual factual knowledge) of what this is about.

Failing a response here, I may post this in the Spyderco forum...


-Jeffrey

 

[puukkoman]

I think it's partially to retain it in the pocket. If you notice, it lines up with the clip...
It also helps make the handle near the pivot a little stronger, I'm sure.

 

[ahgar]

I agree with the above but for the definitive tiptoe over to the spyderco forum and ask, I know you'll get a response. also mr spyderco {sal glesser}wanders around this forum so you might ask him. ahgar

 

[Esav Benyamin]

If I'm picturing it correctly, it's the same thing Cold Steel did with integral-clip folders. It keeps the clip itself from sticking out farther than the rest of that side of the handle, protecting it. It also angles your pocket under the clip from farther out, holding it better.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Jeffrey,

In the "early days", (before one-handers were common) we had difficulty teaching people how to open knives with one hand using a hole. Some of the difficulty was a learning curve, but some of it was in holding the knife to get the best purchase on the handle. One handers were still pretty new in 1990 and we were still convincing people of the value in one hand opening.

I increased the thickness of the Endura and Delica designs at the pivot to provide an easy purchase point, along with the clip, to open the knife with one hand.

When we redesigned in '98, the market was more aware of one hand opening and our customers wanted a thinner knife that was easier to carry and didn't "fill" the pocket so much.

sal

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

You're the best, Sal! Thanks for the reply.

Oh, I remember when my brother was in the army in 1990 or so and he brought home a serrated Delica, which I thought was godawful ugly (at the time)! Forigve me, please, I did come around, after all! I bought my first Delica (a 60/40) in about 1993 I think. And since then it's been a great ride!

Thank you again.

-Jeffrey

 

[Lavan]

Some of the difficulty was a learning curve

Man, that could be funny. Good thing you didn't patent a HOLE for a doorknob, Sal. You'd be sued by all the families of people trapped in rooms.