Who can explain Viele´s TM??

David1967

David1967

Joined
May 10, 1999
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I got the older version of Spyderco Viele. It is one of the best liner locks I have so I decided to write a review about it for one Czech knife-related web magazine.

My question is: Can someone explain the trademark Viele uses?

Spyderco´s ad in TK magazine says that the 3 holes represent "Japanese god of War"... but what about the pictogram??

BTW Is there a web site with Viele´s custom knives??

Thanks.

David

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From what i've read, the three pronged symbol is Japanese, I think it's symbolic of some god, or martial art related. The three small holes are just for looks, and to seperate his knives from others...i.e. uniqueness.

--dan

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Co-Moderator of the General Flashlight, Lantern, & Headlamp Discussion Board at www.candlepowerforums.com
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The three prong symbol is seen in some Okinawan Karate styles. It symbolizes the triology of mind, body and spirit. In one style of karate, Uechi-Ryu, it also represents the three animals from which movement of the the style reportedly drew from: Tiger, crane and dragon.

sing
AKTI #A000356
 
Hi!

Great that you like the knife
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I'm pretty sure that the symbol also means that the life is a continuing wheel, never ending, cycles.
Also the god Hachiman i've heard associated to it.
I like it a LOT, even that much that i have it tattooed on my left shoulder
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(atough i think that mine is turnedthe other way)

I'd be really happy to hear more information on this.

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Be well!/Jonas aka 2Sharp

"May all your detonations be expected"

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David, I think your review should mention the updated Viele as well. While I don't own the original version and do not doubt that it too is a nice knife, I truly feel that the newer VG-10 version is exceptional.

I hope others will join in and provide information about the symbol and holes on the blade. As a casual collector I'm always curious about the stories behind the knives.
 
David,
According to "The Spyderco Story" by Kenneth Delavigne (page 141-142), Mr. Viele was/is a martial arts instructor and ended up becoming a knifemaker because he couldn't find someone interested in making a product based on his designs. He has been making knives for over 20 years.
The three small holes are his "signature" (no further explanation was given in the Spyderco Story) and the three legged emblem symbolizes the Japanese god of war, Tome; an indication of the martial arts influences found in Mr. Viele's designs.

Hope this might be useful information.

By the way, the new VG10 version of the Viele model has several improvements over the older version. If you get a chance, check this beauty out!!
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John Row
colobbfan

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Thank you all guys for your efforts. Too bad the review is in Czech - I would post link to it. Well I can post it anyway: http://www.knife.cz
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. I know of the new version but I have no chance to buy it here. No one sells Spyderco here on regular basis.
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But it is on my list - right after the Camillus 154CM Talon.... If you know the best place to buy it, please let me know.

David

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DIVERTI NESCIO

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My Photopoint pictures

Mikov Knives
 
colobbfan, most people probably see the Viele "three-legged symbol" etched on the blade. I did too, until now--I think.

A candy company ad in the newspaper caught my eye as being "just like" the Viele logo. However, the "three legs" were encircled and gave me a different perspective. I now think that the design is a reversal or negative. The black "legs" may be only the background that silhouette three "curved teardrops." The teardrops look like those on the complementing ying-yang (black and white) symbol--only in this case there are three teardrops instead of two.

What does this mean? I don't know. Just another theory on this interesting topic.
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The Triskelion or triskele is also a Celtic motif, like the swastika, it was probably originally a solar symbol

Etymology: triskelion from New Latin, from Greek triskelEs three-legged, from tri- + skelos leg; triskele from Greek triskelEs
Date: 1857
: a figure composed of three usually curved or bent branches radiating from a center
[triskelion illustration] http://www.m-w.com/mw/art/triskeli.htm
 
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