I will commit to buying any of the suggestions given so far as long as it's not a lockback. I might still buy the knife if its a lockback, but I can guarantee a purchase if its a framelock, bbl, compression lock or liner lock.
I do have an idea though that I'm not sure has been done before...I keep a good eye on the custom world, but you can't see everything at once, so maybe I'm wrong.
Imagine a Persian with a CF scale, a damascus blade, and a mokume framelock.
Actually, I wouldn't mind if it was just a straight up mokume framelock with no scales at all.
Or the schempp kris...that would look so exotic.
I see it "a bit" differently.
Mokume can be pretty. Damascus can be pretty. Combined they're overkill. I want something elegant, but not gaudy.
Lock type is extremely important to me. I already own one very nice damascus bladed left hand liner lock which I do carry and use occasionally. I neither need nor desire another, and suspect that, even if I did, the chances of Spyderco producing a left handed one are less than those of my being struck by lightning. The same would go for the chances of a left handed framelock, and besides, putting a damascus blade on a framelock is like painting a bulldozer candy apple red. For me to even consider purchasing it, the knife would have to be a front/mid lock, with a 50/50 choil and without a Boye dent. Blade shape would have to be something I'd want to carry. That rules out hawkbill, reverse S, recurve, sheepfoot, and "novelty" shapes like the Kris.
I would want a bolster and scales handle, preferably with natural material scales, ideally either wood or ivory. If not, then something cheap and easy to replace, like Micarta. I would want the handle unmarred by the holes needed to mount a clip, or by any visible screw heads. I would strongly prefer a full flat grind.
As for the damascus itself, pattern is extremely important to me. Odin's Eye Damasteel is my favorite, but there are other Damasteel patterns I'd consider as well as some patterns by Devin Thomas, Ed Schempp, and others. There are also patterns by all the above that I would not consider.
As I said, chances of a production knife satisfying my desires are pretty darn slim. Which is not to say Spyderco should not make one. Judging by the number of other companies that offer one or more, damascus appears to be fairly popular these days.
There is also the question of where to make the knife. The Japanese turn out some excellent knives, but their damascus varies from moderately unattractive to butt ugly and they tend to develop a sudden loss of IQ when faced with the prospect of using "foreign" steel. Golden built knives impress me as sturdy and well built, but the finish on those I own would be disappointing on a more refined knife. The folks in Taiwan seem to be doing a good job in the fit and finish department and, unlike the Japanese, are very open to the idea of working with steel produced elsewhere. Only downside, if you can call it one, would be having to put up with with the same political trolls that pop up in every discussion of the Sage.
Paul
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Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
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