ATS 55 Ironstone Hunter Photos....

[chuxvoodoo]

Here's my latest find, it seems to be a strange combo. Thanks Deacon for all your help.

[bigcat]

chuxvoodoo,

Your photos show a Spyderco Hunter, but I have never heard it called an Ironstone Hunter. Hope this helps in your identification process.

BigCat

[The Deacon]

Hi Chuck, this is the first like it that I've seen in ATS-55. Mine, and the few others I've seen are all in G-2. Do hope someone who knows more comes along with some additional info.

chuxvoodoo,

Your photos show a Spyderco Hunter, but I have never heard it called an Ironstone Hunter. Hope this helps in your identification process.

BigCat

The term Ironstone Hunter has been used in the past to describe knives which combine the all stainless Hunter handle with the broader blade of the Pro-Hunter/ Pro-Venator / Pro-Grip. The Hunter normally had a narrower blade. This variant may, or may not, have really been an "Ironstone exclusive", so in that sense the name may not be appropriate. It is, however, a specific and somewhat uncommon "variant" in the Hunter family.

In the photo below, the top knife is a Pro-Hunter (aka Pro-Venator and Pro-Grip), the next one down is an "Ironstone Hunter", the one below it is a "second generation" Hunter with chamfered handle, and the bottom one is a "first generation" Hunter with slab handles. Note the difference between the Hunter and Ironstone Hunter blade shapes.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

Up to now, my thought on them was that they represented a brief transitional phase, between the Hunter and Pro-Hunter. The existence of one with a later steel pretty well blows that theory out of the water. Definitely an interesting find Chuck.

[Peter1960]

Hmmmh, the existance of an ATS-55 blade is absolutely new information.
I think it's only called "Ironstone Hunter" as in 1996 catalog the description says C03PS Hunter (this revision of the original Hunter treats you you to our traditional Spyderco steel handle, clip, and a updated combinantion plainedge/spyderedge blade). From this I follow that Ironstone never had it as exlcusive model.

A very interesting find, indeed - and another missing link in Spyderco history :cool:

[chuxvoodoo]

Hi Bigcat,
Thanks for the reply. Question for you, whould you have a photo or more info on your number one Spydie?
1. SS Pro-Venator CE, ATS-55
2. Spur CE
3. Stretch CE
Thanks,
Chuck

[bigcat]

WOW Chuxvoodoo, You just named my three favorite Spyderco and in order.

Yes I do have pictures.

Here is one to start with.

Pro-venator, ATS-55, P.R.C.A., made from about 1995 through 2000 as the official knife of the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association.

The revolver is an North American Arms-Black Widow, 22LR.


BigCat

[chuxvoodoo]

Hi Bigcat,
Just a lucky guess,,,, I love threads!
Unfluted,22 nice...
Thanks,
Chuck

[spydutch]

Darn, yet another holy grail for me to "hunt". :mad: :D

I would sure love to have a serrated Hunter :)

Very nice pics though :cool:

[SparxSP]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=018

#2 in this (newly acquired) bunch: A Hunter?

Thanks in advance for your help,