Trends - Discussion

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
Dijos
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#21

Post by Dijos »

I agree. I have really big hands, so as much as I would like to have a smaller knife, 3.5 is about as small as I can go, unless it has a handle that's way out of proportion with blade length. Also, I live in the south for a reason-personal liberty is not looked at as a liability for the government.
Alan2112
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#22

Post by Alan2112 »

Gary, what do you mean by pro-gunners being unreasonable? Our constitution should never be compromised! I work in law enforcement, but three years before I was legal to carry a gun in my state, both as a civilian and Officer, I carried a firearm illegally. If our state did away with it's carry law tomorrow, and I became a civilian, I would still carry! That's our God given right, and I will carry any knife I want to as well! I hope I didn't misinterpret what you said, if so disreguard! P.S. I like what most of the responders are saying about sheeples!

Edited by - Alan2112 on 7/11/2002 12:58:58 AM

Edited by - Alan2112 on 7/11/2002 1:00:45 AM
dfmccarthy
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#23

Post by dfmccarthy »

BTW, just got a catalog in the mail. From clevergear.com. (A Johnson Smith Co.) On pg. 9 it has the ceramic kitchen and paring knives I've seen offered for years. Last line in ad:" This item cannot be sold to addresses in California." We've really got to turn this around, not just accept it as inevitable. Being pro-gun got Bush II elected. I guess we need to make it clear that the Second Amendment includes knives.
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Zabrewolf
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#24

Post by Zabrewolf »

dfmccarthy,
You're right about we should let people know that the right of self defense covers knives too.
But I would rather try to emphize the need of a knife as an everyday tool for boxes, letters, rope, woods, garden, rescue, ..... on and on. I think it would be easier for the sheeple to except the knife for what it spends 90% of its life as then to try to wake them up to the reality that every person is ultimatly going to be responsible for their own safety.

The sheeple just don't want to realize that no matter how many laws are passed or how big your ban list is, the momment that someone chooses you to be their victim it will be between the two of you. The same for emergency situations. How many of us are lucky enough to have an auto accident with a paramedic team and rescue crew standing by. (except for NASCAR)
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dialex
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#25

Post by dialex »

I never thought at trends in knife industry. I would categorize the knives according to their purpose, and on this basis to try to discover the logical future of every category. I will analyze only folding knives and my exemples will be especially from Spyderco's models, exceptions for any particular models that my come into discution:
1. Very small knives: eg. The Ladybug, The Cricket and The Jester. Great for keychains, useful when it comes to small cutting jobs, even backup, yet quite seldom used. I think that their evolution will be based more on the aestethical criteria rather than functional or ergonomic.
2. Small knives: eg. The Dragonfly, The Meerkat, The Navigator. These are knives that try to offer cutting power yet being legal (that 2" blade length limitation). As thay must comply to that rule, it is obvious (IMO) that they will progress on ergonomics and aesthetics. Maybe some more functions (see the Hotaru "Firefly&quot<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. As the purpose of these knives is small everyday cutting jobs and some self defense, even the choice of selected materials (CF, G10), will be a "fashion" result, as it's quite unlikely they really need those performances. In time, some gadgets present at this category will dissapear. eg. the Kershaw Chive with its assisted opening system, which does not comply with some regulations. Somehow I see those knives will become thinner for a more comfortable carry.
3. Medium and big knives. I "melted" them in the same category, as usually carrying them is illegal in many places. But illegal or not, they cannot dissapear. And I do not mean LEO's, firefighters aso. You're gonna laugh, but my criteria in this case is food preparation. Endura will do, Military will do, even the Delica. And thay will make it great in an emergency situation or a fight. They are the most versatile category. I think that the trend for these knives is that they will achieve higher performances, making use of the best technologies and materials, best ergonomics and design, as thair purpose is primarily functional and they will be destinated to people who usually know what to ask from a knife. Aesthetics will have its role, though, as there is a market economy.
4. Highly specialized knives. eg. Civilian, Matriarch, Rescue. (I would put even the Victorinox in this category, as it became specialized in doing everything without doing something specific). Those knives are so specialized that they won't evolve much in design, because they have to comply to some quite narrow limitations. I think the progress will be made here in the choice of materials, ergonomics and minor design adjustments according to the purpose of each one.
5. Decorative knives. eg. Police Necklace, Tieclip aso. as well as some anniversary knives. Although thay may prove functionality, their purpose is obviously a decorative one and their value is more sentimental or as a social status indicator. I don't see too many people taking their Damasteel to that barbecue<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. The trend here - fantasy exercises. Fancy shapes, exotic materials and handworking.
toothed
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#26

Post by toothed »

Sal, you listed that the current trend will find folders falling in 4 categories. Missing is the medium-sized (average size 3.5"?) utility folder. I find it hard to believe that this category will diminish when, ironically, it is the logical direction knife trends should move towards.

Rant: On

Isn't this where the Endura, Herbst, Vesuvius, etc. would fall? I think this is a more practical category than the oxymoronic "big, little knives." This is not to say that there is not a place for BL knives but rather we should not put all of our eggs in that basket. I already have my fill of these "big/littles" which are secondary carries. My purchasing money is spent on primary carry knives--those in the 3.5 to 4.0" category. But that's just me.

What's wrong with this size range if it is made more efficient and effective for obvious utility purposes? Why can't Spyderco make a camp/boy scout type knife. For example, a multi-blade with can/bottle openers, screw drivers, wood saw, etc. featuring a locking, one hand opening main blade. I think that it could be a justified EDC. It's too late to be the first with this design because (Victorinox) already came out with the limited edition "One Handed Trailmaster." However, Spyderco could still come out with "the best" of this design.

Many before us have fought and sacrificed to ensure our freedom; let us not give up our hard earned freedoms too easily for the sake of political correctness.

Rant: Off <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
liko
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#27

Post by liko »

If this is the future, a design of a folding self-defense knife with a legal blade length would be in order. I I remember, both the Lil Temperance and Gunting are over 2.5". Bram mentioned making a Cali-legal 2.5" Gunting, but only as a custom piece. If you see the knife market going toward smaller knives, I'd talk to him about releasing the designs for the "Lil' Gunting" and maybe the CRMIPT for production.
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