Dodo

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
TheViper
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Dodo

#1

Post by TheViper »

I know everyone has been crazed over the sprint orange DODO. What is it about that design is so attractive? Are the ergonomics just that good? I keep watching reviews and other videos on it but I just can't get the feel of it. Maybe someone here can help me understand the craze.
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SolidState
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#2

Post by SolidState »

I generally carry a delica or a Caly 3, and avoid the stranger looking blade/handles as much as possible, but I love my DODO. It has become my primary knife. The ergos are great, but having my whole hand behind the short reverse s gives tip control like nothing else. I cut a lot of stuff out in my work and crafts so the tip control and leverage make it a wonderful combo. It has a bit larger pocket space requirement than my delica, but is comparable to a para or endura in space taken.

Once it's broken in, the ball lock is great and easy to do one handed. It's light and rides relatively deep in the pocket. I'm a big fan. It was hard for me to buy 1, but the second was a no-brainer once I had one in hand and pocket. I love mine, but I love it as a user. This knife was meant to be used.

The combo of the belly and tip is wonderful. The grind is really thin behind the edge which is wonderful, and the stock is thick, giving a really good thumb purchase. Also, the ramp on the back of the blade is very similar to that of a yojimbo II. It is comfortable in pincer and normal grips. I love the thing. I'm really surprised that I like it as well. I didn't think I would.
"Nothing is so fatal to the progress of the human mind as to suppose that our views of science are ultimate; that there are no mysteries in nature; that our triumphs are complete, and that there are no new worlds to conquer."
Sir Humphry Davy
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gbelleh
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#3

Post by gbelleh »

The ergos are great. The reverse S blade shape is extremely useful for the light duty tasks I normally do. It opens letters like a laser beam! And (IMO), it looks amazingly weird and awesome!

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kens73
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#4

Post by kens73 »

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I love the design!!
It hasn't left the pocket all week :cool:
Lost count ... :spyder: :spyder: :spyder:
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Clip
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#5

Post by Clip »

This is my first hawkbill-shaped blade and I've fallen in love. When I go to open packages, that curve really digs in and holds the blade in the cut. Where I used to have to hold bags of mulch and soil and stab then slice them with a spear-shaped blade, this reverse S-curve really hooks and holds, to borrow a line from Eagle Claw.
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#6

Post by cckw »

I got one and so far I'm not digging it either. So I guess it makes a good sprint run so those who like it can have one, but not broad enough appeal to have in the line full time. I prefer the sprints that create a feeding frenzy though. Can't wait for a Manix2 XL in some great steel
rg02
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#7

Post by rg02 »

The ergos on the dodo are very comfortable and the blade shape is perfect for 90% of my EDC tasks.


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JD Spydo
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A well kept Spyderco secret: The Dodo

#8

Post by JD Spydo »

I've loved the Dodo ever since I got my first one almost 9 years ago. I still have that original PE blue version. I wish I had my Spyderedged version back but I'm confident I'll find one some day.

If I was living in a jurisdiction which had draconian blade length limits I would carry nothing but the Dodo and the Captain along with some Hawkbill and that probably being a Harpy.

The Dodo is such a genius design I'm almost surprised that it didn't become a flagship model and be in the line up permanently.

It's a little bit of a challenge to sharpen but it's performance is great.
Long Live the SPYDEREDGE Spyderco Hawkbills RULE!!
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mikerestivo
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#9

Post by mikerestivo »

I was a huge Dodo-doubter until I got tired of reading reviews from my forum homies on how great the knife was. So I ordered one, and I am now a convert. The ergos are great. It fits very comfortably in my hand for a small knife. It carries well (it's smaller than it looks and fits nicely in a pocket) and the blade shape works for most of the everyday cutting that I do. To boot, it's not a big, scary blade that would freak people out when using it in public.
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SolidState
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#10

Post by SolidState »

It is smaller than you'd think, but feels bigger than it looks. NKPs don't fear it, but they respect it. It really has the feeling of a well-made, hand-held raptor talon.
"Nothing is so fatal to the progress of the human mind as to suppose that our views of science are ultimate; that there are no mysteries in nature; that our triumphs are complete, and that there are no new worlds to conquer."
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Onionman
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#11

Post by Onionman »

I have been tempted to get one but I can't bring myself to get a bright orange knife. Is Spyderco coming out with a CF version? If so is there any internet retailers taking preorders?
The important thing was that I had an onion tied to my belt, which was the style at the time. You couldn't get white onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones...
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mikerestivo
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#12

Post by mikerestivo »

Onionman wrote:I have been tempted to get one but I can't bring myself to get a bright orange knife. Is Spyderco coming out with a CF version? If so is there any internet retailers taking preorders?
There is reportedy a CF version of the Dodo that will be produced. I have not seen any dealer that is taking preorders yet. There was a discussion a few days ago about what the blade steel would be. The conensus was that no one really knows.
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jabba359
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#13

Post by jabba359 »

Onionman wrote:I have been tempted to get one but I can't bring myself to get a bright orange knife. Is Spyderco coming out with a CF version? If so is there any internet retailers taking preorders?
Eric has said there will be a CF version, but it won't be coming out until later in the year. It's probably too far out for anyone to list it for preorder at the moment. I plan on trying to pick one up whenever it happens.
-Kyle

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Onionman
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#14

Post by Onionman »

Thanks for the updates. I'll just have to keep my eye out for it.
The important thing was that I had an onion tied to my belt, which was the style at the time. You couldn't get white onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones...
syphen
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#15

Post by syphen »

I love!!! my Dodo's... But lately I've been carrying a Cricket in SE. Same benefits of the awesome recurve blade of the Dodo, but smaller and less foot print.

My Dodo's:
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SpyderNut
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#16

Post by SpyderNut »

TheViper wrote:I know everyone has been crazed over the sprint orange DODO. What is it about that design is so attractive? Are the ergonomics just that good? I keep watching reviews and other videos on it but I just can't get the feel of it. Maybe someone here can help me understand the craze.
Hi, TheViper. Welcome to the greatest forum on Earth! (Ok, so I'm a little biased). In order to properly answer your question, I think one must take a brief look into Spyderco history. According to SpydercoSource.com (the Unofficial Spyderco Model Reference):

The Spyderco Dodo was the first knife designed by Eric Glesser for Spyderco. Eric is the son of Spyderco President Sal Glesser. The Dodo is another of Spyderco’s little big knives, and carries a lot of punch in a small package. The knife uses the first generation of Spyderco’s patented Ball Bearing Lock, which is a bit difficult to use, but has been refined in more recent versions and carries a Martial Blade Craft (MBC) rating (SpydercoSource.com).

As I recall, the Dodo first came onto the scene sometime in 2003 and was regarded as a very unique--albeit different--folding knife. I have always held the belief that the Dodo was way ahead of its time, in terms of its excellent ergonomics, unique locking mechanism, and functional blade style. At the time, I had planned on purchasing one of the original Dodos (in black G-10), but the cost of my college tuition had other plans, and I was obliged to let it slide on by. (Incidentally, my brother, who was unhampered with silly things like college tuition costs, was fortunate to have purchase one of the original Dodos in the blue G-10). Several years after the Dodo was discontinued, many of the Spydie brethren (and sisters) seemed to have rediscovered this unique little knife, and before you knew it, the Dodo became a highly sought-after collector’s piece. (I know this from personal experience. In the fall of 2011, original Dodos in decent condition were going anywhere from $150 to over $250 on the secondary market). Not bad for a little knife that originally sold for a little under $100. In light of this, I was beyond ecstatic when I had heard that Spyderco was coming out with Sprint Runs of the Dodo. (And yes, I do plan on purchasing the CF version later this year). Below is some information I found on the SpydercoSource.com on the Dodo. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure!

Take care,

Michael

Model Name: Dodo
Model Reference:
Designer: Eric Glesser
MSRP: $139.95

Description: The Spyderco Dodo was the first knife designed by Eric Glesser for Spyderco. Eric is the son of Spyderco President Sal Glesser. The Dodo is another of Spyderco’s little big knives, and carries a lot of punch in a small package. The knife uses the first generation of Spyderco’s patented Ball Bearing Lock, which is a bit difficult to use, but has been refined in more recent versions and carries a Martial Blade Craft (MBC) rating.

Blade Length: 2 1/16″
Closed Length: 4 3/8″
Overall Length: 6 1/8″
Weight: 2.6oz
Blade Material: CPM-S30V
Blade Finish: Satin Finish
Blade Grind: Hollow Grind
Handle Material: G-10
Locking Mechanism: Ball-Bearing Lock
Years Produced: 2003-2005
Manufacture Location: Golden Colorado USA

Variations:
C80GPBL – Plain Edge, Blue G-10
C80GSBL – Serrated Edge, Blue G-10
C80GPBK – Plain Edge, Black G-10
C80GSBK – Serrated Edge, Black G-10
(The SpydercoSource.com)


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:spyder: -Michael

"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
TheViper
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#17

Post by TheViper »

Spydernut, thank you for that. I do appreciate the history and the responses from everyone on here. I definitely do need to get one of these in hand sometime. Thanks everyone for the insight. Anyone who has more info or another opinion I would like to hear it. Thanks again guys.

-Justin
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