I did not take any pictures because I was not authorized to do so, but here are some of the ones I remember:
Titanium Para 2: The very first knife that caught my eye was the Titanium Paramilitary 2. This knife was solid Ti, and featured and integral comp lock, which is something we haven’t seen since the ATR. Further enhancing the awesomeness was the fact that the handle was fluted Ti, providing traction and loads of aesthetic appeal. This knife will not be cheap – but it will be mine.
Whatsit Powerlock: The next knife that I noticed was this MASSIVE spyderco folder called, appropriately, the “Whatsit.” The blade was over 5” long (possibly 6”
, in a wide, bayonet ground leaf shape. I would describe it as a Superleaf blade with a Native style bayonet grind. To give you a sense of just how massive this folder is, it totally dwarfed the Laci Szabo Folder. Personally, I liked the looks of this one very much, but for my own use it is too large- I would love the same design in a 4” folder. However I know some will absolutely love this thing. -The coolest part of the Whatsit is the new Powerlock, which is an interesting modification of the classic backlock. I’m afraid I cannot describe this as accurately or as precisely as I would like to, but it was like a backlock that cammed into two pieces when folding. This is a terrible description but until you see it in person its difficult to describe. However, what I can say is that the result was that the lock was butter smooth to depress, and opening the knife was smoother than the typical backlock.
Big Dyad: I’m a huge fan of the Spyderco Dyad Jr, so my heart skipped a beat when I saw that there was a full-size C44 Dyad in the case. The knife appeared to be unchanged from the original, in the wonderful grey G10 used on the G10 Manbug. I really like grey G10 because its manly and classic, while also being making the knife appear much friendlier to non-knife people. The ergos were surprisingly good – this is simply a must have for me.
RIL Dyad-type concept: I didn’t catch the name of this one, but Sal has designed a new Dyad style two-blade knife. He wanted the handles to be thinner, so he used Titanium scales with integral frame locks. The blades were about 3” long. He expressed concern that the cost of this knife may be prohibitive, so I tried not to get too attached, but it was very cool.
Natives: There were quite a few Native’s in the case, some sporting what appeared to be multi-colored swirls of acrylic resin for handles. However, the coolest Native featured a fluted CF handle.
Fluted CF: In addition to the fluted CF Native, there was a fluted CF Para 2. This is a new process developed by Spyderco, and made for a visually interesting and secure handle.
Whale rescue Handle: In addition to being made in H1, the Whale rescue blade may soon be available with a handle, as per the request of certain specialized customers. Holding this big ***, SE Scythe in my hand, it was difficult to imagine anything that I couldn’t cut through.
Reverse Fixed blade: I’m not sure if I got the name right, but there was a fixed blade in the case sporting a 3.5” (aprox) wharncliff/ hawkbill hybrid blade identical to the P’kal folder but slightly longer. It’s a joint collaboration between Southnarc and Mike Janich, and what makes this blade so interesting is that it has reversible scales, which allows the user to configure the knife for RGEI, or RGEO. I did not see what type of sheath was used.
Black Blade Laci Szabo: There was the Laci Szabo folder in the case, sporting a black blade. I think I like the black blade version better than the uncoated, which is rare for me.
Ed Schempp Knives: I own and adore a Schempp Khukuri and Rock Salt, so I’m always interested in the new Schempp prototypes. This year there was a very interesting Khukuri folder (I do not recall the name), still in the concept phase, that looked like a modified version of the original. I felt that the lines had become more rounded, the handle width stretched ever so slightly, and a bit more cutting edge. However, I did not have the original next to me for a direct comparison. The blade was made of a San Mei 154cm/S90 composite, which was developed by Carpenter.
-There were also several sizes of the Frontier model. I did not get to handle this one, but they look like a brass bolstered and CF handled folding bowie knife, but with the Ed Schempp negative blade angle. There was a 3” version and a 3.75” version.
-There was also a micro fixed blade called the Ladyfinger, which looked like it had a lot of applications. I did not handle this one, but the overall length appeared to be about 4-4.5”, with a very slender (10mm?) handle and a eyebrow shaped blade. It looked like it would make for a great EDC, or a nasty little hideout knife.
Butch Vallotton DA: At first I had no idea why the Butch Vallotton was back in the concepts case, as it was aesthetically identical to the existing model….then Sal slid over a piece of the handle scale and the knife popped open. Turns out, this ones an ambidextrous, hidden action switchblade. Very cool, but will only be for the foreign market due to customs.
“The Man-love Thursday Shower Rape knife”: This is my name for this knife, but it accurately reflects its mission. Apparently there has been a rash of man rape in the showers of US Military bases abroad, which has affected all ranks including a general. So, some soldiers contacted Spyderco to create a small fixed blade neck knife that they could wear in the shower to defend themselves against the locals. The result is a very small H1 fixed blade with a paracord handle. The blade is about the size of a Dragonfly blade, but with a small, sort of Bowie clip shape. The handle was also very small. Interesting application, but I would much prefer an H1 Swick with a P’kal style wharncliff / hawkbill blade if I’m fighting it out in the showers on Man-love Thursday.
http://www.bouhammer.com/2010/01/and-yo ... thursdays/
Folding Swick: I do not know the proper name for this folder, but it looks like a folding swick. This knife simply blew me away, the Swick finger hole is integral to the blade, and when folded it protrudes out the back of the handle – allowing it to double as a flipper! Blade length was 2.5” long, and it was sporting a blue g10 handle. This knife is a must have.
This does not even cover half of the knives in the case!
While playing with the protos was amazing, what was probably the coolest part was talking with Sal, who is in addition to being a maker of pocketknives, is now a maker of pocket cruisers!
http://sagemarine.us/
The back-story behind this boat is simply fantastic, and really says a lot about Spyderco and the man behind it.
Overall, it was a really great visit this year, and in addition to these new models, I’m going to be buying a jewelers loupe to inspect my edges from now on :cool: :spyder:
