Fluted Ti Para2 Prototype on the Market?

[c.joe]

I recall playing with this at Shot Show last year and I was told they weren't close to releasing this yet. This IG user said it's currently up for auction on eBay.

http://instagram.com/p/suxFaLMzYR/" target="_blank

Any idea if this is an actual released prototypes?

[Holland]

That's a nice looking knife, but I'd love if sal or someone chimes in and says if it'd authentic or not

[Invective]

Oh I saw that earlier today. I was wondering if it was legit or not because there's no blade markings and the description just says CPM blade steel.

Either way, the $2500 Buy-It-Now puts it well out of my price range.

And yeah Holland I agree. I'd love to hear if it's legit or not from someone in Spyderco.

[xceptnl]

This needs more pictures to clarify if it is real.

[bearfacedkiller]

This is from the bombshell thread and it was originally on BF.

Hi Tricker,

the term "Frame-lock" was created because makers didn't want to say Chris Reeve's "Integral lock". (which I believe Chris trademarked). We just call them "RIL" or Reeve Integral lock. We've been calling the the integral compression lock an integral compression lock.

On a para version, we have a proto that is very nice. It would be all new tooling, but it's on a back burner due to capacity issues at this time. Golden factory is being enlarged and we should be able to get it to a front burner next year. We'd probably do a sprint ATR in Seki.

The Dodo was very inconvenient to "squeeze in".

sal

The Integral Compression Lock Para that we have is Ti. On the ATR, we'ved not decided what to make it out of. Still discussing with the maker.

sal

[bearfacedkiller]

The quote is answering multiple questions but it references a integrated ti para2 prototype and maybe this is it. I have been wanting to see one for a long time.

I might be inclined to think that it was something custom but the lack of blade markings makes me think that maybe it is a prototype. I don't know. Maybe some of you with more experience might be able to tell.

[endgame]

I.will be first on that pre order list

[bdblue]

It looks very interesting but I like the pattern on the fluted Military better, or I would just as soon have smooth Ti scales.

Those scales look too complicated to have been faked, especially the cutout for the lockbar. The funny thing though is that comparing the 5th and 6th photos, the lockbar has not moved enough to lock the blade when the blade is open, assuming that the blade is fully open.

[yablanowitz]

From the angle of the blade to the handle, I'd say it isn't fully open in any of the pictures, which makes me wonder if it will even open all the way.

[paladin]

From the angle of the blade to the handle, I'd say it isn't fully open in any of the pictures, which makes me wonder if it will even open all the way.

good eye yab...I bet you are correct!

[Pinetreebbs]

The seller is in Chicopee, MA, about 24 miles from Halpern Titanium.

[jylong_away]

Bottom image almost looks like there's a steel lock insert? Can see some screws on the inside of the lockbar....was that planned?

[chuckd]

Man, the Ti Millie is already a grail (unowned, unfortunately) this would definitely be another...I am more a fan of the dull Ti color, but I think I could do the polished fluted Ti.

[phillipsted]

Is it me, or is anyone else thinking "Chinese-made Ripoff"?

TedP

[RadioactiveSpyder]

No, I think it's a real proto. Probably not 100% functional, and it finally came down for $810 today :eek:

[GoldenSpydie]

No, it ended, but has been re-listed since the reserve was not met.

FWIW, the new listing has pictures of the knife fully open with the lock engaged.

[KNaB]

Is it me, or is anyone else thinking "Chinese-made Ripoff"?

TedP

Possibly. There is a fluted titanium military by a different seller, who uses the exact same verbiage as is used to describe the ti para "prototype".


"This is a very rare production of the fluted titanium Military. It was NOT electo-heat treated to change the color to bronze/blue/purple. It has a natural silver titanium color. The picture of the knife is the actual knife you will receive."

[c.joe]

Sold for $2100 via BIN. Dang I want one of these..

[mikerestivo]

Is it me, or is anyone else thinking "Chinese-made Ripoff"?

TedP

If it is a fake, it's an awfully elaborate attempt at one. Given that the seller indicates that it is only one of three made, I am even more suspect that it's not. Ripoff artists would seem inclined to be able to repeat the scam, and this seller has already limited the number of times he can do this. Either way, it's the most interesting Spyderco piece that I have seen on the secondary market in a long time.

[The Deacon]

I'm skeptical, very skeptical. Not sure whether it's a fake, or if someone light-fingered a piece from the factory, but the lack of any markings on the blade would only be legitimate on a concept piece. Even then, since this is not a brand new model, but is different enough that it couldn't be mistook for any existing PM2 variant, I'm inclined to think Spyderco would have just used an existing PM2 blade with all the regular markings, rather than a sterile one.

Of course, in the end, only the folks from Golden can either authenticate it, say it's been reported as stolen, or say with certainty that someone just got ripped off for $2100.