OK, it's time to get serious

[twinboysdad]

Sal could name it the "LGS" for Jazz's OP Let's Get Serious. I am digging the fire out of this design.

[Donut]

That does look pretty sweet. It looks like a Yojimbo for people who don't want to spend Yojimbo money on a self defense knife. It could be the Yo-delica-bo. :)

[Ocarr]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread, a big "thank you" to Jazz, Sal and the Spyderco proto team! As this design checks a lot of boxes for me, I'm definitely in for multiples of this model when/if they hit the market. (IMO, this needs to be added to the Hap40 frn line)

[bearfacedkiller]

This looks great. I would like to see some spine shots and I would love to see a comparison pic with the Kiwi4. This is a must have. Can we get a color besides black? What color would you pick Jazz? This thread rocks!

[twinboysdad]

This looks great. I would like to see some spine shots and I would love to see a comparison pic with the Kiwi4. This is a must have. Can we get a color besides black? What color would you pick Jazz? This thread rocks!

I have always liked the mint green FRN on the FFG D4 but have never pulled the trigger on one. Maybe this model needs its very own color? I am with the "anything is better than black FRN" crew

[3rdGenRigger]

I'm even more intrigued now that I've seen the prototype. If it made production as a sprint I'd definitely have to try one out. I'd be very curious to see how well this pairs with a serrated hawkbill at work. I don't carry my Kiwi4 at work because it's just a little too slim and too awkward for some of the harder tasks I use a knife for, but this looks like it would be better. I still think I'll prefer my Endura, Millie and PM2, but I've never really given a full size wharnie a real shakedown at work because I don't own a Yojimbo (I prefer FFG and it just looks all wrong to me as far as blade to handle proportions...maybe I should try one...my local B&M has never had one for me to feel). I find myself wondering what the Endura equivalent to your prototype might be like...the size would be more along the lines of what I've come to like in a work EDC (Serrated hawkbill backup notwithstanding), as I find knives the size of the D4 to be a little on the small size for what I like at work. Off work EDC it's a perfect size though IMO.

[v8r]

Yet another example of why Spyderco is such a awesome company.
On a side note, I would probably lean towards a brighter color handle. When I used to turn wrenches for a living brighter colored handles sure were easier to see in low light conditions. I imagine it would be easier to find in any conditions. I would go for a neon color, maybe green or blue.

[Jazz]

I want to add that this thing opens wonderfully 2 handed, as well as one, of course. Thanks, Sal. Sorry Darby, I don't have a Kiwi 4 to compare, but here are a few pics I took. I hope they are clear enough...

A few grips I use:







The knife itself:











Comparison shots - with D4 I tested:





With Native S110V:





With Cento 4 wharnie:







I hope these help get you to want one. I know I love it. Now I have to go sharpen and test some more. :D
We need a list of Japanese steels that would be good. I like VG10 just fine, but any more ideas? Here are my color choices. One is a nice blue jeanish blue, and the other is this...



Once again, a color chart to help...

[bearfacedkiller]

Awesome! Those pics are great and the comparison photos are super helpful.

[sal]

answered before finishing thread. :o ( ? on Jazz' color preference)

Thought to add; We left the hump large for two handed opening, even with gloves. Jazz had mentioned this feature as needed.

sal

[bearfacedkiller]

Sorry if I jumped the gun asking about colors already. This one has me a little excited. I'll just sit back and watch this one play out. This thread rocks!!!

[dc50]

I'm in for two for sure. This is going to be anxious waiting game for sure :D
I was thinking a Red handle might be nice color for a worker knife.

[twinboysdad]

Goldenrod is perfect! I am allergic to goldenrod and the only cure is a goldenrod spydie

[twinboysdad]

That spine shot vs FFG D4 tells me this is a winner! Not too thin and not too thick

[JT]

I bet this will(?) would sell like hotcakes. No matter what handle color.
Winning combination, trusty Delica handle, and wharncliffe blade. Do want.

[Ocarr]

Thanks for the comparison shots Jazz. My vote is still to add this to the Hap40 line. (steel and frn color would be perfect imo)

[sal]

Hi Ocarr,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Ocarr]

Thank you for the kind welcome Sal! I couldn't be happier to be part of this community and a very proud supporter of your company. I admire the close connection you keep with your customers as is obviously shown in this thread and many others like it. Keep up the fine work Mr. Glesser!

[clovisc]

The goldenrod color is very unique and interesting -- something you don't see much in design outside of the 1970s. I like it! I'm also a big fan of the "burnt orange" color of the HAP40 Spydies. In fact, that may be my favorite FRN color thus far. (Although I really liked the mid-blue of the Meerkat sprint!!!)

[Jazz]

The goldenrod color is very unique and interesting -- something you don't see much in design outside of the 1970s. I like it! I'm also a big fan of the "burnt orange" color of the HAP40 Spydies. In fact, that may be my favorite FRN color thus far. (Although I really liked the mid-blue of the Meerkat sprint!!!)

That is a nice blue shade. I would hope, if it was HAP40, that it would still be the thickness of the proto. I hear those are quite thin, like the Super Blues. I like a tad more strength than that for a working knife. The proto still slices great.