Spyderco Forums

archangel wrote:Many of you seem to prefer linerless designs. Why?

I for my part like the looks of a handle sheet on top of a visible liner. It just looks right when the blade is parked between steel liners.

archangel wrote:But why do you think it‘s better? Just your personal preference, designwise? Or is there any major advantage I am missing? I get that linerless designs may have a lower weight. But I can‘t see that this must be considered as advantage.

xceptnl wrote:

archangel wrote:But why do you think it‘s better? Just your personal preference, designwise? Or is there any major advantage I am missing? I get that linerless designs may have a lower weight. But I can‘t see that this must be considered as advantage.

I feel it is a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to the FRN knives and provides adequate enough rigidity without the need for additional weight. Plus (in theory) it could impact the manufacturing costs to be without a liner and thus help the MSRP.

carrot wrote:Not only are linerless designs lighter, they have one less part where dirt and grime can hide inside or behind, and for those of us living in places or doing things where rust could be a concern, it's one less metal part that can rust.

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of Spydercos with liners or skeletonized liners that I love and do not want to see changed in the least bit. But I also really want to see more linerless Spydercos that embrace their lightness and simplicity.

ABX2011 wrote:Weight and size reduction and better balance. Lighter and thinner carries better. More neutral balance can improve feel when in use.

archangel wrote:Can the cost be so much more when you have liners? Like you said, they’re probably not made of the same premium steel as the blade. But ok, it‘s still steel, and steel costs money, and needs certain care. You do have a good point there.

As to linerless designs being slimmer: I think a very good example of a very slim knife with liners is the P4. So in my opinion it‘s not a winning argument.

Weight: Yes, liner designs probably weigh more. I like some weight in my hand. But that‘s just personal preference. Like I said, I prefer the looks of steel being parked in between steel.

Guess I will just continue to enjoy liner designs where I can, and leave you enjoy lightweight simple linerless designs, too. :)

El Gato wrote:There seems to be a lot of very good discussion in the various threads concerning FRCP, FRN, Light Weight, and Linerless knife models lately. It is almost like everyone wants lighter weight, simpler construction and lower selling price, and I am seeing more and more new Light Weight versions of so many Signature Series knives these days. It almost looks like a trend developing and a sign of things to come. If this is what most folks want then I am happy to see more options for those who want them.

But it also makes me wonder about the future of the more robust models with full liners or skeletonized liners, that I personally prefer for the heft and feel of them in hand and stability of the tool in use. Am I beginning to see the last of some of these personal favorites?

Of course there is always a bright side to most everything, and if the future trend is going to be for the Light Weight et. al. versions, then I am going to be keeping a lot more money in my pocket.
I guess I had better grab a couple of the Manix 2 CPM M-4 Blade HQ Exclusives before the ss linered knives become the next on the disco'ed list.

Dave

archangel wrote:But why do you think it‘s better? Just your personal preference, designwise? Or is there any major advantage I am missing? I get that linerless designs may have a lower weight. But I can‘t see that this must be considered as advantage.