Ethnic series - complete listing

[curlyhairedboy]

I think that first I should say that some of the knives that you/me/we might consider Ethnic series were not designated as such when they were made. Hindsight does indicate that they should be included. Perhaps we can develop a list here. I started one once before but was hijacked.

"Talkin' story" is always fun.

Since the Shabaria just dropped, I'll start there, though many here know the story. Eduard Bradichanski was a Russian immigrant that resettled in Israel. He was a model maker by trade and a custom knife maker as a hobby. He showed me his folding version of the Shabaria, and I had not heard of the knife before. after visiting several museums and seeing some collections, I learned that the Shabaria was a common design in the Jordan valley beginning in 203 AD. In fact, when we introduced the design, many of the knife "experts" had also not heard of the design and some interesting discussions followed. I have one that I brought back and right now it's "lost" in one of the boxes in my office. When Ii find it, I'd like to make a brochure showing the originals and the Spyderco version. Mike began the project years ago, but I couldn't find the originals. :o

Eduard also designed the Original credit card model. He was assassinated in the west bank by Hamas before his models were released. They burned his body and his car and he was identified by the prototypes of the Shabaria and the credit card knife, which he was carrying at the time. He was survived by his wife and 2 sons. We still send royalties to the family when we make a sprint.

sal.

Very touching story and I want to say I really respect that you are doing that for his family. Thank you.

Agreed!

[kirill.sergueev]

Just curious what is the longest production run of the ethnic series knifes?

[wrdwrght]

Bump.

Can’t allow this thread to die on the vine, especially as my attention has been drawn in this direction. :p

[MichaelScott]

This, along with similar events, is one of the main reasons I continue to support and value Spyderco — an organization full of people with heart and integrity.

[odomandr]

seems as though the Ikuchi and the watu need to be added to the list. pattadese too now that its announced..... RamZar has set the bar high for maintaining lists......

[Bolster]

This is such a cool thread, I'm bumping it years later. Wartstein's recent thread about a 300 B.C. knife got me to thinking about ethnic and historical designs.

Does the ethnic list need updating?

[JoviAl]

I love a good necro-bump thread! So much gold in the older threads on here.

[Cl1ff]

Yes, thank you for bringing this one back up again! I forgot how interested I was in the Shabaria!

[ZenL]

I absolutely love these knife history threads, learned a lot. Thanks for the bump! aaaand now I want to get a shabaria! Maybe in 2026...?

[mikey177]

Pattadese and Watu need to be added to the list.

[Ramonade]

These 2 accompanied by the story about them from Joyce

:o Anyone read French?

I've been after one for a while but never see them on sale anywhere ! If anyone can provide a shot of the story without the knives in front I could translate it no problem

But seriously, if anyone knows of one that could find a new home, it'd be an honor.

EDIT: found it translated in the other thread :

Denis Lemaire was an creative French Canadian cutlery designer, maker, and friend of Spyderco. In the early '90s Spyderco made a French-style Laguiole model which Denis had engineered and designed. He was adept at producing innovative concepts and was well-acquainted with French influenced cutlery designs. A folder named the AKMA was one of his inventions and is produced today by Florinox Cutlery of Thiers, France.

The Spyderco Laguiole debuted as a high-tech version of a time-honored design. It featured:

~ A front lock (developed by Al Mar and Harvey McBurnette), the first ever lock-back Laguiole
~ A handle of black Micarta with brass liners
~ Blade steel was G-2
~ The traditional Laguiole "bee" found its' appearance underwent a subtle, buggy make-over
~ Notably absent were the Spyderco round hole and a pocket clip
~ Notably present, Spyderco serrations
~ It came with a tooled leather belt sheath
~ Spyderco's French design was manufactured under the Ramco label in Seki City, Japan
The Laguiole was discontinued in 1995-1996 and the MSRP at that time was $119.95, the sheath $19.95.

Strange knife, a French design, Americanized with serrations and made in Japan....

Joyce

[Manixguy@1994]

Great journey and history of some classics by Spyderco. Thank you Sal adding insights. MG2

[RamZar]

The only Ethnic Series knives still in the 2023 Product Guide (starting on page 116) are the following with the last one being Pattadese from February 2021:

1. Pattadese (FEB 2021)
2. Watu (APR 2020)
3. Respect (MAR 2019)

[Larry_Mott]

These 2 accompanied by the story about them from Joyce

:o Anyone read French?

I've been after one for a while but never see them on sale anywhere ! If anyone can provide a shot of the story without the knives in front I could translate it no problem

But seriously, if anyone knows of one that could find a new home, it'd be an honor.

EDIT: found it translated in the other thread :

Denis Lemaire was an creative French Canadian cutlery designer, maker, and friend of Spyderco. In the early '90s Spyderco made a French-style Laguiole model which Denis had engineered and designed. He was adept at producing innovative concepts and was well-acquainted with French influenced cutlery designs. A folder named the AKMA was one of his inventions and is produced today by Florinox Cutlery of Thiers, France.

The Spyderco Laguiole debuted as a high-tech version of a time-honored design. It featured:

~ A front lock (developed by Al Mar and Harvey McBurnette), the first ever lock-back Laguiole
~ A handle of black Micarta with brass liners
~ Blade steel was G-2
~ The traditional Laguiole "bee" found its' appearance underwent a subtle, buggy make-over
~ Notably absent were the Spyderco round hole and a pocket clip
~ Notably present, Spyderco serrations
~ It came with a tooled leather belt sheath
~ Spyderco's French design was manufactured under the Ramco label in Seki City, Japan
The Laguiole was discontinued in 1995-1996 and the MSRP at that time was $119.95, the sheath $19.95.

Strange knife, a French design, Americanized with serrations and made in Japan....

Joyce

I have a couple of D.LeMaire knives





Regarding the Hungarian - It's really a great rendition of a Hungarian Fejesgörbe! I have both a hand made, by Ferenc Kocsis Fejesgörbe and the Spyderco Hungarian

[Ramonade]

I have a couple of D.LeMaire knives





Regarding the Hungarian - It's really a great rendition of a Hungarian Fejesgörbe! I have both a hand made, by Ferenc Kocsis Fejesgörbe and the Spyderco Hungarian

The Hungarian is especially beautiful !! I find it really weird that Florinox does not cite Denis Lemaire as creator of the AKMA on their website. They present it as a in house design, which seems really shady from the outskirts. Maybe this was how the deal went, giving all intellectual property on the design out to Florinox but... Names are important in knife making, in France as everywhere else.

I have an issue with the basic Laguiole becase the kick of the blade is often too short and the blade contacts the spring. I'm pretty sure the lockback version from Lemaire is not like that I keep my eyes open for one, but like a couple of models I've been after for 2 or 3 years, they're not easy finds !

[HolySteel]

Why was the Jens Anso Zulu not included? (sorry if I blindly missed it).

[Mushroom]

Why was the Jens Anso Zulu not included? (sorry if I blindly missed it).

Beyond the name, I do not believe there is any ethnic correlation.

[HolySteel]

Why was the Jens Anso Zulu not included? (sorry if I blindly missed it).

Beyond the name, I do not believe there is any ethnic correlation.

Thanks. It is described in Spydiewiki as being part of the ethnic series, but nowhere else that I can find.

[Mushroom]

Why was the Jens Anso Zulu not included? (sorry if I blindly missed it).

Beyond the name, I do not believe there is any ethnic correlation.

Thanks. It is described in Spydiewiki as being part of the ethnic series, but nowhere else that I can find.

I could be wrong. I have just never heard it referred to as part of the Ethnic Series.

[wrdwrght]

Why was the Jens Anso Zulu not included? (sorry if I blindly missed it).

Beyond the name, I do not believe there is any ethnic correlation.

I think you’re right, Nick.

I have found no confirmation by Ansø—either in the lead-up to my acquiring one, or since—that the Zulu is anything other than an imaginative knife with an imagined name.