Ethnic series - complete listing

[makro]

Did some searching but did not find a complete listing of ethnic Spydercos. Is there a complete listing somewhere? Mainly looking for folders but also fixed would be nice to know.

[Halfneck]

Shabaria
Jot Singh Khalsa
Persian (Big an small)
Barong
Khukuri
Kris
Chokwe
Lum (Folder big & small & fixed)
Navaja
Bowie
Puukko
Nilakka (Big & small)
Hungarian
Friction Folder
Euroedge
Pattada

Just off the top of my head. Think I got the release order correct on the first 6 knives. After that they kind of came out faster, and I wasn't really keeping track.

[Larry_Mott]

What about the Euroedge, is that considered a member of the ethnic series?

[Reject]

A few of them.

[makro]

Shabaria
Jot Singh Khalsa
Persian (Big an small)
Barong
Khukuri
Kris
Chokwe
Lum (Folder big & small & fixed)
Navaja
Bowie
Puukko
Nilakka (Big & small)
Hungarian
Friction Folder
Euroedge
Pattada

Just off the top of my head. Think I got the release order correct on the first 6 knives. After that they kind of came out faster, and I wasn't really keeping track.

Is Friction Folder really in ethnic category?
Still waiting for someone to come up with an "official" list of all.

[sal]

Great pic Reject. Thanx much for the interest, support and being such a great resource.

We do not have an "official list", but we're in the process of trying to create one. It's been kind of haphazard in the models. I began this project to create a list (brochure) with pictures of the original and the Spyderco version. Mike was going to drive the project. I couldn't find the original Shabaria that I aquired (lost in a box in storage), and the project came to a screaming halt (my bad). I think I'd like to pick up that project again.

1. Shabaria

The idea began with a knife maker / designer / model maker that I met in Israel. He had created a folding versionn of a knife that has been around since the 3rd century. It was called a Shabaria. I'd not heard of the design and after veiwing a few msueaums and private collections, I found that there was indeed a Shabaria design common of the Jordan valley and was different than other designs. I managed to get an old one and we made a prodution version of Eduard Bradichansky Shabaria. Tht was the first of the Ethinic series.

2. Bob Lum Chinese folder

To be continued....

[BrianMcCord]

This will be a great thread. Watching with extreme interest...

[makro]

What Sal said: "I began this project to create a list (brochure) with pictures of the original and the Spyderco version."
That would be something! Make it glossy and hardcover A4 size =).

[sal]

Hi Makro,

Welcome to our forum and thanx for starting the thread.

sal

[MacLaren]

Is the Vallotton considered an ethic piece?

[sal]

Is the Vallotton considered an ethic piece?

No it wasn't

sal

[sal]

2. Bob Lum Chinese folder (continued):

Bob Lum and I go back a long way. When we began making sharpeners, I joined the Guild as an associate member. I always liked Bob's designs. The lines were exceptional. Bob had a great eye. I bought one of his early Darn Dau design's and saved it for 30 years with plans to make one. We couldn't make production at the time. Grind was too perfect and too large for the technology of the time.

I asked Bob to design a folder for us and he said that he wasn't making folders at the time and he didn't feel it was right for him to design a folder until he was making them. I continued to nag him. A year or so lager, he said he was studying under Ron Lake to make a folder. Ron Lake is one of the best ever, so I was hopeful.

Some time later, Bob made a version of the Chinese folder. It was a slip-joint and it didn't have the lines of his ultimate design. I bought the design (serrated naturally) and used it quite a bit. Some time later, he had the final desiogn which we purchased and put into production.

Bob passed away at far too young of an age. We send his royalties to his wife Jean. Problems as a result of exposure to chemicals while in the service. He designed the folding Tanto for us later, but that's another story.

sal

[Liquid Cobra]

2. Bob Lum Chinese folder (continued):



He designed the folding Tanto for us later, but that's another story.

sal

I hope you share it one day. Thanks Sal.

[twinboysdad]

Sal,

Words cannot express the cool factor of you sharing the connections and inspirations for these designs. Thank you

[ThePeacent]

Agree with all who posted here, this thread is of incredible value and entertainment for us fans of the model's history and evolution.

I especially want to hear the Navaja, Kris, and Chowke stories
Thanks Sal!

[curlyhairedboy]

This thread is both exciting and enlightening! Thanks for the history, Sal! Looking forward to more...

[Pinetreebbs]

It pre-dates the series, but I think of the Spyderco Laguiole/Ramco knife as an ethnic knife.

//forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=15535

[Reject]

It pre-dates the series, but I think of the Spyderco Laguiole/Ramco knife as an ethnic knife.

//forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=15535

:) +1 on that.



These 2 accompanied by the story about them from Joyce

:o Anyone read French?

[Michael Janich]

A few years back, I actually started a book on Spyderco's Ethnic Series. For various technical reasons, we were unable to complete it, but I had a pretty comprehensive list started of our Ethic Knives. I've updated that with the ones we've added since to offer this list, which ought to be pretty comprehensive:

Laguiole
Bob Lum Tanto Folder
Shabaria
Lum Chinese Folder
Lum Chinese Folder (Large)
Lil’ Lum
Lum Fixed-Blade Tanto
Persian (Large)
Persian (Small)
Persian 2 (Large and Small)
Red-Handled Persian
Kumo
Jot Singh Khalsa
Warren Thomas Karambit
Kris
Barong
Khukuri
Chokwe
Navaja
Puukko
Nilakka
Lil’ Nilakka
Hungarian
KaraHawk
Pattada
EuroEdge
Schempp Bowie
Friction Folder (included in the Ethnic section of the catalog, but with no specific ethnic association)

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[SpyderNut]

Very cool thread. I especially enjoy reading about the history behind the designs. Lots of good info here. Thanks to Michael for posting the comprehensive list of the ethnic series. I'd be very interested in seeing the book on this published some day. I imagine a lot of folks would be interested in having this for their collections--myself included.