Spyderco Amsterdam Meet 2023 Report

[Mr Blonde]

Thank you all for your patience! It was so good to see so many familiar and new faces at the Spyderco Amsterdam Meet again after all these years. It was sad too, since Jur wasn’t there. He and Ted made the first meet happen back in 2004. Back then it was a round table meet with about 8 attendees I think. This year, we hosted 60 people. Joyce brought plenty of know-how and games with her to make sure the meet ran smooth. And Eric brought a whole lot of new and interesting prototypes, concept models and production samples. A few of those designs are close enough to production and release, at some point this year, that I could photograph and share them online with you – with Spyderco’s blessing.

Please note, I have no information about the availability or pricing of these knives and products. For some of the models that haven’t been revealed yet, I took rudimentary measurements, none of which should be considered ‘catalog-correct’. Any mistakes or deviations etc… are mine. Basically, when it comes to these photographs, videos and measurements; I’m a fan – not an expert.

I’ll post the first batch of content in while, and I’ll add more to this thread in the coming days.

-Wouter

[Mushroom]

Thanks for everything you do to provide the forum with photos from the Spyderco Amsterdam meet!

We are patiently, but eagerly, awaiting any updates. They are much appreciated!

[Mr Blonde]

Since its introduction in 1997, the Military has seen a few improvements and refinements. Now it’s been given the upgrade many were looking for, after the success of the Para Military 2. The most notable features of the Military 2 are the compression lock and the 4-way clip mounting option. To support these design-upgrades, the Military 2 features nested liners; similar to the Para Military 2. The lanyard hole has also been enlarged compared to the original C36 Military. There are a few other changes too, such as a larger choil and more expansion at the pommel or back of the handle.

The linerlock on the original C36 Military has performed well for me, but I think most will agree that the compression lock is better for most people and most applications. I look forward to all the different Military 2 variations, exclusives and sprints that undoubtedly will be made in the coming years.

























Specifications
Closed: 5.51 inch / 140 mm
Overall: 9.51 inch / 242 mm
Blade: 4.00 inch / 102 mm
Edge: 3.65 inch / 93 mm
Thickness: 0.145 in 3.7 mm
Steel: CPM S30V
Weight: 4.3 oz / 122 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Compression
Handle: G-10
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA


I have no information on pricing or release dates.

[Mr Blonde]

The Spyderco Native Chief Lightweight was another large folder that was shown at the 2023 Amsterdam Meet. The first thing I noticed when handling it, was the weight. Or rather the lack of weight. There are no liners in the handle of the Native Chief Lightweight. Combined with such a large blade, the lightweight effect in the hand is striking. Apparently, a significant amount of engineering went into the lock to keep it strong enough for a knife this size and this light. The screw inserts for the clip mounting options are molded into the FRN. When you turn the knife over to look inside the handle, you’ll notice a web-like pattern. This also adds a lot of structural strength to the knife.

As a left-handed knife user, I thoroughly appreciate the 4-way clip mounting options. And the mid-back lock makes the Native Chief fully ambidextrous.

























Specifications
Closed: 5.08 inch / 129 mm
Overall: 9.08 inch / 231 mm
Blade: 4.08 inch / 104 mm
Edge: 3.58 inch / 91 mm
Thickness: 0.145 inch / 3.7 mm
Steel: CTS BD1N
Weight: 2.96 oz / 84 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

[Guts]

Awesome photos. Looking forward to the rest!

[Mr Blonde]

Yes, Nishijin is back! Apparently, Spyderco still has some blue Nishijin glass fiber left. Enough for one production run of the Stretch 2 XL. This mesmerizing material features a type of circular woven glass fiber that gives off a kind of 3D effect. It was used back in 2012 for a sprint run of the C67 R in black nishijin, and blue nishijin was used for a sprint run of the C86 Spin in 2014. Around that time, a few other Spyderco folding knives were made with Nishijin handles as well.

According to Eric, this could be the last Spyderco to be made with Nishijin handles. Besides the striking handle material, this sample of the Stretch 2 XL came with a Cru-Wear blade.





























Specifications
Closed: 4.97 inch / 126 mm
Overall: 8.90 inch / 226 mm
Blade: 3.99 inch / 101 mm
Edge: 3.46 inch / 88 mm
Thickness: 0.118 inch / 3.0 mm
Steel: CPM Cru-Wear
Weight: 4.4 oz / 125 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

[Bolster]

Thank you Mr. Blonde.

Have been following your reports for many years. You are a reliable, dependable ally!

[Mr Blonde]

I'll post more tomorrow, thanks for watching!

[Bolster]

Regards the LW Native Chief:

Blade: 4.08 inch / 104 mm
Weight: 1.9 3.0 oz

Outstanding! My next backpacking knife! Light enough to carry, big enough to make a difference! Wow!

EDIT, [CORRECTED]: just did the calculations on my "ratio" spreadsheet, and this new LW Native has extremely good ratios of blade length to weight, as well as edge length to weight. Few ratios come close. The LW Chief is certain to become a preferred backpacking knife! Thank you Spyderco!!

[Evil D]

Regards the LW Native Chief:

Blade: 4.08 inch / 104 mm
Weight: 1.9 oz / 54 g

Outstanding! My next backpacking knife! Light enough to carry, big enough to make a difference! Wow!

Along with whatever they did to the lock to ensure it's strong enough, I can't be more interested in this knife right now.

[p_atrick]

Yes, Nishijin is back!

My oh my does that look good.

[JSumm]

Mother of Pearl!

[Filoso-]

Oh yes! What a nice surprise!

[JRinFL]

That Nishijin 2XL is lovely, but it will come at a dear price. Over 3 bills, easy. I will enjoy yours from afar!

Thanks to Mr. Blonde for all the pictures (almost) every year!

[Zipper]

@Mr Blonde. Regarding the Stretch 2XL. Country of manufacturer - USA?

[p_atrick]

@Mr Blonde. Regarding the Stretch 2XL. Country of manufacturer - USA?

Gotta be Seki, right? I thought all Nishijin models came from there.

[buckleys]

Wow the FRN Native Chief is almost as light as the Benchmade Bugout, despite being longer and that back spring.

[ekastanis]

Wow the FRN Native Chief is almost as light as the Benchmade Bugout

Gotta be a typo, the Salt 2 LC200N is 1.9 oz.

[abbazaba]

Great pics and info! So glad to see this happening again, thank you!

[Larry_Mott]

Thanks for the photos, great as usual! No moose in the light box though :)