A Recurve Blade In Full SE? About Time Isn't It?

[JD Spydo]

Spyderco has an interesting history in models with "recurve" blades over the years. Some of the ones I remember are the Spyker, The KRIS, The ULIZE and the old Adventura just to name a few. My old pal Evil D and I have suggested on more than one occasion how nice it would be to have a fully serrated Recurved blade model. David and I both agree that the ULIZE model would be most ideal for the first Spyderco Recurve model with TEETH.

I'm also fond of the old SPYKER model. I really liked the handle configuration on that particular recurve model. Spyderco has offered their great serrations on a wide range of their great models and for the life of me I can't understand why they wouldn't do at least one RECURVE model with TEETH.

Maybe the ULIZE might not be the selection you would pick. So let us know if you like something different. I personally think a ULIZE or SPYKER model with a full Spyderedge would change the game entirely. The speed in which a Recurve model with TEETH could cut might get some serious attention. So would any of you all like to see a Spyderco Recurve blade fully serrated? If so which model and why?

[Evil D]

It must be something they don't think they can or don't want to do. I initially thought it wasn't possible, but the Civilian and Matriarch are basically just backwards recurves so in theory it is possible to do. I think at this point my hopes of a SE Ulize are never going to come true, but I'm betting it may have more to do with collaboration reasons and maybe low sales of the original than the ability to make it. It is surprising that Spyderco don't do many recurves in general though, even plain edge. I don't have much interest in plain edge versions but a SE recurve is a blade variant I would be really interesting in seeing even in existing models, I could see a Military 1/2 being a monster in this combo.

[twinboysdad]

The EKI Combo edge Commander is a great looking knife and shows it will sell

[JRinFL]

cOld Steel says it's possible. They made/make several recurves in full SE. I guess Spyderco has no interest in making one, which is understandable.

[zhyla]

maybe low sales of the original than the ability to make it. It is surprising that Spyderco don't do many recurves in general though, even plain edge.

Judging from the thin amount of serrated offerings from other manufacturers I think demand is low for serrated knives. And recurves aren’t in high demand either. Combining two unpopular features is tricky if you want to turn a profit.

[Evil D]

maybe low sales of the original than the ability to make it. It is surprising that Spyderco don't do many recurves in general though, even plain edge.

Judging from the thin amount of serrated offerings from other manufacturers I think demand is low for serrated knives. And recurves aren’t in high demand either. Combining two unpopular features is tricky if you want to turn a profit.

I get that but it's just hard to understand how turning the S around backwards suddenly translates into a winner with the Civilian and Matriarch. Maybe they just sell because they look aggressive.

[PeaceInOurTime]

I've been wanting to try a more extreme recurve (not reverse-S), something a bit more similar to a tracker pattern with it's drastic curve transition, either CE or SE, and with a thin ~4" blade. Would love to see this on the ARK platform.

[Coastal]

I've never thought about this before, or seen any of the prior threads. But now that I am thinking about it...What a great idea! I like recurves in general, and the Ulize is a perfect platform for serrations.

I would probably want it in VG-10 or, even better for me, linerless in H1. But VG-10 would be great. Instant purchase.

[wrdwrght]

I have the fantastic Ulize and think the recurve really adds to its cutting power.

For me the question hinges on do I want the recurve’s inherent cutting power, OR that power, PLUS?

On balance I find I don’t. But adding SE to that recurve would surely make the knife an absolute beast of a cutter.

I can’t imagine Spyderco not seeing this potential. Perhaps they think adding SE to this recurve makes it too much a specialist’s knife and thus without enough of a market.

[JD Spydo]

It must be something they don't think they can or don't want to do. I initially thought it wasn't possible, but the Civilian and Matriarch are basically just backwards recurves so in theory it is possible to do. I think at this point my hopes of a SE Ulize are never going to come true, but I'm betting it may have more to do with collaboration reasons and maybe low sales of the original than the ability to make it. It is surprising that Spyderco don't do many recurves in general though, even plain edge. I don't have much interest in plain edge versions but a SE recurve is a blade variant I would be really interesting in seeing even in existing models, I could see a Military 1/2 being a monster in this combo.

I've thought about most of those aforementioned factors myself. The only thing I can think of is that they don't think sales would be good enough. But I really do believe if they would ever try at least one Sprint Run of one of the more popular Recurve models in full SE and see the results it would for sure change their viewpoint.

Because when you see how good full SE Hawkbills cut you know that a curved blade with TEETH would perform well>> it's been proven. And as you pointed out with those Reverse S blades in full SE they already know that they would sell a few of them>> I think quite a few.

I just know deep in my gut that a fully serrated Recurve blade would easily outperform any of the plain edged Recurve blades without any doubt. This is a case of simply giving it a chance to see what results. Because historically serrations and curves do well together.

[JD Spydo]

I've never thought about this before, or seen any of the prior threads. But now that I am thinking about it...What a great idea! I like recurves in general, and the Ulize is a perfect platform for serrations.

I would probably want it in VG-10 or, even better for me, linerless in H1. But VG-10 would be great. Instant purchase.

If you ever get an old Spyderco SPYKER model in your hands you'll know for sure that it would be a cutting beast with TEETH. Because that particular model cuts really good in PE.

Just look at the difference that serrations make with the performance of Hawkbill blades. Because personally I wouldn't have a lot of use for plain edged Hawkbills myself. But I would never want to do without my fully Serrated Hawkbill models>> especially the Spyderhawk and SE Harpy models. So right there we know that curves and serrations work well together.

I say at least do one small Sprint Run of either the ULIZE or Spyker in full SE and then let the users give their reports. I think it would be a "slam-dunk".

[sal]

Hi JD,

I'll mention it to Eric but frankly, for some reason, our customer base has never responded well to recurves.

The concept of a recurve blade is to put the weight, or add more weight towards the tip of the blade. This is highly functional for chopping or in swinging a larger blade to make it a more effective cutter. On a folder, the added weight to the tip is not necessarily a plus. The khukri is a good example of the magnified force in a large knife/sword/machete.

sal

[5-by-5]

Hi JD,

I'll mention it to Eric but frankly, for some reason, our customer base has never responded well to recurves.

The concept of a recurve blade is to put the weight, or add more weight towards the tip of the blade. This is highly functional for chopping or in swinging a larger blade to make it a more effective cutter. On a folder, the added weight to the tip is not necessarily a plus. The khukri is a good example of the magnified force in a large knife/sword/machete.

sal

I hear what you're saying about a fixed blade chopper, I love Kukris.
However the recurve is great with a SE. I think the Ulize would be a perfect SE. The grip angle gives a blade forward profile like the Massad. The best Massad is absolutely the SE.

[5-by-5]

I was seriously in love with the recurve 25 years ago. I couldn't get enough of them. I really liked the Ken onion recurves but what I didn't like about the recurve and what other knife enthusiasts may not like, the sharpening is difficult. Especially the inside of the curve. Sharp maker does give you the opportunity to get a really good Edge on a recurve blade.
The special part of a serrated recurve, you're not pressed to sharpen it as much. In fact I have serrated edges that I've never sharpened before and they are incredibly effective

[Cl1ff]

Spyderco recently gained a new(ish) customer who loves recurves and that person is me.
I've only designed a "few" (actually many) recurve Spydercos in my spare time.
In my opinion, recurves have a lot of advantages in leverage, especially during pull cuts and for slicing because the curves grab and push material along the edge much like serrations. The recurve on small knives has a sweet spot where something like cardboard will funnel into and not slide off. I find it makes cuts really efficient.
They also tend to give blades a negative blade angle which helps with some kinds of cutting (Like a lot of Ed Schempp's designs).
I also think they're visually interesting.
Recurves seem to have a stigma of being "difficult to shapern", though.

[zhyla]

I get that but it's just hard to understand how turning the S around backwards suddenly translates into a winner with the Civilian and Matriarch. Maybe they just sell because they look aggressive.

I like Spyderco as a company, and I like that in general they don’t do “tacticool”, but I think the Civilian family sells in part because of the tacticool aspect.

[sal]

OK, I let Eric know of this thread. Neither Eric nor I have the time to design another new model. We're both working on many designs. SSSssooooo, Considering an existing model, that is not a collaboration (which get's more complicated), what model would you like to see with a recurve blade?

sal

[The Mastiff]

I won't carry or use recurves. The Spyker cured me of that. It was cool looking but not so great for freehand sharpening and it takes a different touch to cut in comparison to my regular carry knife.

Recall the Spyker sat on shelves forever and had to be deeply discounted at the stores that got had a lot of them. That tells me I wasn't the only one that doesn't like them. I have heard from some guys that really like them though. I'd be out on a recurve.

[Mushroom]

If it can’t be one of the collaborations with a recurve blade and it needs to be an in house design, I don’t think you could go wrong with a recurve Delica.

[Evil D]

OK, I let Eric know of this thread. Neither Eric nor I have the time to design another new model. We're both working on many designs. SSSssooooo, Considering an existing model, that is not a collaboration (which get's more complicated), what model would you like to see with a recurve blade?

sal

First choice would definitely be a Military, and since I'm sure you guys are in full swing with the Military 2 production, that might be easiest to make happen. The handle should have no problem enclosing the blade shape too. I think it needs to be a larger/longer edge to get the full benefits or the performance probably wouldn't be much different. I also think it'll work best with a design that has a bit of negative blade angle like the Military has. People have also been asking for another SE Military run and this could satisfy all of these requests.