The IMPALA: The Ultimate Spyderco Hunter/Folder

[endgame]

I luv my impala

[JD Spydo]

I luv my impala

Everyone I've talked to that has ever owned an IMPALA model loves it. It was during my economic down time in 09 and 2010 that I had to sell some of my Spyders to keep the ship afloat. And unfortunately my three Impala models all brought very good money so they were some of the first to be sold. But now that things are getting stable again I can't wait to get my hands on another IMPALA model. Personally my favorite is the combo edge with the guthook. But like the one Brother said I would also have to have a full PE model as well.

As far as the color of the handle>> hey I don't care but I would like it if they would do something like blue, brown or even burgundy G-10. I wouldn't even be oposed to a nuclear/toxic color if it were to come back in the H-1 Salt Series. I do want a grippy handle because field dressing wild game or cleaning fish is wet and slick work so you need all the grip you can get. A nice belt sheath made specifically for the IMPALA would be a nice addition for the outdoor hunting and fishing crowd.

[D-Roc]

I would be happy to see it return as it was before, same steel, everything.
I'm certain the VG-10 (that's what I think mine is, haven't looked in a while) still holds up for any outdoor use.
Can't see the FFG with guthook though.

[BadFish]

One of my top three favorite spyderco's

[JD Spydo]

I would be happy to see it return as it was before, same steel, everything.
I'm certain the VG-10 (that's what I think mine is, haven't looked in a while) still holds up for any outdoor use.
Can't see the FFG with guthook though.

I can go along with that. Because if we had to get either a Sprint or a return of the IMPALA in the same format as we had with the original that would be big to me as well.

But please don't lobby against the guthook because there is about an equal amount of IMPALA fans who actually like the guthook and myself being one of them. The fact that the IMPALA was the only Spyderco model that had a guthook in a way adds to it's appeal and uniqueness. So please make both variants available to whoever wants them.

But on the other hand it would kind of have some appeal if they did the IMPALA like they did the earlier Spyderhawk model and have a different handle color for different variants. But if it comes down to getting it back exactly like we had it in the original edition then I will still love to have it back.

[BadFish]

Gut hook is mandatory.

[JD Spydo]

Gut hook is mandatory.

EXactly!! it only stands to reason that if this is the only Spyder ever to have had a guthook then why wouldn't you want the Sprint or re-introduction to have a choice of a guthook or if you prefer then not to have one. I am sort of surprised that Spyderco hasn't offered a guthook version of one of their fixed blade models.

Either make it equal or improve on the original model if it is to be brought back as a Sprint or re-introduction. I would be glad to see a full fledged "hunter/folder" in the main line up again.

[SpyderNut]

Hey JD, I'm glad to hear there's still a little love out there for the ol' Impala. I've not carred mine for several years, but I do take it out and admire it on occasion. Mine is the CE with gut-hook version. After seeing the Impala, a friend of mine once asked me what it would look like to see a gut-hook on a Persian. I drew up a sketch of the large Persian and added the gut-hook from the Impala. It actually didn't look too bad. However, I tend to think the drop-point blade on the Impala lends itself better to the gut-hook design vs. the trailing point blade on the Persian. Regardless, I am completely on board to see another run of the gut-hook version of the Impala. I think a lot of folks here would truly enjoy having a knife like this. Maybe we could see the Sprint in orange G-10? :D

[JD Spydo]

Hey JD, I'm glad to hear there's still a little love out there for the ol' Impala. I've not carred mine for several years, but I do take it out and admire it on occasion. Mine is the CE with gut-hook version. After seeing the Impala, a friend of mine once asked me what it would look like to see a gut-hook on a Persian. I drew up a sketch of the large Persian and added the gut-hook from the Impala. It actually didn't look too bad. However, I tend to think the drop-point blade on the Impala lends itself better to the gut-hook design vs. the trailing point blade on the Persian. Regardless, I am completely on board to see another run of the gut-hook version of the Impala. I think a lot of folks here would truly enjoy having a knife like this. Maybe we could see the Sprint in orange G-10? :D

That would be rather interesting to see a guthook on a Persian model>> there are actually three of the newer models I've thought that would be nice with a guthook and one being the Tatanka model and another one would be the Slysz Bowie.

I'm still wondering why they didn't at least do one of their great fixed blades with a Guthook :confused: If there were to ever bring back my all time favorite fixed blade and that being the FB05 Temperance 1 model then I would sure like to see what that model would be like with a guthook.

the IMPALA would right now be my pick for a Sprint Run or re-introduction. But the guthook needs to be available because it was one guthook I actually used a couple of times and it was designed to work well if kept sharp.

[Paulsmp]

The Impala is my only Spyderco I bought Second Hand....... Still love it, even though I did not use the gut hook once. What about Elmax as a Steel for a Sprint run? Holds a Sharp Edge and (supposedly) will not rust even during tough hunting trips? :rolleyes:

Would definitely go for 2 (1 each of my Outdoor vehicles)

[JD Spydo]

The Impala is my only Spyderco I bought Second Hand....... Still love it, even though I did not use the gut hook once. What about Elmax as a Steel for a Sprint run? Holds a Sharp Edge and (supposedly) will not rust even during tough hunting trips? :rolleyes:

Would definitely go for 2 (1 each of my Outdoor vehicles)

I would have no objections to ELMAX for a blade steel. That would probably jazz up the marketing aspect of it and would entice a lot of newer Spyderco fans to jump on the bandwagon. Anything to give it more market appeal because I would most certainly want this to be winner for Spyderco as well as being a great Sprint run for all of us who love that model.

If Spyderco were to start production on this by let's say August of this year it would be a big winner with fall hunting seasons just right around the corner. The timing couldn't be any better for target marketing the outdoor sector. Not to mention all the Spyderheads that would want it for collecting purposes. Or just to have a EDC folder that's a bit different.

[chuckd]

I have always been interested in the Impala, being that it is the only model with a guthook,but I just don't particularly want to use a folder for that task. I think a mule with a gut hook would be pretty fantastic and would finally get one though!

[tvenuto]

What about Elmax as a Steel for a Sprint run? Holds a Sharp Edge and (supposedly) will not rust even during tough hunting trips? :rolleyes:

2 things:

Elmax is not rustproof as far as I know. I'm not sure it's better than VG10 in corrosion resistance, but it might be.

VG-10 is a Japanese steel, which are used on Japanese models. Elmax is an American made steel which can be used on models made here or shipped to producers in other countries. However, the Japanese express the strong preference to use their own steel, and as such, Spyderco is generally limited in what steels are offered by Japanese models. Thus, a change to Elmax would also be a change in country of origin, and might be more logistically difficult than just having the original producer do a run, but then it may not be. Just realize that when you request a US steel on a Japanese knife you're also requesting a change in country of origin.

[SpyderNut]

What about Elmax as a Steel for a Sprint run? Holds a Sharp Edge and (supposedly) will not rust even during tough hunting trips? :rolleyes:

2 things:

Elmax is not rustproof as far as I know. I'm not sure it's better than VG10 in corrosion resistance, but it might be.

VG-10 is a Japanese steel, which are used on Japanese models. Elmax is an American made steel which can be used on models made here or shipped to producers in other countries. However, the Japanese express the strong preference to use their own steel, and as such, Spyderco is generally limited in what steels are offered by Japanese models. Thus, a change to Elmax would also be a change in country of origin, and might be more logistically difficult than just having the original producer do a run, but then it may not be. Just realize that when you request a US steel on a Japanese knife you're also requesting a change in country of origin.

Well, not necessarily. :) Elmax is made by Bohler-Uddeholm Corp. out of Sweden. According to their website, they have production plants in Austria, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, USA, Brazil and Mexico and heat treatment and coating operations in key markets. (I tried to Google country of origin for Elmax, but couldn't find anything very conclusive.)

[JD Spydo]

What about Elmax as a Steel for a Sprint run? Holds a Sharp Edge and (supposedly) will not rust even during tough hunting trips? :rolleyes:

2 things:

Elmax is not rustproof as far as I know. I'm not sure it's better than VG10 in corrosion resistance, but it might be.

VG-10 is a Japanese steel, which are used on Japanese models. Elmax is an American made steel which can be used on models made here or shipped to producers in other countries. However, the Japanese express the strong preference to use their own steel, and as such, Spyderco is generally limited in what steels are offered by Japanese models. Thus, a change to Elmax would also be a change in country of origin, and might be more logistically difficult than just having the original producer do a run, but then it may not be. Just realize that when you request a US steel on a Japanese knife you're also requesting a change in country of origin.

Those are some good point you make there "tvenuto" but there are some other things to consider. First of all Spyderco is not gagged and bound to make all of it's models in Japan or anywhere else as far as that goes. Because there have been models that have been made in both manufacturing plants. The Meerkat, Renegade and Blackhawk models I know 100% for certain were made both in GOLDEN CO USA Earth and Japan. So they could make it here at GOLDEN if they so chose to do that and I bet many of us would truly like to see a hunter/folder made at the GOLDEN plant.

Do I think it's likely that they would make it GOLDEN? I sort of doubt it but you never know for sure. Bringing back a super good hunter folder like the IMPALA in a better blade steel would no doubt make it more attractive from a marketing standpoint. However I myself would go ahead and get one in VG-10 and I believe a lot of other people would as well. But it sure would be an interesting improvement if they did make it here in GOLDEN and did use one of the newer/better blade steels.

Now corrosion resistance is truly a selling point but it's not a deal killer for me and I doubt if it would be for many of the other brethren who would like to see the IMPALA model return. Actually I personally have used many Spyders with VG-10 and have even used a couple of them extensively in salt water and not had any problems to speak of. So I really don't think the corrosion resistance factor is a deal killer either. But all of us would like to see many of these Sprint models return better than what they were to begin with.

[tvenuto]

Well, not necessarily. :) Elmax is made by Bohler-Uddeholm Corp. out of Sweden. According to their website, they have production plants in Austria, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, USA, Brazil and Mexico and heat treatment and coating operations in key markets. (I tried to Google country of origin for Elmax, but couldn't find anything very conclusive.)

Ok you got me there. Doesn't change the Japanese maker point I'm making, though. As an aside, I would agree that searching for steel info isn't always as straightforward as you might think.

Those are some good point you make there "tvenuto" but there are some other things to consider. First of all Spyderco is not gagged and bound to make all of it's models in Japan or anywhere else as far as that goes. Because there have been models that have been made in both manufacturing plants. The Meerkat, Renegade and Blackhawk models I know 100% for certain were made both in GOLDEN CO USA Earth and Japan. So they could make it here at GOLDEN if they so chose to do that and I bet many of us would truly like to see a hunter/folder made at the GOLDEN plant.

Now corrosion resistance is truly a selling point but it's not a deal killer for me and I doubt if it would be for many of the other brethren who would like to see the IMPALA model return. Actually I personally have used many Spyders with VG-10 and have even used a couple of them extensively in salt water and not had any problems to speak of. So I really don't think the corrosion resistance factor is a deal killer either. But all of us would like to see many of these Sprint models return better than what they were to begin with.

Absolutely correct, and I'm aware that there have been multi-plant models, the ATR comes to mind as well (came out in both S30V and VG-10 so I assume it was made both here and there). I was just making sure everyone understands what's actually being asked when we request a Japanese-made model sprint with a non-Japanese (thanks SNut) steel. We see a lot suggestions like "OMG why no M4 Delica LOL?!" and while well-intentioned, I'm not sure everyone knows that some suggestions are less feasible than others. Obviously, I don't presume to know what the production scenarios are on discontinued models; it may be that it's actually easier to do a Golden run of a certain disco'd model because the Japanese maker doesn't have the tooling anymore anyway.

As far as corrosion resistance, I was merely correcting what appeared to be the claim that Elmax was rustPROOF, which it isn't. Corrosion resistance is high on my list of priorities for knife blades, but I know that not everyone shares that. I too can attest to VG-10 being very corrosion resistant, and I am very fond of it as a great all-around steel. I can certainly agree that improvement is positive, but I would ask these questions: "Where was the old Impala failing in use?" and then "Does a change to X steel improve the properties in question?"

So, in the end, I have no conceptual objections to a change to Elmax in a sprint Impala, even if the corrosion resistance goes down or stays the same, and the knife moves to Golden. I was just pointing out that requesting a previously Japanese made model in VG-10 to come back in Elmax would:
1. Almost certainly require a change in country of origin, which may or may not be an issue, and...
2. Not necessarily increase corrosion resistance, if that were the prime concern.

[JD Spydo]

Concerning the possible use of VG-10 if the IMPALA does come back as a Sprint Run>> it would be fine by me although I would like to see it in a newer/better blade steel just for marketing appeal and to give the fans of the IMPALA something new to try out. Because skinning and field dressing wild game can be **** even on a good blade if you hit bones or hit internal fluids which some are extremely corrosive. So with that being said you definitely want a premium steel. And I'm not at all saying that VG-10 isn't a good steel because it is and VG-10 is the blade steel most of my users have. You would have to really give me a super blade steel for me to want to change my beloved AYOOB model for instance.

But no I would be extremely thankful if Sal & Co. would give consideration to the IMPALA as a Sprint but I would want the original variants of the model like we had the first time. Because the people that liked the guthook really liked it and would buy another one for that reason alone. But I would want both PE without the guthook and CE with the guthook>> those are the two I had that I really loved and won't forget. I've been waiting for a long time for Spyderco to possibly give us another hunter folder but so far I haven't seen one yet that compares to the IMPALA by Ed Scott.

But I love all the suggestions people are giving here on the thread and I do hope we get the attention of the folks at Golden, CO. A new generation IMPALA would be more than cool and it would give a lot of the new Spyderco fans a taste of one of the older/better models. But as long as they use something at least as good as VG-10 I'll be in line to get two of them if they offer the same variants.

[D-Roc]

Definitely not against the guthook. I posted earlier in this thread saying the Impala I own is CE and guthook. I do however, feel that a guthook with FFG would definitely not appeal to me. If the Impala changed to FFG for plain edge only, I could handle that. Otherwise, with regards to the model with guthook, I want it to stay as it was design wise. Steel I'm flexible on, but on some knives, I just don't want to make a switch to FFG. I'm 50/50 on FFG. Sometimes I like it, others not at all.

I would be happy to see it return as it was before, same steel, everything.
I'm certain the VG-10 (that's what I think mine is, haven't looked in a while) still holds up for any outdoor use.
Can't see the FFG with guthook though.

I can go along with that. Because if we had to get either a Sprint or a return of the IMPALA in the same format as we had with the original that would be big to me as well.

But please don't lobby against the guthook because there is about an equal amount of IMPALA fans who actually like the guthook and myself being one of them. The fact that the IMPALA was the only Spyderco model that had a guthook in a way adds to it's appeal and uniqueness. So please make both variants available to whoever wants them.

But on the other hand it would kind of have some appeal if they did the IMPALA like they did the earlier Spyderhawk model and have a different handle color for different variants. But if it comes down to getting it back exactly like we had it in the original edition then I will still love to have it back.

[JD Spydo]

I see what you're saying D-Roc and I'm pretty much in agreement with most everything you've said>> however I do believe that offering up a variant with the Guthook would be essential for success if you are really going to target market the outdoor and hunting/fishing crowd.

As far as Full Flat Grind>> I would rather it stay the way they originally had it to begin with. There is a reason Ed Scott ( the designer) wanted that particular grind and I think it would deviate from what the knife is intended for. I personally have no qualms with the blade just the way it was to begin with and I can't see what would be gained if they changed the blade grind on it.

I do however want it to be available in full plain edge, combo edge without a guthook and a combo edge with a guthook. As far as that goes you could have a full plain edge with a guthook as well if they choose to have that many variants. But the IMPALA model is without a doubt one of Spyderco's hidden classics that you don't see get talked about much and it's fan base hasn't been very vocal about it even though there are a lot of happy owners and loyal fans of the IMPALA.

This IMPALA folder would go so good with fixed blades like the Southfork, Buschcraft and PUUKO models. It is the perfect hunters companion blade.

[D-Roc]

I'm not sure I would buy another guthook model, but I agree for sure on bringing back the Impala with guthook. It's part of why the Impala was designed in the first place. I would definitely buy a plain edge model, though. Now, I wish I had bought a plain edge model to go along with my guthook/CE.
The whole design is just completely utilitarian, in my opinion...whatever edge or if you chose with GH.