Halfneck wrote:JD - I do recall the Burgundy Jess Horn in ZDP-189. Didn't get one for whatever reason, kinda wish I had. A new version with Micarta/G10 scales would be sweet, but I'd be worried it might be priced higher than I could afford. FRN & VG-10 would hopefully keep it under $100.
I'd still prefer a full flat grind as I believe it would make it cut like a scalpel. I'd also prefer a different type of texturing to the FRN than "Jess Horn" letters in a pattern. Maybe the fish scale texture as they used on the Calypso?
Yea the only tough thing about that is the upfront cost of the mold. I personally love many of spyderco's FRN designs; they're lightweight, strong, and affordable like you mentioned. However, they have to have the volume to back up the mold cost/design, so doing a short run, or an experimental run isn't really in the cards. It seems like their tactic has been: verify popularity via G10 model, make any design tweaks in the G10, and once that's settled go for the FRN. I'm all for an older FRN sprint, but that's all predicated on having the mold still (which isn't always the case).
JD Spydo wrote:Surprised that so few have suggested one of the Hawkbills to be revamped in newer materials. I would love a G-10 Harpy with XHP or maybe even the new nitrogen based steel they made the TUSK model with.
I'm sure you're not actually that surprised, hawkbills are certainly more of a specialized blade shape. I have the USN ladybug hawkbill, but I'm not sure I'd use a larger version. Being so small, I really only use the ladybug for cutting tape or string so the limitations of a hawkbill don't show up as readily. Maybe I"m wrong about them, but I don't encounter any task that I'd rather have the hawkbill for over a more standard plain edge.
For me, I think it'd be cool do see a rookie. That always looked like a blade I'd like, but never felt like scouring the aftermarket for it. Also, I'm always open to another run of the R.