A return to simplicity

[Liquid Cobra]

I've been thinking a lot lately about what knives in the Spyderco line up that I really like. There seems to be one thing that most of them have in common. Simplicity. That isn't to say I don't like knives that are more complicated or that are more refined with intricate detail. To give you an example of what I mean, think about knives like the Dodo, the Military, the UK Penknife. These knives are all made with thick slabs of G10 with little or no liners. Now I don't know how much affect that has on the knives strength, but I've never really read anything about a knife failing due to a lack of liners so I'm not too concerned. This is probably the reason why I really like basic titanium frame locks knives like the Slysz Bowie, the Techno and the K2. It is their simplicity and lack of parts. Two pieces of titanium and a blade. How great is that? But the problem with titanium is that it adds cost and weight where G10 is much less expensive and lighter. My affinity for simple knives probably explains my love of Spyderco's slipit lineup too. Same deal as the others mentioned above. Some FRN, a blade and a backspacer for the spring. Simple, yet effective.

I would love to see Spyderco develop some more designs like the Dodo using the ball bearing lock. That isn't to say that I want another Dodo (I do), but I want something with a similar build. Imagine a knife the size of the Gayle Bradley or Para 2 but with nice thick G10 scales without liners. If it was made with the BBL you could get away with a small backspacer to house the lock, some stand offs and a wire clip.

I have a hard time explaining exactly what I mean, but I hope I was clear enough in this post to convey what I was trying to get at.

[bearfacedkiller]

I love the Sage2 for it's simplicity. The other ti framelocks you mention have overtravel stops and steel inserts. The Sage2 has very few parts for a folding knife. Beauty in simplicity there for sure.

[Liquid Cobra]

I love the Sage2 for it's simplicity. The other ti framelocks you mention have overtravel stops and steel inserts. The Sage2 has very few parts for a folding knife. Beauty in simplicity there for sure.

I've never handled a K2 but I know the Slysz Bowie and Techno don't have over travel stops or steel inserts. I remember you mentioning the Sage 2. I still have to check it out!

[Evil D]

I'm all for less liners, or the least amount of liner necessary to get the job done. I'd like to see a knife with solid G10 scales and liners like the Manix 2 LW has that only extend around the pivot and stop pin.

One of my favorite things about the Military is that it doesn't have full length nested liners, but I fear the Military 2 will so it can have a 4 way clip. I'm probably the minority here but I would rather just have a wire clip or make it so that just enough liner extends down to the butt of the handle for no other reason than to provide clip mounting. The Military is proof that you don't need full nested liners to make a knife rigid, I can squeeze the heck out of this 52100 and the scales don't flex.

[Liquid Cobra]

I'm all for less liners, or the least amount of liner necessary to get the job done. I'd like to see a knife with solid G10 scales and liners like the Manix 2 LW has that only extend around the pivot and stop pin.

One of my favorite things about the Military is that it doesn't have full length nested liners, but I fear the Military 2 will so it can have a 4 way clip. I'm probably the minority here but I would rather just have a wire clip or make it so that just enough liner extends down to the butt of the handle for no other reason than to provide clip mounting. The Military is proof that you don't need full nested liners to make a knife rigid, I can squeeze the heck out of this 52100 and the scales don't flex.

This is also what I had in mind, well explained. Thanks Evil D!

[bearfacedkiller]

I stand corrected. Oops. :o

Anyway, I know what you mean and I totally agree.

[TargaMonteSS]

I dont think liners add to the complication of a knife. Especially if dissassembly voids the warranty. I would think a bbl would be the complicated part as far as knife parts go.

I really like simple blade shapes, they are the most useful to me. The simple sak penblade or the mercator.

[Liquid Cobra]

I dont think liners add to the complication of a knife. Especially if dissassembly voids the warranty. I would think a bbl would be the complicated part as far as knife parts go.

I really like simple blade shapes, they are the most useful to me. The simple sak penblade or the mercator.

I didn't mean to say that a liner makes a knife more complicated, just that it adds more parts, labor and therefor, cost. The feel of a linerless G10 knife in the hand is a unique one, I guess that's what I'm after. Man, they even sound different in the hand.

[SpeedHoles]

What about a return of some of the older models like the original Starmate, Terzuola, and Walker, etc that only used 1 liner?

I'd like to see a renewed Dodo type design also, but my only minor gripe is that the knife will never be able to fold up thin like a GB with that lock design.

[anagarika]

Linerless reduces components that moisture can hide. A lot of knives has corrosion between liner & scale, only to be found when disassembled.
I prefer lockback linerless. :cool:

[Liquid Cobra]

Linerless reduces components that moisture can hide. A lot of knives has corrosion between liner & scale, only to be found when disassembled.
I prefer lockback linerless. :cool:

That is another good point. I'm wondering if the lack of response to this thread is a sign that Spyderco has made the right decision by moving away from this. :o

[SpyderNut]

I think this is certainly a relevant topic, LC. Some of my all-time favorite designs feature basic construction, such as the Centofante II and original Starmate. Both of these models feature nested liners and are very lightweight (and yet durable) for their size. I would love to see more minimalistic designs featuring nested single or partial liners. I'm guessing something like this would also work well for slab-constructed Salt knives.

[Liquid Cobra]

I think this is certainly a relevant topic, LC. Some of my all-time favorite designs feature basic construction, such as the Centofante II and original Starmate. Both of these models feature nested liners and are very lightweight (and yet durable) for their size. I would love to see more minimalistic designs featuring nested single or partial liners. I'm guessing something like this would also work well for slab-constructed Salt knives.

Yes I was wondering if he Caribbean might have limited liners due to it being a salt model. Here's hoping anyway :)

[Evil D]

Where were you guys when I was begging for a linerless G10 Manix 2?

[Liquid Cobra]

I don't remember that. In all honesty I probably wasn't paying attention since the Manix isn't for me

[SpeedHoles]

I've recently been carrying and using a UKPK drop point and my new Roadie, so I can definitely appreciate this more... although in my mind the approach really only works for a few select design types.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I agree. This is one of the best parts of Spyderco knives. Take, as an example, the Caspian Salt series. All one piece.

[Doc Dan]

Where were you guys when I was begging for a linerless G10 Manix 2?

If they went back to the back lock on the Manix then a linerless G10 would be interesting in the extreme. I like the old Manix back locks, but the new ones with the CBBL I do not care for as much. I had an XL, and while I liked the overall knife I just did not like that lock. It was too stiff for one hand operation no matter what I tried. I saw another just like it. I can also see where dirt can gum up the works and keep the knife from working. If I were still jumping out of airplanes for a living I would not want a Manix because of that lock.
Now, if they went to a comp lock instead, I would be interested in that also.

[benben]

Where were you guys when I was begging for a linerless G10 Manix 2?

I was standing right there with you!

[Evil D]

Where were you guys when I was begging for a linerless G10 Manix 2?

If they went back to the back lock on the Manix then a linerless G10 would be interesting in the extreme. I like the old Manix back locks, but the new ones with the CBBL I do not care for as much. I had an XL, and while I liked the overall knife I just did not like that lock. It was too stiff for one hand operation no matter what I tried. I saw another just like it. I can also see where dirt can gum up the works and keep the knife from working. If I were still jumping out of airplanes for a living I would not want a Manix because of that lock.
Now, if they went to a comp lock instead, I would be interested in that also.

Well, you'd be surprised how much the dirt thing isn't true. I can show you a video of a guy packing his with mud and it still works. But, it isn't for everyone. I've never had one I couldn't operate one handed but I do wish they took less effort to operate, more like the bolt lock for example. If they made one with the same construction as the LW but with solid G10 and a back lock I would still be interested.