Cruwear micarta Bushcraft/Proficient

[kennethsime]

I feel reassured by everyone else's positive comments about the polish. I'm in for it; especially in green. :-)

[bigboned]

polish away Sal

[curlyhairedboy]

While studying the possibility of a Micarta / Cruwear Proficient, and working up quotes, we learned that the best way to make the model is to polish the handle like the Bushcraft and the Carbon handle of the S90 version. The original plan was to bead blast the Micarta, but that creates other problems. SSssoooo....Is a polished handle a deal breaker for those interested in this version? Should we abandon the project?

sal

not a deal breaker for me, Sal. I'll blast it myself :)

[JuPaul]

I feel reassured by everyone else's positive comments about the polish. I'm in for it; especially in green. :-)

Yes to green! My favorite color. :D

[DSH007]

I would still be interested! :)

[michaelm466]

Polished is fine with me!

[Dazen]

I feel reassured by everyone else's positive comments about the polish. I'm in for it; especially in green. :-)

Yes to green! My favorite color. :D

Polished and Green...”If you build it they will come!” Plus, it will fit nicely in my new sheath :D

[Skidoosh]

I'd love to have a blank available to play with.

[Pancake]

Its so sad that even right now I know that this will be outside my price range


I would love to see something like a Proficient in a affordable package.

[sal]

Hi Pancake,

What would you consider affordable? These days, it seems that affordable means made in China.

sal

[ChrisinHove]

How has the Bow River fared, sales wise? Isn’t that a budget Sprig?

I like the idea of the same knife in both affordable and premium versions, so even skint folk can enjoy good design - a budget Proficient style Bushcraft blade would be very appealing until I could afford the full monty.

[bearfacedkiller]

Here we go again.

I obviously don’t represent the market because the South Fork did not sell well and the Bow River appears to be selling well. I bought a Southfork and did not buy a Bow River.

If this knife moves towards a budget knife I am out. I already wish it could be made in Golden, moving it to mainland China with 8cr13 would 100% be a deal breaker.

That said, if that is what folks really want then go for it. I just want Spyderco to succeed and I already have all my knife needs covered.

[marty_bill_]

I'm so in on fixed blade Spyderco in Cruwear!

[JuPaul]

Here we go again.

I obviously don’t represent the market because the South Fork did not sell well and the Bow River appears to be selling well. I bought a Southfork and did not buy a Bow River.

If this knife moves towards a budget knife I am out. I already wish it could be made in Golden, moving it to mainland China with 8cr13 would 100% be a deal breaker.

That said, if that is what folks really want then go for it. I just want Spyderco to succeed and I already have all my knife needs covered.

It seems like there are other US-made fixed blades with micarta and cruwear in the $175-$250 price range. I'd definitely bite in that range.

[sal]

This happens to be my project and has been since the original "Bushcraft", That UK Ken asked us to make. Then the "Proficient", which was the result of Forumites asking for a more Modern version than Spalted Maple or G-10 with O1, but with Chris Claycomb's excellent handle design. So we made the Proficient with CPM-S90V and solid Carbon fiber. We jokingly called it the "NASA version", A real classic that I personally bought 10 of to use as gifts in the future, as it probably won't go more than one run.

Then Darby started talking about a version with more of an all around user with less expensive materials then the Proficient. That's how we ended up with Micarta and CPM Cruwear. We're currently involved in getting a quote for that version. I don't know if it will be much cheaper, but I'm with you on the version. The tooling for the Claycomb handle was expensive as was the actual machining. If we can make it and cost works out, I think it will be another Classic.

sal

[sal]

Hi Julia,

The engineering was done in Taichung. Quite a bit of work and the tooling and machining was also done in Taichung. I don't think it would be fair to take away the project from the maker after all of their investment in the work being done there, besides their great skill.

We try very hard to be a loyal and an honorable company. Not as common as you'd think these days.

On another point. We put a plastic sleeve in the original sheath to keep the knife from going through the sheath. The sheath is quite thick so I removed the sleeve from my sheath because I prefer the knife to sit lower in the sheath. Chris Claycomb also felt it would be more secure sitting lower. Your out in the bush with this knife and losing it would be a real problem.

I told the maker to leave the sleeve out of this version. What are your thoughts?

sal

[marty_bill_]

I say no sleeve. Sitting lower in sheath is definitely something I prefer. But I also appreciate the pocket sheaths. Like at Knivesshipfree. Those things are awesome and work so well. I'd definitely appreciate something more along those lines than a sheath on the belt.

[legOFwhat?]

For me personally I love the way the Proficient sits down in that leather sheath.

[sal]

Hi LegOF,

You prefer the way it sits down in the sheath with or without the sleeve? Without the sleeve, it sits lower, but it' not as convenient to retrieve.

sal

[JuPaul]

Hi Julia,

The engineering was done in Taichung. Quite a bit of work and the tooling and machining was also done in Taichung. I don't think it would be fair to take away the project from the maker after all of their investment in the work being done there, besides their great skill.

We try very hard to be a loyal and an honorable company. Not as common as you'd think these days.

On another point. We put a plastic sleeve in the original sheath to keep the knife from going through the sheath. The sheath is quite thick so I removed the sleeve from my sheath because I prefer the knife to sit lower in the sheath. Chris Claycomb also felt it would be more secure sitting lower. Your out in the bush with this knife and losing it would be a real problem.

I told the maker to leave the sleeve out of this version. What are your thoughts?

sal

Of course. Brain fart: I'd just forgotten the model was made in Taichung rather than Golden. I have no bias there - both factories produce knives that I love.

As for the sheath, I'm with the others above: I'd prefer the deeper fit without the sleeve. I've also had issues with hard plastic sleeves scratching up a knife. I'm sure Taichung took greater care to smooth any rough edges on their sleeves, but I'd still rather just have leather.