Spyder Classics: The C-57 Zowada

[JD Spydo]

I want to start a new series talking about many of the older Spyderco models. I want to be able chat about past models that many of us just can't let go of. Also I want to share this knowledge with many of my new Brethren here at Spyderville about the great older models that most of them have never been aware of. These are models that got us to where we are at now here at Spyderville with the evolution of what made Spyderco famous to begin with.. I have gone on record saying several times over the years that my personal favorite time slot in Spyderco history has been what I've affectionately called "The GOLDEN ERA Of Spyders (1998-2004). During that time slot several of my very favorite Spyderco models were introduced to the line up and making Spyder-History.

We've just recently had great success with a thread about the C-60 Ayoob model which was also out of that time slot as well. And I'm hoping this will generate interest in many of the models that got Spyderco the respect it has enjoyed in the cutlery markets.

The first model I want to talk about in this new Spyder Classics series is the C-57 Zowada model. It was a model with a spear point blade and it was available in CE & PE. It also came in two classic blade steels which were AUS-8 and VG-10. I always thought the Zowada was a great mid sized EDC model that everyone would like. OK let's chat about the C-57 Zowada model and see where this new series goes from here.

[Eee]

Thanks for starting this one. I always wanted one of the CF sprint runs, but I hadn’t realized, they came in CE too. Was that the older Micarta version? I love learning about the older models

[Reject]

How could I forgotten about the :o C56 Tim Zowada in the last thread.

[JD Spydo]

How could I forgotten about the :o C56 Tim Zowada in the last thread.

I can't believe I got that model # wrong :o I probably need to be taken out to the woodshed for that one :o AS much of an Old School Spyder fan as I profess to be. But at least people know the one I'm talking about.

It's one of the more unique Spyderco models for that time. And I often wondered why they never offered that model in full SE when at that time they were offering almost everything that they made in full SE.

I would love to have an AUS-8 Zowada as a beater. Don't ask me why because it might take a few pages to answer that one :o So Sorry for the misprint. I'm hoping Ms. Kristi might be kind enough to fix it :)

[prog_knife]

How could I forgotten about the :o C56 Tim Zowada in the last thread.

Hey Reject, this is interesting: your micarta/AUS-8 Zowada differs from mine. Mine is pinned! Slightly different arrangement of attachment points, too.

[Reject]

:) You are too honest a man JD.

It was more of a hint than a correction. So; :D when you did a quick edit on your post, my comment would still have relevance to your thread. :p No one would have noticed.

Unfortunately, :o it is a bit late to go back and correct my grammar.

[Reject]

How could I forgotten about the :o C56 Tim Zowada in the last thread.

Hey Reject, this is interesting: your micarta/AUS-8 Zowada differs from mine. Mine is pinned! Slightly different arrangement of attachment points, too.

D84A388D-6985-44CA-AEF5-34C2A6A59CE8.jpeg

:) Interesting. Looking at Spydiewiki; the PS the first run.

C56BMPS Black beadblasted Micarta PS AUS-8 1999-2000 146.95$ (1999) First run C56. 1200? Hollow 3- screw old standard clip RH TD Main

C56BMP Black beadblasted Micarta PE VG-10 2001-2002 146.95$ (2001), 154.95$ (2002) Second run C56. ? Hollow 3- screw old standard clip RH TD N/A


C56CFP CF PE VG-10 2010 219.95$ (2010) Sprintrun 1200? Hollow black 3- screw old standard clip RH TD Variant

[JD Spydo]

Only the most avid and most dedicated of Spyder-Heads probably remember that they did a Sprint Run of this ZOWADA model with a CF handle back around 2011-12. My old boss and his best friend bought both of the ones I got with CF handles when I really needed money badly. I do really regret not at least keeping one of those.

When you think about it the ZOWADA model is just about perfect for places that have really strict knife laws. The blade length on this model is legal in more jurisdictions in the USA. Also Spearpoint blades seem to make really nice EDC knives in most cases.

The handle has a nice contour that could fit big or even small hands in many cases. It was a great model during that time period.

[prog_knife]

:) Interesting. Looking at Spydiewiki; the PS the first run.

C56BMPS Black beadblasted Micarta PS AUS-8 1999-2000 146.95$ (1999) First run C56. 1200? Hollow 3- screw old standard clip RH TD Main

C56BMP Black beadblasted Micarta PE VG-10 2001-2002 146.95$ (2001), 154.95$ (2002) Second run C56. ? Hollow 3- screw old standard clip RH TD N/A


C56CFP CF PE VG-10 2010 219.95$ (2010) Sprintrun 1200? Hollow black 3- screw old standard clip RH TD Variant

First run seems right. I have a different model designation though: “C56PS” rather than “C56BMPS”. Maybe an early aberration because it’s a collector’s club knife? Here are the box and the serialization on the blade:

[JuPaul]

Awesome model, and very cool idea for a series of threads, JD. I hope you do lots more! I love seeing these older models and learning more about them.

[JD Spydo]

Awesome model, and very cool idea for a series of threads, JD. I hope you do lots more! I love seeing these older models and learning more about them.

With the astounding results we recently had on the C-60 Ayoob thread it just makes perfect sense to let all the newer folks get up to speed on many of these older "Ultra-Classic" Spyderco models. And in the GOLDEN ERA of SPYDERS 1998-2004 there sure are a lot of them to do threads with. But I probably won't stop there at the GOLDEN ERA either :D

And this gives a new person a knowledge they can be armed with if they see any of these at Estate Sales, Pawn Shops, Thrift Stores and several other places old stuff is sold. I sure got a hefty drawer full of top quality, German made kitchen knives when our newer thrift store opened here in my home town a couple of years back >> most of them I didn't pay more than $2 for. But with these older Spyders and other nice cutlery you've got to know what it is you're looking for and you most certainly make a great point. Yes I'll do more of these threads for sure :)

It just doesn't seem that long ago when they did the CF Sprint Run of this Zowada>> but go try to find one now if you can>> I haven't seen one of the CF Zowada models since about 2015 I think it was :rolleyes: . Those CF Zowada models got gobbled up pretty fast.

[bearrowland]

Great idea JD! I love classic Spyderco knives.

[Evil D]

Put me down for a Zowada XL. :D

[JD Spydo]

Put me down for a Zowada XL. :D

Actually that is a model that I've suggested in the past would be great in a larger size. It's been at least 3 to 4 years ago when I suggested it in a larger size but I do remember it well.

I would also love a full Spyderedged version of the Zowada as well. Heck if they could make the C-50 Centofante in full SE then why couldn't they do one with the Zowada model as well >> that is if we can get a Sprint Run for this beauty too.

But most certainly this would be a great model in a bigger version. Most people call out for smaller versions of older models. But it's high time to call for some larger versions as well

[JD Spydo]

As far as I know the ZOWADA and the C-50 Centofante were the only two Spear point models that I can say were "true spear point" blades. Unless I'm overlooking a model?

Being I tend to gravitate to blades that are more narrow as a general rule the Zowada is just right up my alley :) Now the C-60 Ayoob has a narrow blade but it's far from being a true spear point. That time period of the late 90s and early 2000s sure had some really super nice classic models during that time slot.

The Little Brother of the C-50 Centofante which was the C-25 which was a smaller version of the same design was really nice as well. Both of those models were really abundant at one point. Now it's a major job to locate one at all.

[The Mastiff]

I like the looks better than I do the feel of this one. Still, if one is a Spyderco collector this one is a classic.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

The EuroEdge also has a spear point blade. Here’s my Zowada (also recently sold, to Rich the Candyman I believe) with the bead-blasted Micarta scales. I am definitely not as fond of that particular finish on the Micarta compared to the more buffed and polished type on the J.D. Smith, Calypso, etc. Here’s also what the back side of this one looks like. Cheers, Radioactive

[JD Spydo]

The EuroEdge also has a spear point blade. Here’s my Zowada (also recently sold, to Rich the Candyman I believe) with the bead-blasted Micarta scales. I am definitely not as fond of that particular finish on the Micarta compared to the more buffed and polished type on the J.D. Smith, Calypso, etc. Here’s also what the back side of this one looks like. Cheers, Radioactive

At one time I owned each one of those GOLDEN ERA classics you have listed. The fate of that big Calypso model was kind of sad and a victim of bad timing. Because the big C-54 Calypso was far more important in Spyder-History that most of us realize. It was thee first folder with VG-10. So I've been told a couple of times and I'm pretty sure that's accurate. That big Calypso in SE is one of my top 3 favorite Spyders with TEETH :cool:

There was indeed something special with all of the Spyders with that handle you mentioned. However when they did the Sprint Run of the Zowada with the Carbon Fiber scales it sure took it up a few notches in my ratings. Why not another Sprint Run of the Zowada when the C-60 Sprint Run subsides?