Non-spyderco spyderco-a-likes?

[metaphoricalsimile]

I'm not talking about clones or counterfeit knives, but a trend I've been seeing is companies that aren't spyderco making knives with prominent finger choils and opening holes and I think it's a tribute to just what a wonderfully functional combo that is for an EDC cutting tool. Examples:

Oz Machine Co Roosevelt:



CRKT Pilar III:



What other examples have y'all seen out in the wild?

[kennethsime]

Not to hate, because I think you have a great point, but anything other than the round hole just strikes me as inferior. I know, they work, but they just seem like a shadow of the real thing. Same goes for thumb studs, actually - nothing but an unnecessary hotspot.

That said, bring on a Magnacut Large Sebenza with a 14mm round hole and I'm dead. :D

[metaphoricalsimile]

Not to hate, because I think you have a great point, but anything other than the round hole just strikes me as inferior. I know, they work, but they just seem like a shadow of the real thing. Same goes for thumb studs, actually - nothing but an unnecessary hotspot.

That said, bring on a Magnacut Large Sebenza with a 14mm round hole and I'm dead. :D

Oh yeah, absolutely the round hole is superior to other shape holes, but also Spyderco has it on IP lockdown so other companies don't get to use it without paying Spyderco (this is my maybe-flawed understanding).

Another aspect is that Spyderco generally uses washers instead of bearings, and I prefer washers for EDC functionality.

[JRinFL]

I have noticed the same thing, lots of love for what Sal brought to the table. Not copies per se, but interpretations of Sal's design language.

[spoonrobot]

Thought this thread was going to be about something like SOG Zilla folder.

None of those knives remind me of Spyderco. The first one looks like an American Lawman iteration from Cold Steel.

[TomAiello]

It doesn't have a round hole, but the Quietcarry Drift is very Spydie-like in it's ergonomics. I keep wondering if I should remove the thumb stud and drill a round hole opener into mine. I'll have to mod the scales and lock to make it work, though.

[thebard42]

I have a Benchmade Minigrip with a round hole. Carried it for years. Turns out I like the real thing better.

[S-3 ranch]

I have a Benchmade Minigrip with a round hole. Carried it for years. Turns out I like the real thing better.

Same here round hole mini grip , it got lost and if I was to replace it I wouldn’t want one with thumb studs, hate the mini grip with studs, my favorite is a stretch 2 wish I could get one in M4 or 20cv

[kennethsime]

I have a Benchmade Minigrip with a round hole. Carried it for years. Turns out I like the real thing better.

Same here round hole mini grip , it got lost and if I was to replace it I wouldn’t want one with thumb studs, hate the mini grip with studs, my favorite is a stretch 2 wish I could get one in M4 or 20cv

The K390 Stretch will *fingers crossed* be dropping soon!

[James Y]

Back in the late ‘90s into early 2K, I used to carry a Benchmade AFCK (Advanced Folding Combat Knife). I have a full-size and a mini. It was a good knife for its time. IIRC, Benchmade licensed the round hole from Spyderco for that model. Also IIRC, Chris Caracci, who designed it, claimed it had been based on the Spyderco Police model, but he wanted it with a liner lock and a more combat-designed grip.

Jim