Colors

[Doc Dan]

I don't think black is dead. I think it is probably the most popular color for knife handles. I don't hate it, I just get tired of it, sometimes. I prefer earth tones, no matter if blue, red, orange, brown, green, I want them in earth tones. The exception is for high visibility, where safety yellow and orange are my favorites. I also like translucent colors and they would seem best with more vibrant colors, or richer colors than earth tones.

I know some of you feel the same way, but others have different preferences. What do you all think?

[Ranger_Ike]

When it comes to FRN or g10, if I’m buying a black knife it has to have a black blade. That’s the only reason I didn’t pull the trigger on the stretch xl.

This is for two reasons. First, because it’s too “normal” for me. Secondly, it helps keep my collection in check. On the downside, there a quite a few knives I miss out on.

When it comes to colors I tend to gravitate towards blue. I like the k390 blue/green color, but don’t buy steels that aren’t stainless either, so I don’t have any yet. I also like earth tones, as you mentioned. Flat dark earth, OD green, I love the foliage green color spyderco used on the delica and Endura. I’m not big on purples, orange, yellow, or pinks. Grays are ok with me too.

[Sharp Guy]

I tend to agree about black handles. It's been used as the color for the base knives for a long time. So a lot of enthusiasts just get tired of it, myself included. But just because I wanted a little color in my knife life didn't mean I got rid of all my black-handled knives altogether. Some of my best versions of Spyderco models have been base models with black handles. I still have a few and still enjoy using and carrying them. Along with those I also have a variety of different colors handles. I have several knives with different blues, a whole bunch of red ones, several with orange, some tan, brown, and several with green. I like variety. So I enjoy having different colors just as much as I like having a lot of different models, locks, blade shapes, and handle materials

[spydergoat]

The color options are something I've always liked about Spyderco since I started using them. I prefer to avoid buying black handles when possible. The color is fun and a little unique. My favorite is the racing green. I think the only black handle I currently own is the Waterway.

[RustyIron]

Red and bright blue.
Black is my last choice.

[kennethsime]

Black is boring.

I like olive green the very best. Then other shades of green. Then other earth tones.

After that, my tastes vary. Teal is nice. Burnt orange is nice. Raw Tianium is nice.

[warriorsociologist]

I was NOT a fan of the "mint green" scales on the CMP-M4 Native V I just got in from BladeHQ, so while its blade was taking a bath to darken up, the scales were given the dark green RIT dye treatment. Here's the result -- I'm looking forward to it lightening up just a bit. Perhaps I'll leave it on the deck for a while the next sunny day we have. I also think I might leave the pocket clip off of this one.

[blueblur]

Yes.

I really like what they did with the siren; mostly black, discreet, but with some nice blue inner liners. Classy. We need more of this.

Earth tones are also great. I really enjoy the “dull” blue of the vtoku series. I carry that Endura more than any other knife in my rotation mostly because of just liking the color but also how well it blends in to a pair of jeans. It just strikes the right balance of being a different color, but blending well when it needs to. We need more of this.

I also enjoy the brighter colors, like the st. Nicks colors and the bright orange knives as it helps spice things up, but in general, colors and contrast are a good thing. I wish more of the standard models had different color options other than black.

[jwbnyc]

The Blue of the K390 Seki series is really nice.

The Teal Manix2 LW SPY27 is so, so, nice also.

I was surprised at how much I liked the Salt Yellow too.

[Doc Dan]

Yeah, the Salt yellow is pretty nice. I'd like it a tad lighter in shade, but I like it fine the way it is.

The SPY27 M2 LW color is amazing, I agree.

I like purple, too, but I prefer a desert (not dessert) purple, or earthy purple.

[mikey177]

I am okay with a black handle if it's the only option available for a design that I like, such as most collaborations and new models. I'd rather get a variant in black than wait for a sprint or exclusive that may never materialize if the base model has poor sales.

The colors that are instant deal breakers for me are natural G10 and toxic green. My favorite colors are blue and gray.

[kobold]

I also like colors more than black, but I will buy aftermarket scales whenever I can (but the Chaps) anyway. Nothing beats burls in my book.

[ZrowsN1s]

Blue/Green, Burgundy. I agree with Black handle Black blade preference. Although as an outlier the Stonewash S30V Shaman remains an absolute favorite. The stonewash and the smooth contured G-10 elevate it beyond the 'Base Model' look.

[Diamondback]

I'm OK with the Seki FRN Black, but do like variety as well. For instance I am very fond of the turquoise S30v Endura and the sprint Ivory straight spine Stretch. I also like the green on the new Salt line, although I don't own one; matter of time, I think.

I agree that black G-10 look on blue liners look swell. Of course real wood burl is eye-catching and very elegant.

[juggler]

I will only buy a black knife if (1) the blade is also black or (2) the handle is carbon fiber. Otherwise it's a no go.

I mostly like vivid colors but the K390 blue is great and I would love to see some BRG again (preferably not as dark as it is on the ZDP-189 knives... which are almost black ).

[ladybug93]

i learned when i bought my hershey's chocolate brown manix that color is not that important. this was further solidified by a bright yellow dragonfly salt, an even brighter yellow native salt, and then again by a caribbean. i don't even like yellow. i'd rather have a knife i like in a color i don't prefer than the other way around.
there's nothing wrong with black. and while i like what i like, i understand it's not a viable business model to make a bunch of odd colors that won't sell when most people just want a black handle that doesn't draw attention. if you are letting great knife designs pass you by because they have black handles, i'm guessing you've already got quite the collection and that's why you feel okay in passing on them. that's fine, obviously, but the majority of regular users are not in that position and they probably prefer black.
we've seen some good models go the way of the dodo (literally) over these kinds of preferences. it sounds like it's happening again right now to the rockjumper, which should be the perfect replacement to the delica. basically everything about it is an upgrade over the delica, but people aren't buying it because it's only got a black handle and only in vg10. not only will spyderco stop making it, but they might not make more models with those new design features, thinking that's why it didn't sell.
obviously, spend your money how you want and build your collection how you want. i just can't imagine passing up great knives because of a black handle. it's not like it's some hideous color that's going to make you nauseated to see every time you use it like these translucent urine yellow handles people keep asking for around here for some reason.

[Ranger_Ike]

i learned when i bought my hershey's chocolate brown manix that color is not that important. this was further solidified by a bright yellow dragonfly salt, an even brighter yellow native salt, and then again by a caribbean. i don't even like yellow. i'd rather have a knife i like in a color i don't prefer than the other way around.
there's nothing wrong with black. and while i like what i like, i understand it's not a viable business model to make a bunch of odd colors that won't sell when most people just want a black handle that doesn't draw attention. if you are letting great knife designs pass you by because they have black handles, i'm guessing you've already got quite the collection and that's why you feel okay in passing on them. that's fine, obviously, but the majority of regular users are not in that position and they probably prefer black.
we've seen some good models go the way of the dodo (literally) over these kinds of preferences. it sounds like it's happening again right now to the rockjumper, which should be the perfect replacement to the delica. basically everything about it is an upgrade over the delica, but people aren't buying it because it's only got a black handle and only in vg10. not only will spyderco stop making it, but they might not make more models with those new design features, thinking that's why it didn't sell.
obviously, spend your money how you want and build your collection how you want. i just can't imagine passing up great knives because of a black handle. it's not like it's some hideous color that's going to make you nauseated to see every time you use it like these translucent urine yellow handles people keep asking for around here for some reason.

I mean this with no disrespect, but have to ask… does it seem like a contradiction for most people prefer black handles, yet the rockjumper fail from people not buying it because of it being only offered in black?

Do you think the success of a model depends on both the “regular” users AND the “collector” type people? Or do you believe one group or the other, alone, could create enough sales to make a successful model?

Do you think any given model, regardless of its color, could be good enough to stand on its own in todays market? Or do you think there are so many options that are so close, sales would be lost to other models that have more color variations?


Once again, I mean no disrespect, and hope this doesn’t come across as such. Just simply asking.

[JonLeBlanc]

I'm okay with black if the scales are carbon fiber, but otherwise I agree, for G-10 I want a little color.

[TkoK83Spy]

I guess I'm kind of all over the place on colors and how my tastes have evolved. I think the brightest color I would accept on a knife these days is the BBS blue. I had the Para 3 a few years ago, and I liked that shade of blue. I also used to THINK I would like that Cutlery Shoppe orange. It sure is vibrant, but carrying those colored G10 scales in work pants in a dirty environment was a disaster. Those scales would get dirty just from being in my pocket for a few hours, even if I hadn't used the knife yet!

I agree with blueblur...That V-toku series of blue is oddly one of my favorites as well. I don't know what it is, but I really like it a lot on my Dragonfly. Yet change the shade just a bit to the K390 blue, and I don't like that??

Red and Rex45 burnt orange are also a couple favorites of mine, but I'm with a few others...I primarily like the earth tones and grey's.

Black is not something I seek out, which is actually kind of odd because I always wear black fitted hats, black sneakers, black wheels on my truck, etc. The only knife I had in my collection that HAD a black handle was my Matriarch, not a typical edc knife...but it's badass and a gift from my wife, so it stays. I said HAD because I actually just got a new knife that arrived yesterday. A black handled knife, that I sought out. Black FRN at that I sought it out because I wanted to try this design and my love of wharnies...I absolutely love this little guy and have no regrets!

[JRinFL]

Even though the World is moving to a very much reduced plastic world, Japanese Spydercos are moving to an all plastic state. If we are going to be stuck with FRN, it might as well come in less boring colors.
Spyderco’s blue pallet is great and I’d like to see them expand the green, brown, and grey pallets.