The Nirvana blade was a fantastic blade design.

[Xformer]

Some years ago, I had the chance to own the Spyderco Nirvana. It spoiled me immensely. It wasn't the perfect knife by any means. I didn't care much about the one piece handle, it had some serious lock stick, the blade finish was unrefined and I felt uncomfortable carrying a 500$ knife on me (things have changed, you've all tainted me now).

To me, its blade shape was its best feature. Still to this day, of all the knives that I've seen, tested or carried, it has one of the best blase shape I've ever experienced for a versatile knife. Yes, it wasn't perfectly slicey, but for someone who use his knives at work and use them in rough situation, it was perfect. It's also the best looking blade design I've seen on a knife. If I think about a perfect looking blade in my mind, the Nirvana blade immediately comes to my mind. That's the impact the knife had on me. That's the knife that made me very picky about what knives I buy and carry.

I've started to browse some knives community lately and it surprised me that a lot of people seems to agree that the Nirvana blade was a fantastic design. Kind of a contrast with our small community where Sprint Run tool steels are the star of the show.

I really hope Spyderco will be able to bring back this design one day on a cheaper knife. Would be amazing to see in my opinion.

[crayon]

The Nirvana blade attached to a neutral G10 handle with a liner lock is a dream knife to me.

[Evil D]

I remember reading that it was rather thick in the edge, I'm pretty sure I even saw a regrind on one. I was really interested in the handle but it was a bit beyond my user price point.

[apollo]

I totally agree the blade of the Nirvana is one of the nicest Spyderco has ever made.
Yes it is a bit thicker as usual behind the edge but its cuts just fine , but i guess some people here go a bit over the top at times and just love to complain.

But before I digress i find that a topic like this needs a picture.

[Evil D]

Yes it is a bit thicker as usual behind the edge but its cuts just fine , but i guess some people here go a bit over the top at times and just love to complain.

I think it's safe to say that the more money is spent on literally anything, the more people will nitpick the details. It's still a cutting tool, probably should have at least been a thinner/higher hollow grind or something. I guess this starts to get into the subjectiveness of what is it really for and how do we individually enjoy it, some expect it to still be a high performance cutting tool (or even higher performance considering the price) while others enjoy the aesthetics more.

[kobold]

Maybe a bit too thick for me. I would like a Shabazz like regrind.

[Coastal]

In my opinion the Nirvana is Spyderco's all-time most attractive knife. Its price on the secondary market precludes my owning one, so instead I own a Zero Tolerance Emerson 0640, the closest thing I could find. It's also a lovely knife with a much-too-thick blade and disappointing grind geometry. Not as pretty as a Nirvana, but several hundred dollars cheaper.

I would love to see a return of the Nirvana, but anything less than the original Ti handle would be a bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, that beautiful blade with a handle and lock treatment similar to the Stretch 2XL CruWear would be an instant buy. Even if a regrind was necessary.

[Cl1ff]

It is a nice blade design, but I generally think low saber grinds like that should be nearly or actually zero-ground with a microbevel.

Just a personal preference based on my experience using a somewhat similar blade that is ground like that.

Deep hollow like the Canis or a convex to zero would work too.

I like Peter Rassenti’s design aesthetic, but it would be nice to see him and Spyderco take a design like the Nirvana in a little more of a user direction.

Basically the same design with slightly less complex/high end handle, better edge geometry, lower price.
That is what I would prefer.

Regarding a less complex handle, I just mean less expensive to machine. Whatever that would end up being, while still reflecting what Peter Rassenti wants, I’m not sure.

I think Spyderco can make some really nice and complex high end knives, like the Nirvana, but the knives that attract me the most are a little simpler.

Spyderco can nail the functionality with a knife’s geometry, materials, and operation and make it beautiful with simple contours and nice finishes.

The Slysz collabs, as well as the Advocate are good examples. These look like a sweet spot to me in functionality, finishing, and price.
In my opinion, the Shaman and Kapara are also among them. Their machining is a step up from standard peel-ply/slabs. It’s functional, but also “nice”.

If there was a Nirvana/other Rassenti collaboration at this level, I would be me much more intrigued.

I wouldn’t comment at all if I wasn’t genuinely a fan of the designs from this maker/collaborator, so I hope it’s clear I’m not criticizing what I don’t like on the Nirvana. I think it’s mostly good as is. I’m only intending to express what I enjoy because I like talking about it.

I’m under the impression there is still some ongoing collaboration between Spyderco and Rassenti on both the Paysan and a new knife that has been seen at shows(?). It would be cool if the new one is in line with what I like!

[crayon]

Its price on the secondary market precludes my owning one, so instead I own a Zero Tolerance Emerson 0640, the closest thing I could find. It's also a lovely knife with a much-too-thick blade and disappointing grind geometry.

funny you should say that - i too own a 0640 and feel exactly the same way about it, only i discovered the Nirvana after the 0640.

[Cl1ff]

I edit my posts so much I occasionally quote them accidentally…

[JSumm]

Its price on the secondary market precludes my owning one, so instead I own a Zero Tolerance Emerson 0640, the closest thing I could find. It's also a lovely knife with a much-too-thick blade and disappointing grind geometry.

funny you should say that - i too own a 0640 and feel exactly the same way about it, only i discovered the Nirvana after the 0640.

Make that 3. I saw the Nirvana and thought the 0640 was a close match too.

[apollo]

Yes it is a bit thicker as usual behind the edge but its cuts just fine , but i guess some people here go a bit over the top at times and just love to complain.

I think it's safe to say that the more money is spent on literally anything, the more people will nitpick the details. It's still a cutting tool, probably should have at least been a thinner/higher hollow grind or something. I guess this starts to get into the subjectiveness of what is it really for and how do we individually enjoy it, some expect it to still be a high performance cutting tool (or even higher performance considering the price) while others enjoy the aesthetics more.

I get what you mean about the money thing but i have seen people here complain over almost every spydie ever made. I guess this is all Sal’s fault since he spoiled us all a bit to much.
I do say i would have liked the Nirvana to have a hollow grind but at the end of the day if you have a good edge on this saber grind it does all you want it to do so i am more then happy with how it turned out.

[Fireman]

Maybe a bit too thick for me. I would like a Shabazz like regrind.

The “Shabazified” one is gorgeous

[kennethsime]

I’d love a new Nirvana run. I’d love it even more if it was cheaper.

[Brock O Lee]

The Nirvana blade shape is very similar to some of the drop point CRK's (Sebenza, Inkosi, etc). They are thinner ground with the high hollow grinds, but lack two important features, the Spydiehole and S90V...

I enjoy that blade shape very much.

[Gears_QQQ]

Nirvana! It's a unicorn among knives! I haven't seen it in person yet. 500$, funny - the only sale of 2000 $ flashed on Ebay.
I found only one collector who has this knife. How many have been released in total?

[Red Leader]

I would totally be down for a Nirvana re-release. Let’s do the Magnamax thing with it, and a little CQI tweaking on any lock stick (if it was anything like the Paysan), and we’ll have a contender for a Spyderco knife of the year.