What do you see differently about Spyderco than other companies.

[Brock O Lee]

Sal, a founder and CEO that engages directly with his customer base.
An extraordinary understanding of ergonomics.

I'd add, owners who are not just business people, but also knife afi's, steel junkies and and edge nerds!

[Bearcat1]

I like that before they made sharp things they made things to makes knifes sharp.

They have good customer service.

Sal and Eric really enjoy experimenting and bringing new steels to market.

Sal is always contributing to the form and tries to make the world a better place.

[Wolf Hedegaard]

Community involvement (Sal was even active on Cliff’s forum. I’m the same Wolfgang from there)

Listening to what the customers would like to see, and seriously considering it.

Willing to experiment with steels, geometries, shapes, etc.

Sprint runs.

Mules.

Collaboration with others and taking suggestions for improvements or trying different steels.

CQI.

Lightweight models of the regular versions…

…I like these for three main reasons: 1) I really like the lightweight models on their own merit; 2) They offer a slightly cheaper alternative of the same knife model/steel so it doesn’t cost as much to experiment with various steels if that’s your thing; 3) Depending on the colors and a persons preference, they can really look quite nice.


Side notes:

I’d like to see a higher hardness (~64hrc) carbon steel like 1095, O1, or 52100 added as a standard steel (with DLC coating) to some models: PM2, Manix2, Native5, Native Chief, specifically.

These are good steels that can take an extremely refined apex and obtain far higher performance than is common in the industry which generally run them well below 60hrc. They’re also cheaper than CPM, CTS etc.

I have a sprint run Manix2 in 52100 and I don’t use it near as much as I’d like as I don’t want to wear it out. I regret not buying half a dozen of them.

I’d also like to see a new range with a thinner behind the edge thickness on some models (same as above) in steels S30V level and below (due to carbides, it would be pointless on anything higher). It could be marketed as Spydercos “super high performance” range or similar. It wouldn’t be for everyone, I get it; but I have reason to believe it would have a huge following among the sharpening and performance oriented enthusiasts such as myself.
Regardless, I always thin mine down as soon as I get them anyways. Initially, I blend the flat to the apex in a very shallow convex then apply a true micro bevel at 12-14°ps. It does overall widen the bevel but it also significantly thins it and so performance increases dramatically. Over time as it thickens I will eventually do a full regrind.


For the record, the only folding knives I actually own are all Spyderco (13 of them). I don’t include Swiss Army knives as folders as they’re a utility tool with multiple functions.

[Landshark99]

I was not a huge Spyderco fan until I started to appreciate their and my desire to experiment with a lot of steels you do not see elsewhere on a production knife, pushing designs on geometries and shapes, community involvement, basicialy their approach to knives as a whole

[sal]

Hi Landshark,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[SpyderEdgeForever]

For me it is a combination of factors.

I love the amazing people behind the company. They are the foundation of Spyderco. Sal, Gail, Eric, Kristi, Michael, and all the other employees and associates and everyone involved.Thank you for caring enough to directly communicate with we customers.

I love their commitment to excellent quality material and mechanisms and designs that are thoughtful and practical and they try to do their best to keep prices economical for us within the parameters of keeping a knife company running in today's world.

In this world we all share, there is much talk. We are told to walk in the shoes of others and be not just hearers and speakers but doers. Sal and company do just that. They put these great things into action.

Thank you!

[Bill1170]

Agree, EvilD nailed it, as did Chris in Hove. Spyderco makes serious tools. People who use their knives as tools understand this and know the difference.

[sal]

Hi Wofgang,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[KITROBASKIN]

Sal came up with the clip and thumbhole. Sal listens to us. He is up there with those greatest designers who helped change the world for the better. But not just groundbreaking design, Spyderco executes; gets the product out.

Anyone asks me who my heroes are, it’s the second president of the United States, John Adam’. Pioneer in more humane beef slaughtering facilities, Temple Grandin; and Sal Glesser!

[aoreo]

What sets Spyderco apart from companies, not just limited to the knife community, is the interaction of the founders and owners of Spyderco with its customers.

I’m sure it’s hard enough running a multi-million dollar operation that spans both domestically and internationally, but to be humble and interactive enough with their customers is what sets apart Spyderco from other companies.

It’s something that you see frequently complained with large corporations, losing touch with their customer base and focusing solely on the bottom line or quarterly statistics. Spyderco rather, seems to care about their product and their customer.

I’m fairly new to the knife community, but the knife is an integral part of my system and tools for work. I don’t use my knife on an everyday basis, but when I do, it’s used for a range of dynamic task in where the knife can not fail. Spyderco is my knife of choice!

[Wolf Hedegaard]

Hi Wofgang,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

Thanks, Sal.