Any Truck Drivers here?

[KITROBASKIN]

The fact that Spyderco has created tools that may not have appealed to the masses enough to be massively profitable, Sal is a hero to so many of us for listening, as well as forging new ground in the art of the cut.

Those truckers who don’t have to follow draconian concepts of lawmakers keeping people safe, could very well benefit from a longer knife. A fixed blade, full flat grind, Spyderedge on the outermost ~3/4 (all the way to the tip like a Rescue) with a plain edge near the ricasso, would certainly turn heads. Spyderco knows that the Wharncliffe blade will flat out cut with excellence, even though too many consumers may not see it. Maybe something between a sheepsfoot and Wharncliffe, but closer to a Wharncliffe?

I waited too long to get the 1st generation Jumpmaster, and would totally be on board with such a knife as this. Thinking Sal would choose best what steel to use (Magnacut? LC200N? VG10?)

[Ferruginous]

When I was driving truck, or working on them in a repair shop, I used something inexpensive but reliable like an Endura or Delica. I used Mora fixed blades, or something else so inexpensive it was disposable, for anything that might chip an edge. Obviously I wouldn't hesitate to use whatever was in my pocket in an emergency but no reason to damage the edge of a more expensive EDC knife.

If I was still in that line of work today it would be a Salt II Wharnecliffe - ultra lightweight, strong lock, cuts well, and won't rust.

[D-Wade]

Sal I drive a salt water truck in the oilfield. I carry a Manix 2 currently with aluminum aftermarket scales on it. I love the Manix 2 and the Sage series but my ideal trucking knife in this environment would be a titanium frame lock version of the Gayle Bradley 2 in Magna-cut. Make the blade a little thicker though.

[8th_Note]

Title says it all.

I'd like to develop a dedicated Truckers model(s) and I'll need input. I'll be investigating many sources, but I thought to begin here. One of the first magazines in which we advertised was a Truckers publication. Way before the internet. I've always respected and appreciated Truckers, having spent many years living on the road.

sal

I was an OTR driver for many years. Then I worked in dispatch and brokerage for a long haul trucking company. Now I'm a terminal manager for a trucking company that does local work in my hometown. I have many many years of trucking in all aspects of the industry.

A dedicated truckers knife is a great idea. I think it would be a huge success for Spyderco.

[Naperville]

I drove several different kinds of trucks when I worked in construction but never carried a knife.

No rope to cut, everything was tied down with chains, and rubber bungie cords.

15 speed steel symons concrete footing truck; medium size dump trucks; pickup trucks; bobcats.

[sal]

Hi 8th_note,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[twinboysdad]

I have been in the industry for 25 years, but on the sales side. The guys I know like combo edge. Some had Stockman patterns but most a combo edge lock blade.

Names to offer up-

The Linehauler
The Day Cab
The Break Bulk
The Cross Dock

[twinboysdad]

Also-

The Freight Handler
The Cab Over
The Interliner
The Pallet Jack

Add the guys rarely had Endura sized blades- usually D4/Stretch/BM 710 size. Rarely saw little knives either and never fixed blades.

[sal]

Appreciate the input.

aL

[aicolainen]

When I was driving truck, or working on them in a repair shop, I used something inexpensive but reliable like an Endura or Delica. I used Mora fixed blades, or something else so inexpensive it was disposable, for anything that might chip an edge..

As long as the price isn't obnoxious I don’t mind paying a bit more for something that’s purpose made/better suited, my primary reservation against such knives are the uncertain production life span.
While not very rational, I tend to be more careful with a knife that can’t be replaced if lost or broken (even if it wasn’t very expensive in the first place).
I love that Spyderco isn’t afraid to go their own way and take the risk of bringing specialized designs to market, but even when the designs are great, the market isn’t always ready for it, and the model disappears despite its greatness.
Being the nerd that I am I’ll still continue to buy knives based on their suitability rather than supply predictability, but anytime a favorite is disco’d it does take away a small percentage of the worry free joy of use, so for others it may be worthwhile to consider if the benefits of a specialized knife outweighs the worry free ownership you get by choosing one of the evergreen models.

[sal]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

[gimibala]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

Sorry Sal

[nerdlock]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

Wow, that is unacceptable behavior. I wonder what makes the members and the admin of that forum so defensive.

[Wartstein]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

Sorry for you that this went badly..

And also that now we probably won´t see what you would have come up with.

[cabfrank]

Tolerance of others isn't what it used to be, on or off of forums. Too bad.

[Fastidiotus]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

The people that love their job aren't on forums. The large number of people online are the ones that have been Shanghai'd by a "free" company provided driving school, are trapped into a predatory lease to own company truck, haven't been home in 3 months even though they were promised every 3rd weekend so the wife's leaving, just stared but weren't trained so they're grasping at straws for help. Trucking is fastly just becoming an angry mob, there no camaraderie anymore in OTR it's a race to the bottom and everyone for themselves

The only people who are happy are local union guys, drivers not truckers. LTL, Fuel Tanker, Garbage, Concrete/Dump Truck. They're well paid, working their 12, and going home to the wife and kids. Not posting on forums about some guy who wasn't white like them that held them up at the fuel island.

While I'm saddened by your experience Sal, I do think using your resources for other knives will prove more rewarding for Spyderco. Like I said in my first post we're not special or doing anything anyone else isn't cutting wise. The Delica/Endela/Endura line up, especially partially serrated, are excellent truckers knives(would be nice to get a stop pin though like cold steel). Spend the development money on advertising your products in Pilots or Loves because a lot of Spyderco are slim, light, tough and already perfect for truckers.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I think I am going to have to abandon this project. I registered on a Truckers Forum and asked if there were any Truck divers that might be interested in helping me develop a dedicated Truckers model. A question that I have asked before on forums of specialized groups. I received 4 replies on the first day; 3 of them slammed me and one asked what company I represented. I answered the one request and thought that I had been honest and proper in my response. Before I could read any following posts or any of the 6 private messages, I was informed that I was banned from the forum for being Spam. I tried to see more using a different computer, but my thread had been deleted. I wrote to the Admin for more information, but have not received any reply.

I guess you can't win them all.

sal

That is very mean of them, sal. I want you to know that I and so many other folks appreciate you and your family and employees and company so very much. They should be honored that you would be willing to design a trucking specific knife. You are truly a great man and I am honored to be able to communicate with you. Thank you.

[sal]

Thanx much.

Appreciate the comments and education. Not a problem, My mama taught me not to be somewhere I wasn't wanted. "It seemed like a good idea at the time".

sal

[ZrowsN1s]

I suppose I can't derail a thread that's over, if you're looking for a project, how about a P'kal as thick as a Shaman?

[sal]

Hi ZrowsN1s,

I think my next "seek" will be for a "Lineman's" model.

sal