Sal asks you to design a Spyderco.

[jasonstone20]

Hi Jason,

Thanx for the response. All of what you say makes sense except for the round handle. So I guess How round is round is the question? We have found that when a folder takes up too much pocket real estate or is too "round", sales suck.

sal

sal,
Not that round. Round enough to be comfortable in hard use, but not take up insane amounts of pocket space, but a little more than say a Spyderco Delica. Like the handle of an Opinel, but if you have ever seen an MAM Opinel like folder, you can flatten the sides, or just maybe the side with the pocket clip. It is just important that the top and bottom of the handle be radiused, along with a palm swell. I can post photos of what I am talking about if that would help. The knife should be pocket friendly, but that comes second to hard use ergonomics. The basic concept is a MAM, Opinel, or Mora but with an opening hole and pocket clip. To be honest, the handle can be flat for all I care. Flat like the Emerson CQC-8. In fact like a Spyderco Para 2, or Spyderco Military, but a little more tuned for hard use/hard cutting. Basically, I want a Spyderco Police or Benchmade AFCK mixed with and Opinel/Mora/MAM.

edit:
PS. I would prefer "0.010 behind the edge, but if "0.015 is what only can be done in mass production with a full height hollow, I'd be happy. Basically pushing the limits of mass production knife making, which I know zilch about. After going to Blade Show West and seeing what can be done in a production, mid-tech, and custom knives, I think the concept should be possible with a few tweaks.

[BornIn1500]

Best knife I think would be taking the PM2, making the G10 rounded (like the Shaman), eliminating the finger choil, and shifting the handle grip forward towards the blade so you're at the edge with a regular grip on the handle without "choking up". Come to think of it.... it would essentially be like taking the Polestar, chamfering it and putting a compression lock on it. Spyderco really doesn't have many compression lock knives without a finger choil. I know of the Mantra and the Lil Temperance 3. Is that all?

[Tims]

Hi Tom's,

Ed Schempp refers to his designs as having a negative angle.

sal

I see. Well, terminology aside, I hope I was able to explain what I meant anyway

[Mendozamike89]

HEY SAL! Longtime fan and faithful Spyderco Carrier here, I have an idea to update / upgrade the lil native to be a front flip or as well I noticed my index finger isn't always able to reach the compression lock and my thumb has been able to open it much easier since my modification so please reach out if you're interested I'm sure you yourself come up with similar designs as well anyways thank you for all you do again just trying to provide some ideas maybe a couple front flippers added to the line I know we have a couple but maybe another modification or edition of the lil native . Thank you for your time and all you do God bless you and your team!

I also have more photos of the knife disassembled and how I did what I did.
Michael j Mendoza ,Az

[dashunde]

5% larger carbon fiber Dragonfly with Compression lock and K390 or Magnacut

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

I’d design a drop point fixed blade edc that could also double as a hunting/camping knife in magnacut with a choice of orange peel ply G10 scales or orange FRN and a choice of a kydex sheath with an UltiClip or a leather sheath with traditional clip like Oak City Leather Supply offers

[wrdwrght]

Sal didn’t ask me, and you should thank him.

[Danke]

I'm just gonna copy one everyone forgot and hand it in.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

Take the Leafjumper SE as the base, but make the following changes:

• straight spine, but absolutely keep the blade shape as-is

• blade length of 2.9" or 2.95"

• Boye dent (not a huge deal but I do prefer it)

• full Salt treatment, including LC200N liners

• LC200N blade steel with Taichung serrations (ala the Caribbean)

• black or grey FRN

This might fit better in a "what's your dream knife?" kind of thread, but I like the handle-forward design of Rock/Leafjumper so much that I can't help but wonder what might've been. I really hope Spyderco doesn't completely scrap the concept.

[Tristan_david2001]

I’ve done quite a few knife design sketches perhaps I’ll some more to this thread. But this is a design I consider to be pretty close to my ideal fixed blade design, still working on making it.. the design is much inspired by the ergonomics and blade geometry spyderco is most known for, specifically from the calypso jr folder.

[twinboysdad]

Here is my design....

The Spyderco Companion



The Companion is the newest fixed blade from Spyderco. Designed by forum member "Vivi," the Companion is meant to be an every day carry. The design is as compact as possible while retaining a full sized knife feel. The scales are fully contoured linen Micarta, with a shape meant to adapt to any hand size. The deep integral guard and generous palm swell ensure a secure grip in any conditions.

The blade is full flat ground from 2mm stock for unrivaled cutting performance. The M4 blade exhibits excellent toughness and edge retention. The leaf shape blade features a distinctive negative angle, giving the user enhanced leverage while slicing. The spine is fully radiused with no jimping for all day working comfort.

The Companion comes complete with a fold-over style boltaron sheath & Spyderco G-clip. Alternatively, a chain can be attached to the bottom two rivets, allowing the Companion to function as a neck knife. The hollow pin at the rear end of the handle functions as a lanyard hole. At a mere 3.1oz with sheath, the Companion is meant to be by your side at all times.


Here's some additional photos.


The companion next to two fixed blades it drew inspiration from:



In hand photos:







Compared to a Pacific Salt:



An idea of what it would look like on my belt:

Shut up and take my money, Vivi! Love the Ed Schempp flair too, negative is best angle. I would 100% buy this knife

[twinboysdad]

Something in between Manbug and Dfly. FRN for sure as well as Backlock. Unsure if clipped but not wire if so. I am thinking Lava-esque but pointier

[bdblue]

If I designed one it would be a lot like a Starmate blade in a PM2 handle. A Gayle Bradley 2 is pretty close.

[Scandi Grind]

I’ve done quite a few knife design sketches perhaps I’ll some more to this thread. But this is a design I consider to be pretty close to my ideal fixed blade design, still working on making it.. the design is much inspired by the ergonomics and blade geometry spyderco is most known for, specifically from the calypso jr folder. IMG_6774.jpeg

Hey Tristan, I've been wondering how that project is going for you. I got some 80crV2 bar stock that I want to make a blade out of, but I am still in the concepting stage. It becomes difficult for me to make decisions on a design when I am free to make whatever shape I want! I'll probably post my concepts in the off topic once I narrow down to three or four designs.

If Sal asked me to make a Spyderco, all I know for sure is that it would have to be a fixed blade with at least a 4 1/2 in. handle, but aside from that I'm not too certain.

[Fastidiotus]

I've long been wondering if there was a thread for people to post their own designs.

[Mushroom]

I've long been wondering if there was a thread for people to post their own designs.

It's not usually recommended to post them publicly because of the extremely high risk of the design being stolen.

[Tristan_david2001]

I’ve done quite a few knife design sketches perhaps I’ll some more to this thread. But this is a design I consider to be pretty close to my ideal fixed blade design, still working on making it.. the design is much inspired by the ergonomics and blade geometry spyderco is most known for, specifically from the calypso jr folder. IMG_6774.jpeg

Hey Tristan, I've been wondering how that project is going for you. I got some 80crV2 bar stock that I want to make a blade out of, but I am still in the concepting stage. It becomes difficult for me to make decisions on a design when I am free to make whatever shape I want! I'll probably post my concepts in the off topic once I narrow down to three or four designs.

If Sal asked me to make a Spyderco, all I know for sure is that it would have to be a fixed blade with at least a 4 1/2 in. handle, but aside from that I'm not too certain.

Hey scandi! Haven’t made too much progress on it in some time, I still gotta acquire some extra tools and materials to really start making significant progress on it again, I appreciate your interest. A bit over 4” for a handle is nice but for me sometimes depending on the ergonomics I like to keep the lengths around 3.5-4” long for extra comfort in carriability. I’m interested to see what you do in the future, Keep us posted!

[Tristan_david2001]

Being inspired to do a design again after seeing this thread I came up with this design during some free time today, I quite like how it turned out

[Scandi Grind]

I've long been wondering if there was a thread for people to post their own designs.

It's not usually recommended to post them publicly because of the extremely high risk of the design being stolen.

I guess I have never concerned myself with this problem because for one, I would probably never make any money for coming up with a knife design, and two, I don't feel like when comes to knife shapes that there is very much revolutionary left to do. We just recombine basic shapes that anyone else could have, and then if we actually make something, someone can steal the shape after we've made it anyway. That is just concerning knife shapes though. I have only designed fixed blades which don't have anything special to keep secret.

When it comes to material science and mechanical components like in folding knives though, particularly if it is something that could be patented, that I can see wanting to keep under wraps.

[Mushroom]

I've long been wondering if there was a thread for people to post their own designs.

It's not usually recommended to post them publicly because of the extremely high risk of the design being stolen.

I guess I have never concerned myself with this problem because for one, I would probably never make any money for coming up with a knife design, and two, I don't feel like when comes to knife shapes that there is very much revolutionary left to do. We just recombine basic shapes that anyone else could have, and then if we actually make something, someone can steal the shape after we've made it anyway. That is just concerning knife shapes though. I have only designed fixed blades which don't have anything special to keep secret.

When it comes to material science and mechanical components like in folding knives though, particularly if it is something that could be patented, that I can see wanting to keep under wraps.

If the goal was to ever eventually work with Spyderco on a knife, Sal himself recommends keeping the design private because sharing it publicly makes it more difficult for Spyderco to work with it in general but you're certainly entitled to your own opinion.