C-159 Air Campaign: Sprint or Bust!

[JSumm]

After much discussion and a couple of polls, the C159 Air keeps popping up as a favorite for a Sprint Run. I think it is time to discuss bringing this model back for another run.

I could see Spyderco wanting to differentiate from the original. I for one would love to see this one come back in a unique classic form. G10 would be nice, but I am not sure it does the design justice. The design intent was for a gentlemen's knife. A unique carbon fiber material, bone, micarta, etc.

Mr. Bradley mentioned in Spyderco's Designer's Insight Video the possibility of adding a clip down the road. This may be a great opportunity for that.

So let's get this discussion going!

[ejames13]

Air 2, and with a clip on this one.

[Manixguy@1994]

Thanks Jeff taking on the polls . If accepted I will support the Air . Hats off to all members who participated. MG2

[p_atrick]

What other changes would you like to see (or not see)? This would certainly be a fun re-release. Time will tell.

[di81ni]

If this is really happening, I think it would be worth considering steel liners.
Since they are small and heavily skeletonized, I doubt it would make much of a weight difference. But it would definitely improve the longevity of the lock.
I know from experience the thin titanium liners on the Air wear a bit faster than thicker (or steel) ones.

[Manixguy@1994]

The clip idea sounds great , at least there would be an option. I would love to see a dedicated version left hand in a limited quantity. We haven’t had a dedicated lefty model since the CF Police and Delica run . MG2

[p_atrick]

How much re-tooling would be needed for a clip? I wanted the video again. It seems like the screw furthest back is too close to the end of the CF for a wire clip (that seems to me to be the most logical choice for a clip).

[Mushroom]

One of the unique offerings from FatCarbon would be a cool scale material.

Something like "Snakeskin Carbon Fiber" as an homage to Gayle Bradley's Texas heritage might be appropriate.

I think it's important to not lose focus on the goal here. We're asking for a sprint run, not a new knife. An "Air 2" would not be a sprint run. Bringing these knives back for sprints in their near original form is part of the appeal. The only changes should be blade steel and handle material, in my opinion.

[di81ni]

I think it's important to not lose focus on the goal here. We're asking for a sprint run, not a new knife. An "Air 2" would not be a sprint run. Bringing these knives back for sprints in their near original form is part of the appeal. The only changes should be blade steel and handle material, in my opinion.

You’re right. Honestly, I would be happy with any configuration making a return.
But K390 would be nice. So would ebony scales. That’s pretty gentlemanly, right?

[TimButterfield]

Thanks, @JSumm for the video link. That was great to see!

[Mushroom]

You’re right. Honestly, I would be happy with any configuration making a return.
But K390 would be nice. So would ebony scales. That’s pretty gentlemanly, right?

That would be a very nice combo! I'd like that a lot.

[JSumm]

If this is really happening, I think it would be worth considering steel liners.
Since they are small and heavily skeletonized, I doubt it would make much of a weight difference. But it would definitely improve the longevity of the lock.
I know from experience the thin titanium liners on the Air wear a bit faster than thicker (or steel) ones.

Spyderco may see switching to steel liners as a CQI opportunity. May save on cost and be better product long term. That's a great idea!

[JSumm]

One of the unique offerings from FatCarbon would be a cool scale material.

Something like "Snakeskin Carbon Fiber" as an homage to Gayle Bradley's Texas heritage might be appropriate.

I think it's important to not lose focus on the goal here. We're asking for a sprint run, not a new knife. An "Air 2" would not be a sprint run. Bringing these knives back for sprints in their near original form is part of the appeal. The only changes should be blade steel and handle material, in my opinion.

I think Fat Carbon is a great idea. I was just looking at Sharp Dressed Knives website last week on some of their Spyderco offerings and man do those fat carbon scales look great!

I think small tweaks or CQI changes can be possible without fully redesigning the model. The pocket clip request may not need a massive overhaul if they can fit it on the existing screw set up. Otherwise I agree with you. Major changes would just be a new model at that point. Though we have seen some sprints lose their hollow grind in favor of saber grind. I think that falls into the CQI or cost savings category.

[TimButterfield]

My comments moved from the poll thread, edited a bit for here.

I agree with this being a dressier type of knife, a gentleman's knife. Thus, even if there were a salt version of it, I would not choose an Air over a Salt or Caribbean to take to the beach. So, I'm not sure a salt specific version is needed. Thus, while a bright handle may be interesting, it may also clash some with dressing up unless the material sufficiently compensated for that. So, I prefer the idea of a more neutral color. Anything from light gray to the black/ebony sounds good as long as it looks classy and isn't slippery (like my Caly 3.5). As for the steel, I like many different steels and am not too particular there. Should it be the same as the original, or possibly upgraded a bit? I wouldn't mind a Magnacut version. I don't have any Rex121 yet, but also like my Sage 5 Maxamet.

As for the clip, when dressing up, I would never hook a clip on my suit pants. So, if a clip were to be included, I would like the knife with the clip removed to still appear complete and not missing something. Perhaps a different type of clip would help.

I have a little Boker Barlow slipjoint where the clip screws into the end of the handle.



Removing the clip exposes a groove, which is not as pleasing.


With the Air 2, a clip could be similar, but without that groove. The standoff would need to be moved a bit more toward the end of the handle so the clip does not protrude from the edge too much as it wraps around the end. As with the little barlow above, the clip would not have a screw on the main side of the clip. Instead, the screw could be into the standoff on the opposite side. The clip would wrap around the end of the handle. The standoff screws on both sides would need to be long enough to work with or without the clip. Instead of having a flat area at the end of the handle like the barlow, the end of the clip on the Air 2 could have a small tenon (detent?) that fits into a small hole near the standoff screw. That little tenon or detent would stop clip rotation when the screw was tightened. That single small hole would be much less noticeable than either the wire clip indentations or the triple screw holes. The result may allow the Air 2 to look finished/complete with or without the clip and the clip would work for tip up left or right carry.

[riclaw]

I would like a clip. I'm fine with the three hole pattern or on the end like TB suggested. Or Spyderco could use a clip filler like on the Harsey folder.

How about wood for the scales? Similar to the Chap slippie and lockback.

[Flash]

Fat carbon would be nice. Jack Wolf do a Fat Carbon Dark matter that looks very classy and would suit this model no end. It has an almost wood burl like appearance.

Blade: CPM 10V or S90V? How about Rex121?

I’m personally not too fussed about the clip, but if possibly the same shortened wire clip that the Lil Native has. Or better still something bespoke, subtle and deep carry.

[p_atrick]

I think it's important to not lose focus on the goal here. We're asking for a sprint run, not a new knife...

Fair point. I brought up the clip only because it was mentioned in the video. Possibly a scale material change would be easy enough to do as well. But yeah, I'm not looking for something wildly different (perhaps adding a clip falls into this category).

[Flash]

I don’t want to stray off topic too much but I voted for the Air on both occasions but the Manix C95 definitely took the poll close the second time. Clearly it’s a model that has much support from this forum.

Spyderco should seriously look at bringing us both.

[Flash]

Just like to also add that I would be happy if it remained without a clip. In fact thinking about it that would be my preference.

[SpeedHoles]

Mexican Bocote and 52100.
(Probably won't see wood realistically, so I'd say burlap Micarta instead, like the S90V Shaman)

No carbon fiber, just my opinion.


Just to reiterate Mushrooms point, understanding the assignment here, we're probably not reimagining the knife at the base design, just simply the flavors it comes in. (Queue up the next thread for "5inch+ blade Bradley Air, who's in!??")

Redesign or modification - wouldn't that entail Mr. Bradley stepping in himself anyway? In my opinion it should.