Very little if any respect> getting a bum rap

[JD Spydo]

I have 3 Spyderco knives that I really like. I mean that I really, really like them. What perplexes me is that no one else seems to like them at all. I think you can categorize them as the "overlooked, disrespected & disregarded" pariahs of the Spyderco line up.

The models I am making reference to are the Perrin fixed blade, the Impala & The Spyker. Now I know that not all of us are going to like the same models. For instance one model that I have honestly tried to like but just could never develop an appreciation for is the Peter Herbst model. But with that being said I don't think many people could make a rock solid cases for not liking all 3 of the apparently sloughed off models that I just mentioned.

The Impala when I first used it I thought would end up being the best selling "Hunter/folder" in the entire knife world. It literally has everything going for it> G-10 handle, VG-10 blade, great overall geometry and extremely rugged for outdoor use. It is honestly one Spyder that I never see myself getting rid of. But I have had very few people ever say anything good about it at all. The other models I mentioned are just great designes with hardly no fanfare or praise what so ever. WHY???!

[Chucula]

i dont really understand these posts :confused: . If you answered one, you've answered them all.

Speaking broadly, it always comes down to this: for whatever reasons (economic, political, personal, etc), the general people dont like the knife enough to pay the relatively high cost. Thats it; not many people buying means not many people talking about it. Maybe if they (the knives :D ) could be easily handled before bought that would change.

But I have had very few people ever say anything good about it at all.

And i bet you never hear anyone say anything bad about it!

You are occupying yourself with the wrong questions. Instead of trying to figure out why others dont like it, use it and enjoy it.

EDIT: if you just want to show your enthusiasm for the knife, pictures would be awesome :D

EDIT 2: lol i notice your title to next post says "first amendment applies here." I didnt intend for this post to bother you, but instead make you reconsider what you are trying to say (i think you just want to hear people praise the knives). There is nothing offensive, negative or weird in your post. I just have seen many of these and they are the same. as i said, if you just want to show how great you think the knife is, take some pictures and make a review or tells us a story of how it was the perfect knife :)

[JD Spydo]

Hmmm? Does anyone else feel the same way Chocula does :confused: ? I think it's a fairly legitimate question to pose for the Forum myself. Hmm? I just re-read the post and I don't see anything offensive, negative or weird about it. Just curious that's all

[markg]

I think the point of JD's posts are more like a "retrospective" of older models that are now gone. I enjoy reading them, I was "out of the knife world" from 1997-2002. So I missed a lot of Spyderco's. Sure I have a Co-Pilot, Endura, Delica, Rescue (all with plastic clips), and quite a few more from the early 90's... But I missed a lot. So these threads introduce me to some of the forgotten classics.

Many knife users like to say... "Looks don't matter, function does.." Hogwash! Most users never handle a knife before they buy it (internet sales). Many ungainly, yet very ergonomic knives never make it because of this. If it don't look right, people pass it over, sad but true. How many of us buy a knife because it looks cool... Admit it... :D

Most hunters will spend $1000 on a rifle, yet won't spring for more than a Buck knife sold in a chain store. Now, if the Impala had been sold in Wal-Marts and not the Native, it might have made it.

I am member of a forum where posting is slim pickings... Any constructive post ina forum is good for it. I don't mind these posts at all, myself.

[Crafft]

I like the Spyker a whole lot!!! Hope this makes you feel a bit better about it JD

[J Smith]

The main reason I do not have a Spyker is the logo on the blade.I love the knife but that logo just kills it for me.

[Gerard Breuker]

JD,
I believe the SpyKer has been discussed quite frequently. It was in general received with little enthusiasm for IMO understandable reasons. Tip down only, liner lock, blade shape and the billboard on the blade. Being a rather expensive model as well I can't blame anyone for liking other models better.
Although the Impala is also tip down only and a liner lock I share your confusion on this one (after I was able to get one for a more than reasonable price). Maybe the market for folding hunter knives is too small or maybe the model still needs to be discovered by those that use them. I think it beats the Ocelot for its intended purpose.
I know for a fact the Perrin is liked by some interested in SD. Others didn't like the feel of the handle or the depth of the choil. I believe the new Perrin will do better because of its size and different handle material. Although the Perrin probably makes a nice kitchen or camp knife it is primarily a rather plain looking fighting knife with little sexappeal. Those looking for such a blade may not look at a Spyderco at all given their many options.
BTW Life wouldn't be the same without your little respect threads.

[JD Spydo]

The main reason I do not have a Spyker is the logo on the blade.I love the knife but that logo just kills it for me.

You know Jeff I have 2 of those Spykers. One I've designated for a "user" and one for the collection. There has got to be a way to remove that letting that everyone seems so apalled by. I would think that some micro-abrasives such as the ones sold by the Japan Woodworker would be the ticket for removing them.

The reason I like the Spyker as much as I do is because I think it is Spyderco's first SERIOUS "recurve" blade. Don't get me wrong because I like Dialex's Adventura but the Spyker with the bigger blade is more to my job demands. I tend to wonder what was behind the oversized lettering on that blade myself but I am not going to let that stop me from using a great knife. As far as the collector appeal in the long run I wouldn't think the lettering will be much of a factor in the long run. But man there has to be a way to get around that.

[Bodieism]

There has got to be a way to remove that letting that everyone seems so apalled by.

I removed the "POLICE" logo off of my VG-10 Police. I started with around 300 grit I think. Didn't take but like 10-15 minutes to get if off by hand. Took a lot more time to make it look good though. I kept going to higher grits to get it real smooth and when I was done I noticed the part I did was shiny-er. I didn't like the way that looked that so I put a mirror polish on the whole knife to give it a uniform look. Now I think it looks great. Don't know if I'd be willing to do that to a Spyker though lol.

[Ted]

I have 3 Spyderco knives that I really like. I mean that I really, really like them. What perplexes me is that no one else seems to like them at all. I think you can categorize them as the "overlooked, disrespected & disregarded" pariahs of the Spyderco line up.

The models I am making reference to are the Perrin fixed blade, the Impala & The Spyker. Now I know that not all of us are going to like the same models. For instance one model that I have honestly tried to like but just could never develop an appreciation for is the Peter Herbst model. But with that being said I don't think many people could make a rock solid cases for not liking all 3 of the apparently sloughed off models that I just mentioned.

The Impala when I first used it I thought would end up being the best selling "Hunter/folder" in the entire knife world. It literally has everything going for it> G-10 handle, VG-10 blade, great overall geometry and extremely rugged for outdoor use. It is honestly one Spyder that I never see myself getting rid of. But I have had very few people ever say anything good about it at all. The other models I mentioned are just great designes with hardly no fanfare or praise what so ever. WHY???!

My 'why' to these three designs

Perrin fixed blade - wrong handle material - FRN/krayton/rubber is very functional, but it just doesn't look nice.

Impala - most hunters prefer fixed blades, so targetting the hunting market with a folder will allways be tough. I read a remark sometime ago on BFC where a knife shop owner said he had never someone come in and ask for a 'folding hunting knife'

Spyker - too large engraving, and the 'blue' inlay in the G-10 doesn't do it for me...too much of a 'fashion' thing.

[d.g.g]

Only whinie knife owners own those three models, IMHO.

[JD Spydo]

TED I sort of see where you are at with that observation. However I've been a hunter since I was 9 years old and I have always skinned game with a folder. I didn't even get a fixed blade hunting knife until I was 15. But in all fairness I use fixed and folders both when I go hunting now a days.

I do sort of agree with you that the handle on the Perrin could have been better with another handle material. That I won't argue but the ergos of the knife itself makes me completely overlook that and I still use mine in spite of it. I kind of wish they would re-introduce the fixed blade Temperance with a Micarta or G-10 handle. Yeah I do agree that the handle selection could have been better.

But on the Spyker> I'm not going to let some stupid lettering stop me from using a super quality "recurve" blade. Come on people that's not even a valid reason at all to downgrade an excellent recurve design. I do hope the folks at the Spyder Factory do read all of this because I do indeed feel that these models are "diamonds in the rough". All they need is a few modifications to put them in a better light.

[Mr Blonde]

I can only speak for myself on the models mentioned. I love the Perrin but the molded sheath is horrible! The Moran/Temperance/Ronin/Kumo sheaths are perfect, but the rattle in the Perrin sheath is awfull. I seem to recall that the Perrin was rather popular in the MBC crowd, but that's a small group of people. Furthermore, fixed blades are not as frequently used by most people as folders are.

The Spyker did not attract me, functionally or visually. And I do think the 'logo decision' was kind of weird, the handle and everything else suggests 'visual flair'. I think the logo was more of a statement of two companies working together to show that stealing design features is not necessary. The collectors and users just like their knives 'good' or 'pretty'. And it's very hard to surpass the Military as a lightweight performance cutter.


The Impala was too much of a hunting design for me, make it smaller and I would have tried it. I will admit that from pics and reviews (or lack of) I do not think I'd like it better than my Military. And I do consider both the Spyker and Impala as being in the similar class as the Military (4 inch blades, G10 handles, linerlocks).

As far as the posts go, I like them plenty, but I think they would gain more attention and support when the questions were more personal: "Why didn't you like the knife". The statements that a knife is overlooked in general or getting a bum rap, depends on a lot of things. When would you consider something overlooked?

I for one view Spyderco as a company who just wants to make a few good general knives, but they really enjoy trying out a lot of new things! So in that respect, the only knife that is 'overlooked' is the one that doesn't see production. Come on Sal, bring on that Ulu design! :D


Wouter
Wouter

[Fred Sanford]

I also like the Spyker and the Impala. The Impala has been a fave of mine for a while. I just don't like the model with the gut hook.

I think there were just a lot of other good knives out at the same time of the Impala.

I cannot get past the huge logo on the blade of the Spyker. I don't want to have to spend the time trying to remove it either so that's why I don't own one. :)

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Eventualy I'll probably get a Spyker as I love recurve knives and it is beautiful, lettering not withstanding.
On the other hand my prudent wife points out to me if we're ever going to open a dojo together I need to stop spending every spare penny on new knives. Hmmm, maybe I should read up on this save thing thing she's on about :confused:
Those who don't like JD's posts should avoid opening them. Many of us enjoy them. :spyder:

[smcfalls13]

Aw crap, I've been wanting a Perrin fixed blade, but now I'm not going to be able to find one cheap.

Darn you JD Spydo, darn you to heck

Seriously, all of those are great knives, but like most of the great ones, I think they were ahead of their time.

[JD Spydo]

[quote="smcfalls13"]Aw crap, I've been wanting a Perrin fixed blade, but now I'm not going to be able to find one cheap.

Darn you JD Spydo, darn you to heck ]

But Scott that's not what Chucula and DGG say :rolleyes: Also Scott could you tell me the definition of a "whinie">> that's kind of new one on me :confused:
But all joking aside I have had a "rebirth" of sorts with the Perrin model I have here at the house. I am finding it quite useful here in the kitchen and I think I like it better for a Boot Knife setup too. There are just so many Spyders that I have had to test drive to see what the designer had in mind. When it comes to fixed blade Spyders especially>> looks are indeed deceiving. JD

[smcfalls13]

JD, personally I like these posts(my wallet doesn't) because they always bring up the models I usually overlook, but we all have different opinions, so maybe others just don't care for them. Doesn't hurt anything to have lots of opinions, as long as we don't get so caught up in being right that we forget about the fact that it's an "opinion" and not fact.

I forgot I wanted a Perrin until you mentioned it. Gotta make some extra cash at work, because they don't come cheap anymore. :o

[rcbalt2]

I love my perrin. Maybe I'm just lucky but the sheath fits fine with no rattle. Its perfect for IWB carry. Its just a really good knife. No frills but then its really doesn't seem to need them once its in your hand.
The Spyker. I loved it when I first got it. Then I got another Spydie. The Native. For $39.95 I could beat the crap out of a knife and not feel bad as opposed to the $130 for the spyker. I also fell in love with the lock back. IMO the Spyker is a good knife that could have been great. Compare it to some other spydies and it just doesn't stand up. My next spydie sealled the Spykers fate as trade fodder, the persian quickly became my dressy spyder and kicked the spyker completely out of my pocket.

[The Deacon]

General observations -

First there is the simple fact that NO collaboration models other than the two Moran FBs have stayed in the lineup more than a few years. I'm not opposed to threads like this, but, especially in light of how poorly a considerable number of them have sold, and thus how unprofitable they have been, I think Spyderco should be commended for giving them their "moment in the sun", regardless of how brief rather than criticized for not continuing to tie up resources producing and marketing those which the market gives only a lukewarm reception. We also need to keep in mind that the retirement of some models is the "price" we pay for the introduction of new ones. Unlike the universe, the Spyderco lineup cannot go on expanding forever.

Markg also raised a valid, and often overlooked point regarding the fact that some of us (myself included) purchase all, or almost all, of our knives without ever having our hands on them. Perceived comfort and utility thus become as important, if not more important than actual comfort and utility for knives we actually intend to use.

Along the same lines, given the almost mind-boggling number of "variants", many of us who collect Spyderco knives, while not alway worrying about the comfort of a knife, do feel the need to limit our collections in some way. Some may elect not to collect fixed blades, others may elect not to collect collaboration models, others may focus their collections on a single lock type, or even a single model.

Beyond that, here are some possible specific "issues" -

Perrin - No Spyderco fixed blade has ever been a barn burner. As others have mentioned, most, including the Perrin have been handicapped by handle material that, while extremely serviceable, looks more like it belongs on a knife selling for $5.00 at Wal-Mart or True Value than on a quality product. FWIW, I believe most Spyderco "Kitchen Sharps" were (at least partially) victims of this as well. Spydero may finally be recognizing and addressing this issue, since it appears the new smaller Perrin will have a full tang and micarta scales. The original name "Street Bowie" applied to the Perrin may also have made some people reluctant to purchase it, thinking it sounded like something designed for young hoodlums. It is certainly not a name I would want to have to explain to a jury of bleating heart liberals. I also may have discouraged purchase by people in those states which prohibit carrying a "Bowie".

That said, I do regret not getting my hands on a Perrin when they were available, and have been on the lookout for a while for an uncoated one at a reasonable price. Think that it, like the Temperance FB, may make an excellent kitchen knife. My hestance was caused, in part, by the fact it had a Kydex sheath.

Impala - I can only speak for myself, but obviously at least a few agree with me that NO folder is suitable as a hunting knife. If I ever were forced to use one, a liner lock would be the last lock style I would want on it. Get some blood and guts in between the lockbar and the handle and the darn thing won't close. Having that happen is a distinct possiblility when cutting the windpipe and esophagus far up inside the neck. Use the knife in a location where water is not available, and the gunk may "glue" the lockbar to the scale when it drys and make the knife refuse to lock.

Spyker - As with hawkbills and reverse S designs, recurves are not everyone's cup of tea. At least to my eyes, the two arcs of silver CF are tacky looking and cheapen, rather than enhance, the knife. The "billboard" lettering on the blade turned off many potential buyers. The liner lock reduced interest by left handed individuals and those right handers with enough foresight to realize that they may not always have their favored hand available. The tip down only clip lowered the interest among those not already turned off by something else. Plus, IIRC, Sal said the agreement with Kershaw and Ken Onion required limiting production to 3000 pieces. I would guess this was to avoid it having an adverse effect on the sale of Kershaw's own line of Ken Onion designed knives. If I am correct in that, it guaranteed a short lifespan.