Whats the deal with the Salsa?

[rc51kid]

What was Spyderco marketing the Salsa to when they came out? I remember seeing them in stores and thinking it was a strange knife. All the colors, chili pepper, and the hood. I didn’t think any other spydercos had “pictures” on the handle. Then it looked like I saw them in a lot of the outdoors type stores. Now I see them turning up on ebay and it looks like the ebay sellers are making them sound special in some way. I am not trying to slam the Salsa, I might even try one out, but I am just trying to figure out why it seems so different to me than the others? Is there anything special that I am missing about the salsa? Anyone want to give me a schooling in Salsa 101?

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: It might have been the first compression lock? :spyder:

[butch]

i still keep my eyes open for a Ti at the right price
looks like a great knife i just think the timing was off of it

[markg]

It came with X-Ray vision...

That was removed on later models... :D

[ozspyder]

I too missed out on the Salsa. It looks HOT ! :D

I think there are 10 variations in total ??? not sure exactly, but the lea blade shape is one that I love very much, and the Salsa's size is great for EDC, while it's unusual locks and colourful bodies make it look quite fun.

Cheers
Dan

[Jay_Ev]

The Salsa is one of my favorite Spydies. It was the first Spyderco I ever bought so I suppose I have a sentimental attachment to it. I have all of the following except one, a Ti plain edge:

Green
Blue
Red (cranberry)
Black
Tan (purple)
Titanium

Plain edge and partially serrated edge of each. 12 variations.



-Jay

[Andre V]

:spyder: It might have been the first compression lock? :spyder:

Could be, but i think it was the vesuivius(spelling) that introduced the comp lock.

[tonydahose]

I have all of the following except one, a Ti plain edge:

-Jay

what about the ones without the pepper on them..or sterile salsas? pm sent.

[Bolster]

I'm curious about the Salsa positioning, too. They have been languishing for years in wholesaler catalogs I've seen. I've gotten the impression they're not swift sellers...of course that could change once they're gone.

[zenheretic]

Do you want some chips with your Salsa?

[Mr Blonde]

I think the Salsa was one of Spyderco's first major steps into developing an ultimate NKP-friendly knife (round blade, no menacing grind lines, short blade, friendly colors and graphics), while still offering above average performance (wide blade, lock, ergos). I still like my cranberry and Ti Salsas, but I think the Urban line will prove a better way into developing the ultimate NKP knife.


Wouter

[Jenner 515]

Maybe time for a sprint run of Salsa? I like mine...Sterile Black and Aus-8 (?) I believe...I'd really dig a sprint of Ti maybe and a new steel...VG10...

[gull wing]

I have a Ti Salsa and what a beautiful example of the Compression lock. This is truly a work of art. It didn't cost an arm and a leg either.
Compression locks are my fav, strong, and best of all, you can flick them.
I take mine when (as others have said)I need to be Shepple frendly.
see mine

[Fred Sanford]

I used to have one black Salsa and one green Salsa. Both of them had issues staying closed due to the detent. It felt like there was no detent at all. I actually like the little knife but I wish it had a better detent. I also wish all of them were made without the pepper on the side as that makes it look kind of corny in my opinion. :)

Now the Titanium Salsa, on the other hand, is awesome. I wish they would make a sprint of that one with VG-10 and anodize the handle a different color.

[Jay_Ev]

what about the ones without the pepper on them..or sterile salsas? pm sent.

It was enough of a challenge for me to get the ones that I have, so I won't likely go after the ones without the pepper (sterile). It's too difficult to determine from a tiny pic when buying online whether it will have the pepper or not, and merchants rarely specify. For example, when I bought my black ones, I received one of them with pepper and one without.

-Jay

[224477]

Lovely composition Zen :) :D

[tonydahose]

hey Jay, check your Pm box for a salsa that you might not have.
tony

[MAT888]

How can i see the difference between a standard grey alu handled Salsa and the Titanium one?

I think the compression lock on the Titanium one looks different from the regular ones? Am I correct? More like a frame-lock?
And do the Titanium ones come with unmarked handle; without text or pepper??

A comparison picture of the lock and handle between a regular and titanium model would be appreciated.

[zenheretic]

Lovely composition Zen :) :D

Thanks, it was some of my early work...as in early morning and I was all hopped up on red Mountain Dew. :p

[swingshot]

I think the compression lock on the Titanium one looks different from the regular ones? Am I correct? More like a frame-lock?
And do the Titanium ones come with unmarked handle; without text or pepper??

Yep. On the Titanium one the gap between the compression lock and the rest of the frame is pretty easily spotted.

All the Titaniums one are unmarked as far as i can remember, but some of the Aluminum ones are unmarked too. The quickest way to tell is usually to look at the lock.