MBC Designs

[Qboy]

Hi all:

I am interested in Spyderco's vision with regard to MBC oriented designs. I own two Yojimbos, which are rapidly becoming untouchable in terms or prices. I have a Lil' Temp, which is MBC-oriented. I do not own a Gunting, but would like to.

It seems that Spyderco is moving away from the MBC-oriented designs. The P'kal and Chinook are the two knives in the current line that seem to speak to MBC applications, though one might argue that the the waved Endura would serve well in this regard.

I would love to see Spyderco establish a relationship with someone like Janich or Bram Frank again. This came to mind when I ran across the dialog with Bram Frank on the OT board about his designs. I understand that Mr. Janich and Mr. Frank have these relationships with other firms now, but I feel that the Gunting and Yojimbo are two of the greatest Spyderco designs ever. I also love the Chinook (collaboration with James Keating). What about having Keating design a smaller knife--that might hit the mark.

I saw Kali Man's You Tube on the Lava as an MBC blade, and I like my Lava--but it is too small in the hand for me (especially with the blade closed).

Regards,

Q

[raven]

Hey Qboy, Let's not make Dr. Snubnose upset and forget to mention his favorite "Ronin" :eek: :D :D . The Ronin was also a design by Michael Janich and Mr. Snody. I agree with you on a smaller Keating Design close to his Hornet Design he did for MOD. Even another design with Mr. Janich. Take Good Care and Be Safe Always.

God Bless :)


-raven-

[markg]

Since the Pikal was introduced last year. I would not say Spyderco is "moving away" from the MBC concept.

Some could even argue that the Super Hawk is in this vein.

In reality, you could live well with just a Delica when it comes to MBC sorts of stuff.

[stonyman]

I know Spyderco will not rest on their achievements. Just when I think there is a pause in the knife designs.........Boom they come out with something that attracts your money! :D The p'kal is a dandy folder. You just never know, but I think MBC will continue to thrive and benefit from great functional tools.

[Mr Blonde]

Don't forget the relationship with Fred Perrin; his Streetbowie and currently produced Streetbeat are excellent MBC designs. I don't think that Fred is committed to any particular company, so who knows we'll see more of his designs from the Spyderhouse in the future.

I'd love to see more James Keating designs, especially fixed blades. How about a crossada done by Spyderco?

Wouter

[Qboy]

Thanks for the responses.

To Wouter: Fred Perrin would be a great candidate IMHO.

I forgot to mention the Karambit, which I believe is a great knife--albeit very specialized. Warren Thomas, who designed that one, would be a great guy to have another collaboration design with.

I have not yet handled the p'kal--I can't convince myself to spring the roughly $140 it will cost without every having handled it--time to go to SFO, perhaps.

Personally, I best love the MBC knives that are useable in day-to-day use. The Yojimbo even falls into that category--after all, Janich himself has noted that he got the blade shape from a Stanley knife! The Chinook II is great but hardly unobtrusive. Great camp knife. I edc'd the Karambit for a while and Steve Tarani is right that that shape of blade is actually very handy in 'utility use.'

The 440V Lil'Temp is actually a very functional EDC as well as having MBC leanings. I like the larger handle and short stout blade.

PS Yes, the Ronin is a beautiful knife and very functional.

Q

[SimpleIsGood229]

I'm glad Wouter mentioned the Street Beat, as it is a beautiful knife! It's actually my favorite knife, period (hard to determine, I know!).

Let's not forget the Civilian. :)

[A. Stanton]

Qboy,
I'm no expert in MBC designs, but I would say that you are definantely ahead of the game if you can open your knife with one hand. A video was made for corrections and police training called "Sharp-Edged Weapons." In the video, a police officer relates how some hooker sliced him so severely that his wounds required over 100 stitches to close. The hooker's weapon: one of those fake, crappy lip sticks which doesn't contain lip stick. It contains only a 1.5" blade. Would you call this weapon a good MBC design? Seems so.

[amen74]

What about the Dodo? I don't think it's rated as MBC, it has some of the greatest ergos IMO. This little guy feels great in a reverse grip. One of the most comfortable folders I own. My Dodo goes with me everywhere. I'd feel naked without it.

[Agent Starling]

Hi Qboy

I have not yet handled the p'kal--I can't convince myself to spring the roughly $140 it will cost without every having handled it--time to go to SFO, perhaps.

Personally, I best love the MBC knives that are useable in day-to-day use.

The P'kal is very ergonomically designed, it could easily be put to work as a user knife if you so desired...once you have a chance to handle one you'll see what i mean...awesome knife! :D

Agent Starling

[Jay_Ev]

I'm not sure if the Jot Singh Khalsa is considered a "MBC" knife, but Mr. Khalsa personally posted here not too long ago expressing his interest in doing another collaboration knife with Spyderco.

Jay

[zenheretic]

Hey Qboy, Let's not make Dr. Snubnose upset and forget to mention his favorite "Ronin" :eek: :D :D . The Ronin was also a design by Michael Janich and Mr. Snody. I agree with you on a smaller Keating Design close to his Hornet Design he did for MOD. Even another design with Mr. Janich. Take Good Care and Be Safe Always.

God Bless :)


-raven-

Hail Raven,

Someone activated the Ronin beacon in the sky.

Snody didn't design kwap. The designer Mr. Janich and Sal have worded it differently several times in the past, but ya know I like to boil it down to the marrow.

[Qboy]

Hi All:

Thanks for your various comments. On the issue of a LEO being injured by someone wielding a tiny knife, you are of course correct that the person holding a tool is typically more important than the tool itself. A great deal of carrying and using a knife as a tool is about skill. I did not start this thread to debate MBC effectiveness specifically--simply to discuss MBC-focused knives as a theme.

Frankly speaking, a decent sized fixed blade knife is a better weapon than a folding knife. I would also say that a large Mag Lite is certainly as effective as many knives if thats your concern.

There are many people who prefer to carry folding knives--such as myself. I do not carry a folder specifically for defensive purposes. I am an MBC enthusiast, however. I find that the MBC oriented knives tend to have the features that I like in an EDC: very strong locks and good ergonomics in a variety of grips. The ones from Spyderco also tend to have some of the most innovative designs created in production folders that I have ever encountered.

From my perspective, Spyderco is unique partly because Spydies create a convergence between EDC utility knives and MBC knives. This is unique.

Regards,

Q

[Dr. Snubnose]

I think you will see more collaborations with Spyderco and others in the near future, despite the fact that MBC or SD related edged weapondry is only a small part of sales regarding the entire knife industry...Many a knife made by Spyderco would work well in a SD situation even though they do not meet the criteria for the MBC ratings...Doc :D

[sal]

Hi Qboy,

Thanx for the kind words.

As you say, any sharp pointy thing can be used for self defense.

Our MBC designs are usually promtped by MBC trainers and practitioners. I've worked with all of them to better understand the thought behind the design. This gives us a much better chance of creating an effective design.

Besides being an "art form" like judo or fencing, MBC is a functional art for those that pay attention to stopping the bad guy from hurting the innocents.

We like to support SAS personnel ( Serve And Save ).

The most recent "purpose built" design was the P'Kal. I'm sure there will be others in the future.

sal

[SoCal Operator]

Some could even argue that the Super Hawk is in this vein.
.

For the record, the SuperHawk feels like it was made for reverse grip, edge-out.

[sal]

For the record, the SuperHawk feels like it was made for reverse grip, edge-out.

It shoud handle all 4 grip positions although edge-up blade forward (hammer) and blade down edge in (ice-pick) requires paying attention to the tip. Cuts are to be avoided.

sal

[flyguy]

Cuts are to be avoided.

That made me laugh. :D

[Dr. Snubnose]

Should have read...before the word cuts..."self-inflicted"....Doc :D

[feeny]

Im no expert at all, but some of the "extra" things in my opinion for considering in an MBC (well maybe more SD than MBC) design:

- features that improve access - its all useless if it cant be deployed - EG: try drawing a clipit from waistband / pocket when in the car with a seatbelt on!!!! .. or just seated at the dinner table!

- means of escalation - starting with ergos for good fist load, to a punyol (ala lava tapered handle) for impact ... if possible similar the same for the front part of the handle too (whilst folded), a threatening sound when opened -and any such feature that might reduce the need for deployment [which in my opinion is always a good thing!]

- then of course come all the other things that are present in all spydies - from ergos to locks to spydie holes to materials and steel and blade shape.