Visit with Kristi, Sal, and the Spydercrew

[KaliGman]

In the first week of June, I attended a law enforcement training session in Denver, Colorado. The session was three days of solid training, with Monday and Friday as “travel days” to get back to your assigned duty station. I ended up taking Friday, June 5th off, and making a little trip to Golden, traveling home Saturday, June 6th. It was very nice to see Kristi again and to get shown around the Spyderco facilities. I met a fellow LEO and forumite there (nice to meet you sir), who was there to see Kristi for a few minutes. I talked to Eric and we discussed balisongs, how much I enjoy the Smallfly, and then he made some comments on an Albo Kali Silat fighting knife prototype I had with me (soon to be produced by Keen Edge Knives in a trainer and live blade version).

Sal stopped by Eric’s office while Kristi and I were there, picked up my prototype and, with a glance, was able to tell me, within a half inch, the correct blade length (and was just about spot on as to how long the actual cutting edge will be on the finished knife). Nothing quite beats the educated eye of a man with a lifetime of experience, I suppose. I knew that Kristi had arranged for me to meet Sal and spend some time with him. I did not know, however, that Sal was going to be dedicating most of his day to showing me around and discussing knives and martial arts with me.

I was provided a very nice tour of Spyderco. I saw the hand fitting and final assembly being conducted on some very nice knives. I met the men and women who grind, build, design, and sell some of the best edged tools in the world. It was a very interesting experience, and, as expected, everyone was very pleasant and approachable.

Sal spent several hours with me, and Kristi, Sal and I went out to lunch. Having recently returned from the Blade Show, Sal had most of the prototypes of future projects as well as a few “almost ready for release” items still packed from the travel. I think it was 70 or 80 pieces that he unwrapped and that he let me play with a bit. Several of these knives have been discussed on several threads here, so I feel comfortable in discussing them. The framelock Military was very nice, but I already expected to like that one and knew that I would order a couple. The Chokwe was actually a bit of a surprise, as (sorry Clovisc), I really never cared for the looks of this ethnic series blade. Sal has worked some magic, though, as the Spyderco version feels much better in the hand than I expected, considering my experience with knives with similar “straight” handles. This one, like many ethnic blades, really needs to be held to be appreciated—I might pick one up after all. The Ed Schempp prototypes were what I expected—stuff that I knew I was going to want. Sal said that Ed knows his ergonomics, and I had to agree. The Tuff is beefy and is going to be highly recommended by me to my fellow LEOs. If you can’t do the job with this brute, then the job probably requires an axe, hydraulic hammer, crowbar, chainsaw and maybe some high explosives. As for the Viking, based on a Viking sword, it is beautiful and I hope it stays with that white handle. The fuller design is interesting, and the knife led to Sal and I discussing swords. We talked cutting from the draw, the reverse grip draw, the forward twist draw, Iaido, and the like, and I ended up telling him how I nearly cut my thumb off years ago when using a live blade katana and doing a demonstration for some school kids. I saw several knives that will be upcoming Sprint runs. I am unsure of what Spyderco wants released regarding these, so I will just say that some of the “oldies but goodies” that many in the forum have pined over seem to be represented for possible future Sprint runs.

Sitting down and discussing knife design and the knife business with Sal was fascinating. I saw several pieces of proprietary Spyderco equipment, was told a few things concerning the various strengths and weaknesses of knives, and basically received an edge-u-cation. I can truly say that Sal and Spyderco know what is going on with their knives. The testing and continuous design refinement that goes on is amazing, and gratifying for those of us, like me, who are rabid fans of the brand (of course, I am a rabid fan because of the performance, and the performance has a lot to do with how dedicated Spyderco is to testing that performance and perfecting their designs). Lots of companies have hype in their marketing. Many talk about their performance. Spyderco does not talk much; they just test, innovate, and continuously improve their product.

While I was at Spyderco, Sal discussed the UK Penknife and Kristi talked about showing off its features. Apparently, some photographs were to be taken, but the photo project had not been completed (which is understandable considering the number of projects that the company is completing with less than 40 employees). Sal sees the UK Penknife as a knife for the future, at least in jurisdictions where locking knives are banned or will be banned. I ended up buying a UK Penknife from the Spyderco store’s inventory and I promised Sal a video on its features. I filmed the video on the 15th, edited it and converted it over to QuickTime on the 20th, and will be finishing the writeup for the website soon. I hope to have it up on the Albo Kali Silat website by next week sometime and will post a link to the video on the forum when it is ready. I will put it up on YouTube either right before or right after it hits my website. I will say that this is my first Spyderco splipjoint and only the second slipjoint I have bought in the last 25 years (the other one I got in a trade, but it really is more of a “pretty, pretty” for looking at rather than cutting). The UK Penknife has some interesting features, and, though I detest weapons laws and knife laws in particular, if you live where the UK Penknife is “the future” as to what you can legally carry, then the future is certainly not that bad. This little bugger performs.

Thank you very much Sal, and thanks, of course, to Kristi for arranging everything and spending much of her day with me as well. I appreciate the insight and the trust that was displayed when I was shown so much of the “inner workings” of the company. It was good to see Joyce again and to meet and talk with Eric. Thanks to all of the Spyderco crew for your kindness during my visit. Oh, and Kristi, let me know how the training DVD and stick are working out.

[Domanfp]

sounds like a pretty good day to me!!!!!
I am jealous, now tell us about the CF dodo sprint

[v8r]

Sounds like good times and good people to me. :) Orange G10 Dodo sprint run please.Sal and the crew have to have tons of orange g10 laying around right?

[Jay_Ev]

sounds like a pretty good day to me!!!!!
I am jealous, now tell us about the CF dodo sprint

When he dropped that little hint, the Dodo was the first thing that came to my mind, too.

Sounds like a very memorable experience. You got to do something that few of us will ever get the chance to do.

[jujigatame]

No better way to learn about knives than spending time with the folks that make them. :)

[telemeister]

I'm very jealous! It just confirms for me why I love Spyderco as a company and as a knife maker.

[ozspyder]

Well done Sal, Kristi and the rest of the Crew,

Gman it sounds like you had one of the best days of your life and will take it with you for a long time.

I am envious, but glad that you are able to see Sal's hospitality first hand and also to sample some of the future of Spyderco in the making.

[duff72]

Another reason I love Spyderco-A company that actually cares about people and have pride in their product, they also listen to customers input to make their product line evolve

[224477]

Thanks for the feedback Jon, any pics were taken you would like to show? :D
Must have been great time there.

[TazKristi]

.... Oh, and Kristi, let me know how the training DVD and stick are working out.

Thanks again for spending your day with us! We all enjoyed it and I hope we can do it again soon. I'm practicing, don't worry, I know I'll be tested next time I see you. :D

[JT]

Sounds like a perfect way to spend a day. Thanks for the story KaliGman.

Have I missed something, is this been discussed before?

The Ed Schempp prototypes were what I expected—stuff that I knew I was going to want. Sal said that Ed knows his ergonomics, and I had to agree. The Tuff is beefy and is going to be highly recommended by me to my fellow LEOs. If you can’t do the job with this brute, then the job probably requires an axe, hydraulic hammer, crowbar, chainsaw and maybe some high explosives.

might we get more info on this "Tuff"? it sounds interesting unless it's still top secret... :D

[KaliGman]

Sounds like a perfect way to spend a day. Thanks for the story KaliGman.

Have I missed something, is this been discussed before?




might we get more info on this "Tuff"? it sounds interesting unless it's still top secret... :D

This might help a bit JT:

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22148
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... light=tuff

I am giving nothing away in saying that it is titanium handled, beefy, with the typical great ergonomics you get with a Schempp design. Sal said he thought he had found a maker who could produce it. I am sure it will be pricey, with a titanium handle. I am also sure that it will be worth every penny.

[Superfuzz]

A very good read...I envy you the trip and the vist, lol. I wil have to go find this penknife video as well.

[stonyman]

Let me tell you kalig, I am jealous! I was only able to get a few brief, albeit great moments, with Sal and the crew at the Blade show. You are spot on with the protos of future Spydies. My brother Raven even sent me back to revisit Ed Schempp's proto design.

Spydercos booth was so full of people. I enjoyed my brief moments and exchanged pleasantries and MADE ROOM!(LOL) The framelock MILLIE will definately be a blazer. Oh a bit surprise to me was the Temperance 2 with the brown colored handle. It was very hand filling for a big guy and purely..........functional. :rolleyes:

Sounds like you had a blast kaligman. Uninterupted attention, free reins of Spyderco. Great stuff! Glad you were able to settle in. Take care of yourself.

Talk to you soon............ Stonyman!

[KaliGman]

A very good read...I envy you the trip and the vist, lol. I wil have to go find this penknife video as well.

The video is currently on YouTube and will be added to my website, along with two other new videos that we filmed last night. In the meantime, here is the YouTube location of the UK Penknife video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apRGSLtJ ... annel_page

[Superfuzz]

Thank you for the very nice video!

Im about to PCS to Germany and they have new laws in effect there, too; regarding blade length/opening/lock, etc. I bought a Swick for this purpose, as it appears to be legal. The UK Penknife will have to be something I look at, too. And to be honest...until I saw the video it was not a consideration. I can see the utility of the blade, in of itself. Thanks for that.

I also watched several of your Albo Kali Silat videos as well. Particularly the Boker MPT, Karambit, Kris and Improvised Impact demonstrations. Very impressive. My personal background is Krav Maga and Modern Army Combatives. The Kali Silat techniques depicted appear to be very refined (beautiful), and seem to have many "RL" applications as well...as mentioned by someone else...very nice foot work. I will definitely check into this system.

Much respect, Tuhan.

'Fuzz

[Lost Jaguar]

Excellent post, KaliGman. I envy you for your experience at Golden.