Spyderco Diver

[Mortarman]

Anyone know the approximate value of a Spyderco Clipit Diver, 2001R-SER w/ box? Condition: Excellent / Like new



Thanks

[java]

Welcome to the Forum, Mortarman.

The Diver, first introduced in 1986, carried an MSRP of $94.95 when they were last sold by Spyderco. They pop up from time to time on E-Bay where I picked one up for $150 last year. I've seen them go for anywhere from $125 to a wee bit over $200. If it's a low serial numbered knife, it can go for more.

[Mortarman]

Thanks java. The Diver was my second Spyderco, purchased in the early 90s.

[saipan59]

Hi All,
Just joined the forums, but I've owned Spyderco products since the late 80's. I think I have a dozen or so models.

I looking for any comments on this:

- Diver 2001R-SER, with original box. I bought it new in about 1988. I think it was my 2nd or 3rd.
- It is marked "#428" on the body (not the blade), between the clip and the lanyard hole. The box also says "#428", hand-written on the side.
- There is a somewhat crudely-made SS lanyard loop mounted in the hole. It is attached with an ordinary pan-head slotted machine screw.
- The line cutter is drilled and countersunk on both sides, but it is not sharp.
- The clip is mounted a bit too close to the end of the body, such that somebody had to do a little grinding to make it flush.

I have seen this model referred to as a "Pre-Diver" - what does that mean? On mine, the box says "2001R-SER CLIPIT 'Diver' Right Hand-Serrated Edge".

Thanks,
Pete

[pcmike]

Let's see pictures guys..

[Jay_Ev]

There's one on ebay right now for $375:

Scuba Probe

[The Deacon]

I know therre's an article on the 2001 in The Spyderco Story. My copy is not handy at the moment, but IIRC, they originally had a bulit in Wischard snap, which proved problematic, so, for a while, the snap was ground off and replaced by the bolted on one your knife has. Again, working from memory, the knife was originally called the Diver, the modified version which you have was re-named the Pre-Diver. The box yours has makes me think the knife was returned to Spyderco due to the issue with the snap and refitted with the snap it now has. I believe the original game plan was to redesign and re-issue the Diver with the integral snap. That never happened, but the redesign process eventually led to the C26 Snap-It.

[saipan59]

Pictures attached.

Pete
[ATTACH]13361[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]13362[/ATTACH]

[saipan59]

One more observation, for those that might care:
The side-panel without the clip (the ruler side) is slightly thinner material, compared to the blade and and the other side-panel.
If this is interesting/important, I can measure it with a micrometer.

Pete

[The Deacon]

One version of the Mariner used the same asymmetrical scale thicknesses. In the case of the Diver, the thicker slab was the one which had the Wischard snap extension on it.

Did dig out the book, which confirmed what I'd posted and that the boxes for the ones which were modified before they left the factory had PRE on the label. So either the book is inaccurate on that point, some were modified and shipped before Spyderco changed the label, or yours was returned and modified.

Also, the hole in the blade is not a line cutter, one would simply use the blade to do that. It's a wire breaker, so it did not need to be particularly sharp.

The Divers, Pre_Divers, Probes, and Mini-Probes represent a neat bit of Spyderco history. Oddly, not one in which there's much collector interest.

[Doc Pyres]

Cool knife. Still looks sharp too. What's the steel?

[Noble]

Id give anything for that knife, bieng a commercial diver, that knife would work WONDERS for me. Id never even heard of it till this thread, now i HAVE to find one, and sell my first born to afford it. If only spyderco would release this model, built JUST like this one is........You non-commercial divers cannot begin to know how usefull this and the diver's pry-bar model spyderco made would come in handy. Now im in a coffee-fueled fluster. What is the handle made out of??? Looks almost pure nickel plated or some steel high in nickel content. Dammit.

[The Deacon]

According to the the book, blade was 440, no mention of the handle, probably the same as most all stainless Spydercos of that era. Don't think you'd need to sell any kids or organs, most I've seen one bring on eBay was around $150. Aside from the wire breaker, you could also just get a Saver Salt, which is totally rustproof, and bolt a shackle around the clip's barrel bolt.

[rycen]

I believe it is electro nickel plated.

[Noble]

According to the the book, blade was 440, no mention of the handle, probably the same as most all stainless Spydercos of that era. Don't think you'd need to sell any kids or organs, most I've seen one bring on eBay was around $150. Aside from the wire breaker, you could also just get a Saver Salt, which is totally rustproof, and bolt a shackle around the clip's barrel bolt.

I like the fact that this one has graticules on the handle, i do alot of measurements on my inspections which occur underwater at depts that give me nightmares sometimes, so having a unit like this one is such a good idea because the less stuff i have to clip to my harness, the better. Anyone can put graduations ons their knife, i know, but this one is proffesionally done and adds more credo to the clients video upon presentation. I cant seem to find one on ebay!!! LOL. Saver salt, I wonder if i can machine the wire breaker/line cutter into the blade with simple machining without destroying the blade... Thanks Deacon.

[The Deacon]

I like the fact that this one has graticules on the handle, i do alot of measurements on my inspections which occur underwater at depts that give me nightmares sometimes, so having a unit like this one is such a good idea because the less stuff i have to clip to my harness, the better. Anyone can put graduations ons their knife, i know, but this one is proffesionally done and adds more credo to the clients video upon presentation. I cant seem to find one on ebay!!! LOL. Saver salt, I wonder if i can machine the wire breaker/line cutter into the blade with simple machining without destroying the blade... Thanks Deacon.

True, the Divers and Pre-Divers don't show up very often.

Am guessing someone could add the breaker. Sal, or someone else who is knowledgeable about steel might be able to give you a definite answer. As for the ruler, if you really want that, you might consider getting the Mariner Salt instead. since it has stainless handles, and having someone engrave it for you.

[saipan59]

Hi All,
Today I got a reply back from a nice lady in Golden (I was in the showroom the other day, snooping around).
Here's a synopsis of what she said (I sent pictures):

Q: What about the serial #? Why on the body instead of the blade?
A: They were all serial numbered which is the #428. We had a manual engraver at the time and it was easier to engrave on the handle than the hardened blade.

Q: Regarding the mods.
A: There was originally a snap shackle on the end where the clip is attached. This caused problems when opening the blade as the thumb would run into it as you opened it. There were also problems with the spring part of the snap shackle breaking so we eventually ground the snap shackles off. We then added the U shaped ring as an alternative to the snap shackle.

Q: Line cutter not sharp.
A: It was very difficult to get to the edge of the line cutter to make it really sharp. This was back in 1988.

She also mentioned that she did the mods described above, and she wrote the serial # on the blue box.

Pete

[Noble]

True, the Divers and Pre-Divers don't show up very often.

Am guessing someone could add the breaker. Sal, or someone else who is knowledgeable about steel might be able to give you a definite answer. As for the ruler, if you really want that, you might consider getting the Mariner Salt instead. since it has stainless handles, and having someone engrave it for you.

Thats a great idea Deacon, Thank you Sir.