Is the spyderedge Spydercos claim to fame?

[byoo79]

Greetings all, very happy to be a member here. First off, I've only recently started having interested in spyderco's when a friend let me tool around with his endura 4 on a camping trip. Excellent knife.

I plan to purchase some spydercos of my own in the next couple days but would like the forums insight and opinion on some matters.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am very torn between a plain-edge and combo-edge type knife. I've read through all the relevant posts and have come to the conclusion that it really is only a preference of the buyer... which leads me to my next question.

When you think "Spyderco", do you associate the name with the spyderedge? My theory is, if I am going to purchase a knife from spyderco, the least I could do is purchase a knife in a configuration which truly represents the brand. If "spyderedge" is spydercos claim to fame and/or a driving factor for its popularity, I'd like to have one just to have one.

However, if it's not necessarily something that spyderco has revolutionized or is their claim to fame, I might as well just get a plain edge.

Any thoughts? Insights?

Knife collecting is a disease i tell you!

[Clawhammer]

Someone's sure to correct me, but I remember reading something here about Spyderco introducing the 'serrated' edge to folding knives as an innovation to folders!

But the spyderhole for thumb opening was an original invention. That's what caught my eye when I first saw one in the movie "Cliffhanger"

[zombie]

Hi byoo79, I really like the spyderedge on my h1 pacific, it's seem You don't need to sharpen it as often as a plain edge and it separates matter pretty good not as clean a cut on some things but it's still my edc. as to spydercos claim to fame there are many starting with quality, the spyderhole opening,they were the first to put a clip on a pocket knife,the spyderedge, there excellent customer support, and I know I'm forgetting a few things.
but I think I would go with a se first and a pe later but If you want a knife that really epitomizes Spyderco I think it would be the stretch.

[dolphincry]

round hole opener is the trademark of Spyderco. But i prefer PE...

[The Deacon]

Spyderco brought three innovations to pocket knives - the "Spyderhole" round hole opener, the pocket clip, and serrations. Of the three, the only one which I find useful is the round hole. Serrations make cutting something by pressing it against the blade with your thumb impossible and, while they hold an edge longer, are more difficult to sharpen. Pocket clips increase the risk of loss, cause damage to furniture, vehicles, and clothing and draw unneeded attention to the fact you are carrying a knife. The Spyderhole opener is 100% reilable, and works better for me than any other opening system.

One could argue that it was also the most innovative. While they may have been the first to use serrations on pocket knives, serrated kitchen and survival knives had existed for years. While they were the first to use a pocket clip on a knife, such clips had been used on a number of other products. The only concept remotely close to the round hole opener, the Scagel opener, while easier to use than a nail nick, was never positioned to allow one hand opening.

[Toad310]

To me, the innovations the Deacon speaks of are correct, however, this how I see it.

The clip and hole are designed to work together when you need to deploy the knife.

The clip keeps it on your pocket or any other place you keep it, ready to go easy to get at, and the hole allows fast opening of the blade.

The knife serrations are a personal preference as to the project or environment the knife will be used.

All of this changed the entire knife industry in the late 80s and early 90s.

Those were fun days!

Toad

[Clawhammer]

For the record... an 'innovation' is the introduction of an existing 'thing' into a new area, like serrations on pocket knives

whereas an invention is something completely new, like the Spyderhole or the Compression Lock

:D

[Marion David Poff]

For the record... an 'innovation' is the introduction of an existing 'thing' into a new area, like serrations on pocket knives

whereas an invention is something completely new, like the Spyderhole or the Compression Lock

:D

Well, Merriam and Webster, those pedants, might disagree, though I bet they would do it dustily...

Main Entry: in·no·va·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century

1 : the introduction of something new
2 : a new idea, method, or device

But, even by your interpretation of the word.....

There exists examples of things that are like the Spyderco Trade Mark Round Hole and the Pocket Clip that existed prior to Spyderco introducing them to the knife world.

I believe the idea for the pocket clip came from key fob/thing fashioned in the shape of a frog, whose legs formed a sort of hook or clip, which kept the keys at the top of the purse....

And previous articles from Blade magazine have shown that knives have had holes in the blade, which may have been used as opening methods....

But, I think none of that takes away from Spyderco's amazing track record.

Spyderco re-shaped the knife world. Simply that.

Before Spyderco, Kershaw, Gerber, Buck, Camillus, Ka-Bar, Case Etc did not have serrations, pocket clips or one hand opening, (unless you bought an accessory)...

Now, those companies, do all of those things, and hardly any of those companies exist in their original form....

Spyderco has been, and continues to be Transformative of the Cutlery Market....

I better stop, before I be accused of making a Golden Calf...

Marion

[araneae]

Anyhow, back to the original topic.

Welcome. As you mentioned, personal preference is indeed the most important factor in knife choice. Before you can decide if serrations are for you, you'll need to own an SE knife. Nobody does serrations as well as Spyderco. So I'd say start out with one PE and one SE and decide for yourself. Excellent starters include the Delica/endura, the Salt line and the Natives. Knifecenter has a few Spyderco specials going now that are very well priced, including some of the models I mentioned. The Byrd line of knives is also a good way to test out different styles cheaply.

[demtek9]

I think they introduced the "SpyderEdge" which I believe is their serration pattern of one large, two small, then another large. No claim of certainty here though.

[ChapmanPreferred]

Spyderco's early contributions to the greater knife using world.

trademark round hole
pocket clip
serrations

Another gift to the knife community from Spyderco is the ability to sharpen both plain edge and serrations effectively.

Three cheers for Spyderco!

[suedeface]

I would go with the combo edge. I've had a full SE delica 1 before and it worked great, but wished I'd had a PE for some of the tasks I came across. Then I got a PE version (delica 1 again) and wished I had serrations for edge holding and cutting rough materials. The next delica I bought after that years later (delica 3 now) was a combo edge and I havn't looked back since. Lots of people dont like CE knives, but I think they're a great compromise in an all around use utility knife. Having said that, there are still various models better suited to full SE or PE.

[Blerv]

The hole and clip have had patents over the years which speaks for itself based on the concept of patenting.

The matter of serrations is interesting because unlike most makers, Spyderco's teeth cut (like shaving paper) instead of sawing. A dull SE knife will still cut while a dull PE knife will just spread PB & J.

A good blade I hear in combo is the stretch frn: full flat ground, long blade so you get room with and w/o teeth, and a terrific clip and ergonomics. It's the zr1 corvette of the spyderco family (bang for the buck). It doesn't look tacti-cool but is ALL business.

[Sequimite]

A good blade I hear in combo is the stretch frn: full flat ground, long blade so you get room with and w/o teeth, and a terrific clip and ergonomics.

I also think that combo edge is more effective in a longer blade. I've gotten rid of most of the CE knives I've owned, but I like it on my Military.

[SoCal Operator]

Welcome to the forum.

If "spyderedge" is spydercos claim to fame and/or a driving factor for its popularity, I'd like to have one just to have one.

However, if it's not necessarily something that spyderco has revolutionized or is their claim to fame, I might as well just get a plain edge.

This is a "yes and no" kind of answer. No, in that I do not think the spyderedge was Spyderco's main claim to fame or driving force in it's popularity. Yes in that I think they revolutionized serrations and their relevance to the folding knife world. And that you should get one and for more reasons than "just to have one."

However

You seem intent on getting something of the "essence" of the Spyderco brand. To be honest, I don't think that can be accomplished with just one knife. Therefore I invoke the Spyderco Factory Forum's most sacred and true motto: Buy Both! Get an SE and a PE. You will find uses for both.

[byoo79]

Great response guys! I appreciate the help... I think I'll just buy some different variations and see what I use and prefer more.

[DMgangl]

Thats a good idea. A SE edge knife is extremely useful. Especially if you have a lot of heavy materials to cut.

DM

[SaturnNyne]

The matter of serrations is interesting because unlike most makers, Spyderco's teeth cut (like shaving paper) instead of sawing...

This is an interesting comparison that I'd like to hear explained further. I know the kinds of serrations we see on steak knives and many kitchen knives only saw instead of cut, but I would have thought that most serrations on the folders of other companies are even more oriented toward cutting over sawing than the spyderedge is, since they're usually much less aggressive and toothy. I'm wondering what I'm misunderstanding about how they differ.

[Pneumothorax]

To me, the innovations the Deacon speaks of are correct, however, this how I see it.

The clip and hole are designed to work together when you need to deploy the knife.

The clip keeps it on your pocket or any other place you keep it, ready to go easy to get at, and the hole allows fast opening of the blade.

The knife serrations are a personal preference as to the project or environment the knife will be used.

All of this changed the entire knife industry in the late 80s and early 90s.

Those were fun days!

Toad

Well put, Toad310. Let's make this an easy decision for you since you are collector. Just get one of each type of blade since you can or will need them both sooner than later. As was discussed in anohter thread, there is no grail Spydie. I myself am not an SE fan, but I bought several for when I need them - and it give me an excuse to carry two knives - PE and SE when I think the need might arise :D .

[Blerv]

This is an interesting comparison that I'd like to hear explained further. I know the kinds of serrations we see on steak knives and many kitchen knives only saw instead of cut, but I would have thought that most serrations on the folders of other companies are even more oriented toward cutting over sawing than the spyderedge is, since they're usually much less aggressive and toothy. I'm wondering what I'm misunderstanding about how they differ.

The Spyderedge geometry works better than most serrations. You have the general "teeth" which are the shallow arcs with acute points and then the scallops which are wider.

The basic concept (from what I have gathered) is that between each peak is an arc that is ground very thin similar to a chisel. The peaks keep the valleys from dulling and also add bite. The varied surface allows the blade to cut longer and with less pressure than the standard "same size/frequency" serrations. They also tend to "clog" less with material with this varied pattern (think mud tires vs street tires). Combine this with the typical super-steels Spyderco is famous for and the two factors keep the blade edge SHARP for a LONG time.

As for the "shaving paper" thought, because the scallops have a decent gap to them and arc you can push-cut quite well. Getting a piece of paper, thread, small rope (etc)...you can essentially push and let the edge do the work. Sharp SE Spyderco's pop paper apart and the geometry keeps the blade from slipping. It's like it cuts on rails. When you actually decide to saw you can rip through things with even less effort and greater speed.

For clean cuts and certain fibrous materials a sharp PE will out-perform a SE blade. In my experience performance of PE drops off quicker and gets to a point where it won't give enough friction for cutting some materials. That said, with a Sharpmaker and a bit of skill a PE knife like the Stretch will fillet darn near anything and even last a long time.

PE and SE have definite purposes and advantages. One person said once that a sharp PE will do anything a SE will without nearly as many limitations. Others argue that in the world of heavy work (like the construction guys) SE is the only way to go because they use knives in a way I can't fathom and could care less about a precise cut on a cement bag. :D

Here's a thread I posted where I found some guys destroying a Byrd Wings by cutting a metal pole for a LONG time then re-sharpening it. It's a bit of burp/fart male science but pretty interesting:

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... light=edge

That's just my spin though. I'm no engineer.