Old Salt

Knifewing · #1

Has there been any significant change to the Salt 1 over the years? Is an original Salt (green box) essentially the same as the current version? I'm asking because I know Spyderco is always improving its designs...

araneae · #2

The only changes I am aware of is that very early on they had steel clips instead of Ti. The Salts are currently switching over to torx screws instead of pinned construction.

Stephen · #3

This might not hold true for every Salt, as I've only owned an older Pacific and Atlantic.

Anyway, the jimping on the thumb ramp of the older Salt models was really course. Instead of ~9-10 small, sharp, grippy grooves, there were ~5 or 6 larger not-so-grippy grooves. I'd show a comparison pic, but I got rid of my older Salt's years ago...

Knifewing · #4

Thanks for the info. I thought the jimping had changed, but couldn't tell from the photos I could find. Sounds like it would be worth waiting for a Salt with new construction.

araneae · #5

They are out now, but you should consult the dealer first to make sure its torx screwed if that makes a difference to you.

Padawan · #6

Knifewing wrote:Sounds like it would be worth waiting for a Salt with new construction.

It really all depends upon your preferences. Personally, I tend to appreciate pinned construction on many Spyderco knives, so the switch to Torx fasteners wouldn't necessarily draw me to a new model over my older Salt 1 (which is an absolutely fantastic knife).

Creepo · #7

If it is one of the very first Salts there have been some significant improvements.

Clip: From SS to Ti.

Pivot: There were some issue with rust leaking from the pivot so they tweaked the materials used in the pivot (washers?) so that they won't rust. Don't know if the other pins had these kind of issues.

Blade surface: There were cases where it seemed like the actual blade had rusted, this was not the case. In the Seki plant the tools they used for grinding were contaminated by other materials they had been used on so that residue got on the H1 blade in the process.
For example if the grinder was used on a VG10 blade, then a H1 blade, VG10 residue would end up on the H1 blade which would then rust. The tools are now thoroughly cleaned so no more residue problems.

Fasteners: From pins to torx, the change was done recently.

You can keep it as a collectible, or use it.
IF it gets rust on it, send it to Spyderco and they WILL for sure send you a brand new one because when they say NO RUST they hold on to their word. :)