Amsterdam Meet 2011 Report

[sal]

Everything about the Squeak sounds perfect to me ... small enough not to draw attention to itself but big enough to be really useful as an EDC blade for opening packets or cutting string etc., which is at least 90% of the tasks I use my knives for. :) I don't think I have been this excited about a knife since the launch of the FRN UKPK :D

Do we have any idea when the launch is likely to be? I am guessing that, if the FRN molds have been made and the knife is in that advanced stage of development then it should be fairly soon? Or am I just getting too excited? :p

Hi ChrisR,

Squeaks should be shipping this summer.

sal

[Mr Blonde]

Wouter,

To add to your comments on Frank Centofante's influence on Spyderco, I wanted to point out that the C34 collaboration was the first "double distal taper" and the first leaf blade iirc, two features that have become ubiquitous in the Spyderco lineup.

I did not realize that, thanks for the info! Amazing.

[Mr Blonde]

+1 ... yep - really appreciate your work Wouter - many thanks for such excellent images - they are so good it feels like you can reach out and touch them :)

Thanks for the kind words. Although I'm not completely satisfied with the way some shots turned out, I'm happy with the overall results. It is actually my 'mission statement' to make the knives look as 'real' as possible; the way they would look in real life, in your hand. That's why I prefer to shoot knifepics under a cloudy/overcast sky, which I couldn't do here for obvious reasons.

[Simsmac]

Hi Simsmac,

I think that Jabba probably hit the nail on the head. Some makers are better at some types of designs or materials. Some makers are better at higher volume designs. As we grow our US facility, we also have trading partners that we've been dealing with for many years (30+ in some cases) and long term, loyal partnerships are important to us.

The value of the money in each country also dictates some models. The strong Euro and Yen make models made in Europe and Japan more expensive so quality must be at it's best (Gambaru, Japanese for "best effort").

If cheaper was the only criterion, we would make all of our models in China as many in our industry do. It does have it's business advantages, but we feel that, for Spyderco, there are many other factors influencing our decisions.

Hope that helps.

sal

Thanks for taking the time to explain. I appreciate it.

I'm glad Spyderco is so mindful of the balance of quality and cost. That's what makes your knives so great. :)

[Mr Blonde]

While it wasn't technically shot at the Amsterdam Meet, it does deal with one of the prototypes in this thread. So I figured it for reference it would be better to add this (and upcoming videos) in this thread.

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[TBob]

Thanks, Wouter! That's the comparison I wished to see. Looks like a Manbug goes on my list!

[angusW]

The handle and blade on the Manbug looks to be about the same length as the Ladybug. It will definitely be on the list.

[feed_the_animals]

Am I alone in thinking that screw pivots in stainless bolsters are borderline atrocious looking? I think I would be all over the Manbug otherwise.

[TBob]

Am I alone in thinking that screw pivots in stainless bolsters are borderline atrocious looking? I think I would be all over the Manbug otherwise.

Tastes vary widely, but I think that it looks OK.

[bh49]

Wouter,
Thank you for video. Manbug certainly looks interesting.

[The Deacon]

Am I alone in thinking that screw pivots in stainless bolsters are borderline atrocious looking? I think I would be all over the Manbug otherwise.

Nope, you are not alone. While I'm sure there are others who love that look, I'm in total agreement with you. IMHO, the version Wouter showed with the flush pins was several orders of magnitude better looking. IIRC, Sal commented that no decision had yet been made as to which version would be put into the production. If it turns out to be the one with flush pins and smooth G-10, I'll buy several. If the "tactical" version is chosen, I'll probably pass.

[Evil D]

I'm all about adjustable pivots, but i think on a bolstered knife they take away from the look of having bolsters.

[tonydahose]

Wouter, again thanks for all your pictures. That Centofante is absolutely gorgeous. I think Mr. Centofante would have been proud to carry that knife.

[defenestrate]

Agreed with tony. The Memory is a great looking knife and a fitting tribute. This is likely to be top of my list for a gentleman's folder.

[Mr Blonde]

Eric Glesser presents the upcoming Des Horn Folder, designed by Des Horn and made by Spyderco.

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[bh49]

Am I alone in thinking that screw pivots in stainless bolsters are borderline atrocious looking? I think I would be all over the Manbug otherwise.

Nope, you are not alone. I'm in total agreement with you. IMHO, the version Wouter showed with the flush pins was several orders of magnitude better looking.

I am not a big fan of pivot screws on stainless bolsters either. I wish Navaja wouldn't have it. Still I will get both Navaja and Manbug, may be will buy more later, depending how I will like them when I get them.

[Mr Blonde]

Eric Glesser goes over the design and construction of the upcoming Native 5.

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[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Seeing the new native in a hand and from all angles, I am impressed...I think that is one to get. Thanks again for all the posting!

[ChrisR]

It looks a lovely knife :) but I am disappointed that it has bushings on the pivot because this means that the pivot cannot be over-tightened and it increases the risk that Customs will seize them as gravity knives in the UK. Being able to tighten up the pivot has been the only way to convince Customs that the knife is legal in recent years.

[TBob]

Nice video, Wouter. I gotta have the fluted titanium version. It looks like a great piece of work.