Spyderhole Licence list?

[Stew]

Is there a list somewhere of Spyderhole licenced custom makers that I just can't find?

If not, how else does a maker prove that they have the right to use a Spyderhole or more importantly, how does a buyer know that they're buying a knife that's ethically sound without having to dig about lots or send e-mails.

I would have thought a list somewhere on the main site would be a sensible thing but I just can't find it, if it exists!

[The Deacon]

The subject has come up a number of times but, AFAIK, there is still no published list of makers who are currently licensed, or have been in the past.

If you're buying directly from the maker, you could ask them. Can't see anyone lying about it, that would damage their reputation even more than just using the Spyderhole without permission. But, if you're less trusting than I am, you could ask to see a copy of their license.

If the knife is being purchased on the secondary market, and the maker is still active, you can still inquire with them. If not, asking here will often get you an answer fairly quickly. Doing a search here for the maker's name, and checking any threads where someone posted photos of their work is another option. If such a thread exists, and the knife or knives use the Spyderhole, their status will almost always either have been known, or questioned.

[keen1]

The only published list I've ever seen is page 163 of The Spyderco Story. It is a copy of an ad Spyderco placed in a knife-industry trade magazine, some time ago, to thank the manufacturers and custom knifemakers that honored their patents. The list is a venerable who's who of most of the great custom makers of our day.

[Armalite Native]

Can you imagine if you were the dude that invented and trademarked the thumb stud (if someone had actually done that)? Every company just about would be owing you right about now...

[The Deacon]

Can you imagine if you were the dude that invented and trademarked the thumb stud (if someone had actually done that)? Every company just about would be owing you right about now...

Not true. It would have been the same situation as with the Spyderhole. He would have had 17 years of patent protection for the general concept, during which they'd have needed to consistently use one specific configuration of the thumb stud, be it a shape, a color, or a design of some kind. They would have needed to use that configuration on most of their folding knives, so that it became associated with their brand.

At the end of the 17 years, just like Spyderco when their patent on a depression in the blade that allowed it to be thumbed open expired, they'd have been able to trademark that one specific thumb stud configuration. Then, just like "hole" openers of any shape other than round do not violate Spyderco's trademark, other makers would have then been free to use other stud configurations.

Respecting the intellectual property of others isn't rocket science, it just behaving honorably.

[jossta]

Most reputable custom makers that use the hole are licensed (all that I've seen). Not sure if all of these are still licensed, but I don't think it's that hard and from what I've heard the charge is very minimal if you aren't churning out tons of knives a year.

Sacha Thiel
Tim Wegner
Jens Anso
Pat Crawford
Les George
Andre DeVilliers
Howard Viele
Jeremy Krammes
Shane Sibert
Bob Lum
Mark Terrell
Brad Southard
Deviant Knives
Mikkel Willumsen
Burchtree
Allen Elishewitz
Mick Strider
Steve Ryan
Charles Marlowe
AT Barr

And probably some others.

[Stew]

Thanks guys. Nothing clear cut then. :D Kinda glad it's not just that I can't find it.

Still seems a bit bizarre to me that there's no easy to find list but there you go! :)