Show your Schemppreciation!

[gbelleh]

I've been a big fan of Ed Schempp's designs ever since I bought my first one, a Spyderco Khukuri, back in 2010. I was lucky enough to quickly score a Barong and Kris for great prices. And that's how it began. Now, I'm pretty sure I have every Ed Schempp Spyderco knife so far, and looking forward to many more. Ed Schempp is not afraid to venture outside the box with his designs, and that's one reason I like them so much. Here is my entire current collection of Schempp Spyderco knives. I've used or carried all of them at some point. For those less familiar with Ed's work, I'd like to showcase his designs here and show my Schemppreciation.

Schempp family portrait. Schempp Rock and Rock Salt on top. Below, left to right: Navaja, Tuff, Kris, original Large Persian, sprint run red Large Persian, original 75mm Persian, G-10 Large Persian, G-10 75mm Persian, Barong, Khukuri, Balance.



The Rock Salt and Schempp Rock are great choppers with an interesting look and nice ergonomics. I've used my Rock Salt in the yard a few times with excellent results.

Rock Salt on the left, Schempp Rock on the right.



The Tuff is my latest Schempp design. It's definitely unique looking, with the large fuller and dimpled texture. But, like all Schempp designs, it's comfortable to use, and very versatile. And very, very tough.






The Navaja is inspired by the Spanish Navaja knives, but with a modern touch. Another very unique looking knife that also contains a mechanism that makes a ratcheting sound when opening or closing the blade to emulate the distinctive carraca, clicking sound of the original Navajas.






The original Persians are two of my all-time favorite Spydercos. Simple, elegant, and beautifully made of VG-10 steel with bolstered micarta handles. These knives lock smoothly into the hand, and the sweeping blades are beautiful and useful.

Large Persian on the left, 75mm Mini Persian on the right.


Original Large Persian along with the sprint run Large Persian with red polished G-10 handles.



The Kris is yet another unique and interesting Schempp design. The Kris is similar in construction and materials to the original Persians, but features a distinctive waved blade reminiscent of blades from Indonesia and the Philippines. This knife looks quite unconventional, but is very comfortable in hand.





Continued...

[gbelleh]

Several years after the original Persians were discontinued, the Persian 2 was introduced with black G-10 scales and FFG blades. These are well made knives, and make great carry knives. But, IMO lack the elegance and soul of the originals.




The Barong is another ethnic series knife inspired by the leaf shaped knives of the Philippines. The Barong features many of Ed Schempp's design features. Such as a large choil area, downward angled blade, and excellent ergonomics that lock the hand in place without the need for jimping. The Barong is very smooth, offers a lot of reach, and slices with ease.




The Khukuri is similar in build and materials to the Barong, but folds into a very compact package for easy carry. The blade is even more extremely angled, but is comfortable to use, and offers a very useful blade shape.



Barong and Khukuri.



The Balance is an interesting concept that when closed, is completely symmetrical. When open, the blade features an extreme angle, like many other Schempp designs. This design allows the knife to lock solidly into the hand for lots of leverage and very controlled cutting. Though it's small, it's extremely useful.






If you enjoy Schempp knives as much as I do, please share your appreciation! :D

[kbuzbee]

The only Schempp I currently own is the Balance and I love it. As you say, very useful, even in my large hands

Good post!

Ken

[mikerestivo]

I own or have owned all of Ed's designs except the Kris and the Balance. I would consider myself a big fan of his knives. I am waiting on my Tuff to show up.

[1623]

Currently the only Schempp model that I own is the CF Balalnce, which I really dig.

I'm very intrigued by and anxiously waiting to hear more on the Equilibrium model.

[d.2.the.p]

Currently my only Schempp is the original bolstered black micarta Persian 75mm. However, it is one of my top 3 favorite Spydies that I own and is by far the most elegant. It's the only knife that I've considered getting a backup for.

[SpyderNut]

You have an exceptional collection, gbelleh. Nice photos too. You certainly know how to make a fellow drool. :) For myself, I have the 75 mm Persian (G-10) and the SS Balance. Both are wonderful designs and are very useful. The Persian is my wife's EDC. She can't say enough good about this knife. Great post!

[Pinetreebbs]

Very nice gbelleh! Soon... I recently found the old small Persian and I am waiting on a Tuff to arrive. The only one missing now is the Rock Salt.

I really enjoy Ed's designs.

[tonydahose]

here is a customized Persian in India Rosewood

[mikerestivo]

Currently the only Schempp model that I own is the CF Balalnce, which I really dig.

I'm very intrigued by and anxiously waiting to hear more on the Equilibrium model.

I would very much like to see at least a sketch of the Equilibrium.

Oh, and Tony - that's very nice - I like it.

[nightburn]

My contribution, a few pictures and a youtube video on my impressions of the Ed Schempp Tuff.













[video=youtube;bZ6zGhSHUXc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ6zGhSHUXc[/video]

[Knifewing]

I have a couple Schempp-designed knives--Rock Salt and Red Persian sprint--and find them to be a revelation in hand. I'm kicking myself for missing out on the Khukuri--guess I just didn't fully appreciate it at the time it was easily available (sigh). But it's on my ever-lengthening Spyderco grail list. Thanks for the great photos!

[HighDesertSpyder]

Personally, when I hear that Mr. Schempp is the designer, I am more apt to make the purchase. It's Tuff to resist am I right? :eek:

[gbelleh]

It's nice to hear from all the Schempp fans.

tonydahose, that's very nice! One thing I don't have is any customized Spydies.

nightburn, great pictures. They really show the "tuffness" of this knife. Thanks for making the video too. I agree it looks better in person. The quality is first rate, and the dimples are slowly growing on me.

[yowzer]

I don't mind the dimples on the Tuff, but that groove in the blade looks horrible in pictures. I think of it as a Barong 2 in spirit if not name; the two knives seem very similar. I don't see me getting one even if I could afford it right now because of that fuller, though...

(No pictures, but I have a Barong, Khukri, and Rock Salt, and went to a cutting competition once primarily to meet the gentleman.)

[The Deacon]

Some of my Persians, plus 5 (the ones at 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 o'clock) loaned to me by Sal four years ago to photograph...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[tonydahose]

Always love looking at that wheel Paul. I love almost all of Mr. Schempp's designs but I think that the Tuff is fugly. Just my opinion.

[Ed Schempp]

Gbelleh, I honored at the thread and the beautiful pictures. Thank you for the support it allows me to keep designing knives for my favorite company.

After I designed the Large Persian Sal asked me to concentrate on ethnic designs. That seemingly simple request really made me grow as a knife maker and a designer. I looked much harder at ethnic knives and a sincere appreciation grew for blade shapes that have been in constant use in some cases for over a thousand years.

After eight months in the Philippine Islands as a Rotary exchange student (1970) I came away with a great education in purpose built and designed knives and blades. Almost every household had a display plaque of 9- 15 blades displayed reflecting the extremely diverse blades of the Philippine Islands. As I came to find out there are 167 dialects in the PI. Each design met the needs of the local culture and the area where the dialect was spoken. It was like a design course in long blades. This knowledge lay dormant until my assignment from Sal to produce ethnic designs.

The Massad Ayoob design with a negative blade angle was iconic and inspirational to me to pursue ergonomics and make better working knives, something better adapted to the human design. In knife making I quickly went from stock removal to forging to better shape the blades for more ergonomic use and not be limited by the dimensions of the steel I was buying.

Spyderco and Sal gave me a little push to help me on my path. Not enough can be said about Spyderco unique corporate culture and the quality of people that I get to work with at Spyderco. Time and the experience of hanging with Spyderco has shown me and demonstrated that these folks are the best in the industry. First, they tell the truth, second they do it right. I am impressed at the standards that these folks keep to give the ELU the best value and most innovative designs.

Thank you Gbelleh for show casing these designs...Take Care...Ed

[tonydahose]

Sheesh, i feel like an a$$. no sooner than i post that and Mr. Schempp posts right afterward :o . i didn't mean any offense on that earlier comment, i should have just stuck with the Tuff is not my cup of tea. I really do love most of your knives, I just counted and i have 9 of them designed by you, heck i even have one of your hats that i wear. :D

[Ed Schempp]

No problem Tony, the design is what it is and not necessarily for everyone. That why Spyderco produces so many different designs...Take Care...Ed