What ever happened to the WHITE FRN Spydercos?

peacefuljeffrey · #1

What was it, a few years ago? There were Delicas and Dragonflies and Enduras and such made with white FRN handles. ... They seemed to be popular, as I recall, and for the novelty I bought 1 each of those three and also a Ladybug, knowing that I would hold onto them as an investment (I had never done that with a knife before).

Lately I don't see any mention of them having ever existed. Anyone here have one as a USER? I know that some people experimented with dyeing the handle scales; I was never sure of they got that to work out. (Did the dyeing process harm or weaken the plastic in any way?) Apart from those four models, were any others done in white?

StuntZombie · #2

There was a Goddard model produced in white, but that one was micarta..

You're right though, the white models don't even show up on eBay. The last one I saw was that way overpriced NASA model, and even that was a while ago.

The Deacon · #3

The white FRN knives were all Sprint runs and, IIRC, produced as the "overflow" of a special order from an "artist" named Tom Sachs.

StuntZombie · #4

The Deacon wrote:The white FRN knives were all Sprint runs and, IIRC, produced as the "overflow" of a special order from an "artist" named Tom Sachs.

Ah..so from the same fellow that posted the overpriced NASA knife?

Evil D · #5

Sadly I believe most of then have been dyed different colors.

IG-88 · #6

Thx Deacon for sharing that, I didn't know that fact.

I have the white Endura, Delica and Ladybug. I use the white Endura from time to time, not often, but in the summer the white handles come out nice.

peacefuljeffrey · #7

I did see a link to the discontinued model in the Spyderco catalog that mentioned the artist guy. I didn't go looking for anything about his project, though. I'm a little bit shocked, though: ONE GUY'S request got Spyderco to come out with an entire sprint run across four models?!

Clip · #8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sachs_%28artist%29

The term 'artist' is used pretty loosely I've found. But then again, I'd call the employees of Spyderco 'artists' and not think twice about it.

Murdoc · #9

Here's the original flyer from back then.

Dennis

dbcad · #10

I know one white D'Fly went to a friend as a gift :) It's a shelf queen

rycen · #11

Long gone but not forgotten by me at least is the one that started it all. The white FRN rescue. Also I thought that it would look striking if the white FRN was combined with a black blade and black hardware "storm trooper".

MCM · #12

I bought at least one of each when they were out. After using one a bit it got dingy fast.
Sold / traded the NIB set at a small loss. The white FRN is probably best for collectors, or folks who want to dye them.
Not very practical.

peacefuljeffrey · #13

Clip wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sachs_%28artist%29

The term 'artist' is used pretty loosely I've found. But then again, I'd call the employees of Spyderco 'artists' and not think twice about it.

I watched some of his Apollo video with the two girl astronauts, and I found it kind of interesting.

peacefuljeffrey · #14

MCM wrote:I bought at least one of each when they were out. After using one a bit it got dingy fast.
Sold / traded the NIB set at a small loss. The white FRN is probably best for collectors, or folks who want to dye them.
Not very practical.

For a loss? That surprises me. Having just watched an ordinary Delica 4 sell on eBay for $102.50 (I watched the auction out of morbid curiosity) I can't imagine not being able to sell that set for a profit. I think I'll hold onto mine for a while.

gbelleh · #15

What happened to the white FRN from the 70s?

Blerv · #16

I've got a white Ladybug. It's picked up dirt and dye and can prob be reconditioned easy enough. Just haven't bothered. It's different and I do like white FRN :) . Heck, white leather interiors comes as an option in some cars on occasion. If FRN is impractical that is insane.

The Deacon · #17

StuntDouble wrote:Ah..so from the same fellow that posted the overpriced NASA knife?

It was one of the knives he commissioned and embellished with the the NASA logo, but I don't believe he was the one who listed it on eBay.

gbelleh wrote:What happened to the white FRN from the 70s?

That was the 90's, not the 70's but IIRC, the only one back then was the C14 Rescue which, I believe, was a "special order" for a Canadian fire department. Photos:

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As for white FRN, it obviously shows dirt more easily than black FRN, but I don't see it being any worse in that regard than yellow, orange, or tan and it does have the advantage of being the best possible vehicle for those who want a "non-standard" color on an FRN handled knife and are willing to dye it. If Spyderco ever decides to make a white FRN VG-10 Stretch I'll definitely be in for at least a couple.

Pomelly · #18

rycen wrote:Long gone but not forgotten by me at least is the one that started it all. The white FRN rescue. Also I thought that it would look striking if the white FRN was combined with a black blade and black hardware "storm trooper".

I also would like to see a knife with white handle and black blade. Also a Military, with white G10: we invent the Siberian Military!

Fred Sanford · #19

I bought a 2 white Dragonflies and 1 SE Ladybug in white. All of them were gifted to friends and loved ones. The Ladybug was RIT dyed purple beforehand by request. :)

Evil D · #20

Clip wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sachs_(artist)

The term 'artist' is used pretty loosely I've found. But then again, I'd call the employees of Spyderco 'artists' and not think twice about it.

He works in mixed media, which is often a very misunderstood medium.