VG-10 Spyderfly numbers?

[agent clark]

I just read recently that only the first Spyderflys had VG-10 blades, anybody know how many we're made?

[The Deacon]

Only Spyderco can say for sure, but as I recall, the switch to 440C came fairly soon after the SpyderFly first hit the streets. I've see both CC#d and un-numbered specimens in VG-10, so I'm guessing that more than 200, but not more than 1200, were made in VG-10.

[Sequimite]

The VG-10 was made in Japan where we often hear about large minimum production runs of 1200. The 440C was made in Taiwan.

I've owned both. Bought each for the same price new. When I sold them the 440C was selling for more but that may have been based on the desirability of the rainbow anodizing rather than the rarity.

[Sequimite]

Forgot to mention, this was the model of which a shipment was confiscated by the feds because while legal to buy, sell and use, they took the position that this type of knife was illegal to import. Not sure which version (guessing 440C) or how the confiscation affected overall numbers availible

[The Deacon]

Two points. Just to clarify, the 440C ones were available both anodized and plain. Also, while I'm fairly certain the VG-10 SpyderFly and SzaboFly blades were made in Japan, I'm not sure where the 440C SpyderFly blades were made or whether it was SpyderFly blades or SzaboFly blades that were the ones the Feds initially seized. I suspect it may have been the SzaboFlys, since only a few CC#d ones made it into the wild, but that's just a hunch.

[Chris_H]

I think you're right, Paul, that it was the SzaboFly parts seizure that started the gov't SNAFU but which led to the Spyderfly manufacturing being impacted too. I'm pretty certain the 440C blades were made in USA. Otherwise, Spyderco would have been in the same predicament of importing parts from a foreign country.

[Spyder-fan]

Has Sal ruled out every doing another full size balisong? I love the Smallfly and wish they would do a sprint run of a full size of some sort.

[adson3492]

Has Spyderco only made two auto's with plain edge blades? The Citadel and Embassy.

[The Deacon]

Has Spyderco only made two auto's with plain edge blades? The Citadel and Embassy.

Three, if you count the Bi-Fold