Spyderco Amsterdam Meet 2017 Report

[tripscheck'em]

Gentleman’s knives like the Chaparral are very nice and all, but sometimes I just want to clip on a big strong folder. The Chinook 4 will certainly itch that scratch for me! I’ve been a fan of this cool folding bowie design, ever since the first Chinook came out around 2001. That first edition was notoriously heavy, to support the strength needed in the knife’s design. Now in 2017, the Chinook is bigger and (much) lighter and probably even stronger, thanks to the use of the Power Lock. I also liked the new (to me at least) broad hourglass clip. It did seem to improve the large folder’s ergonomics. This particular sample looks a bit rough in these images, which tells me a lot of people enjoyed handling it at the various shows where it was displayed. I’m sure that the production Chinook 4 knives will look spic and span out of the box.





































Specifications
Overall Length: 22,6 cm / 8.89 inches
Blade Length: 9,9 cm / 3.89 inches
Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm / 0.13 inches
Weight: 159 grams / 5.60 ounces

full flat grind for the Chinook, and made in Japan? That's a huge letdown.

bring back saber and hollow grinds, please.

[Halfneck]

The new Chinook 4 looks a lot closer to some of the rough sketches I recall Mr. Keating showing around at Riddle of Steel in '95. I loved the look of the original Chinook, but it was more of a tank than a fighter.

I'm really tempted by this one.

[Doc Dan]

That Chinook looks good.

[dplafoll]

Imagine D'allara 3 sprint in HAP40?! :eek:

Noooo I need to buy food clothing and shelter, not more HAP40...

[Liquid Cobra]

That Chinook looks good.

Agreed. This knife has never tempted me before. But the grind, the lock, the size and weight of this new one is really working for me.

The changes Spyderco have made to this model make a lot of sense for its intended use. Integrating a powerful lock on a knife meant for self defence makes a lot of sense. Using a full flat grind makes it a better slicer for the EDC crowd. Plus, collectors will want to own a model with the new power lock.

Like I said, I'm really digging this design and I'll be getting one for sure.

[Mr Blonde]

Serge Panchenko’s Dog Tag Folder seems to continue being a successful design for Spyderco. This is the 4th generation of the Dog Tag Folder design that was presented at the Amsterdam Meet. This particular version appeared to be well-received at the meet. The extra scale offers extra protection for the new double-ground blade, as opposed to the previous versions that featured a chisel-grind and did not sport a second scale.

























Specifications
Overall Length: 8 cm / 3.15 inches
Blade Length: 3 cm / 1.18 inches
Blade Thickness: 3 mm / 0.11 inches
Weight: 25 grams / 0.88 ounces

[Mr Blonde]

I didn’t pick up much details about the new Double Stuff, as by now the knives kept coming in to my little photo booth. I hope my fellow attendees from the Amsterdam Meet can chime in to offer a few more details on this neat and versatile looking sharpening stone.

[Mr Blonde]

The Fish Hunter was apparently designed for deep-sea divers who spearfish under water. In case the fish isn’t completely ‘out’, you could use the Fish Hunter to ‘brain’ the fish. The double ground blade certainly looked very impressive. The top edge is ground but not sharpened. I did not see a sheath for the Fish Hunter at the meet, but I would guess that the final production version will sport an Aqua Salt-style sheath.

























Specifications
Overall Length: 22,7 cm / 8.94 inches
Blade Length: 11,2 cm / 4.39 inches
Blade Thickness: 3 mm / 0.11 inches
Weight: 116 grams / 4.10 ounces

[Mr Blonde]

IIRC, the Genzow Hatchethawk featured a polymer handle that had an aluminum rod all the way through it. The hawk seemed very light and well-balanced to me, but I’m not exactly an ‘axe-guy’. Perhaps my fellow meet attendees could chime in with some additional info on this design? Unfortunately, we did not manage to collect any measurements on the Genzow Hatchethawk.

[Mr Blonde]

To be continued...

[bearfacedkiller]

Well, I love pocket stones and am so excited to see a new one. Diamond and fine ceramic suits my needs perfectly. I see it has a fish hook groove or something. I would love to hear about the angled edges. What are their uses and are they at specific angles? Woot woot!

Thew fish hunter is one bad blade. Man, that is a cutting AND stabbing machine!

[SF Native]

Imagine D'allara 3 sprint in HAP40?! :eek:

Noooo I need to buy food clothing and shelter, not more HAP40...

You could hunt for the food with the knife :)

[Mushroom]

WOW!!! That Genzow Hatchethawk just made it to the TOP of my must have list!! :eek: Can't wait to hear more about this one!

and of course the Gen 4 dog tag is another must have for me!

[Archimedes]

Will the fish Hunter come with a black handle? That looks like the ultimate MBC knife.

[jdw]

I think that I went broke just reading this thread.

[demoncase]

Will the fish Hunter come with a black handle? That looks like the ultimate MBC knife.

And a DLC black blade with the black handle would look really rather sexy too.

Or indeed a coyote brown or olive drab handle would look super spiffy.

[Larry_Mott]

Or coral reef Zome, they'd sell a lot more of them! :D

[DougC-3]

Thanks for doing this every year Wouter!

Thanks for the update! I'm surely going to pick up a Qball, D'Allara and maybe a Police 4 when they come out! ****, the Chinook looks great too, might as well add that one to my arsenal as well!

The Qball, D'Allara, and Police 4 are at the top my list too! You must have pretty good taste :D I like the original D'Allaras because of their full, hand-filling handles -- great for hard cutting jobs -- but I also really like thin knives for EDC too and am looking forward to giving this one a try.

Only gripe i have with the D'Allara is that the ball was kind of hard to get at. Had to use the very tip of my index finger to get it unlocked. IMO it needs a little scalloping around the ball lock.

I've found with the original D'Allaras that it's very convenient to pull back the ball with my thumbnail while flipping the blade around with my index finger. This may require a broken in spring and no nail biting :p


Edit: spelling :o

[Larry_Mott]

I've found with the original D'Allaras that it's very convenient to pull back the ball with my thumbnail while flipping the blade around with my index finger. This may require a broken in spring and no nail biting :p
'

I can't remember the original D'Allara being a problem, i was referring to the D'Allara 3 (I don't own the original D'Allara but i have played with one from time to time.

[91bravo]

The Qball, D'Allara, and Police 4 are at the top my list too! You must have pretty good taste :D I like the original D'Allaras because of their full, hand-filling handles -- great for hard cutting jobs -- but I also really like thin knives for EDC too and am looking forward to giving this one a try.

I loved my original D'Allara too. It was very wide when closed and took up a lot of pocket real estate, but man it sure was a solid cutter when open. Loved the naked steel ball bearing on it too! I noticed the new ball is white. Is it ceramic?