Why Did The Jumpers Fail?

[Wartstein]

I absolutely love my Leafjumper K390 PE. To me, it feels much better than the Endela (which is saying something because the Endela is a great knife and fits me best out of the Delica, Endela, Endura trio). I would choose the LJ in almost every situation. I'm disappointed they're discontinued.

I would really like to see, as others have said, a Salt version of this design. Maybe a LC200N/H2 version with a mildly curved hawkbill blade (the SailJumper ?) as well as the Leaf and Rock blades.

Funny, in my case it's kind of the other way round.

I had both Rock- and Leafjumper and absolutely enjoyed them!

But in the end they made me realize how much I actually like the Endela (and Stretch 1) in that particular Seki-backlock-size-range (yes, to me the Jumpers belong there, not into the imho smaller Delica size category).

And since the Endela size range to me is a little small already for what I like in my main EDC folder and I try to own as few Spydies as possible in order to frequently use all of them in the end it were the Jumpers that had to go... though it was close, no doubt!

In practical use and comparison I just realized that I prefer the longer handle of the Endela as well as the to me great "choke up on the ricasso grip", the slightly longer cutting edge and the plus in reach.

Now: An perhaps just a tad larger Jumper with a fully handle filling blade and thus a longer cutting edge would be a different story and could very well even end up being my favorite EDC folder!

I so hope the backlock handle forward concept is not "dead" and ideally the Cliffjumper/Sequoia will still come to life!!

[Jayrod1980]

For those of us with many Seki City back locks, it’s not even close that the Jumper line has the best backlock action, period. It’s better than the Delica, the Stretch 2(by a 100 miles!), Stretch 2 XL (both G10 and liner less FRN), Dragonfly line, etc.

This is what I mean by incorporating the CQI. Leafjumpers don’t have up and down play at all… maybe because of the thickness of the lock spine (whatever that part that locks into the blade is called). That part is thicker than it is on the stretch and Delica lines and it’s noticeable how much better the lock engagement is. The jumper is also so smooth you can flick it open or shut pinching it and pressing down on the lock back. I’ve never seen a lockback able to do that.

[vivi]

For those of us with many Seki City back locks, it’s not even close that the Jumper line has the best backlock action, period. It’s better than the Delica, the Stretch 2(by a 100 miles!), Stretch 2 XL (both G10 and liner less FRN), Dragonfly line, etc.

This is what I mean by incorporating the CQI. Leafjumpers don’t have up and down play at all… maybe because of the thickness of the lock spine (whatever that part that locks into the blade is called). That part is thicker than it is on the stretch and Delica lines and it’s noticeable how much better the lock engagement is. The jumper is also so smooth you can flick it open or shut pinching it and pressing down on the lock back. I’ve never seen a lockback able to do that.

Siren, Police, Pacific Salt....I can do that with just about any of my Spyderco lockbacks. Tricky with the Chief though.

I always use method #2 with Spydercos, and method #1 with my cold steel voyager that uses a thumb stud. Method #3 is how you can close them with your fingers out of the way, swinging the blade as effortlessly as any free swinging comp lock.

Breaking in the knife makes this easier. Backlocks tend to be stiff the first month. Keep that in mind before letting yourself feel frustrated your new VTOKU Endura doesn't swing shut as easily as a 10 year old Pacific Salt.

[Evil D]

What impressed me with the Jumpers was that it was so much easier to open but without sacrificing close bias. It's a much more pleasant knife to operate than a Chief for example. Some of that has to do with thumb hole placement and the opening arc but also the cam shape of the blade tang. A back lock might be pretty vanilla by lock standards but there's a lot more going on than people seem to understand.

[benben]

The serrated K390 LeafJumper in my pocket right now has never failed! Both my LJ and RJ are hands down the smoothest back lock knives I own, not even close!

[Wartstein]

...The jumper is also so smooth you can flick it open or shut pinching it and pressing down on the lock back. I’ve never seen a lockback able to do that.

Like probably Vivi and with all due respect I am not entirely sure what you mean..?

All of my lockbacks can be flicked open with each finger (pinky in a reverse grip and Chaparral an exception).

It's also no problem to close any of them with the "fingers out of the blade path" pinch grip method (Index finger on the lockbar)

[8th_Note]

...The jumper is also so smooth you can flick it open or shut pinching it and pressing down on the lock back. I’ve never seen a lockback able to do that.

Like probably Vivi and with all due respect I am not entirely sure what you mean..?

All of my lockbacks can be flicked open with each finger (pinky in a reverse grip and Chaparral an exception).

It's also no problem to close any of them with the "fingers out of the blade path" pinch grip method (Index finger on the lockbar)

The Leafjumper action is "lighter" than the other Seki back lock knives. It probably has to due with the geometry of the tang as it rotates against the lock bar. But the action "feels" closer to a detent knife than a back lock knife. It's hard o describe if you've not handled one. It really is an amazing design.

[Enactive]

I do not think the 'Jumpers failed. I think the market failed the jumpers.

I count myself among the guilty here, as I only bought my two after they were discontinued and deeply discounted. All this, despite the design intriguing me. For me, it was partly having so many other knives that do the same job that deterred my earlier purchase urges.

The Jumpers are atypical for Spydie backlocks and I think the handle forward designs have a unique appeal.

[Snacktime]

Never bought in due to the length. I actually go into a 3" or less area I have become extremely picky about blade length. I just don't buy anything 3" to 3 1/4" range as I only carry small knives when required. The 3.09" length and lack of thumb jimping killed this one.

I absolutely love the blade shape, lack of choil and this was so close to being my 3" grail knife.

[Wartstein]

The Leafjumper action is "lighter" than the other Seki back lock knives. It probably has to due with the geometry of the tang as it rotates against the lock bar. But the action "feels" closer to a detent knife than a back lock knife. It's hard o describe if you've not handled one. It really is an amazing design.

Thanks for the further explanation!

I actually had both a Leaf - and a Rockjumper, but can´t recall how their action felt. Might very well be "lighter" than on other Sekis!

Still it was/is possible to flick open all Seki backlocks I had so far (with each finger) plus to close them with the index finger on the lockbar.
Might be easier with the Jumpers though!

[Evil D]

Never bought in due to the length. I actually go into a 3" or less area I have become extremely picky about blade length. I just don't buy anything 3" to 3 1/4" range as I only carry small knives when required. The 3.09" length and lack of thumb jimping killed this one.

I absolutely love the blade shape, lack of choil and this was so close to being my 3" grail knife.

You're only some very light Dremel work away from making it your dream knife.

[twinboysdad]

The Delica Wharn hits all my creases in a smaller in pocket footprint

[Snacktime]

You're only some very light Dremel work away from making it your dream knife.

I agree! I also enforce state regulations and if the manufacture states a size it is 100% applicable in court. I have to be 100% legal when doing what I do and mitigate my exposer. I can't have modified tools either which is a whole other can of worms.

[Evil D]

You're only some very light Dremel work away from making it your dream knife.

I agree! I also enforce state regulations and if the manufacture states a size it is 100% applicable in court. I have to be 100% legal when doing what I do and mitigate my exposer. I can't have modified tools either which is a whole other can of worms.

Wow that sucks. I hope you make good money doing it, sounds like a nice place to move away from lol.

[Snacktime]

Wow that sucks. I hope you make good money doing it, sounds like a nice place to move away from lol.

Only 1-2 days a month, every job has one of those places. Otherwise I have a pocket sword!

[Guts]

Never bought in due to the length. I actually go into a 3" or less area I have become extremely picky about blade length. I just don't buy anything 3" to 3 1/4" range as I only carry small knives when required. The 3.09" length and lack of thumb jimping killed this one.

I absolutely love the blade shape, lack of choil and this was so close to being my 3" grail knife.

I can relate re: blade length. 3.6" knives in particular make me sad because 3.5" is what's legal where I live. I can't imagine the extra 0.1" in blade length, or 0.09" in your case with the jumper, will affect a knife design tremendously. But then I'm not a knife designer so who knows. Would be nice to see specific "legal" versions of knives right on the borderline of what would be legal in certain areas. Like a 3.5" Shaman/Bodacious/etc or an actual 3" Jumper.

[Red Leader]

You're only some very light Dremel work away from making it your dream knife.

I agree! I also enforce state regulations and if the manufacture states a size it is 100% applicable in court. I have to be 100% legal when doing what I do and mitigate my exposer. I can't have modified tools either which is a whole other can of worms.

Can you elaborate on this a bit?

I carried an Endura for years. When I learned about the knife laws here in CO (max 3.5" for concealed), I ground the blade down to comply.

Are you saying that in a court of law, that 'now-less-than-3.5" knife' would be treated legally as an 'over-3.5" knife' due to the way the manufacturer made it or described it? Is that a law-enforcement perspective, or something that has been handed down to you as knowledge from law enforcement? I suppose every state is different, but I've been grinding down knives now for years to keep them 'legal' but I suppose it would be important to know if that would be all for nothing in a court of law.

Thanks for sharing any other thoughts you may have.

[Red Leader]

Never bought in due to the length. I actually go into a 3" or less area I have become extremely picky about blade length. I just don't buy anything 3" to 3 1/4" range as I only carry small knives when required. The 3.09" length and lack of thumb jimping killed this one.

I absolutely love the blade shape, lack of choil and this was so close to being my 3" grail knife.

I can relate re: blade length. 3.6" knives in particular make me sad because 3.5" is what's legal where I live. I can't imagine the extra 0.1" in blade length, or 0.09" in your case with the jumper, will affect a knife design tremendously. But then I'm not a knife designer so who knows. Would be nice to see specific "legal" versions of knives right on the borderline of what would be legal in certain areas. Like a 3.5" Shaman/Bodacious/etc or an actual 3" Jumper.

Yep, Dom (MaxLvlEDC on youtube) calls this the 'dead zone', where knives are just a skosh over 3" and thereby un-carriable by a lot of folks who unfortunately live where they are prosecuted for carrying knives over a 3" blade length. I do think this is a manufacturer oversight that happens quite a lot, and even with Spyderco.

[vivi]

belt sander, folks. they'll get your knife legal in seconds.

[8th_Note]

Never bought in due to the length. I actually go into a 3" or less area I have become extremely picky about blade length. I just don't buy anything 3" to 3 1/4" range as I only carry small knives when required. The 3.09" length and lack of thumb jimping killed this one.

I absolutely love the blade shape, lack of choil and this was so close to being my 3" grail knife.

I can relate re: blade length. 3.6" knives in particular make me sad because 3.5" is what's legal where I live. I can't imagine the extra 0.1" in blade length, or 0.09" in your case with the jumper, will affect a knife design tremendously. But then I'm not a knife designer so who knows. Would be nice to see specific "legal" versions of knives right on the borderline of what would be legal in certain areas. Like a 3.5" Shaman/Bodacious/etc or an actual 3" Jumper.

Yep, Dom (MaxLvlEDC on youtube) calls this the 'dead zone', where knives are just a skosh over 3" and thereby un-carriable by a lot of folks who unfortunately live where they are prosecuted for carrying knives over a 3" blade length. I do think this is a manufacturer oversight that happens quite a lot, and even with Spyderco.

Spyderco makes many knives that comply with various and sundry local knife laws. The people that live in an area with any such law are able to find a Spyderco that applies to their specific situation.

It is not reasonable for Spyderco to try to make every knife comply with every possible knife law. There are no restrictions where I live and I enjoy carrying my 3.08" Leafjumper if I wish (or my 4.2" Police or my 2.6" Lil Native). I think the Leafjumper is perfect just the way it is. I'm glad it's not comprised in order to comply with an arbitrary restriction imposed by a municipality in which the vast majority of Spyderco customers do not live.