Just another idea

[Brian_Turner]

A damascus blade on a Delica or Endura - Stainless damascus on an FRN handle? Talk about putting tits on a bull!

[Jazzman]

I think that the gun metal color of the Almite Navigator would look really cool with Damascus.
Just my 2 cents,
Matt

[Clay Kesting]

Brian makes a good point. The scales do need to match the blade material. That was another reason that I suggested the Calypso Jr, hopefully the contractor in Seki City still has the patterns etc. for the micarta slabs and there would be no extra tooling costs. Failing that, it may be possible to use different scales on any model with stainless or G10 scales. I must say a damamscus Police tickles my fancy <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Hey Blades, how does a damamscus Chinese Folder grab you? <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Did you see the pictures of chinese made one that were posted on BF some time back?

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.

Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/7/2001 11:01:15 PM

[The Stare]

Too bad it has to be an existing model. I understand the development time frames, but would really like to see a completely new model.

I'm thinking that Spyderco has barely tapped the fixed blade genre. I think an elegant, small fixed blade that could be worn as a neck knife or belt knife would be fantastic. Something sort of on the order of the REKAT Pikuni or the CRKT Polkowski/Kasper.

It would seem likely to me that a collaboration could produce a pattern very quickly, and that with none of the lock parts to deal with, and maybe no bolsters, that setting up tooling would be much quicker/easier also.

Of course, the biggest down side would be the lack of the hole, though one could be placed somewhere there.

Oh well, just dreaming.


Stare

Edited by - The Stare on 5/7/2001 5:02:10 PM

[Carlos]

Hi Brian & Clay,

That's why I suggested a damascus Endura 2. Since the Endura 2 has an ss handle, upgrading it to titanium or almite should be easy. And since they are tip-up/down convertible it would appeal to the widest audience.

[Clay Kesting]

G'day Carlos,

Sorry, I guess I missed the "2" in your original post. I think I would probably prefer the Delica to the Endura as I would still like to be able to carry it as a dress knife and the Endura is too big for my cicumstances. I would prefer micarta or almite scales rather than titanium to keep the cost down. Do you think a hollow ground blade would show up the pattern in the damascus better than a flat ground one?

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.

Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/7/2001 11:16:24 PM

[Carlos]

Hi Clay,

Hollow-ground damascus would be a bit more "dramatic," but you can see the pattern just as well in either. I like the idea of micarta, but I don't know it that would require new tooling for the Endura/Delica IIs.

I'd like a larger knife partially because like carbon fiber, the pattern of damascus is best showcased on a larger format IMO.

I agreee that your idea of a micarta/damascus Calypso Jr. makes for a superior "gentleman's knife." My only objection is that all Calypso's have always been tip-down only, which would exclude it from my collection. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Another thought: Perhaps the best 25th Anniversary piece would be a high-end sprint of the one clipit that Sal thinks best represents those 25 years. Sal?

Edited by - Carlos on 5/8/2001 12:00:55 AM

[Brian_Turner]

I like the idea of a micarta Calypso jr. The small size would minimize cost and increase "carryability", it would be a very "trademark" design, and it would look very nice. A crisp flat grind can bring out a very nice effect, especially in tightly layered damascus.

As for a larger knife, the Endura 2 makes a nice case as a trademark design that would come together well with a damascus blade.

Personally, though, for a large knife, I would prefer the Ti handled Lum tanto in stainless damascus (Ummmmm....). The grind changes would look spectacular in the damascus, and if the damascus were deep etched, it would have a wickedly dark look to boot. Maybe do a DDR style anodize thing on the Ti handle... Gotta be well over $200 for that (real cost, not just MSRP), though - But you can bet I'd jump on one! Jeez. I'm sweating after typing that up!

Sadly (personal preference...), I'd have to say that the knife should be at least partially serrated, for the sake of "trademark".

Edited by - Brian_Turner on 5/8/2001 7:20:22 AM

[Zhang Fei]

I think the ideas for a Delica or Endura are right on the money. Sal mentioned in an earlier post (this forum? the other?) they are the best selling models in the lineup. My first Spyderco was a Delica, as I'm sure many of yours was also. They are the most popular, the backbone of the line. Honoring them for this would seem appropriate. Besides, it seems like every other model gets upgrades - inlay Military, Crickets, Dragonflys, even Ladybugs with CF handles, blue Natives, inlay Natives, a dozen different Civilians, etc. etc. What about a matched set? Delica and Endura. Damascus steel blade, micarta handle, SS or even Ti Spyder inlay, perhaps with a "25" in the body of the spyder, not too big, a little smaller than the inlay on the Military? Something refined but restrained, please, no inlays like the Native or Vesuvius. Personally, I find those too flashy and even a little tacky. Just something nice.

ZF

[sal]

Hi Zhang Fei. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Some nice ideas are coming up. I think that a Delica of sorts might be a good option. Handle materials? Ti, CF, Micarta, color?,

sal

[stu]

Sal,

The Delica was not my original choice for the anniversary model, but it was my first love. I carried one for years.

I vote for a bead-blasted Ti handle, it would compliment a Damascus blade; maybe a discreet laser etching of the logo with "25" inside it, down near the lanyard hole.

This is some of my opinion combined with ideas from this thread.

Culling Spydercos for 2002 is difficult, this is fun!

Take care,

stu

[Tom Percy]

It the blade is dark, then I would go with a White Micarta. It the blade is light to medium colour, then Deep Burgandy Micarta.
Should be quite a show piece.....

[Carlos]

For a gentlemanly damascus Delica I'll vote for ivory Micarta, and a damascus clip.

[Clay Kesting]

This is starting to sound pretty cool <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I mentioned burgundy micarta in an earlier thread but Carlos' suggestion of ivory micarta scales and a damamscus clip had me drooling all over the keyboard <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I would prefer to steer away from CF or Ti for the scales to keep the cost down. Purely selfish, but if you've seen our exchange rate recently I'm sure you'll understand <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Carlos, this tip-up/tip-down can be a problem can't it. Like you I prefer I prefer tip-up but nearly all my daily carry knives have ended up being tip-down so I've just had to get used to it. BTW I did change the Chinese Folder back to tip-up though, it just works much better that way <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.



Edited by - Clay Kesting on 5/8/2001 2:30:22 PM

[Brian_Turner]

The ivory micarta with a damascus clip sounds way cool. I've got a Sawby folder with a damascus clip to match the blade and it's an awesome look.

[Carlos]

Hey guys,

Isn't consensus a wonderful thing? <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

BTW, a question for Sal: I heard on the other forum that the regular production Enduras/Delicas will be converted to flat grinds in the near future. Would the 25th Anniversay Delica be the last of the hollow grinds or the first of the flat grinds?

[vampyrewolf]

This could be a sweet knife... almost need 2: a display and a carry.

Ivory Micarta
Damascus clip/blade
Flat grind

Nice enough for church and interviews, but still utilitarian in designs.

[Carlos]

Hi guys,

Sal clarified the grind change coming for the Enduras/Declicas: It won't be a full flat grind from spine to edge, but rather a saber grind (the part that is now hollow will be flat).

In this case, I would prefer than the 25th Anniversary model -- if a Delica -- be hollow-ground.

Edited by - Carlos on 5/9/2001 3:14:51 PM

[Clay Kesting]

I agree Carlos, I would much prefer a hollow ground blade to a sabre grind. Whilst I can see the validity of Brian's point about the "trademark" value of serrations, my personal preference would also be for a plain blade. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this knife since it evolved into it's present form <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I have a Moki Evrina in ivory micarta with scrimshaw by Linda Karst and I can't help thinking how nice this Delica would look scrimshawed.

Clay

[Carlos]

Hi Clay,

I'd expect them to be produced 50% with plain edges, and 50% with serrations -- like the other recent sprint runs. I too would be going plain edge.

I suppose that we shouldn't get too excited about this idea for the folder until we hear from Sal.

Hmm...I wonder if we could have a damascus lock lever as well (with David Boye style cut-out). <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Edited by - Carlos on 5/10/2001 2:09:19 PM