Spot revisited

[death-bringah]

I'm very happy to see this...the SPOT has been my favourite Spyderco and my EDC for quite some time.

The only change I would like to see made to the SPOT sheath would be allowing for the attachment of a mini-teklock, without having to drill any holes. I'd really like to keep the neck-carry option, but also be able to easily snap it on a belt or strap when necessary.

If a consistent draw position during neck carry is a concern, I remember reading a post by Michael Janich where he suggested attaching light elastic shock cords to the sheath holes to help keep his Ronin in place during neck carry. The elastic cords would go behind the back while the neck cord remained in place...I've never felt the need to do so, but I'm sure it would work with the SPOT as well...but for the teklock, the Ronin sheath and SPOT sheath that I own are quite similar. I feel the horizontal tube is the best neck-knife sheath design ever, yet it does not add so much as to preclude the knife from being carried in different ways.

With regards to blade shape; while I like the reverse "S" a lot, I'd be willing to use any variation that worked as well or better. I only ask that you continue making a serrated version available.

Bead-blast finish is perhaps NOT the best choice for a neck-knife...unless it were made of H1 steel, perhaps? Whatever the finish and end design, H1 would be a neat choice.

I think my favourite thing about the SPOT is the handle...I know it doesn't work for everyone, but in my hand it is the most secure, and 1 of the most comfortable knife handles available, despite being so thin and light and generally minimalist in design. The only way 1 might improve on the single Fred Perrin hole, is by adding a 2nd hole for the middle finger, perhaps? This would work similar to the HideAway knife:

http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php

…which has a sort of oval "capsule" for the fingers, but no real handle. I have never handled a HideAway, but I would think the addition of a handle for the last 2 fingers to grip would make it significantly more stable and "hard-user-friendly". The Capsule shape, of course, prevents the blade from rotating forward and cutting the front of the middle finger, if you should ever have to open your hand while using the knife...on the Spyderco model, a 2nd finger hole would just make it that much SPOT-ier.

I never felt the Micarta added anything to the handle of the SPOT other than “snob-appeal”…I have only put up with it because I prefer the VG10 steel.

…I must say, I’m glad the SPOT is not disappearing altogether, but merely evolving. So, what ever happened to that design for a “FOLDING SPOT”?

my thanx…death-bringah

[Chris_H]

I think it's great that the design is being looked at again, and with end-user input (typical Sal/Spyderco). I definitely want to hear the feedback on the wharncliffe - style protos. I also like the ideas for the sheath.

For all the Photoshoppers -- the stuff looks great!

Mongo -- that hawkbill is SICK!

[jsholli]

And the hawkbill version!

I have to admit: as Daywalker suggested, the simple old hawkbill style looks great here!

[samosaurus]

Awesome! Simply awesome! :cool: :spyder: :cool:

Sam

[clovisc]

hmmmmm.... i really like the idea of a mini-civilian... maybe not as a spot. what if the blade was about 3" long, with a scorpius handle?

[Stuart Ackerman]

Some quik piks...

[224477]

Just considering the blade shapes you show up..

If I remeber, the original idea of Perrins La Griffe was as a SD knife, that cant be easy taken away from the defender/user.
Other point was that it should allow piercing cuts/stabs in a punch-like movement, like in boxing. Also the handle should allow ergonomical grip, like you were showing with your blade, extension of hand.. Due my humble opinion it would be good to keep the tip on the blade shape. Ok, hawkbill could be OK, but not very dropped down, to keep the stabbing function there.

sorry for my incorrect english, it quite early for me now. hopefully you will get my points.

Regs,
JR

[Mongo]

I agree, although i like a hawkbill blade , IMHO as a small self defense oriented weapon , it should have some "stabbing" capabilities. The Warncliff is the most versatile design. A warncliff with a stronger point and a larger handle ( SPOT is too small for the average hand) would be better. Now i have the problem that the pointed butt of the knife is in my hand instead of under my hand, so i can not use it as a "yawara" stick or pressure point device.
I really hope the project will come off the ground, and i would like to give my advice when asked by the R&D of :spyder:

sounds "cocky" right? :o

[224477]

Mongo:

I also think hawkbill is OK, but similar looking as on the Emerson LaGriffe, so no very "downswept", to keep the piercing capability.
I like the handle desing of nowadays SPOT, it differs the Spyderco from the original one, I cant judge which one of them sits comfortable in hand, when gripped.

I would like with the blade design of Ronin or Yojimbo, I think it was already mentioned/drawn here.. So maybe more wharncliff than hawkbill looking.

According to the carrying method: I think both possibilities should be keepen, the neck one, also the waistband (TekLok) one. The user himself should make the choice, which poss. he prefers, for any occassion (necker for hot days, when wearing under the T-shirt, waistband when wearing suit or jeans..) The more possibilities, the more wearing comfort.
Hopefully you understand, although my english.. :D

[Civilian]

And the hawkbill version!

If you could create more of a hook I think it would make a great DUET(daily utility ergonomic tool). This blade shape combined with the Great handle would make a superior utility cutter for everyday use. I use my SPOT all the time because I can hold it in my hand and still use both hands to move things around. I used to use my Civilian for this type of cutting when I was Y&D(10 yrs ago)

Oh yeah the Warncliff blade is great also, I love the handle on the SPOT, and think it should spread into new blade designs.

[freeman7]

I love the idea of a SPOT wharncliffe. How about a leather sheath with a clip on it?

[Hannibal Lecter]

I finally ordered a SPOT this evening after reading this thread. I can hardly wait.

I would, for obvious reasons, like to see a hawkbilled version of the SPOT. The wharncliff would be a decent second choice. Please make it VG-10, or better yet, H1.

I am more concerned with the functionality of the sheath. I don't like things hanging around my neck, especially my knives, nor am I generally appropriately attired to get by with such things. I would greatly prefer a belt slide, or better yet, why not an IWB or paddle-style sheath similar to what handgunners use? Easy on and off, though very stable when in place, tilt-adjustable for the most comfortable drawing angle (crossdraw, strong-side, etc.)? I would like to see all Spyderco fixed-blade sheaths go the route of adjustable paddle-style, but that is just one opinion; though to be entirely honest, I would look a *lot* more seriously at Spyderco fixed blades if the sheaths were a different design.

Just my $0.02...

---
Ta,

H

[sal]

Hi Freeman.

Our knives are too sharp for leather. They go right through the leather as though it wasn't there.

Hi Hanniba, et all.

Thanx for the input on the sheaths.

I'll take all of the input you care to share.

sal

[jsholli]

Not to be too stubborn, but I still would love to see a mod'd civi blade :o ...I know, a point for stabbing would be cool--> so, lets make one with a sharp "point"! True, it wouldn't be as effective as a straight dagger, but grind an edge on the front of a thick civi-style blade: Tad-da: stabbing capability with extreme rip, draw and slash cutting capabilities! I'm no SD/MBC master nor do I claim to be, but I do make knives. I know that a thicker blade will give strength in stabs while increasing the force required to 'cut' due to increased blade mass that must pass through~razor vs axe scenario...the axe can be razor sharp, but you'll cut farther with less effort using a razor blade...

To compensate for this, the outter/stabbing edge should probably be ground at a greater degree (remain thick) than the inner/cutting edge that needs to be thinner...The R&D guys will have to get the tang width and thickness right to withstand the force of stabbing, too. I guess I shouldn't keep thinking out-loud...or on-line...or whatever, and just go make one myself . It would still be very cool to see a spydie with extreme SD AND EDC as its primary purpose in life! :D

Sal's delimma of a sheath for a style like this wouldn't ease up any, I'm affraid. Personally, I would like to see a SPOT variant in a TEK-LOK style sheath; would that work for you guys? With a modified TEK-LOK, I think it would fall right in place, pardon the pun.

CONCERNING TEK-LOK: The one improvement that I would LOVE to see, would be a design where 4 screws---one on each corner---held the belt clip/attachment in place...this would probably increase the size of the belt clip thing, but would also GREATLY IMPROVE ITS STABILITY & RUGGEDNESS!

[Clay Kesting]

I'll go against the trend and say I'd still like to see a neck sheath option. The original Spot didn't appeal to me but I would buy a wharncliffe version in a flash to use as a climbing rescue knife. In this situation I'd rather have the knife hanging around my neck than try to work out a way of fixing it to my harness.

clay

[golem]

Oh comon! let's forget about those hyped complex blades and make it simple. clip, bowie, warncliff will all be fine. The only hawkbill I will be happy with is a double grind la griffe to piss emerson off.

[Hannibal Lecter]

Hi Hannibal, et all.

Thanx for the input on the sheaths.

I'll take all of the input you care to share.

sal

The sheath issue has been weighing heavily on me since I first contributed to this thread, even to the point of being an annoyance when I tried to get some sleep the other night. :D

I maintain that going to a paddle-style sheath while retaining the adjustment characteristics of the current fixed-blade sheaths would be ideal. You might also want to consider a single-bolt model, with some kind of raised ridges on both mating parts to keep it in place, making the tilt *very* adjustable. Making it reversible would also allow for ambidextrous use and reversal for different grips/draws. The paddle could be injection-molded, possibly with a Kraton insert to help keep it in your shorts during a draw.

Sorry if I am beating a dead horse here, Sal, but I actually crafted a system like this a few years back for a fixed-blade knife I had using a cheap paddle from a defunct paddle holster. It worked flawlessly, was comfortable, easy-on and easy-off. It could be adjusted for strong-side, crossdraw, and anywhere in between. The whole assembly could be removed or replaced with one hand easily, yet stayed in place without fail. It could be worn with dress slacks, jeans or shorts. I suppose you could use it with only your skivvies if you were so inclined, but why you would be wandering around in your undershorts with such a blade is beyond me... :eek:

Please at least give this serious consideration as an option. I think if more knife-lovers tried this kind of a system they would never look back.

------------------
Respectfully yours,

Hannibal Lecter

[Mongo]

Dr Lecter have you send the design to Sal yet? Maybe he can take a look at it. Who knows where it will lead too.

If you look at what that Swedish firefighter contributed to the Assist knife, you might point Sal on some valuable new ideas.

Is this Swedish firefighter still a member of the forum?

I think it's clear that Sal is willing to listen too anyone who has a valuable addition to the :spyder: productline

[Mongo]

Btw the current SPOT is my ESABC knife (Every Shower And Bath Knife)! Ok , it might look stupid and it is very unrealistic that i would be attacked in the shower or get entangled in the hose but it's small, AUS 6 steel and waterproof. I don't want to get caught naked in my own bath.... STOP LAUGHING !

Now i would like to keep the neck sheath option. Place the rivetholes so we can attach a large TecLoc, a string, or Dr lecters new Paddle holster on it. We could also mount a J hook and belt loop on it.

In this case everyone is happy, and we can wear the **** thing wherever we want. I could wear it naked with the beltloop with some (painfull) imagination, but a TecLoc is too much to ask! :D

[Mr Blonde]

Definitely wharncliffe! Utility-wise it works great in my Kiwi, and the blade shape does wonders for the Yojimbo for MBC applications. The wharncliffe excels in utility chores for the 3D world, where you are not just cutting up fruit on a board. More importantly, I would be able to reshapen it, including the tip, to out-of-the-box sharpness! ;-)

The trick will be to find the right thickness for the tip, so it will be just right for Utility and MBC. Then again, the model could branche out to a MBC and Utility variation, where the leaf blade shape holds a thicker tip than the wharncliffe MBC variation. A leaf shape would definitely make it a better seller to hikers, climbers and such.

I kinda like to have a neck carry option, but can imagine its pitfalls for dedicated MBC carry. Ah who cares, make it multi-carry friendly and form fitted vs injection molded, and I’ll be happy and find my own preferred carry.

I will be anxiously awaiting this mini-project!!

Sal, could you please bring the protos to Amsterdam?

Thanks,

Wouter