I'd Like to See ...

[bh49]

I'd have no interest in such a knife, but that's just me. To me, the bolsters are a MAJOR part of what makes the Persian "The Persian". Without them, it devolves into a "Chinook III Jr" and becomes just one more of brick in Spyderco's wall of oh so tediously uber-practial, butt ugly, yet ergonomic "tractors" rather than the almost "anti-Spyder" combination of brawn, egronomics, and beauty that it was.

I know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am only one of many customers (well, maybe I have more Spydies than the average customer :D ). I associate Ed Shempp design for Spyderco with bolsters and classy handle material.

Thank you very much Sal :D :p

This makes me very happy to hear this news that it has progressed to the next phase.

Might I suggest once again that we do not go for a FRN lightweight treatment as it would totally ruin Ed's aesthetics and concept. For what it's worth I think a simple replacement of scales from black micarta to say Cocobolo, Snakewood, Amboyna, or even :eek: spalted maple :eek: LOL would be the simplest and most cost effective way to get this out.
Can't wait to hear or see prototypes Sal.

Absolutely agree with you guys. Let's leave bolsters alone. Persian should look like The Persian.

We're working on a Persian sprint. Trying to come up with handle material for the scales, to go with the bolsters.

sal

Sal,
Thank you very much, this is great news.

[The Deacon]

It sounds like Sal wants to keep the price from going through the roof. I can appreciate that. In the current economy many folks are being forced to show a bit more restraint than they once might have when it comes to purchasing non-essentials. I'm sure Ed Schempp's opinions as to materials also have to be taken into consideration.

Much as I'd personally prefer wood scales, like those on this prototype Sal sent me to photograph a year ago November, I'm guessing they'd add a bit to the cost. Not sure how cow bone compares with micarta in terms of cost. Smooth natural bone would look great, IMO, stag jigged bone, like that on my SCRebel customized Persian, would also look good, as would the style of amber jigged bone used on the original Kiwi, Micro Dyad, and the first jigged bone Kopa.

The obvious choice would be micarta in a color other than black. Butterscotch paper would be my first suggestion, but ivory paper, red linen, or even green or brown canvas would work. Polished G-10, in a tan, brown, or "Li'l Temp" green would probably work. Making the scales slightly thicker, then rounding them a bit like the Byrd Harrier's, would make micarta or G-10 look ten times better.

I'd suggest 600 piecse to start, with the option for another 600 if there is sufficient interest. Second 600 could be a different color. That would eliminate objections from those purchasing as an investment and might entice some of them to invest even more heavily.

The one request I would make is for Sal to consider either eliminating the Boye dent or, if that is unacceptable, either making it shallower or making the lock well a bit deeper. On most of the six Persians I own, the dent winds up at or below the liners before the lock releases. That makes release quite difficult. More difficult, IMHO, than it needs to be.

[bh49]

I love wood and bone. I always agree to pay extra for this beauty, but this is achievable on individual basis. So I am with Paul again and think that butterscotch or ivory micarta will be a very good choice, especially if it will keep price more affordable for majority. Not so sure about any canvas micarta. Green (like Lil T) polished G10 can be good in my opinion as well.
Roman

[tonydahose]

i think Paul's idea of changing the color if the first 600 sell out is a great idea. personally i like the bolsters and a polished scale. those prototypes that you sent Paul awhile back looked beautiful. the green, red and the butterscotch would all be great IMO. whatever you choose, mark me down for one and thanks again for listening to us/Dan

link to Paul's site with the knives i was talking about above:
http://paulberetta.com/schempp_persians/target0.html