Spyderco Forums

Those who know, know.

If this were made from 420HC, 14C28N, AEB-L, 12C27, etc., as small as they are I dont think they'd be $100. Likely $50 or $60, though. I believe a ton of military and former military would buy them once they were made aware of the existence of the upgraded P38. I don't know, just my belief.

The upgraded Spyderco P38 -

There might be a case to make for a simple and rugged knife of the same kind. A friction folder, maybe with a short hawkbill using a thick grind. It would be legal everywhere and something you could hammer into a can, coconut, or whatever else you wanted to get into. A blade that’s shorter than the handle so it couldn’t close and cut your hand.

Some of the most popular and historically proven knives are also the most simple. Thanks for sharing the clip! I need to get a p38 now and find a little kydex keychain sheath :).

Not to be the “technically” guy, but if Spyderco made the piercing part serviceable, that would only be the part needed to be a super steel.

I’d 100% buy a $25 spyderco can opener in #PD-1, with a pry edge. Been using a busted can opener for years LIRL

RustyIron wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 29, 2025 8:52 am

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 28, 2025 8:03 pm

That's a can opener.

You have something against canned food? The Spyderco can opener would go nicely with the Spyderco cork screw, toaster, and curling iron.

unnamed-2.jpg

Where can I buy these immediately??

Spyderco cuts knife blanks out of sheets of steel. I wonder if they could use the remaining space on the sheets to cut out P-38s? Is there room? The pieces for the P-38 need not be any one particular steel type. Maybe Spyderco could turn their waste into an income?

Put me down for six!

I still have mine from my Vietnam Marine father and one from my time in the Army. That said, respectfully, I would NOT get one.

No

I grew up carrying a SAK and opening cans with it. When I started guiding backpacking trips we were issued P38s as part of our camp kitchen.

I still like the SAK well enough, but man that little P38 was efficient.

If Spyderco did make one, I wonder what they would improve on?

It was essentially a disposable item and never intended to be a premium piece of field kit, so I think a modern interpretation should reflect that. If Spyderco could sell them comfortably south of $20 then they’d do well. More than that and you’ll start competing with proper cutting tools.

China and 8CR13MOV would work best here.

I've always heard them called the P38. Had one for about 30 years rarely used it, but kept it around. Still got it stashed away somewhere. This makes me want to go find it.