Sal asks you to design a Spyderco.

[Naperville]

I like to see something like that:

Maybe just a bit too much belly up near the tip but looks good to me.

I'm agree with you. In fact I would like more straight cutting edge and a shorter belly. I didn't manage to do it with my image generator. More like an "Opinel shape".

I would try to preserve as much of the height of the blade as possible...just take a lil bit off the area approaching the tip and it's perfect.

[Woodpuppy]

Wow, what is that?

As tall as the grip is it would be nice to have a little oval to the cross-section. I’d want to drop that tip some, too.

[Steelearner]

Wow, what is that?

As tall as the grip is it would be nice to have a little oval to the cross-section. I’d want to drop that tip some, too.

Something more like this

[Woodpuppy]

Erase the Roman nose for a more graceful sweep to tip. But this whole mockup reduces blade height too. Handle looks comfortable for a variety of hand shapes and sizes; indexing without locking in. I often use a pinch grip anyway.

[Steelearner]

You want a Bill Moran

[Woodpuppy]

Mmmm, no. Blade shape is good but I don’t like the ricasso or grip. More like an F1 with a slightly larger/better grip. An affordable Proficient?

[JARHEAD]

It would be a Mid-Native

[Steelearner]

What I want is an enuff 2 straight back magnamax and why not a new version of the proficient

[Wartstein]

I have my dream knives, many of which have been tossed around here before like a back lock Caribbean or a salt Endela.

Probably no surprise that I fully agree.. (and I am not even talking about the super high corrosion resistance):

...A backlock would elevate the Caribbean to the next level and make it pretty close to perfect for me personally
.. A linerless Endela Salt (SE...) would be an amazing, superlight and compact outdoor folder (preferably, just like the Salt 2 offers over the Delica, with an a bit longer, more handle filling blade than the current Endela)

[Bolster]

This is the knife I wish Spyderco made. A ute knife. I'd use it a lot at work.

[Monty]

I have my dream knives, many of which have been tossed around here before like a back lock Caribbean or a salt Endela.

Probably no surprise that I fully agree.. (and I am not even talking about the super high corrosion resistance):

...A backlock would elevate the Caribbean to the next level and make it pretty close to perfect for me personally
.. A linerless Endela Salt (SE...) would be an amazing, superlight and compact outdoor folder (preferably, just like the Salt 2 offers over the Delica, with an a bit longer, more handle filling blade than the current Endela)

I only tossed in the Endela because the Salt 2/Delica doesn't fit my hands well. Personally I love the Pac salt 1 but the length is a little intimidating when I pull it out to open a toy package or something in front of non knife people. I tried to use the Native salt as a in-town knife, but the clip placement is horrible and the retention on aftermarket deep carry clips is equally bad. I haven't bought a new Spyderco in years, only extras of my preferred ones. My favorite combo is a pac salt 1 in the waistband and a Dragonfly salt in my pocket. Both SE. An Endela salt just might combine those two into one. Maybe a Native salt given a non choil/extended cutting edge treatment and a relocated clip would be a nice addition?

[Wartstein]

I already submitted my dream folding knife, that i drew and made as a Spyderco.

But a contest with some lines to follow (a use case, a type of public,...) would be a funun exercice!


...

Honestly great design, Robin! Loving it (with one possible caveat)

What I like a lot:
- Tall blade, should make for a very good slicing geometry (what bladestock thickness did you choose btw?)
- Low, not too fine tip
- Edge really all the way to where the hand sits, but still some kind of guard, for am EDC folder a lot of clearance for the hand when cutting on a board
- Linerlock
- A good amount of meat on the handle where the forefinger sits (if there is too little "meat" at this particular area this tends to give me a "floating" feeling)
- Looks and materials: Beautiful!

Not so sure about:
- The very shortened grip area where the fingers sit (the handle starts to rise early at the end)...
This is exactly what I also said in @Pengubandit thread about his design (viewtopic.php?p=1876640#p1876640), but in yours it is even more pronounced... unless your knife is on the very large side, this could potentially lead to not enough grip area for larger hands..? And generally little handle space to work with...?
Could you share a pic of the grip area length compared to some popular Spydie?

Though I have to admit: The handle shape you choose makes for a supernice and organic look when the knife is closed!!

[Ramonade]

I already submitted my dream folding knife, that i drew and made as a Spyderco.

But a contest with some lines to follow (a use case, a type of public,...) would be a funun exercice!


...

Honestly great design, Robin! Loving it (with one possible caveat)

What I like a lot:
- Tall blade, should make for a very good slicing geometry (what bladestock thickness did you choose btw?)
- Low, not too fine tip
- Edge really all the way to where the hand sits, but still some kind of guard, for am EDC folder a lot of clearance for the hand when cutting on a board
- Linerlock
- A good amount of meat on the handle where the forefinger sits (if there is too little "meat" at this particular area this tends to give me a "floating" feeling)
- Looks and materials: Beautiful!

Not so sure about:
- The very shortened grip area where the fingers sit (the handle starts to rise early at the end)...
This is exactly what I also said in @Pengubandit thread about his design (viewtopic.php?p=1876640#p1876640), but in yours it is even more pronounced... unless your knife is on the very large side, this could potentially lead to not enough grip area for larger hands..? And generally little handle space to work with...?
Could you share a pic of the grip area length compared to some popular Spydie?

Though I have to admit: The handle shape you choose makes for a supernice and organic look when the knife is closed!!

Thanks for your feedback. The goal was to make "my perfect Spyderco", and in order to fit that description for me, it needs two things on top of what you mentionned :

1 - A design that is as beautiful open as closed, hence the handle ending that way
2 - I wanted it to be right at 3", and have the best handle/edge ratio while being a linerlock, and boasting 2 opening methods.

These necessitate compromises. But the grip area is not a victim of these criterias, it has been thought out : I've changed things a bit with the latest version, but the pinky goes on the rise you mentionned. You can put 2 fingers behind the edge, one on the second valley and the pinky at the butt of the handle. I can fit my 4 fingers on both valleys, but I have medium size hands.
Since then, I made the first valley longer, because the 2nd one doesn't need to be that big in order to work.

I hope this gives a bit more insight into my design choices ! I would not be opposed to the Precision being made bigger, on the contrary.

(Btw, I'm working on a "Preci-long" but it's a totally different design)

I do not have all of my knives nearby, but here's my best shot at comparing, with a comparison of my latest Precision.

[Turbolqk]

Concept of the Spyderco Dragonfly 3

What's improved:

1. Even better grip
- Full jimping on the finger choil as opposed to the metal half only.
- Pinky area jimping (on the back of the handle).

Both of these should be easy to implement on the FRN, as there is jimping on the thumb area already (top of the handle).

- If possible, add jimping on the top of the back lock itself.

2. Improved handle contouring
- Add additional countouring for the middle finger.

3. Improved blade shape
- Modified Sheepsfoot blade - The knife will be narrower when folded, will have a stronger tip but have the same functionality.

4. If inner steel liners + outer FRN version is made, like on the Delica 4, then even better.

Did an AI mockup based on my sketch. It gives the overall vibe of the concept, althought it messes a few details (clip, lanyard hole, jimping etc.).

[Wartstein]

Thanks for your feedback. The goal was to make "my perfect Spyderco", and in order to fit that description for me, it needs two things on top of what you mentionned :

1 - A design that is as beautiful open as closed, hence the handle ending that way
2 - I wanted it to be right at 3", and have the best handle/edge ratio while being a linerlock, and boasting 2 opening methods.

These necessitate compromises. But the grip area is not a victim of these criterias, it has been thought out : I've changed things a bit with the latest version, but the pinky goes on the rise you mentionned. You can put 2 fingers behind the edge, one on the second valley and the pinky at the butt of the handle. I can fit my 4 fingers on both valleys, but I have medium size hands.
Since then, I made the first valley longer, because the 2nd one doesn't need to be that big in order to work.

I hope this gives a bit more insight into my design choices ! I would not be opposed to the Precision being made bigger, on the contrary.

(Btw, I'm working on a "Preci-long" but it's a totally different design)

I do not have all of my knives nearby, but here's my best shot at comparing, with a comparison of my latest Precision.

Thanks for the detailed further insight and the comparison pics, Robin!

Interesting approach concerning the grip area, I´d have to try that myself!
If the pinky gets a good purchase on that "rising" back end of the handle that would be a great solution and this handle shape makes the knife look very nice, especially when closed, no doubt!
So if NOT only the rather "flat" part of the handle (where the fingers sit) counts but also the "rising" part, the model also offers a bit more grip area than a Chap with its choil, which would be enough for most hand sizes.

Anyway: As said, and this cause I mean it and not for "pleasing" you: Generally a great design for what I am looking for in a folder, for the reasons mentioned in my previous post!

... Me being me though : An additional larger version would be cool too...

[Pengubandit]

@Wartstein and @Ramonade

Here's a pic matching Ramonade's first Pic. Seems to be a fairly compact lil guy. Might be worth trying one with a handle profile closer to either the Chaparral or Sage 5. I can try photoshoping one later.


Here it is, maybe something like this, right Wartstein? Definitely a different look but maybe worth considering.

[vivi]

I'm with wartstein here. Seems like wasted space so to speak.

I ran into that issue with the siren. sure, technically I could fit my pinky on to the handle,but it generally fell to the slanted part at the end and felt like it wanted to slide off.

folders with grips going all the way to the end tend to work better for me.

this is one of a few reasons why I'm not a fan of folders designed to be just barely big enough for a full grip. that's a very hand size dependent thing to set out to do.

[Wartstein]

@Wartstein and @Ramonade

20260420_195246.jpg

Here's a pic matching Ramonade's first Pic. Seems to be a fairly compact lil guy. Might be worth trying one with a handle profile closer to either the Chaparral or Sage 5. I can try photoshoping one later.


Here it is, maybe something like this, right Wartstein? Definitely a different look but maybe worth considering.

Modified Spydie Concept.png

Still honored that you considered my little input concerning making the grip area longer!

... As for Robins @Ramonade design: I am sure he has thought out the handle shape well! I would have to try myself to see how the "rise up pinky area" works for me. Overall I really and honestly like his design a lot - as well as yours!

[Ramonade]

@Wartstein and @Ramonade

20260420_195246.jpg

Here's a pic matching Ramonade's first Pic. Seems to be a fairly compact lil guy. Might be worth trying one with a handle profile closer to either the Chaparral or Sage 5. I can try photoshoping one later.


Here it is, maybe something like this, right Wartstein? Definitely a different look but maybe worth considering.

Modified Spydie Concept.png

You got a very nice edge to handle ratio on yours too!

That would be a totally different design just by changing the handle though, even if I hear you. Like @vivi said, it won't please absolutely everyone, but it was design as a small knife. And I like complicated handles that serve a purpose, even if I still need to explore that to create a folding knife handle check list I find perfect. One of the reasons the handle is that way is the harpoon. The peaks help having something for the fingers to fall on, providing a better grip. I tried to take that in picture.



I'm drawing new designs that are very different from it, but have made a long version with some features that I don't like, to force myself to try something else. The "rise" (which I call a fall in french, funny you would name it the opposite @Wartstein !) now has an adjusted angle to be more useful. There's a guard, something that I don't want much on my designs, I prefer flowing from handle to edge. The access to the lockbar is opened, I might open it a tad more. There's a higher tip, while not being that high, and more stuff I wouldn't naturally do or use....




To go back to the Precision. It's good to have such feedback. In my hands and everyone else who held it at Amsterdam, the Precision's handle did the job it was supposed to, that's why I did not have to rethink it.