Amsterdam Meet 2014 Report of Upcoming Spyderco Prototypes

[Mr Blonde]

Just some clarity on the ARK: It was designed by both John Shirley and Sam Owens, who are friends of mine and both are also moderators on THR. Sam is the blade smith, and John was the driving force behind the knife design. John is the US Army Reserve officer who was trying to protect his troops. John sent all the design ideas for Sam to build. Sam's comments on building the ARK prototypes have reflected both pride and service in being able to equip troops with such a serious tool. ARK is an acronym for Active Resistance Knife. John is a huge Spyderco fan, and is the person who really got me into Spyderco knives. As Mr. Blonde has noted the ARK is intended to be worn literally 24x7, and the size and weight were kept to minium so it can be worn on the troop's dog tag chain. With the intention of the ARK being worn all the time, in the showers, and sweated on while on duty, John and Sam are both very happy that their knife is going to be made in an H1 steel mass produced version.

John also loaned me a prototype for evaluation last year, and it's an awesome little knife. I can't tell you how excited I am that this is the first knife you showed off Mr. Blonde, and I'm so glad to finally see pictures of the Spyderco production version.

Thank you for adding the complete background information on the ARK.

[Sam1911]

Thank you Mr. Blonde!

[LC Kid]

Hi Folks!


Considering the Self Defense nature of the ARK I was wondering, is it planned an Spyder Edge version? :spyder:

[FCM415]

I have a feeling that Mr Wouter is about to unload!

[Mr Blonde]

The Battlestation was shown for the third year, each year saw some new refinements. The design was now a production sample. Sal and Eric explained that it usually takes a long time to bring a design to production. On average it is about 2 to 3 years, sometimes faster and sometimes longer. A delay can be caused by many things, such as a customer feedback or innovations in production or materials etc… The main point is that the goal is to produce the design ‘right’ and not just ‘quickly’.

This version of the Battlestation was very smooth; it lost some of the jimping on the handle so it should slide more easily in and out of a pocket. The handle features G-10 scales over full steel liners. I gathered the knife was designed to be a heavy duty self defense folder. The handle is very ergonomic for both a forward and reverse grip. In a reverse grip it is easy the cover the cap end of the handle with your thumb.

The Battlestation did handle like a small stout little folder. And the handle was certainly very ergonomic for both a forward and reverse grip. Personally, I’m not a big fan of tanto folders, but I’m sure there are many who are.

The specs we measured are approximately:
Overall Length: 18,7 cm / 7.36 inches
Edge Length: 6,7 cm / 2.63 inches
Blade Length: 7,8 cm / 3.07 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,35 cm / 0.13 inches

[Mr Blonde]

I’m afraid I didn’t pick up any background information or details about this fixed blade design by Gayle Bradley, as I was photographing other knives when this knife was presented. This is really a shame as it is a beautiful and practical design. I’m sure my fellow attendees will be able to share more info on this design.

The approximate specifications of the Bradley Fixed Blade prototype are:
Overall Length: 25,5 cm / 10.03 inches
Edge Length: 11 cm / 4.33 inches
Blade Length: 13 cm / 5.12 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,4 cm / 0.16 inches

[NeverEnough]

...WOW!!! that Bradley fixed blade looks SWEET! can't make out the blade steel-can see it's not M4 though-does anyone know more about this beaut?
great pics as always Mr. Blonde...

[spyder moist]

Is the blade steel PS(5)f27 on the new g. Bradley.
is that a new steel in the ever growing line up?

[spyder moist]

...WOW!!! that Bradley fixed blade looks SWEET! can't make out the blade steel-can see it's not M4 though-does anyone know more about this beaut?
great pics as always Mr. Blonde...

Ignore my post you beat me to it lol : )

[mattman]

...WOW!!! that Bradley fixed blade looks SWEET! can't make out the blade steel-can see it's not M4 though-does anyone know more about this beaut?
great pics as always Mr. Blonde...

Looks like PSF27...? Production Sample Fixed 27?

I'd be suprised if it isn't M4...?

[FCM415]

GB fixed, what kinda steel is that? Thought he was an M4 guy... Y U no M4? hehe!

Pretty thin grind and I like the blade shape. I'm most likely picking it up. Cool!

[Mr Blonde]

The Chubby prototype, designed by Michael Burch, was one of my personal favorites from this year’s meet. Apparently, Michael Burch has been making this design for some time and it’s been refined over the years. The dual beveled blade allows for very easy penetration.

This knife reminded me a bit of the Spyderco Poliwog, which I’ve carried for a few years as an EDC. The Chubby is much more beefy and fills the hand even better. The titanium handle and integral lock make for a relatively lightweight folder. I think the all steel Poliwog was heavier. The knife handled very well. I think the circular inserts are carbon fiber. I’m usually not a fan of custom makers’ clip designs, versus Spyderco designed clips, but this clip turned out well. It wasn’t too sharp and didn’t pinch the hand in my grips. After I was done taking these photos, I made a mental note to put the Chubby on my wishlist.

The approximate specifications of the Chubby prototype are:
Overall Length: 15,1 cm / 5.94 inches
Edge Length: 5,7cm / 2.24 inches
Blade Length: 5,7 cm / 2.24 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,4 cm / 0.16 inches

[mattman]

Looks like PSF27...? Production Sample Fixed 27?

I'd be suprised if it isn't M4...?

Guess not... FB27 is listed as the Woodcraft blanks designation....

[The Deacon]

Looks like PSF27...? Production Sample Fixed 27?

I'd be suprised if it isn't M4...?

From the SB Specialty Metals website.

PSF27 is a chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium alloyed cold work tool steel(AISI D2 analysis +) produced using the Spray Forming Process. The Spray Forming Process allows for rapid solidification resulting in materials with a very fine grain and homogeneous structure. This structure results in improved toughness, wear resistance, crack resistance, and higher hardness. It also yields more predictable heat treatment results-dimensional stability.

[Liquid Cobra]

Wow the Michael Birch Chubby is my first must have in this thread!

[mattman]

Thanks, Deacon!

Regarding the Burchtree: looks interesting, in the "Techno-pocket-tank" vein.

Mr. Blonde, I bet that clip gets changed, so the knife can have a reversible clip... as shown, it's a righty-only design...

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

I like the Chubby a lot...but I'm a little Meh on the handle. It's so so good that the clip is not a wire clip, and is individual to the knife...but in a more selfish vein, I'd like a lefty clip please :)

[xceptnl]

Wow the Michael Birch Chubby is my first must have in this thread!

Amen to that. I have been waiting for a Burch collaboration for quite a while. Looks terrific.

[Mr Blonde]

The Dice is a smaller version of the Domino, that came about through by customer feedback. The Dice has many typical Spyderco features such as a leaf shape blade, full flat grind and a double distal taper. The pivot is made with ball bearing washers for a super smooth opening action, using the flipper.

Despite the ‘shrinking process’, the ergos were very good. Using the choil, I could get a full grip on the knife. The flipper doesn’t intrude on opening the blade with just the thumb hole which is something I like. I’ll probably end up with a Dice in my carry rotation, as I’m a sucker for Li’l Big Knives.

The approximate specifications of the Dice prototype are:
Overall Length: 16,7 cm / 6.57 inches
Edge Length: 6 cm / 2.36 inches
Blade Length: 6,2 cm / 2.44 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,25 cm / 0.09 inches

[xceptnl]

I like the Chubby a lot...but I'm a little Meh on the handle. It's so so good that the clip is not a wire clip, and is individual to the knife...but in a more selfish vein, I'd like a lefty clip please :)

It would ruin, the design (unless it was made as a lefty), but I too would prefer to carry this one left pocket. Also glad for 3 screws instead of 2 because I have always had problems with my Southard clip.