Spyderco Forums

KaliGman wrote:The coins have become nice gifts to friends nowadays (I know Ed Schempp has a few from various units I have been a part of, as does Kristi and her children). Before the massive proliferation of coins, they were often used to shut up poseurs claiming to be with elite military or law enforcement units. For some reason, this often happened in a drinking establishment :p . Once someone had regaled the crowd with a BS tale, if you happened to have really been in the unit he was claiming, you would toss out your coin and say, "We all have these. Where's yours?" which often created some interesting situations.

I haven't seen many people use them except as keepsakes and gifts in quite awhile. In my old SWAT unit, we used to have to carry them for purposes of economic welfare and self-preservation. After an operation or training session, if we did a coin check and you did not have yours, you bought the beer, breakfast, or whatever.

...they sound to like something you earn rather than something you buy. Maybe Spyderco should keep them and hand them out to those who merit recognition. Heck if you are into Spyderco, just show your knife.

I don't want to be a "joy kill", however. Let consensus rule.

Diamondback wrote:...they sound to like something you earn rather than something you buy. Maybe Spyderco should keep them and hand them out to those who merit recognition. Heck if you are into Spyderco, just show your knife.

I don't want to be a "joy kill", however. Let consensus rule.

So you can't buy a coin, but if you buy a knife you get one for free?

In the military you do get coins from people for deeds that merit recognition, but do not merit enough recognition for an official reward. I have never been in the military, but I used to work in conjunction with military people, so I have a few people have given me.

Challenge coins remind me of Pogs and slammers when I was in grade school.

hardcore-LOL :p

[quote="The Deacon"]

I have challenged a few people with coins at get togethers and at the BLADE show and it is fun. Usually the person who does not have his coin has to buy the other a drink. I am not in the military so I don't know exactly how they are used but I believe it is a merit thing.

IMO in the knife world it is a bit more of a friendship or supporter thing. I would buy a couple of these as keepsakes and I think it is a great idea for those of us who love all things Spyderco. I have two other coins from knife companies. One I had to buy after I reached a certain number of posts on their forum. Another was given to me at the BLADE show.

In for sure

I would love a Spyderco silver oz coin.

Stormy wrote:I would love a Spyderco silver oz coin.

+1 x 8 for gifts

BUMP. Still hoping for a challenge coin. I think EDCF used makecoins.com, and it was around $10 for each coin. (Assuming over 100 coins are purchased.) Not too sure though, but they sell it for $20 with profit. Even at $20 I'd buy a Spyderco challenge coin. Anyone else?

Yep! Still want one. :D

Bumping this thread, because I sure as heck would want one... Or five.

Spyderco makes a traditional challenge coin that is being used in the traditional way. Given to special military personnel that Kristi, Mike and some of the managers can do. They are not for sale and will not be commercialized.

We can discuss another type of coin that is Spyderco, but a different "animal" than the Military challenge coin. I'm open to share thoughts and suggestions.

sal

I got my first unit coin in 1976 after arriving at 2/75 RGR Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington.

You learned very quickly to have your coin with you at all times. All times. If another ranger threw down his coin (literally) you had better be able to produce yours. If not, the penalty could be push-ups or buying a round at the bar or anything inbetween.

When I went to Special Forces and was at Language School I used to run with a senior sergeant I knew from our days together at Camp Rudder (Florida Ranger Camp). Mike was the "King of Coining" and had told me to never be without my coin. We did a good 4-5 miles one afternoon at DLI, out the back gate and down the hill then back up. I'd tucked my coin into my sock figuring Mike would throw his down somewhere along the route. We sprinted the last several hundred yards back onto DLI and were both doubled over near puking when I threw my coin down. Mike just stared at it then called me an evil SOB :) . He bought the beer that night.

Back then coins did not go operational. Dead give-away if lost during training or live deployments. That was understood. But once back in garrison anything went.

Challenge coins are now commonplace and there are some very, very nice ones out there.

This last week I was honored to present Sal with our Green Beret Foundation coin. This for all he has personally done and provided through Spyderco for our military and its veterans over the years. Thank you again, Sal.

And I am honored to now have and carry along with my own GBF coin one of Spyderco's.

Another great challenge coin story - the late Al Mar recommended Gary Fadden, then at Beretta Knives, for an Associate's Membership in the Special Forces Association. Gary's application was approved and he immediately got his SFA coin. Al was **** on wheels when it came to great pranks, challenges and otherwise screwing with his friends. Gary, knowing he had to always have his coin with him - especially around Al - had it mounted so he could wear it as a necklace. Whenever he was out and about where having your coin (like at an SOF convention) Gary always had his coin right there with him. He was impossible to challenge successfully and he took great pleasure in winning (or surviving) a challenge.

Well, I certainly have not been worthy to see the Spyderco Military Challenge Coin, so I'm not sure what designs are found on the two sides of that coin... SO, as far as suggestions for that "different animal"...

- Perhaps that "different animal" could have the :spyder: symbol dominating the "heads" side of the coin. That, to me, says "Spyderco" as loudly as the "Emerson Skull" says "Emerson" on the Emerson Knives Challenge Coin.

- As far as the "tails" side of the Commercialized Spyderco Challenge Coin is concerned... well, I'm not sure... perhaps the inscription, "Golden Colorado U.S.A. Earth"... which, to me, says the coin needs to be at least made in the United States of America.

I've been in the military for quite a few years and have certainly become QUITE FAMILIAR with the significance of the Unit Coin, Military Challenge Coin, or RMO (Round Metal Object). The Unit Coin has played a significant role in the U.S. Military as far back as World War I, and continues to hold significant meaning today.

I say, **** IT, let's get on with it! Sal, I feel the interest in a Spyderco Challenge Coin for your End Line Users IS THERE! I, for one, certainly would not mind having a Commercialized Spyderco Challenge Coin as an additional EDC. :)

I usually don't bump such an older thread but I thought I had an original idea until I went searching and stumbled upon this.. I think the interest in a "SpyderCoin" of some sort seemed like it was there. I just wanted to bump this thread to see if there was still an interest of some kind and in hope Sal and crew would possibly revisit the idea of making a commercially available coin that we could purchase. I understand I'm somewhat new here and don't have that many posts but I think it may be a good idea to set some guidelines/milestones for who a coin could be available to make it a little bit more of a "special" thing (1000 or over posts or 10 or more Spyderco knives or very active/helpful members on the Spyderco forums, etc. *just brainstorming*). I'd like to hear if the interest is still there from everyone and how they should be made available.. OR if this is just a horrible idea and nobody is interested at all anymore... :D

What about casting them in the steel that comes from Spyderco blades...the HOLE?
Yeah, the steel would be a mix and mash up of types, but that would symbolise US...
We are all mixed up and sometimes right and sometimes wrong... :)

I would absolutely LOVE one of these!!!! I would be one and then one for every friend who carries spydies...so put me down for 10 or so!

What ever it is it needs a spyderhole!!! Maybe we can use them a pendants to wear to avoid the misuse of the name challenge coin?

I like the idea of a challenge coin, but don't really see the appeal in this particular case. Most of my spydie time is spent online, where no one can challenge me or buy me a drink.

If I'm going to carry another spyderco produced product with a hole, it's going to have an edge on it.

If you don't have a Spyderco knife then you buy a drink. What would you need the coin for?