Spyderco "Q"

[knuss3807]

Hello,
I own a used but well maintained Spyderco knife. I believe it is a "Q" from what I've seen on Ebay. I would like to confirm it as being a "Q" model. It has a plain edge, skeletenized blade & handle, overall open length of 5 13/16", 2 1/2" blade length & 3 3/8" It has a wire lock that you lift and at one time had a wire pocket clip that could be sqeezed out of holes to be removed and switched to the other end.
I was just recently in a knife store and showed it to the salesman. He said it was rare. I ended up purchasing a Dragonfly so I could retire this knife before I lose it. I love it and get all kinds of reactions when people see it.
I have several hopefully easy questions:
1) Is this a "Q" model?
2) Is this actually rare?
3) What is the approximate value?
4) When were these made?
5) What kind of steel is the blade

[spyderknut]

1) Is this a "Q" model?

Yes

2) Is this actually rare?

Not really but certainly collectable

3) What is the approximate value?

Usually $50-100 on the Bay, sometimes more

4) When were these made?

mid 90s

5) What kind of steel is the blade

Aus-6 I think

Oh and welcome to the forum. :D

[aquaboy420]

Hey there knuss3807 welcome to the forum, the only thing I can tell you about the Q is I am always a day late and a dollar short. Cheers.

-greg

[The Deacon]

The Q was introduced in '96 and lasted until about 2000. There were many blade designs made, some are quite rare. The design you have, the Spyderco "bug", was the most common, accounting for over 62,000 of the approximately 90,000 Q's produced. Any Q in brand new condition accompained by its original box is considered collectible and they do tend to fetch amazingly high prices considering their original $29 MSRP. Specimens which show any signs of use, unless they are of one of the truly rare laser cut patterns, fetch considerably less. As pictured, yours appears to be missing the clip, which would of course have a very adverse effect upon "collector value".

[spyderwa]

If you check my webpage I have lots of "Q" pics as well as a list of the different models made. I also have the web links of fellow Spyderco collectors that have webpages with additional info. "Q"s are great.

spyderwa

Rare and Unusual Spyderco Knives
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa

[STR]

The Q was the one that started it all for me with Syderco. I figured anyone that could come up with something that clever and useful couldn't be all bad.

I still have that knife. It is the same as the one pictured only serratted. The little wire clip that moved to all four corners depending on taste was the thing that stood out to me on that knife. I still love that feature. Surprisingly that knife was bought with not one idea of the name or anything at all about the company. I just liked the design and the clever clip.

[Bruceter]

I don't know what the actual production numbers are, but I have seen fewer PE Q's than SE. This pertains to the standard "bug" blade, I don't know about the custom designs.

I asked about the blade steel at SFO, and was told it is 440C.


Hope this helped.

Bruceter

[spydutch]

I was wondering if those Q's are only for collecting or for use too? They don't seem very strong to me.( they are very beautiful though)

[STR]

They aren't very strong but they do actually cut pretty well. (at least the serrated one I have does) I used mine for a time just because it was so accepted in public and girls thought it was 'cute' which made it easy to use in public and for my job. I sold dental equipment and supplies at the time and it was hard to find an appropriate knife at times for that kind of environment.

No matter which Q you have they are collector worthy pieces. I used to see some Qs now and then for sale at the gun shows but in the last few years I can't recall seeing any for sale. I had a chance to buy one recently for $105 with the HK logo on the blade but passed. I thought it was a bit on the high side but it was new in the box.

[java]

I was wondering if those Q's are only for collecting or for use too? They don't seem very strong to me.( they are very beautiful though)

They can be used for a variety of light tasks but they suck at spreading peanut butter and are a beyotch to clean. I find the handle too bulky (thick) for me to manipulate for detailed work. (It was, however, a Blade Innovative Knife Design of the Year when it was introduced.

I have 5 of the stronger R models - a more useful all around blade - but even the R is adept at hiding PB in all the cut-outs!!

j

[samosaurus]

I have 5 of the stronger R models - a more useful all around blade - but even the R is adept at hiding PB in all the cut-outs!!

Whoah! :eek: :spyder: :eek:

Sam

[Michael Cook]

They can be used for a variety of light tasks but they suck at spreading peanut butter and are a beyotch to clean. I find the handle too bulky (thick) for me to manipulate for detailed work. (It was, however, a Blade Innovative Knife Design of the Year when it was introduced.

I have 5 of the stronger R models - a more useful all around blade - but even the R is adept at hiding PB in all the cut-outs!!

j

:spyder: get outta here. :p you didn't really try to spread p.b. with that knife, did you? :spyder:

[talonturbo]

Always with the PB when a Q conversation strikes up. You guys never change...I'm kidding. Anyway, I just had to pipe up when someone here said not all that strong. It started it all for me too, and it was my EDC for over a year. Let's see, I've made numerous marshmellow sticks, cut up thick carpet, used it for just about everything I needed a knife for. Never let me down. Compared to today's Spydies, it is weak. And the edge didn't last a fraction of the time an S30V edge does. But it took major abuse for a long time, and was a fantastic USER. Awesome knife, capable of much more than you'd think or than you guys ever give it credit for.

[chinook]

I have used a Q for a few tasks. I found it capable of cutting fine, butt the edges of the cutouts in the blade not only harbored PB, butt also caught on the material that I was cutting and generally impeded deep cuts through anything tough or fibrous.

Great letter opener though.

[knuss3807]

Thanks Everyone,
Wow, I didn't expect this much info so quick. If I had known that this knife was collectable I would have retired it years ago. Anyways, I've been checking out Spyderwa's web site and all the links and I think the bug has bitten to start collecting Q's. I didn't know there was so many different Qs out there.

Again, thanks everyone and a big piece of :spyder: pie for all (with no PB)

knuss3807

[java]

:spyder: get outta here. :p you didn't really try to spread p.b. with that knife, did you? :spyder:

It leaves such cool patterns in the spread PB!! :D

Chinook makes a good point about the cutouts. It was a bit awkward cutting up potatos at the campsite. Have to attribute that to the resistance the cutouts caused.....plus there's the cleaning thing again. Don't get me wrong though I use em, like em, and collect em - along with Rs, Delta Z Skeletons, and anything with a cutout blade or handle because they're unique and pretty :cool: lookin'.

j