Stiffer springs in the ukpk lightweights

[eloreno]

Any news on the progress of the stiffer springs for the lightweight ukpk?
I would like to buy a couple more of these knives, but I'm waiting until they begin shipping with the improved spring. :spyder:

[eloreno]

Up for another go-round.

[Donut]

I'm interested, as my signature has been saying for a while. :)

[buckthorn]

I have also previously asked this question. I have both UKPK blade shapes in G-10 and like them A LOT! I'm a bit less enthusiastic about the lightweight (which I also have) because the less resistant spring is a bit worrisome. Can Sal, or anyone else, please tell us the status of the model with the revised spring?

[mann0mann]

x4!

me three!

ditto! ;-)

I picked up a lightweight with the new CTS-BD1 thinking it had the new springs and it apparently doesn't (first UKPK). I am just shocked at how much I enjoy this knife. Never in a million years would I think I would prefer a slipjoint over a locking blade, but for me and my EDC needs this knife fits the bill 99% of the time. The only thing that could make it better would be a slightly stiffer spring.

[Donut]

I have both UKPK blade shapes in G-10 and like them A LOT!

By both you mean, drop point, leaf, and rescue? :)

[rkh]

I have all the UKPK models and like them alot. Like may of you I would like a stronger spring in the Lite weight UKPKs. I have become really fond of my Squeak and has beat out my Dragonfly for one of my EDCs. I am amazed how much I like these slip joints. I never thought I would prefer a non locking folder but Spyderco has designed this as a user safe folder that will not cut you because of the way the choil/cutout of blade and handle protect your finger and keeping it from folding completely. Also, it is so simple to close one handed. Thanks Spyderco.

RKH

[Redeye]

We've been asking for a stronger spring ever since the first FRN UKPKs were released - that's nearly two years ago, if my memory is correct. CQI is a much slower process than I thought it would be!

It's a shame, because if the FRN UKPK had a firmer spring it would be the very best available budget priced EDC for slipjoint users. However, as it stands with the current 'floppy' action I can't even recommend this knife to people that ask me for advice, and I'm starting to lose faith in this new spring ever happening.

Prove me wrong Sal, please!

[buckthorn]

I'm going to jump in here again asking Sal to please tell us approximately how long a wait we'll have until the knives with the new spring design are available, or, if you've decided not to pursue a spring redesign at all, please tell us that too. Sal, I, (and probably everyone else asking about this), am in solidly your corner as a devoted cheerleader for, and purchaser of (since January 1989), fine Spyderco knives. It's just that the lack of a good estimate regarding this project is frustrating (maybe for you as well as for us!). Thanks!

[jzmtl]

Could it be FRN isn't strong enough to hold a stronger spring?

[The Deacon]

Could it be FRN isn't strong enough to hold a stronger spring?

Or at least that designing a stronger spring that will work with the existing handle without causing more problems than it solves has proved challenging.

[ChrisR]

I'm pretty sure that the FRN is strong enough - besides, it just sandwiches the metal parts and the steel screws hold it together. The issue is probably about getting the new spring design right and testing the longevity - there have been issues with spring snapping on older G10 models that had poor heat-treatment (I think that was the suspicion anyway - Sal?). In addition the UKPK FRN models were slated to go to CTS-BD1 steel and springs are usually matched to blade steels to ensure even wear ... so it isn't as easy as just knocking out a new design and swapping out existing springs :)

To be honest, I've never had a problem with the old springs - I never rely on the spring anyway - if it aint a lock then it aint to be trusted! Non-lockers are designed to be used with the pressure on the cutting edge, not the point, so it's not an issue and the finger choil is there to save you if you forget that. If you need something for point-first use then you have reason enough to carry a locker or fixed blade

[buckthorn]

I have a somewhat different opinion than ChrisR regarding the lightweight UKPK springs. Mine is no more right or wrong than ChrisR's, just different. I'd like to keep this thread alive because we're asking a reasonable question when we ask the status/plans regarding an alternative spring design. I believe the possibility of this improved design was initially suggested by the company and some of us have been requesting an update for a while now. Thanks in advance to Sal or anyone else who can provide at least an approximate timetable.

[Redeye]

No offence to Chris (who always seems to pop up and post variations on this same comment in every thread that comes up on this subject here and on British Blades) but I have no choice but to disagree with you.

Let me explain: I live in London, where carrying a locker is extremely difficult to justify. A pity, because I spend a lot of time in local parks and woods with my dog and I go fishing at various urban locations and a trustworthy and robust knife is very useful. However, I often use public transport to get to these places and carrying a locking knife is inadvisable to say the least. Random knife checks with metal detectors do occur on the tube and train stations, although I've luckily always been waved through due to my advancing years and semi-respectable appearance! In this environment, a dependable legal slipjoint like the G10 or Ti UKPK is an absolute godsend to me, and a locking knife isn't a viable alternative.

I'd also like to point out that there's more than one way to hold a UKPK. When I'm slicing softer materials quickly for food prep and the like, I hold my full spring UKPKs further down the handle and I don't use the choil - it's a very comfortable and efficient way to cut, and one that was intended by the design. I simply can't trust the FRN UKPK without holding it at the choil, and that doesn't seem right to me when it was made to be used this way, and even a cheap alox SAK will perform quite well without one.

Again, no offence is intended to you Chris. I'm only pursuing this because I want to see the FRN UKPK improved so I can use it myself and encourage other people to buy it. As I said earlier, as the knife is now I can't recommend it, but if it had a stiffer spring I'd find it hard to recommend anything else. I really would like to see this model live up to its potential.

[eloreno]

Btt.

[Donut]

Honestly, I figured this would be something that would be difficult to turn into reality, even with how much I want it.

That is basically the whole reason I have it in my signature. I can keep track of how long I've been waiting for it.

[araneae]

No offence to Chris (who always seems to pop up and post variations on this same comment in every thread that comes up on this subject here and on British Blades) but I have no choice but to disagree with you.

Let me explain: I live in London, where carrying a locker is extremely difficult to justify. A pity, because I spend a lot of time in local parks and woods with my dog and I go fishing at various urban locations and a trustworthy and robust knife is very useful. However, I often use public transport to get to these places and carrying a locking knife is inadvisable to say the least. Random knife checks with metal detectors do occur on the tube and train stations, although I've luckily always been waved through due to my advancing years and semi-respectable appearance! In this environment, a dependable legal slipjoint like the G10 or Ti UKPK is an absolute godsend to me, and a locking knife isn't a viable alternative.

I'd also like to point out that there's more than one way to hold a UKPK. When I'm slicing softer materials quickly for food prep and the like, I hold my full spring UKPKs further down the handle and I don't use the choil - it's a very comfortable and efficient way to cut, and one that was intended by the design. I simply can't trust the FRN UKPK without holding it at the choil, and that doesn't seem right to me when it was made to be used this way, and even a cheap alox SAK will perform quite well without one.

Again, no offence is intended to you Chris. I'm only pursuing this because I want to see the FRN UKPK improved so I can use it myself and encourage other people to buy it. As I said earlier, as the knife is now I can't recommend it, but if it had a stiffer spring I'd find it hard to recommend anything else. I really would like to see this model live up to its potential.

Well said. I have often wondered why the choice was made to go to a softer spring on the FRN version. I also use a Douk Douk on a regular basis so I appreciate how strong a spring can be. I was used to the G-10 version so the lighter spring was disconcerting. I would like to buy another UKPK, but won't until the spring is changed.

Honestly, I figured this would be something that would be difficult to turn into reality, even with how much I want it.

That is basically the whole reason I have it in my signature. I can keep track of how long I've been waiting for it.

Shouldn't be that difficult to make it happen, they had a stiff spring on the G-10 version. We shall wait I suppose...

[The Deacon]

Shouldn't be that difficult to make it happen, they had a stiff spring on the G-10 version. We shall wait I suppose...

You're not taking into account that the spring on the FRN version is considerably shorter and held in place by a single screw in the middle and FRN studs molded into each side of the handle at the rear. Not sure how much additional force that arrangement will take compared to the build of the "high end" versions.

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[araneae]

I understand your reasoning Paul, but I have old plastic scaled slipjoint Imperial knives with stronger backsprings. I feel pretty confident that Spyderco can stiffen up that spring. Maybe I was spoiled by the G-10 version, but I don't feel as comfortable using the FRN UKPK. Not that I've ever had an issue while using them, but they just don't inspire confidence IMO.

[Redeye]

Let's have another try at bringing this to the attention of the Spydercrew...