Spyderco Forums

I just wanted to make comment on the superiority of Spyderco knives versus the

"garden variety" switchblade; I've owned

several switchblades in my time ( a taboo

practice ), in comparison to the "spyderedge"

the switchblade is lacking ( most switchblades are reletively dull ). In addition, with the exception of the "coil

spring" most switchblades prove unreliable ( I had a Hubertus' spring break on me, not to

mention that this was a $75.00 knife ). Switchblades also ( of late ) possess the

patented Spyderco clothing clip, which is why

I seldom carry switchblades anymore ( the Spyderco is also "street legal" ). Any comments ?

Well, I have owned many a switchblade over the short time I have been collecting, and have yet to notice a reliability problem. Mine have all been BM, MT, Paragon or Dalton, but reguardless of the brand, I have had no problems with the spring. Also, where I live, they are all legal to carry, no one seems terribly bothered, and as long as I don't use one on campus, I have no problems. They have all also been relatively sharp, and if they weren't to start with, they took a nice edge pretty quick.
I prefer to carry a manual knife for a couple reasons. First, they don't scare most of the girls I am around at school as much as an auto. Second, if I travel out of state, which I seem to do often, I don't have to worry about having it with me and causing a possible disturbance. Third, lets face it, if you know what you are doing, a Spydie or any other high end folder is just as one handed and just as fast as anything with a spring in it. Last but not least, I just prefer a manual action, as you mentioned there are reliability problems, and eventhough I haven't experienced any, they are bound to happen. So I carry my Military happily and have no problems.

Yeah, I have had a few switchblades, and I never had any problem with them besides a tendency to want to go off in a coat pocket. The Spydercos are just as fast and have that clip. I do have one nice auto, good quality and crazy sharp, but the Spyderco is still nicer.

What did Sal's Military say to the switchblade? -"What took you so long?"

Anyone who's seen Sal draw his Mil knows that adding additional parts to open a knife automatically is just a waste of metal bits. A wise man once said "Add lightness." You can't get much lighter than a hole. C.C. would be proud.

I recently got interested in pocket folders again after many years of taking them for granted (I'd been carrying a simple Sandvik utility folder and was blissfully ignorant but happy). Along comes The Internet and with it temptation and disillusionment and so I've been buying various automatics and manuals from virtual knife stores and auctions. Working my way up through the clones and brand names, I ended up with a Microtech UDT. I thought at that point I would be finished and could find something else to be obsessive about. But for some reason (perhaps this forum and others) I bought a Spyderco Calypso Jr. just to see.

I enjoy engineering and I enjoy design. I especially enjoy an elegant combination of the two. The UDT is a triumph of engineering over design. That little knife is very well made (good engineering) but that skinny handle and bellied blade make it less useful than most users will admit. The Calypso Jr. is a triumph of both engineering and design. The whole thing is just so satisfying in shape, feel and utility. And that's before you realize that it can be opened and closed with one hand in a flash.

Automatics appeal to my fascination with animated windup toys (let's not even mention their phallic undertones). Anything that clicks, pops or goes thwack is just more exciting than something that doesn't. If you want thrills, get something with a button. If you want the thrill of good industrial design get a Calypso jr. or something else Spyderco.

I'd like to welcome the new visitors. thanx for the interest and the time.

As long as you are on the subject. The following is from our 2001 Dealer Catalog;

"At Spyderco we have been asked why we don't make autos (switchblades). Here are our thoughts on that question:

1. Autos are more likely to accidentally open when you don't want them to.

2. Button releases are harder to locate under stress or with gloves than our hole opener.

3. Autos can jump out of your hand if not held tightly.

4. With a hole opener, one can open the blade partially, change your mimd and close it all with one hand. Once an auto is activated, it cannot be stopped. In the event that something does stop the blade, it will not lock open.

5. Autos are illegal in most areas of the world to manufacture or carry.

Spyderco CLIPITS open swiftly, surely, with reliability and control.

sal

Sal, your skill at the quick draw is becoming legendary on the forums. I heard that you use a Military in the front right pocket for this feat but I have not yet heard of the technique that you use.

How about giving us your drawing secrets from A - Z so we can practice the correct way? Thanks

Hi Toothed. I think that most make more out of it than is there. I've done it a number of times so it's a practiced move, but no big deal.

One of these days I'll try to shoot a fast film video at close range for a frame by frame.

sal

Thanks Sal, I'm looking forward to seeing that video in both regular speed and slow motion whenever you find the time to do it. I think there are others out there that are just as interested as I am. However, a greater priority is for you to continue designing and making great knives for us all.

Sal,

Whatabout shipping a sprint run pearl inlaid Military with your special 'quick-draw' video? *hee-hee!* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies
will travel...