What change and why to your fave's next version?

[wrdwrght]

As we all know well, Spyderco undertakes CQI (constant quality improvement).

If you were Sal, Eric, or Michael, what would you tweak in, say, your two or three most used (and presumably favorite) models, thus making them the next version? And why would you make this tweak?

Preferred steel is not a tweak...

For my PM3, I'd drop the point a smidge, in the same way the Endura4' point was dropped (if my Pacific Salt, which is modeled on the Endura4, is any indication). Concerns about tip breakage lessen, but more to the point (ahem), the knife can be pushed along its spine under what it's meant to cut without catching its point on what the spine is being pushed along (a trailing point illustrates this problem in the extreme). And wouldn't dropping the point while keeping the PM2''s blade length actually increase the cutting edge a smidge? Added utility on a near perfect utility knife, no?

For my Manix3, I'd replace the Ball Bearing Lock with the Power Lock that the Tatanka introduced. Although the Manix2's lock is perfectly serviceable (after a shaky start), it is no longer the strongest (if it ever was), as the Power Lock is now claimed to be, for a knife that was meant for "hard use", especially in its first iteration. Besides, pinching the lock rearward on the Manix2 to drop the blade is a bit more demanding than pressing a dent on the spine, as in the first iteration, so why not the next?.

For my Stretch2, I'd... Oh wait, Sal just made some tweaks on the sprint I didn't even know I wanted, but now I really have what I want, hence the reason for (and spirit of) this thread.

[z4vdBt]

PM2.1 stubby. Shorten the G-10 scales slightly by relocating large lanyard hole while keeping blade length and having just enough scale for safe operation. Maybe relocate lanyard hole to where the clip logo is at and move logo to the open end of the clip.

[JD Spydo]

For my beloved model C-60 Massad Ayoob folder I would do the handle with a nice grade of G-10 just like they did on the Sprint version. I would also want it to be with one of the newer/better blade steel like M390 or Cruwear. Also I want it to be available in SE & PE both. They could also do the handle in different colors for SE & PE. Also I would like to see the Military in the new LC200N blade steel in SE & PE both.

[vivi]

I would hate a more rounded tip on the Para. The Millie family has pointy tips, which is one of the primary reasons the PM and Millie are among my favorite knives. There are so many blunt tipped knives to choose from. there are much fewer pointy tipped knives with beefy locks and full sized handles to choose from. It's usually a blunt tipped tactical knife or a pointy gents knife, which is one of the reasons the Millie and Para are unique.

Anyways, here are my tweaks. These are things I'd like, not things I think would necessarily make the designs appeal to a wider audience or make them sell better.

Military:

1. 4 way standard spyderco clip
2. compression lock
3. No lanyard hole
4. Slightly deeper finger choil along the lines of the Paramilitary 2.
5. Reduce blade thickness to 3.5mm
6. Ship the knife with an edge 8 degrees per side.

The Military is my favorite knife, but the clip needs improved, the choil should be tweaked, and I'd like to see a different lock if for no other reason than to improve ergos by removing the cutout on the scale to facilitate liner lock operation. The rest is just personal preferences, but those three changes I just emphasized I fully expect to see on the Millie. Well, maybe not the comp lock, but something different.

Aqua Salt

1. Full flat grind
2. M4

I really like the Aqua Salt as a small outdoor utility knife, but I'd prefer a full flat grind. I'd also like to see it done with a steel that has higher edge retention, but I'd be happy with FFG H1. I know its marketed as more of a marine utility knife, but its a nice blade for a little wood carving, camp food prep, etc.

Paramilitary

1. Just make a bigger version. If the Para 2.5 was the same size as the Military, that would take care of every revision I'd like to see on the Millie :)

[Evil D]

I'd be real happy if the Manix 2 LW was all screw construction. Otherwise I'd love to see all the H1 knives in FFG.

[elena86]

1.G10 and improved lock-back(internal stop pin) on Delica/Endura.Pointy tip as in first generations(there are other ways to strenghten the tip)
2.Slender and shorter handle on Para2
3.The new improved lock-back on Caly line.

[Carboni]

Yojimbo 3: XL 4.2'' Blade in cpm s35vn. Peel ply Blue G-10.

[SG89]

Ladybug 3- drop point or wharncliffe blade with titanium or g10 scales
Cricket with h1 steel and g10 scales

[paladin]

Ultimate Military Model (IMHO):

1. Beefier hardware
reason: with a design philosophy grounded in building a knife that can be relied upon safeguarding your son's life, I was always perplexed by the dainty Torx

2. Stop-Lock
reason: will undoubtedly add mass, but ideally, is less likely to be disengaged during twisting & plunging use
"real reason:" I just want the Stop-Lock to be manifested in my favorite large & choiled Spydie model

3. Larger lanyard hole
reason: needs to accommodate paracord easily, always seemed undersized to me just like the Torx


4. Canvas Micarta handles with macro-texturing
reason: I have found canvas mic to be impervious to everything from KoolAid to chemical stripper, and faced with the most ubiquitous liquid we encounter daily (water), it gets grippier unlike g10 & FRN. The macro texturing, if strategically conceived will help with indexing & tactile feedback as well as overall ergonomics.

[vivi]

Don't shorten the PM2 handle, they finally made it big enough to grip the knife without using the index choil. That would be a huge step backwards.

[The Deacon]

The problem for me is that I can see, and appreciate, the dichotomy between what I like and what I believe will sell well.

On the one hand, I'm hoping the new, larger, handle, full liners, and peel-ply G-10 scales will allow more folks to enjoy the Stretch, and that it will be a success for Spyderco.

On the other, my "ultimate" Stretch would have a handle with the physical dimensions of the original SS/Kraton version, but incorporate the deeper choil of the Stretch 2 and the bolster and scales construction of the Exclusive prototype. The lockbar would be smooth, with no Boye dent to disfigure it, and the blade stock would be 2mm. Ideally, it would have no clip, and no provision for mounting one.

[Liquid Cobra]

Yojimbo 3: XL 4.2'' Blade in cpm s35vn. Peel ply Blue G-10.

This please. Well, I don't care what steel they use.

[MCM]

Tip up Military. Simple!

[dubya3]

Manix 2 XL - The one huge miss on this knife for me, and the reason i rarely carry mine, is the pocket clip positioning, it causes the top of the blade to feel like it sticks out too far in pocket.

[tvenuto]

Manix 2 XL - The one huge miss on this knife for me, and the reason i rarely carry mine, is the pocket clip positioning, it causes the top of the blade to feel like it sticks out too far in pocket.

Agreed, it would seem there's nothing preventing the pocket clip from being positioned closer to the end of the scales. However, I just go clipless on the XL, it's big enough to stay in place on its own.

[dubya3]

Manix 2 XL - The one huge miss on this knife for me, and the reason i rarely carry mine, is the pocket clip positioning, it causes the top of the blade to feel like it sticks out too far in pocket.

Agreed, it would seem there's nothing preventing the pocket clip from being positioned closer to the end of the scales. However, I just go clipless on the XL, it's big enough to stay in place on its own.

I agree with your take on what I said but I think you interpreted my "complaint" as saying the knife doesn't carry deep enough (It could be much better). If you're looking at the knife with the lock oriented at the bottom, I'm wishing the clip was moved a tad to the left (and up) so it's more in the middle of the knife with the blade closed. It'd be off center on the scale but as long as it feels okay in hand and pocket, who cares? Might have to get rid of the lanyard hole too, or at least incorporate it into the clip design like some other spydies.

I'm dying to carry my CF/S90V XL on the weekends but every time I slip it in my pocket I go with something else. Maybe I'll try your method of clipless carry.

[tvenuto]

Hmm, given what I understand of your description, when you say: "(and up)" that was what I meant by "closer to the end." I don't see how "sticking too far out of the pocket" can possibly be different than "not carrying deep enough," assuming the same handle length. I think we're agreeing, but I wish it clipped deeper, in any case.

[twinboysdad]

Caly 3.5 made in Golden. Easiest one on here to actually do! Please Sal, the C3.5>Native and no one is making the C3.5. Bring it home to the USA.

Oh, and hawkbill SE on the H1 Dragonfly

[tvenuto]

I have no doubt that releasing a Golden-made Caly would result in parties in the streets.