Integral knives. Nirvana!

[Liquid Cobra]

It seems like every time a dealer gets the Nirvana in stock they sell out immediately, this leads me believe it's been a big hit (so far) for Spyderco. The knife has a lot going for it that contributes to its success but I'd say the integral handle plays a big part. So is there any chance Spyderco would do another integral knife? Specifically, a less expensive version?

I guess I'm curious to know if a less expensive option is possible if Spyderco were to do a more basic version without all the extra finishing etc. Kinda like the difference between the Slysz Bowie and the Mantra or the Rubicon versus the Rubicon 2. Or is the majority of the cost tied up in drilling out that single piece of titanium?

I picked up the Nirvana on Tuesday and I'm in love. This knife is amazing. And as nice as the fit and finish is (incredible), I think what I'm most surprised by is how it feels like a fixed blade when it is open. I've never had a knife lock up so well. Is that due to the lack of two individual scales? I don't know for sure but I suspect it is. It would be nice to be able to have a cheaper version with an integral handle that I could beat on to find out.

[The Deacon]

It seems like every time a dealer gets the Nirvana in stock they sell out immediately, this leads me believe it's been a big hit (so far) for Spyderco. The knife has a lot going for it that contributes to its success but I'd say the integral handle plays a big part. So is there any chance Spyderco would do another integral knife? Specifically, a less expensive version?

I guess I'm curious to know if a less expensive option is possible if Spyderco were to do a more basic version without all the extra finishing etc. Kinda like the difference between the Slysz Bowie and the Mantra or the Rubicon versus the Rubicon 2. Or is the majority of the cost tied up in drilling out that single piece of titanium?

I picked up the Nirvana on Tuesday and I'm in love. This knife is amazing. And as nice as the fit and finish is (incredible), I think what I'm most surprised by is how it feels like a fixed blade when it is open. I've never had a knife lock up so well. Is that due to the lack of two individual scales? I don't know for sure but I suspect it is. It would be nice to be able to have a cheaper version with an integral handle that I could beat on to find out.

FWIW, while there aren't many left other than the Salt series knives, Spyderco has been making inexpensive integral knives since 1990, starting with the original FRN Endura and Delica. Granted, the handles are molded, rather than machined, but they're one single piece of FRN.

[Liquid Cobra]

Thanks Paul, not what I have in mind but I didn't know that about the Endura/Delica. Always happy to learn new things.

[ABX2011]

You've asked a good question. I'd like to know the answer too. I'm intrigued by the Nirvana and I suspect I'll have to buy one eventually to check it out if nothing else.
It seems early to declare the model a success. How much supply has hit the market? But I agree that there's clearly an appetite for such a high-end knife. Probably much more so than the fancy Chaparral. People will pay up for what they like and the sleek, integral Nirvana seems to fit the bill.

[Liquid Cobra]

You've asked a good question. I'd like the know the answer too. I'm intrigued by the Nirvana and I suspect I'll have to buy one eventually to check it out if nothing else.
It seems early to declare the model a success. How much supply has hit the market? But I agree that there's clearly an appetite for such a high-end knife. Probably much more so than the fancy Chaparral. People will pay up for what they like and the sleek, integral Nirvana seems to fit the bill.

I've been watching the dealers. When they get some of these in stock they are gone within hours. Here in Canada they were going for $600 a piece. All of them sold the first day! I know what you mean, it's too soon to call it, but I'd be surprised to start seeing these sit on the shelves.

[dplafoll]

I'd say that if you want an integral aluminum or steel handle, almost certainly a framelock, that can probably be done inexpensively. However, it took the Taichung, Taiwan OEM well over a year to get the Ti-handled Nirvana into production, because Ti is harder to machine, much less machine it to the point of milling out the handle. And that's one of the finest production knife makers in the world, and all respect to the others, definitely the best of Spyderco's OEMs or factories. I doubt that there will be too many Ti-handled integrals due to that difficulty, and Spyderco is less specialized than several of the other companies that are doing multiple integral knives, like Custom Knife Factory or Lionsteel, and those guys are making those knives in their own factories (where they can invest in the machines and capacity on their own terms and for their own future use), whereas Spyderco is using OEMs (for good reason).

But it would be pretty cool to get a SS or Al (with a steel insert) integral framelock.

[Evil D]

FWIW, while there aren't many left other than the Salt series knives, Spyderco has been making inexpensive integral knives since 1990, starting with the original FRN Endura and Delica. Granted, the handles are molded, rather than machined, but they're one single piece of FRN.

Exactly this. My first Spyderco was the Native LW and I always loved the one piece molded handle. I think that knife has something like 4 pieces total (handle, lock bar, lock spring, blade? I guess three more if you count the clip and barrel screw). I wouldn't mind if all the Salts where this way, I've never had a problem with my Dragonflies being one piece either.

[dplafoll]

You've asked a good question. I'd like the know the answer too. I'm intrigued by the Nirvana and I suspect I'll have to buy one eventually to check it out if nothing else.
It seems early to declare the model a success. How much supply has hit the market? But I agree that there's clearly an appetite for such a high-end knife. Probably much more so than the fancy Chaparral. People will pay up for what they like and the sleek, integral Nirvana seems to fit the bill.

I can speak to the demand for it, as I had enough demand to buy one myself. :p

Basically, I saw it as a technical achievement and a halo model for Spyderco, and one that I think will be looked at as a special knife, at least among Spyderco enthusiasts, in years to come. And it's just so good on its own merits.
My local knife store is Mark's Outdoors in Vestavia Hills, AL and they sell a lot of Spyderco knives (certainly to me, as much as I can afford and/or convince my wife to afford). As part of that, they get two of everything from Spyderco by default, which means they got two Nirvanas, which means that there they sat, right there, where I didn't have to go looking and maybe pay a premium or whatever. I collect knives, but really I collect Spyderco knives, and as a collector and having a massive admiration for the company, and having the knife physically available to me (and buying it from my friends at Mark's), I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

That two minimum of everything means that if you guys want me to handle something in particular and give you pictures or impressions, just let me know, because they'll have it. And if you guys can find a good brick and mortar store, support the **** out of them.

[ABX2011]

That's great that you have a local store that you like. There are a couple stores near me but they don't stock the higher-end models.
I just watched Nick's review on youtube and it kind of reinforces my reluctance to buying the Nirvana right now.
I'm not a fan of a saber flat grind. A saber grind can look good but often at the expense of slicing ability. Making it a hollow grind can often solve that problem.
I wish it had a machined clip. Yes that would add even more to the cost but this knife deserves the full treatment, if you will.
Nick brings up the blade finish which is not something I had really considered but he thinks it shows wear easily.
He also mentions an inability to tighten the lockbar if necessary and I have no idea why that would be necessary so I think that's a weird complaint.
He also criticizes the "no disassembly" warranty. I'm not sure where I stand on that issue.
The lockbar stick may be something that "breaks in" but my guess is that Spyderco will try to address it. It's one thing for a knife to smooth out with use but there's some expectation that it will function well out of the box.

[Liquid Cobra]

I haven't watched his review yet but I do think he is a good reviewer. It kinda bugs me that he does the good, bad and the ugly thing though. Two chances to point out the bad, only one opportunity to talk about the good, and completely leaves out great.

Quick point regarding the clip, I really really like the finish they put on the clip and I believe it suits the knife really well. It's kind of like a custom clip in my mind since you don't find it on other knives with hat finish. Typically when Spyderco does a custom clip people don't seem to like it.

Here's a pic because this thread needs it lol.

[ABX2011]

Nice pics! That's funny what you wrote about the good, bad and ugly. You're right, two opportunities to pick out the negatives. Seems unfair.
I'm carrying my Chubby now and I really like the custom clip on that knife. The Nirvana clip looks good but it's not all that special. And come on, machined clips have become all the rage. Spyderco hasn't made one yet, right?