Spyderco Forums

Something I keep wondering about is open back or is it called open pillar construction?

There are a huge amount of Spyderco Knives built this way, the majority I would say in various models. I also see this construction favored by Chris Reeve and many many others.

I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?

Thanks.

I remember years ago most people said "pillar construction" but open back seems more common now. I guess it's possible to have pillar construction and a back spacer along with it and it not be totally open back.

They kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."

Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pm

They kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."

Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.

Same with the Shaman. I’d call that open-backed.

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pm

They kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."

Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.

Thankfully they ditched that spacer and went to just standoffs with the last cqi. I stripped that aluminum backspacer more than once and ended up buying standoffs from a parts house.

Tbh, I don't think I've ever heard of "pillar construction," but I'm a heel, so...

Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:57 pm

I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?

Thanks.

They found it’s a good place to hold your loose change

I've also heard it called "flow through" construction.

bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:36 pm

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pm

They kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."

Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.

Thankfully they ditched that spacer and went to just standoffs with the last cqi. I stripped that aluminum backspacer more than once and ended up buying standoffs from a parts house.

That's good to know! I didn't know that happened.

Funny, I also have a Ti Fluted Military and when I checked it just kind of assumed that the standoffs were unique to the Fluted model.

Meaningless terminology in my opinion.

"It ain't got no backspacer" sounds good to me.

But for some models I do prefer a backspacer.

Hi I_like_knives,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

The original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.

sal

prndltech wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:43 pm

Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:57 pm

I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?

Thanks.

They found it’s a good place to hold your loose change

Perfect for change. Also perfect to stick in parts of other knives, flippers, etc.

sal wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pm

The original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.

sal

That’s too bad, too, because that would be a fantastic feature. Is it possible to do this in the future or with another material?
I had a pistol sight that had some sort of material that would glow all night and any illumination made brighter.

sal wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pm

The original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.

sal

i have a tritium vial on my keychain. they may not be bright but in the dark they are noticeable.
this is a great idea. please oh please make them into other knives like the para 3, dragonfly, lil natives. i am okay paying extra, 25$, 30$, all the way up to like 45$ over price..

A little must go a long way stuff is around $30,000 per gram from what I found looking into it.

Neat idea for an expensive sprint if you ask me.

Circling back to the question What is the history of open back construction?

Have to admit was a bit disappointed Sal did not give some insight into the history of the open back construction of knives.

When I saw he had replied I thought oh cool he is telling us.

Hi Whatever,

Frankly, I don't now who might have started it. It can't be done with lock-backs or slip-joints. Which means it probably began with Linerlocks. Maybe Michael Walker, Bob Terzuola?

sal

Makes it a lot easier to clean the knife

sal wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pm

The original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.

sal

As someone born in South Africa I have to say i do enjoy hearing of Spyderco involving us in your industry (or at the least trying to)
When I read the description for the matriarch it makes me quite happy how you designed it with us in mind.
The chokwe even though it's from Zambia brings a smile to my face.

This might not be the thread for this question but i have to ask if you've considered any collaborations with some knife makers from SA.

sal wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:25 am

Hi Whatever,

Frankly, I don't now who might have started it. It can't be done with lock-backs or slip-joints. Which means it probably began with Linerlocks. Maybe Michael Walker, Bob Terzuola?

sal

Wow that is amazing that you do not know and very humble and honest too, Thanks Sal. This answer is more amazing than any I had considered.

Due to all your innovation and involvement with Crucible and so many truly incredible Spyderco designs I always just thought it was a collaborative design effort that came about years ago between you and other designers.