Spyder Classics: The C-58 JD Smith model

[JD Spydo]

OK second in my series of "Spyder Classics" is one I've loved since the late 90s. It was actually I think about the 4th or 5th Spyderco knife I ever owned in the early going of my Spyderco journey. I'm speaking of the C-58 JD Smith model. I vividly remember the very cold autumn night at a Kansas City, MO Gun Show where I bought my first JD Smith model. I was with a good friend that night who also bought one too. This model over the years has brought back some great memories.

The JD Smith model goes all the way back to the ATS-34 Era. I even still have an ATS-34 version in full SE. It wasn't long however before they switched and made them with VG-10. The handle is superb and the blade geometry is near perfect. The C-60 Ayoob is one of the very, very few Spyderco Classic models that I like better. And you all know how much I like the C-60 I have yet to meet anyone who appreciates knives who doesn't like the C-58 JD Smith Spyderco model.

They have done I think at least two Sprint Runs of this most super of Classic Spyderco models. This is one model that I think could have been a permanent Spyderco model. So let's talk about the C-58 JD Smith model shall we?

[ChopSliceStab]

You need pics with these posts.

[JuPaul]

Yes, pictures, please!

[archangel]

Google.com .....

Handsome knife. Pointy tip, upswept blade - screams my name. Beautiful!

[JRinFL]

This link to the Spydiewiki will help: http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C58_JD_Smith

[JD Spydo]

Gee!!! Do I have to do everything??? :rolleyes: I'm quite certain that there will be a fan of the JD Smith model that will feel compelled to show off before the day is over. I've never seen it fail yet.

Like the previous guy just said there are thousands of pictures of this model all over the web.

And that model has been around since the ATS-34 era>> and that was quite a while back too.

[bearfacedkiller]

Always wished I had picked one of these up back in the day.

[JRinFL]

It is a slim, and dare I say it, elegant knife. I found a serrated version on close-out several years ago and fell in love with it. The sprint was in foliage green G10 which was not in keeping with the design, IMO. I'd love to see it return with micarta like the originals. Polished G10 might be acceptable as well, but nowhere near the looks and hand feel of micarta.

[PSquared]

Thread needs pics ...



Can’t believe that’s the only image in my Postimages library of a JD Smith ... will need to get the safe open ....

Edit ... had this image on my idiot box

[RadioactiveSpyder]

2009 sprint run in foliage green G10 and VG-10, just for you JD!

[JD Spydo]

It is a slim, and dare I say it, elegant knife. I found a serrated version on close-out several years ago and fell in love with it. The sprint was in foliage green G10 which was not in keeping with the design, IMO. I'd love to see it return with micarta like the originals. Polished G10 might be acceptable as well, but nowhere near the looks and hand feel of micarta.

I'm telling you right now JR and I'm telling the others as well. IF they do a Sprint Run of this JD Smith with something like K390 or one of those Crucible steels high on the chart I would probably be putting my M390 Military into a long, well deserved vacation.

The only other Spyderco factory knife that I think has a better factory handle in the TEMPERANCE 1 fixed blade model with a new blade steel I could fall in love with the JD Smitha again very easily. It's truly a Super Classic IMO.

[JD Spydo]

Thread needs pics ...



Can’t believe that’s the only image in my Postimages library of a JD Smith ... will need to get the safe open ....

Edit ... had this image on my idiot box

OK boys & girls :) here are your PICS!!! And some really nice pics at that :cool: If that 2009 Sprint Run would have had like a ZDP-189 blade I would still be carrying it.

This is not only a "Golden Oldie" folks!!! THIS IS A SUPER CLASSIC!!! No question about it :cool: I wish I knew how to get ahold of Mr. J.D. Smith himself if he's still with us>> that guy is one really cool designer of blades :cool:

[Evil D]

Yeah I've gotta pass on this one. The ricasso is like the king of ricassos and the grip position is just way too far from the edge for my tastes.

[JD Spydo]

Yeah I've gotta pass on this one. The ricasso is like the king of ricassos and the grip position is just way too far from the edge for my tastes.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: PARTY POOPER! :D :D "You never want to judge a folder from it's cover" Dude this is another one just like the C-60 that you actually got to get your hands on.

Now you go and rethink this over and come back later when you can think more clearly :D

Oh and by the way when it was in the main line up you could get it in PE & SE both. And the SE version of this bad boy has the teeth of an Everglade Alligator :cool:

[PSquared]

What we really need is that flat grind sprint shrunk down to a 3 or 3.25 inch blade.

[djinnzfree]

2013 JD Smith was at Trois-Rivières / at the St-Maurice forges Québec Canada for Can-Iron. He sign my Spyderco hat and hold in is hands one of my precious.... at 4:15 knife and cap signed! external link to youtube https://youtu.be/JmA5IcOpO7o

[JuPaul]

2009 sprint run in foliage green G10 and VG-10, just for you JD!

This is absolutely beautiful! I love the blade profile and overall lines of the knife. I wants one...

[JuPaul]

Yeah I've gotta pass on this one. The ricasso is like the king of ricassos and the grip position is just way too far from the edge for my tastes.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: PARTY POOPER! :D :D "You never want to judge a folder from it's cover" Dude this is another one just like the C-60 that you actually got to get your hands on.

Now you go and rethink this over and come back later when you can think more clearly :D

Oh and by the way when it was in the main line up you could get it in PE & SE both. And the SE version of this bad boy has the teeth of an Everglade Alligator :cool:

It does seem like that big ol' ricasso could've been made into an actual functional finger choil.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

A few pics of the OG SE Micarta one I sold off a few months ago...

[JD Spydo]

2009 sprint run in foliage green G10 and VG-10, just for you JD!

This is absolutely beautiful! I love the blade profile and overall lines of the knife. I wants one...

You're going to learn to trust me one of these days :) And people wonder why I'm still obsessed with many of the "Old School" Classics from what I affectionately like to refer to as THE GOLDEN ERA OF SPYDERS 1998-2004 :cool:

And I guess I'll just ask you all straight up front. Being that we as a dedicated group lobbied and GOT The Green Light for a new Sprint Run of the C-60 Ayoob because it was such a great design>> well I'm now wondering if this magnificent JD Smith model should be the next one deserving of a similar resurrection!?? At some point?

Because I've had my JD Smith ATS-34 full SE model on my desk today as I've been talking to folks here at Spyderville and the more I look at this "Work OF ART" the more I would like to see it back some day as well ( In PE & SE both). I just know in my gut this JD Smith would be absolutely colossal in a newer/better blade steel.