Spyderco Forums

I've had this for many years, but no longer have the box and can't remember the model or production period. I vaguely remember it was the less expensive plastic-handled version of a more expensive model that had a stainless handle.

The plastic handle on the left side (without the clip) has a soft textured insert in the hard plastic.

Close up pics of blade markings included if it's useful for determining production vintage.

fastbolt wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:48 pm

I've had this for many years, but no longer have the box and can't remember the model or production period. I vaguely remember it was the less expensive plastic-handled version of a more expensive model that had a stainless handle.

The plastic handle on the left side (without the clip) has a soft textured insert in the hard plastic.

Close up pics of blade markings included if it's useful for determining production vintage.

Hi, fastbolt:
Welcome to our forum. It looks like you have a C33PSBK Pro-Grip from the mid to late '90s. You can find more information about it here, http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C33_Pro-Grip and here http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C13_Pro-Grip.

I'm sure others will love seeing this. It looks like you took great care of it!

We hope you enjoy your time with us!

Kristi

Hey, thanks. "Pro-Venator light-weight" does ring a bell. I remember choosing the then-new FRN handled version because of the price.

I stopped carrying it in the 90's (along with an early Delica with fully serrated blade) and only recently put it back into a carry role. Nowadays the metal-lined models offer some strength the older pinned all-FRN handles didn't offer, but over the years I've developed an appreciation of the older versions.

I was pocketing this FRN lightweight Pro-Venator light-weight when helping my brother load a moving truck last year. He was using some heavy-duty, thick nylon ties to secure things inside the truck, and at one point we needed to cut a tie to reposition something. No razor knife was handy, and the thickness of the nylon tie made trying to slice it with a regular knife blade difficult and awkward. Being able to reach the short length of plain edge of this old Spyderco into the narrow space let me access the serrations, which completely ripped through the tie in one short pull of the knife. Handy.

This is a pic of my similar vintage Delica and Pro-Venator light-weight, and another pic I forgot I had of the Pro-Venator light-weight.

Nice Pro-Grip. I think (if my old brain is working) that the steel, Gin 2, is the same as BD1. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. That is the steel I have in one of my Manix 2 LW knives and it is pretty good. It should be more so with those serrations. Happy cutting!

Welcome! Nice pictures by the way, well done.

I am trying to identify a model that seems to bridge the "Hunter" and "Stretch" families. It generally resembles the Pro-Venator but has an oval stainless inlay in the middle of the mark side Kraton panel and measures 4-1/4" closed. Has VG-10 steel and Sal's signature/logo on the blade. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

i like that blade shape and handle shape too. haven't seen these before. welcome and thanks for sharing!

buckthorn wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:16 am

I am trying to identify a model that seems to bridge the "Hunter" and "Stretch" families. It generally resembles the Pro-Venator but has an oval stainless inlay in the middle of the mark side Kraton panel and measures 4-1/4" closed. Has VG-10 steel and Sal's signature/logo on the blade. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's possible it was a Japanese market only knife, as those don't show up in the catalog. I couldn't find anything in the catalog that is a 100% match to your description. There weren't a whole ton of knives that used Krayton inserts, so it's a pretty short list of potential models.

The only thing I could find that fits the size and most of the description (oval stainless insert, krayton inlays, VG-10) is the original Stretch, but it doesn't really resemble the Pro-Venator and, being a Stretch, doesn't bridge a gap between itself and the Pro-Venator.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/detail ... trade-/166

jabba359 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:26 pm

buckthorn wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:16 am

I am trying to identify a model that seems to bridge the "Hunter" and "Stretch" families. It generally resembles the Pro-Venator but has an oval stainless inlay in the middle of the mark side Kraton panel and measures 4-1/4" closed. Has VG-10 steel and Sal's signature/logo on the blade. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

It's possible it was a Japanese market only knife, as those don't show up in the catalog. I couldn't find anything in the catalog that is a 100% match to your description. There weren't a whole ton of knives that used Krayton inserts, so it's a pretty short list of potential models.

The only thing I could find that fits the size and most of the description (oval stainless insert, krayton inlays, VG-10) is the original Stretch, but it doesn't really resemble the Pro-Venator and, being a Stretch, doesn't bridge a gap between itself and the Pro-Venator.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/detail ... trade-/166

Wasn't it G-Sakai that had a few models you could only get from their sources? I do seem to remember them being the only way you could get a plain edged Harpy at one time?

buckthorn wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:16 am

I am trying to identify a model that seems to bridge the "Hunter" and "Stretch" families. It generally resembles the Pro-Venator but has an oval stainless inlay in the middle of the mark side Kraton panel and measures 4-1/4" closed. Has VG-10 steel and Sal's signature/logo on the blade. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

That is the original Stretch, if I am not mistaken.

Pictures would clear this up right away.