What about a Watu lightweight?

[Abyss_Fish]

Okay hear me out. The watu is already an incredibly light, versatile, compact, and slicey knife. My thought would be to give it the chaparral treatment, grey frn and xhp. It would bring the cost down (I can’t claim to understand pricing fully but I’d expect around 120 if not lower) and make it fill the “lightweight backup slicer” role perfectly. Plus since the existing scales are flat, making frn scales would be somewhat simpler.

I do know some people dislike frn, and several would dislike the the “downgrade” in steel. But I see both frn and xhp as side-grades. Frn is lighter and grippier, and xhp is tougher and easier to maintain. It’s a slightly different role than the original but much more specialized.

Hoping for feedback on this one! This is one of my favorite models and I really just want to see more love for it. Just think about having a convenient slicer in addition to your shaman :D

[Sumdumguy]

For me, it is perfect as is. If I'm changing anything, it would be the wood or bone handles and a different steel.

But, I can see where you could get away with shaving off a little weight, with how light the blade is.

[GarageBoy]

I like the idea, but I doubt the watu is a good enough seller to justify the molds.

Too many people who can't get over the looks.

[WRB]

I’d likely buy any iteration of the Watu. It is a very underrated knife, IMO. It’s one of my favorites.

[Abyss_Fish]

well now we've gotten exactly one post for each option lol.

[Lumpy]

I hit yes for chap treatment, but I’d buy an FRN watu in any steel really. XHP is great stuff, but 52100 or cruwear sounds awesome as well. Even a more budget minded VG10 would be an instant buy.

Also while we’re changing the watu, I’d like an XL version please :D

[Abyss_Fish]

XHP is great stuff, but 52100 or cruwear sounds awesome as well. Even a more budget minded VG10 would be an instant buy.

I agree with the tool steel idea, something tough would work wonders with that fine tip. Also an even cheaper steel like vg-10 (or since it's taichung more likely cts-bd1) would definitely bring the price down more, to the sub 100$ range most likely. I'd be for it but I think xhp or something else standard-ish would be more in line with other Taichung lightweights, as long as they don't use s30v...

[Sharp Guy]

I really don't care either way but I don't think they need to do a LW version of every model. I think the Watu is cool but probably not one to get a lot of variants JMO

[Wartstein]

I like the idea!

FRN for me is the best handle material from a practical point of view, XHP is good stuff, and the Watu offers a Manix edge in Delica size...
Perhapt this version could also get a linerlock?

[ChrisinHove]

I love the Watu, but I’m not sure enough people do, to warrant variants.

Correction: I’m not sure enough people have tried it.

[curlyhairedboy]

For me, a version with S30v and grippy G10 would work very well. FRN startup costs are very high.

[foofie]

I would buy any new version, for sure. It is also a favorite of mine, and more variations are welcome.
I would guess that it does not sell in enough volume to be worth making frn molds. That would leave a sprint or exclusive. The good thing - sprints/exclusive could change both the scale materials and the blade steel. Hard to improve on 20CV with such thin stock. Sage1 Maxamet is being made in Taichung now, so one could always hold out for maxamet...

Something like the birdeye maple could be really nice on the Watu. Or the carbon fiber from the Kapara.

[Abyss_Fish]

Perhapt this version could also get a linerlock?

I actually love that idea, it’s not like that blade needs the lock strength comp locks provide. And cheaper and cheaper we go, not a bad thing at all.

[Wartstein]

Perhapt this version could also get a linerlock?

I actually love that idea, it’s not like that blade needs the lock strength comp locks provide. And cheaper and cheaper we go, not a bad thing at all.

Well, Millie, Resilience, Tenacious and "hard use knives" of other brands imho do show that practically speaking probably almost no folder really needs the certainly evem- more strength a comp.lock provides...

Whenever I come back to the linerlock (like now with my Tenacious) I enjoy how convenient, natural and safe that lock type is in use!
And the lockup certainly feels as solid as with a comp.lock (technically the latter will be even stronger of course).
And the "larger Watu" Chokwee actually came with a linerlock. .. No, with a FRAME lock I think, so in use very similar to a linerlock.

[ugaarguy]

For me, a version with S30v and grippy G10 would work very well. FRN startup costs are very high.

I agree. I don't think the Watu sells enough to warrant the cost of FRN molds. I'd love to see it in VG-10, LC200N, or another highly corrosion resistant steel that's easy to sharpen. Even something like AEB-L or one of the similar Sandvik steels would be interesting. As much as I prefer comp locks and frame locks, I could live with a liner lock on a Watu. Maybe Spyderco could start 3D printing plastic scales to get cost down, and then we'd have a cheap base model sold with the intention of owners replacing the 3D printed scales with aftermarket scales of their choice.

[elena86]

Yes for the Chap treatement as long as they keep the grey frn.