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Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:03 pm
by zenheretic
Anyone have access to the spyderwiki? I notice the super rare Montbell Pirka isn't in it. Would be a shame to not have that little back alley footnote in the records.
Super short story. There was a sporting goods supplier called Montbell who specialized in outdoor goods. Many from Japan. . Roughly the size of the Delica with unique blade grind, and used the generation 1 frn handles.
Correction an anciet Paul post reminded me: "Interesting story here. These knives were made by Spyderco, exclusively for a Japanese chain named Mont-Bell, which happens to have stores in the USA as well. They were not suppose to be sold in the US, but apparently Mont-Bell made a mistake and some were sent here, and sold."
In 2006, someone mentioned it on this Forum.
Spyderco put a stop to the selling of it.
Very few floating about in the wild.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:04 pm
by SpyderNut
Good to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
Btw, do you still have that marvelous collection of Ronins? I always enjoyed seeing pictures of those.
Take care,
Michael
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 1:09 am
by zenheretic
SpyderNut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:04 pm
Good to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
Btw, do you still have that marvelous collection of Ronins? I always enjoyed seeing pictures of those.
Take care,
Michael
I've cut back.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 5:16 am
by The Deacon
Good to see you again Zen! And for those who've never seen one, here's a photo of the Pirka...
...It combined the handle of the FRN Pro-Grip with a blade shape most similar to the C26 Snap-It.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 8:03 pm
by Bolster
The Deacon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 5:16 am
...And for those who've never seen one, here's a photo of the Pirka...
...It combined the handle of the FRN Pro-Grip with a blade shape most similar to the C26 Snap-It.
Wow, neat. Thanks for showing. It looks like a proto Caly.
For those who don't ultralight backpack, Mont-Bell is a very desirable (and usually expensive) brand of outdoor gear. I don't own much of it, because it's too fancy for a dirt clod such as myself! But high quality and light weight.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 8:34 pm
by Zive
I would pick up a reprised version in FFG and modern steel.
Maybe that’s an Urban, though?
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:39 pm
by VooDooChild
It looks a lot like a smaller spyderco flatiron.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:42 am
by The Deacon
Zive wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 8:34 pm
I would pick up a reprised version in FFG and modern steel.
Maybe that’s an Urban, though?
I'm not sure what would it bring to the table that the Delica 4 and Salt 2 do not offer. I have to wonder how many folks would still want a knife with an integral FRN clip. Not to mention the Kraton insert in the handle, since that material has proven itself prone to disintegrate after a few years of use.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 11:23 pm
by zenheretic
It does have an attractive grind, but the Deacon is right in that the Delica, which seems just a bit longer and not as much booty, does everything this one does, and with the 4 way reversible clip, more.
I had two of this rare bird. One of those things that just isn't exciting to many because of "plastic".
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 6:58 pm
by kennethsime
Fantastic little knife. It comes up here every few years and I always like the look of it a lot.
I wonder if the LeafJumper will essentially be its successor?
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:35 pm
by Doc Dan
It looks hollow ground. Is it? I've never seen one of these. I could see a place for this in the lineup, unless the Delica with the hollow grind that is forthcoming will take its place. In any case, that is a good looking knife. If I had a choice, I'd make the hollow grind a little higher.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:41 pm
by Zive
The Deacon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:42 am
I'm not sure what would it bring to the table that the Delica 4 and Salt 2 do not offer. I have to wonder how many folks would still want a knife with an integral FRN clip. Not to mention the Kraton insert in the handle, since that material has proven itself prone to disintegrate after a few years of use.
I completely agree that a re-release in the original configuration would be a slow mover.
The blade shape (specifically the pronounced belly) is what makes it stand out to me. I know there’s a lot of competition in this size of folder from Spyderco’s current product line, but if this were brought back in volcano FRN with a wire clip I would pick one up even though I own several Delicas and a Salt 2.
I’m not about to make a “no I won’t shut up” thread demanding one, but I would put my money down if it became available again in VG-10 or better.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:41 am
by jabba359
SpyderNut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:04 pm
Good to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
I was unfamiliar with this knife until Rich (Candyman) posted it on a Facebook group the other day. I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:06 pm
by Peter1960
jabba359 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:41 am
SpyderNut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:04 pm
I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
Kyle the entry for the Pirka is already done ...
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 3:36 pm
by jabba359
Peter1960 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:06 pm
jabba359 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:41 am
I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
Kyle the entry for the Pirka is already done ...
Ah, I found it. I didn't see it indexed anywhere, but it shows up in the search function:
https://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?ti ... irka_Knife
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:45 pm
by Peter1960
You find it in „Spyderco other products and merchandise“.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:54 pm
by SpyderNut
jabba359 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:41 am
SpyderNut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 7:04 pm
Good to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
I was unfamiliar with this knife until Rich (Candyman) posted it on a Facebook group the other day. I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
Glad to hear you and Peter were able to get this sorted. Always cool to find a piece of Spyderco history.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 5:15 am
by Mr Blonde
It's been indexed on this page:
https://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?ti ... erchandise , which appears to be a collection page for items that don't fit in the other established categories.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 11:00 am
by jabba359
I didn't look there, as I recalled it being a page of non-knife items. Guess the Pirka snuck in there as the only knife.
Re: Montbell Pirka
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:56 pm
by The Deacon
jabba359 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:41 am
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
One possibility would be to have a category for Japanese Domestic Market models. Granted, most of the entries would just be JDM variants of regular models but, IIRC, the Pirka is not the only "JDM exclusive" model.
