Spyderco Forums

2026 Forum Calendar Contest!

Enter the 2026 Spyderco Forum Calendar Contest today! Please read this entire announcement before entering. Several submissions were disqualified in previous years due to missing details. Seriously, please read carefully.

Contest Overview:
We are again making a 12-month wall calendar using images created by you, our forum members (this will be our 14th year!). We want to see your best HORIZONTAL shot.

We are again asking you to post your entry in this thread AND upload it along with your information through the link provided below.

Contest starts today, 10-Jun-2025, and ends at 16:00 MDT Friday, 08-Aug-2025. Winners will be selected by Spyderco and will be posted on the forum by Friday, 22-Aug-2025.

Calendars will be available for purchase this fall through the Spyderco Factory Outlet Store (in person or online at https://spyderco.com).


The Prizes:
If your image is chosen as the Grand Prize Winner, you will receive a Sage 6 Button Compression Lock Sprint ($400), an Addax-25 Backpack ($200), and a Manbug CPM SPY27 ($105)

The Grand Prize Winner will be featured on the cover AND a calendar month page.

Artists whose image is chosen to represent a specific calendar month (a total of 11 winners) will each receive a Sage 6 Button Compression Lock ($280).

Each member who enters the contest (and meets all requirements) will receive a 2026 calendar at no charge when the calendar becomes available.

Please enter to WIN - don’t enter just to receive the calendar. We appreciate everyone’s interest and support and look forward to another fantastic calendar!

Again, please read ALL the information below before posting. We know it’s a lot of words, but it’s essential, so please pay close attention to the details.


Submission Guidelines:
Please include a 2-5 sentence description of your entry - why you chose the product(s) featured, the history of the image, etc., something to give us a better understanding of your submission.

Please include the product name in your post.

Entry must include a Spyderco product (at least one, but multiple are welcome). Any product Spyderco has ever made is fair game. Your chosen product can be pristine, used, or radically modified.

We encourage you to use your imagination and show us your creativity. Just remember, family-friendly!

Themed images are welcome. Have a favorite season or holiday? Showcase it in your image.

If your camera or image software can manipulate it, we’ll consider it. Be creative!

Remember, Spyderco is the focus of the calendar, so make sure you don’t have a lot of “dead” space. Some scenes are stunning, but if the Spyderco shown is small, it tends to get lost in the scenery.

Leave enough margin around your image to ensure nothing is cut off during the printing process.

Entries must be in a digital format and meet the formatting requirements below.

Only ONE image submission per person. You are permitted to modify your submission after posting. If you decide to modify your entry, you must edit your original submission and resubmit the new image before the contest deadline. Having multiple photo submissions in THIS thread at the end date of the contest will invalidate all your submissions.

If you upload an image that is not in this thread, it will be disqualified.

Posting your image in this thread: It is not necessary or recommended that you post a 300 ppi image to our Forums (heck, it’s not even possible!). A 72 ppi image preview that does not exceed 960 px in width for the forum will be just fine to post in this thread. You may use a photo-sharing site to provide a link to your image, so long as all other requirements are met within your post. If you use a photo-sharing site, the image must remain publicly available online until 22-Aug-2025.

When you post your submission in this thread, please ALSO enter your contact information by visiting https://ops.spyderco.com/forumcalendar2026/. Once you enter your information, you’ll see a confirmation page that includes a link to our WeTransfer page to upload your image.

We’re asking you to upload your image through our WeTransfer page. Doing so will allow you to upload larger files. Please ensure that you include the following details when uploading your file (a Message field is available for all necessary information). Failure to do so could result in your image being disqualified because we won’t have all the necessary information.

Forum Name
First and Last Name
Mailing/Shipping Address
E-mail Address
Model Name(s) Included in Your Image

The maximum file size for uploading is 100 GB. If your final submission is not uploaded (hi-res) AND posted in this thread by the close of the contest, your submission will be forfeited. If you upload (through the link) more than one image, the last image posted in this thread is what will be considered. If the high-res image you submit does not meet the Final Print Guidelines below, your entry may be disqualified at our discretion.

Once you upload, you’ll see a screen confirming your upload was complete – you will NOT receive an email confirmation.

There is no requirement for the length of membership or the number of posts on the forum. All are welcome to enter. Any negative comments related to new members entering the contest may forfeit your entry. This is a fun contest that has brought new members to our community every year. We expect comments to be respectful and on-topic.

FORMATTING Requirements:
The Spyderco 2024 Calendar will be printed in a 10.5” x 8.5” HORIZONTAL format. Only HORIZONTAL formatted images will be considered, and significant cropping/resizing may occur to winning images. All vertical-formatted images will be disqualified.

We recommend keeping the edges and handles of any knives away from the edge of your image to prevent them from being cut off during production and printing.

Final Print Image Guidelines (ABSOLUTE MINIMUM – Images should be no smaller than this):
Width: 3300 px
Height: 2700 px
Resolution: 300 ppi
(This translates to 11”x9” to account for a 1/8” bleed)
Please do NOT try to enlarge an image that is too small. Its resolution will not meet the requirements for print quality.

Image Preview (for posting on the forum)
Width: 960 px
Resolution: 72 ppi

There are several free online tools available to check the size and resolution of your image before submitting it.


Content Restrictions:
The submission must not contain any copyrighted material (unless you own the copyright).

Your submission must be entirely original and created by you.

Images may not contain any promotional material, including trademarks and logos for non-Spyderco businesses, even those used for personal endeavors.

Only family-friendly, tasteful submissions will be considered. Remember, this calendar will be hanging in someone’s home or office.

NOTE: If you upload an image that we believe may violate our content restrictions, we will do our best to contact you and inform you that your image may be disqualified before the contest ends. However, we cannot guarantee this, so please ensure you meet all requirements and review the content restrictions carefully before posting.


Eligibility:
The 2026 Spyderco Calendar Contest is open to all members of the Spyderco.com Forum who are at least 18 years of age. Proof of age may be required. There is no requirement tied to the length of membership or the number of posts.

Employees, relatives of employees, and individuals associated with Spyderco, its partner companies, and manufacturers are not eligible to enter or win.

Obligatory Fine Print:
Submitted images become the exclusive property of Spyderco Inc. By posting your photo in this thread, you grant unencumbered, free usage and printing rights solely to Spyderco Inc.

This contest is subject to all laws and void where prohibited.

Please keep in mind that there are various laws and regulations regarding knives throughout the world. If you are selected as a winner and live in a region that prohibits us from sending the intended prize, we reserve the right to substitute your prize as we see fit.

We reserve the right to substitute prizes in the event of unforeseen issues with availability.

Hints for success:
Please take a moment to view past calendar contests and get an idea of previous submissions and winners.

Here are a few links to get you started.

2020 Submissions: https://tinyurl.com/2020CalendarSub
2020 Winners: https://tinyurl.com/2020CalendarWin

2021 Submissions: https://tinyurl.com/2021CalendarSubs
2021 Winners: https://tinyurl.com/2021CalendarWinners

2022 Submissions: https://bit.ly/3uRIl31
2022 Winners: https://bit.ly/3ahuZpF

2023 Submissions: https://lil.spyderco.com/2023Entries
2023 Winners: https://lil.spyderco.com/2023Winners

2024 Submissions: https://lil.spyderco.com/2024Entries
2024 Winners: https://lil.spyderco.com/2024Winners

2025 Submissions: https://lil.spyderco.com/2025Entries
2025 Winners: https://lil.spyderco.com/2025Winners


Be mindful of the placement of the Spyderco product; Items that are too close to the edges can be cut off when we format for printing. We also like to see Spyderco products clearly, so close-up shots are encouraged (as opposed to an item being small within a large scene, no matter how beautiful that scene is).

We are consistently in awe of the talent that our forum members have, and we’ve seen the level of skill and creativity increase every year. Give us your best! We can’t wait

I had a vertical photo ready to go but I have some good ideas for a few horizontal shots too.

Awesome, love the contest every year and the prizes this year are great. I have one or two ready to go but will see if I can come up with something better.

Question for everyone, especially previous winners: What camera are you using? I use my old iPhone 13 99% of the time but did not know if it was hurting my chances. Yes, I am upgrading this fall to a 17. :)

Thanks!

Horizontal shots. That sounds good!

@WilliamMunny
I use a Fuji X-T30II, but a good camera doesn't always give you an advantage. Many of the photos for the calendar were taken on phones.

Thanks Taz ! I need to get busy . MG2

przemekspce wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 11, 2025 1:34 pm

Horizontal shots. That sounds good!

@WilliamMunny
I use a Fuji X-T30II, but a good camera doesn't always give you an advantage. Many of the photos for the calendar were taken on phones.

A camera is not worth anything anymore this present day knowing someone that can decently use photoshop however is much more important if i look at pictures from past winners.

apollo wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 11, 2025 11:37 pm

A camera is not worth anything anymore this present day knowing someone that can decently use photoshop however is much more important if i look at pictures from past winners.

Funny, I submitted last year using a pic of of my phone camera. I had the exact opposite thought. After the deadline extension there were a lot of great submissions from people with real cameras, which was awesome to see. I knew pretty quickly my phone photo was too noisy and didn't stand a chance even with mild editing to balance out saturation/contrast etc.

Fastidiotus wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 15, 2025 7:52 pm

apollo wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 11, 2025 11:37 pm

A camera is not worth anything anymore this present day knowing someone that can decently use photoshop however is much more important if i look at pictures from past winners.

Funny, I submitted last year using a pic of of my phone camera. I had the exact opposite thought. After the deadline extension there were a lot of great submissions from people with real cameras, which was awesome to see. I knew pretty quickly my phone photo was too noisy and didn't stand a chance even with mild editing to balance out saturation/contrast etc.

Glad you bring up the extension. As its the exact reason why i see photoshop as the manditory thing.
Because the Extension happens almost every year now and seems to only grow longer aswel and i fear the reasoning behind that is that that they need extra time to edit there pictures or find someone to edit them for them. As i think its not easy to do so if you are no IT or camera expert. but that is just my personal opinion or observation of the last 4 to 5 contests and it would only be normal as photo editing software is everywhere there days when it comes to advertisement and even social media stuff.
Otherwise i have no decent explenation why people seem to ignore the deadline.

Last year was the first year that I can remember the deadline being extended.

Also, if I recall correctly, last year the deadline was originally earlier than ever before as well though (July), which could contribute to why it got pushed back.

Personally, I intentionally wait till the end to submit my photos each year. It's definitely not because it takes too long to edit them in photoshop though - thats the easy part.

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 16, 2025 8:48 am

Last year was the first year that I can remember the deadline being extended.

Also, if I recall correctly, last year the deadline was originally earlier than ever before as well though (July), which could contribute to why it got pushed back.

Personally, I intentionally wait till the end to submit my photos each year. It's definitely not because it takes too long to edit them in photoshop though - thats the easy part.

I remember it a few times in all the years i have bin trying to get one of my Manix pictures chosen.
By the way could you perhaps give us mortals some pointers what Spyderco likes as i seem to remember you have bin succesful multiple times already ?

Okay well, this is my first time posting a picture to the forum, entering the contest, and taking a photo that isn't a blurry mess hope this works!

This is my faithful pocket companion, the UKPK (the original Salt Spydiedge version)! This was taken about a week after first getting it and took it for a spin at the harbour in Whitstable on the English east coast. This was one of the massive mounds of fishing nets and lines used to catch the world-famous Oysters, and let's face it, what knife could be better for dealing with ropes out at sea than a sea-proof knife with razor-sharp serrations! I may have moved from there, but I still always carry my (now well-loved) UKPK, and haven't found anything that can match it.

Image description for screen readers: A folding knife with a 3-inch serrated blade and yellow handle, sat atop a mound of assorted ropes and netting. The netting is a mostly teal-coloured netting with some light-blue braided mooring line and some orange twisted-hemp rope.

WilliamMunny wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:08 pm

Awesome, love the contest every year and the prizes this year are great. I have one or two ready to go but will see if I can come up with something better.

Question for everyone, especially previous winners: What camera are you using? I use my old iPhone 13 99% of the time but did not know if it was hurting my chances. Yes, I am upgrading this fall to a 17. :)

Thanks!

My picture in last year’s calendar was taken with a Sony A7C body and a Voigtlander 110mm APO macro lens.

I took the Jan. ‘25 photo with an iPhone SE Model 2.

Hi,

this is the second time participating and for this year I tried to incorporate my four favourite hobbies into one picture:
Knives, Scuba Diving, photography and flashlights.

Since I fell hard into the rabbit hole of the knife-world (still haven't found the exit, any clues?) and started with flashlights last year, my submission is the mixture of all my favourite pasttimes into this picture:


If the contest were to go into september/october I was gonna take an underwater picture with my Caribbean in the Red Sea on my next holiday. Since living in Germany means less tropical fish and nice underwater locations (imagine diving in the Great Lakes, that is more less scuba diving in Germany), I tried this. The two best knives for Scuba Divers: Pac Salt 2 Serrated Edge (getting caught in fishing lines is a real danger) and Sheepsfoot Caribbean. Both cannot rust, and I took both of them diving before.

I am excited for your guys' entries
Kind regards from Germany
Malte

Malte wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 01, 2025 9:59 am

Hi,

this is the second time participating and for this year I tried to incorporate my four favourite hobbies into one picture:
Knives, Scuba Diving, photography and flashlights.

Since I fell hard into the rabbit hole of the knife-world (still haven't found the exit, any clues?) and started with flashlights last year, my submission is the mixture of all my favourite pasttimes into this picture:


If the contest were to go into september/october I was gonna take an underwater picture with my Caribbean in the Red Sea on my next holiday. Since living in Germany means less tropical fish and nice underwater locations (imagine diving in the Great Lakes, that is more less scuba diving in Germany), I tried this. The two best knives for Scuba Divers: Pac Salt 2 Serrated Edge (getting caught in fishing lines is a real danger) and Sheepsfoot Caribbean. Both cannot rust, and I took both of them diving before.

I am excited for your guys' entries
Kind regards from Germany
Malte

Really nice! Love the rain/water sitting on the blades always wanted to go scuba diving as I imagine it’s quite peaceful being in the water, seeing this whole new environment hidden below the waves!

Always one of the best times of the year! Good luck to everyone! So excited to see the caliber of photos this year!

Thank you Kristi and Spyderco!

I don't think I've ever submitted so early, but I have a hard time finding time for photos these days. I also rarely take horizontal photos. All that said..

I've always loved the way this photo of my C52FPGYE Spyderco Calypso Jr turned out. I find the patina on this knife, and they way it pops in this photo, to be absolutely beautiful! A lot of pristine knives make the calender, so I decided to think outside the box and see what happens!

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:07 am

I don't think I've ever submitted so early, but I have a hard time finding time for photos these days. I also rarely take horizontal photos. All that said..

I've always loved the way this photo of my C52FPGYE Spyderco Calypso Jr turned out. I find the patina on this knife, and they way it pops in this photo, to be absolutely beautiful! A lot of pristine knives make the calender, so I decided to think outside the box and see what happens!

Wow! Great photo, what a beautiful patina

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:07 am

I don't think I've ever submitted so early, but I have a hard time finding time for photos these days. I also rarely take horizontal photos. All that said..

I've always loved the way this photo of my C52FPGYE Spyderco Calypso Jr turned out. I find the patina on this knife, and they way it pops in this photo, to be absolutely beautiful! A lot of pristine knives make the calender, so I decided to think outside the box and see what happens!

I really like this shot , great job Rick ! Buddy Dan

So this year, I wanted to celebrate my birthday month (October), since it's just one day before Halloween, I decided to give this a try. I took a photo of my One-Eyed Jack C226GP and added a Halloween vibe to it. This is my first time trying this. Hope you enjoy hope it is good enough to feature. Always wanted one of my photos on my birthday month.