Spyderco Forums

The most novel, inventive, and exciting knife shown at Shot Show, by far, was the Schempp Glamper - a prototype, compression lock, ~8" long, traditional Gyuto blade, flat grind with thin BTE and thin Spine, stone washed, with vertical dimples (for food-release). The blade shape was very similar to an enlarged Bradford Guardian Sheepsfoot blade shape. (just slightly curved, with a semi-blunt tip)

It had a full-length folding handle that, once opened, folds in half (towards the blade), which gives it a ~4.5" handle which is nice and thick in the hand.

The Glamper felt like a legit Gyuto from any high end Japanese maker. Maybe slightly handle-heavy compared to a traditional chefs knife, but not by much.

The Great Ed Schempp has just created one of the most novel, unique, and well-thought knife designs in ages. There is nothing even close it in image searches. If you like cooking and camping, or just want to throw a Chef's knife in the drawer and forget about it, the Glamper is perfect. No Knife roll needed - just unfold the handle and unlock the Comp lock. Pow, you have an 8" pocket sword ready to deploy on Chef's command.

I heard it was a prototype Ed himself commissioned, but I'd like to start building awareness and hype to bring this design to fruition in a full Spyderco production model!

The Prototype had a steel back spacer, but IMO that should be changed to something soft because the blade tip can contact the spacer due to the double folding handle. Hopefully a G10 or Polished black Micarta handle & spacer (Not FRN). The steel spacer was the only thing I'd change on it.

I can imagine due to the size and complexity of the build that it could end up rather pricey, so personally I would hope for a well-accepted, affordable culinary steel like AEB-L or possible Magnacut as long as the final product remains under $275 street price.

If you like traveling, food, and Spyderco, the Glamper is a Grand Slam of portability, size, and utility. I hope Ed or the Spyderco team can leak a picture or concept drawing to help with the imagination and further build hype! This knife was truly one of a kind which is hard to do now days.

It was an honor to talk with Ed as well. He's a wonderful soul and I like his designs even more after meeting him.

So chime in if you'd like a folding Gyuto! LET'S GOOOOOO!

I’de be in for 1

That sounds incredible! I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t buy one.

I am super curious to see the design.

I'm in. It'll be mine until my wife sees it.

Is there a picture somewhere? I’m curious.

I’m not sure I understand the use case. A sheath or edge guard is sufficient for taking a knife out of the kitchen (camping, etc). Is the draw here just that it’s very clever?

Sounds really interesting!

Hope to see it at the Amsterdam meet next month!

Cool! Always excited to hear about new Schempp models in the works!

Paul Ardbeg wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:50 am

Hope to see it at the Amsterdam meet next month!

Same here!

Is there a picture?

Also… why? I’m not sticking an 8” long folded knife in my pocket. When I need to drag a kitchen knife around I just use a sheath.

No pictures were allowed of R&D knives. Hopefully its makes an appearance at Amsterdam with pics allowed.

The use case is just a folding kitchen knife because its cool and novel, because you hate sheathes, or just like Mr. Schempp?

I've lived in a few places where people just toss a kitchen knife in a drawer with other utensils. No sheath, nothing. At least with this knife, there is no excuse to not have the edge protected.

I'd imagine this would be really pricey. Like basic steel hovering around $500 pricey. I could be wrong though?

This would just be added complication to a concept that already works very effectively for me, an 8 inch chef knife in a sheath. I would save 4.5 inches of length with a design like this when folded, but my fixed blade already fits in a small backpack when traveling, so that is not really needed. I don't think this solves any practical problem but would likely cost a lot to make.

Spyderwebs wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:04 am

No pictures were allowed of R&D knives. Hopefully its makes an appearance at Amsterdam with pics allowed.

The use case is just a folding kitchen knife because its cool and novel, because you hate sheathes, like Mr. Schempp?

Hi Spyderwebs,

We don't like pictures to make it to the public Web due to counterfeiters.

When I first met Ed Schempp, many decades ago, I learned early on that he was a deep thinker. Always drilling down to the truth.

sal

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:46 pm

Spyderwebs wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:04 am

No pictures were allowed of R&D knives. Hopefully its makes an appearance at Amsterdam with pics allowed.

The use case is just a folding kitchen knife because its cool and novel, because you hate sheathes, like Mr. Schempp?

Hi Spyderwebs,

We don't like pictures to make it to the public Web due to counterfeiters.

When I first met Ed Schempp, many decades ago, I learned early on that he was a deep thinker. Always drilling down to the truth.

sal

I'm enjoying letting my imagination wander as to what Mr. Shempp might have created here. Happy to wait.

I think any question of "why" with regard to a Shempp design rather misses the point, but if there is an answer I'd propose, "because he can."

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:46 pm

We don't like pictures to make it to the public Web due to counterfeiters.

That makes a ton of sense. If there was a picture out there it would probably be on AliExpress in a month.

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 7:46 pm

Spyderwebs wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 8:04 am

No pictures were allowed of R&D knives. Hopefully its makes an appearance at Amsterdam with pics allowed.

The use case is just a folding kitchen knife because its cool and novel, because you hate sheathes, like Mr. Schempp?

Hi Spyderwebs,
We don't like pictures to make it to the public Web due to counterfeiters.

When I first met Ed Schempp, many decades ago, I learned early on that he was a deep thinker. Always drilling down to the truth.

sal

I had the honor to talk with him at the show and he's a wonderful and extremely knowledgeable person with many great stories and a kind heart.

I understand a support the no pics policy. You have many great knives in the works and IP is getting tougher to protect.

Thanx much. Your kind understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

sal

Spyderwebs wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:01 pm

I would hope for a well-accepted, affordable culinary steel like AEB-L or possible Magnacut as long as the final product remains under $275 street price.

The Shaman is $270. A folding handle, comp lock, 8 inch blade... I'd be surprised if it was under $400. You're only seeing under $275 if made in China.