SharpKeeper – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The SharpKeeper will be a basic accessory to protect your kitchen knife. The holes help to keep moisture down. The inside is lined with a velvet-like material to help guide and ease the knife in the cover. I’m not sure what the material is, but it felt a lot like Boltaron or Kydex/Concealex.

Specifications

• width: 0.98 inch / 26 mm – tall: 2.75 inch / 70 mm
• width: 0.98 inch / 26 mm – tall: 3.82 inch / 97 mm
• width: 0.98 inch / 26 mm – tall: 4.80 inch / 122 mm
• width: 0.98 inch / 26 mm – tall: 7.24 inch / 184 mm
• width: 1.50 inch / 38 mm – tall: 8.07 inch / 205 mm
• width: 1.50 inch / 38 mm – tall: 9.45 inch / 240 mm

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Counter Critter – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Counter Critter is a larger version of the Counter Puppy (also shown for comparison), which was released in 2020. Eric explained that this design follows a trend that started a few years ago in Japan, to make kitchen knives that you can put down without the edge touching the table. The 7CR17 steel uses less carbon than most other steels used by Spyderco. The idea behind this is that the steel will still perform fairly well, and that it resists more ‘abuse’; people would probably put it in a dishwasher since it’s a knife made in China. The Counter Critter will also come with purple handles in the future, as well as a serrated edge.

Specifications

Overall: 8.39 inch / 213 mm
Blade: 3.95 inch / 100 mm
Edge: 3.75 inch / 95 mm
Thickness: 0.080 inch / 2.0 mm
Steel: 7Cr17
Weight: 1.6 oz / 45g
Grind: Full-flat
Handle: Plastic
Origin: China

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Manbug Leaf – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Manbug will be offered in a leaf shape blade, after customer demand for this blade style option of the Manbug. It basically is a micro-version of the double distal triangle blade shape that Spyderco is known for. 

Specifications

Closed: 2.51 inch / 64 mm
Overall: 4.46 inch / 113 mm
Blade: 1.95 inch / 49 mm
Edge: 1.72 inch / 44 mm
Thickness: 0.098 inch / 2.5 mm
Steel: VG-10
Weight:  0.78 oz / 22 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Origin: Japan

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Lil’ Native Lightweight – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Lil’ Native Lightweight features a really light and compact blade, even compared to the MicroJimbo and Lil’ Native Wharncliffe. The linerless FRN handle really makes the Lil’ Native a featherweight. The Lil’ Native Lightweight is very similar to the lightweight Dragonfly. However, the Lil’ Native is made in the USA, like all Native designs.

Specifications

Closed: 3.47 inch/ 88 mm
Overall: 5.92 inch / 150 mm
Blade: 2.45 inch / 62 mm
Edge: 2.05 inch / 52 mm
Thickness: 0.125 inch / 3.2 mm?
Steel: CPM S30V
Weight:  1.55  oz / 44 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Carry: Ambi
Clip: Tip-up
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

MicroJimbo – Michael Janich Design Production Sample 2023

The MicroJimbo has been shown before at SHOT Show and I’m happy to have had the opportunity to get an up-close look at it, at the 2023 Spyderco Amsterdam Meet. I appreciate how this design is not just a scaled down version of the Yojimbo. It appears to be completely redesigned to transform the Yojimbo concept into a small package. The wireclip fits the smaller ‘more discreet’ design of the MicroJimbo very well. The handle still offers a solid grip. And like the original Yojimbo and the larger Yojumbo, when you grip the knife with the thumb along the spine of the blade, the tip points exactly where your thumb points.

When comparing it to the Lil’ Native Wharncliffe, I noticed the more acute blade profile of the MicroJimbo. There is a lot less mass behind the tip, and I’m sure it will test way better on ‘pork man’ than the Lil’ Native. Another difference is that the MicroJimbo’s handle features much more rounded corners.

(Approximate) Specifications

Closed: 3.74 inch / 95 mm
Overall: 5.71 inch / 145 mm
Blade: 1.97 inch / 50 mm
Thickness: 0.118 inch / 3 mm
Steel: CPM S30V
Weight:  2.96 oz / 84 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Compression
Handle: G-10
Carry: Ambi
Clip: Tip-up
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Lil’ Native Wharncliffe – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Lil’ Native is an established design and this new version with a Wharncliffe blade will undoubtedly appeal to many fans. I liked how the compact Lil’ Native offers such great control of the Wharncliffe blade. It remined me of the original C75 Kiwi design, but with a much more substantial and ergonomic handle and blade. Eric explained that the edges are done by robots, so each knife has a very consistent crisp edge angle.

Specifications

Closed: 3.47 inch / 88 mm
Overall: 5.86 inch / 149 mm
Blade: 2.44 inch / 62 mm
Edge: 2.02 inch / 51 mm
Thickness: 0.125 inch / 3.2mm
Steel: CPM S30V
Weight:  2.5oz / 71g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Compression
Handle: G-10
Carry: Ambi
Clip: Tip-up
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

SpyOpera Sprint Run – Max Design Production Sample 2023

The SpyOpera Sprint Run has already been revealed in … Reveal 11 in 2022. Seeing it ‘in the flesh’, or rather ‘in the steel and carbon fiber’ is something else. It is a stunning piece, a great collectible and/or gent’s folder. The SpyOpera will be made in a Sprint Run of about 1500 pieces. The carbon fiber is of impressive quality. The machining of the 3D handles shows no voids or holes, just a tight and clean pattern of carbon fibers. It also has titanium liners and a crowned spine. The lanyard hole is another impressive feat of engineering and machining from the Italian maker of this sprint run SpyOpera.  

Specifications

Closed: 4.03 inch / 102 mm
Overall: 6.90 inch / 175 mm
Blade: 2.90 inch / 74 mm
Edge: 2.72 inch / 69 mm
Thickness: 0.118 inch / 3.0 mm
Steel: Damasteel DS93X
Weight:  2.7 oz / 77g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: Carbon Fiber
Carry: Ambi
Clip: Tip-up
Origin: Italy

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Para Military 2 Salt – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Spyderco Salt series will be expanded with a Para Military 2. There truly will be a Para Military 2 for any occasion I guess, with all the variants we’ve seen so far, and now one for maritime use. This production sample featured black peel-ply G-10 handle scales, finished with a design of bidirectional grooves. According to Eric, the overall plan is to make a Salt version of every knife, made in the US factory. And although it’s hard to make out in these photos, I had a hard time getting a good shot of the engraving, the blade will be made of MagnaCut. The liners and all other hardware were coated black.

Specifications

Closed: 4.82 inch / 122 mm
Overall: 8.24 inch / 209 mm
Blade: 3.42 inch / 87 mm
Edge: 3.04 inch / 77 mm
Thickness: 0.145 inch / 3.7 mm
Steel: CPM MagnaCut
Weight: 3.77 oz / 107 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Compression
Handle: G-10
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Native Chief Lightweight – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

The Spyderco Native Chief Lightweight was another large folder that was shown at the 2023 Amsterdam Meet. The first thing I noticed when handling it, was the weight. Or rather the lack of weight. There are no liners in the handle of the Native Chief Lightweight. Combined with such a large blade, the lightweight effect in the hand is striking. Apparently, a significant amount of engineering went into the lock to keep it strong enough for a knife this size and this light. The screw inserts for the clip mounting options are molded into the FRN. When you turn the knife over to look inside the handle, you’ll notice a web-like pattern. This also adds a lot of structural strength to the knife.

As a left-handed knife user, I thoroughly appreciate the 4-way clip mounting options. And the mid-back lock makes the Native Chief fully ambidextrous.

Specifications

Closed: 5.08 inch / 129 mm
Overall: 9.08 inch / 231 mm
Blade: 4.08 inch / 104 mm
Edge: 3.58 inch / 91 mm
Thickness: 0.145 inch / 3.7 mm
Steel: CTS BD1N
Weight:  2.96 oz / 84 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Back Lock
Handle: FRN
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.

Military 2 – Spyderco Design Production Sample 2023

Since its introduction in 1997, the Military has seen a few improvements and refinements. Now it’s been given the upgrade many were looking for, after the success of the Para Military 2. The most notable features of the Military 2 are the compression lock and the 4-way clip mounting option. To support these design-upgrades, the Military 2 features nested liners; similar to the Para Military 2. The lanyard hole has also been enlarged compared to the original C36 Military. There are a few other changes too, such as a larger choil and more expansion at the pommel or back of the handle.

The linerlock on the original C36 Military has performed well for me, but I think most will agree that the compression lock is better for most people and most applications. I look forward to all the different Military 2 variations, exclusives and sprints that undoubtedly will be made in the coming years.

Specifications

Closed: 5.51 inch / 140 mm
Overall: 9.51 inch / 242 mm
Blade: 4.00 inch / 102 mm
Edge: 3.65 inch / 93 mm
Thickness: 0.145 in 3.7 mm
Steel: CPM S30V
Weight: 4.3 oz / 122 g
Grind: Full-flat
Lock: Compression
Handle: G-10
Carry: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: USA

I have no information on pricing or release dates.