Prototypes

For many years, I have been fortunate enough to be invited to shoot pictures of all new Spyderco Production prototypes. These are generally shown at knife shows and the Amsterdam Meets we’ve had in the Netherlands. Apart from production prototypes, Spyderco also shows ´concept models´ which are prototypes in an earlier phase of development. Photos of concept models are usually ´verboten´, with some exceptions. In general, I can only show you production prototypes and production samples. On this page I will collect all photos and videos of the Spyderco production prototypes and samples I’ve shot over the years.

Also see my copyright information concerning these photos and all my other content.

2023 – Spyderco Production Samples

Military 2, Native Chief Lightweight, Stretch 2 XL Nishijin

Para Military 2 Salt, SpyOpera Sprint Run, Lil’ Native Wharncliffe

MicroJimbo, Lil’ Native Lightweight, Manbug Leaf

Counter Critter, SharpKeeper

2019 – Spyderco Production Samples and Concept Models
Photos and First Impressions

Police 4 Lightweight, Endela, Dragonfly 2 Emerson Opener

Dragonfly 2 Wharncliffe, Small Efficient, Emphasis

Sage 5 Lightweight, Native Chief, BaliYo

Byrd Harrier

2018 – Spyderco Production Samples and Concept Models
Photos and First Impressions

Parata, Nati Amor, Jim Ankerson/Darrin Sanders

Brouwer, Amalgam, Jonathan McNees

Alistair Phillips, Reinhold Rhino, Paysan

Techno 2, Kevin Smock, Hanan

Lil’ Native Backlock, Mantra 3, ClipiTool Rescue

Respect, ClipiTool Standard, Zoomer

2017 – Spyderco Production Samples and Concept Models
Photos and First Impressions

Alycone, ATR, Caly 3 HAP40

Chaparral Rafir Noble, Chinook 4, D’Allara 3

Dog Tag Gen 4, Double Stuff, Fish Hunter

Hatchethawk, Hanan, Hundred Pacer

Jess Horn Grey G-1o, All-Black Karahawk, Lil’ Lum Nishijin

Lil’ Nilakka, Lil’ Subhilt, Lil’ Temperance 3

Manbug Sheepfoot, Manix 2 Back Lock, Meerkat HAP40

One-Eyed Jack, Opus, Para 3 Camo

Paul Alexander Design, Q-Ball, Salt 2 & Tasman Salt 2

Three Blade Rescue, Three Blade Standard

2016 – Spyderco Concept Models, Production Prototypes and Production Samples
Photos, Videos and First Impressions

ATR, Brend/Pirela Mamba, Cara Cara 2 Ti

Dragonfly HAP40, Lil’ Lum, Ouroboros

Robin 2 Ti, Reinhold Rhino, Rubicon G10/CF

Ladybug HAP40, Pattada, Nirvana

Lil’ Nilakka, Native 5 40th Anniversary, Magnitude

TAC 1s, Sage 5, Jumpmaster 2

Meadowlark 2 Ti, Terada Kitchen Knife, Rock Salt Sprint

Snap-It Salt, Sustain, Packer

SpydieChef

2015 – Spyderco Concept Models, Production Prototypes and Production Samples
Photos, Videos and First Impressions

Ark, Bradley Folder 2, Dog Tag Folder Black G-10/CF

Firefly, ION, Li’l Lum

Li’l Temperance 2, Mamba, Mike Draper

Myrtle, Nirvana, Pingo – Polished Ti

Raven 2, Roadie, Squeak – Polished Ti

Squarehead, Tighe Stick, Vrango

Sprig, Reverse, Ronin 2

Endeavour, Bradley Bowie, SzaboHawk

2014 – Spyderco Concept Models, Production Prototypes and Production Samples
Photos, Videos and First Impressions

Shirley & Owens ARK, Diaconescu Battlestation, Bradley Fixed Blade

Burch Chubby, Dice, Panchenko Dog Tag Folder

Dragonfly Super Blue, Endura Ti / Damascus, Carey Firefly

Schempp Frontier, Knutson Introvert, Mehr K2

Kiwi G-10, Pauletta Lil’ LionSpy, Mike Draper

Native 5 Lightweight, Paramilitary 2 Composite, Lum Tanto Sprint

Read PITS, Roadie, Panchenko Roc

Carey Rubicon, Slysz Bowie, Southard flipper in All-Black

Spin & Concept Model – Bead, Spy-DK, Tatanka

Worker G-10

2013 – Spyderco Concept Models, Production Prototypes and Production Samples
Photos, Videos and First Impressions

Alex Diaconescu Battle Station, Chaparral 3, ClipiTools

Cricket Blue Nishijin, Delica Titanium Damascus, Domino

Dragonfly Pink, Dyad Sprint, Ed Schempp Equilibrium

Gabor Szakonyi Hungarian Ethnic Folder, Jot Singh Khalsa, Karahawk

Chad Los Banos Lava Blue G10, Mike Draper, Spin Blue Nishijin

Kiwi G-10, Laci Szabo Folder Black, Delica Super Blue

Fred Perrin Black, Serrata

Also check out my video of the Matriarch with Emerson Opener prototype

2012 – Spyderco Production Prototypes
Photos, Videos and First Impressions

Gayle Bradley Air, Orange Dodo Sprint, Foundry

Native 5 Fluted Ti, Pekka Tuominen Puukko & Nilakka

Laci Szabo Folder, Caly 3 Damascus Sprint, Lum Tanto FB Sprint

Chaparral Titan Stealth, Brad Southard Folder, Caly 3.5 ZDP189/CF

Ulrich Hennicke Ulize, Beads, Cricket Nishijin

Meerkat Burgundy Sprint, Manbug Bolsters/G-10, Wilson South Fork

Fred Perrin Streetbowie, Bob Terzuola Starmate, Marcin Slysz Techno

Ed Schempp Tuff, Li’l Matriarch, Pink Squeak, Manix 2 Ltwt Black Handle

2011 – Spyderco Production Prototypes
Videos are included on most of the prototypes´ pages

Des Horn Folder, Yojimbo 2, Ed Schempp Balance SS, Chaparral CF

Dragonfly H1, Native 5 G10 & Fluted Ti, Manix 2 FRN, Ladybug Tattoo

Dyad Sprint, Updated Spring for FRN Slipits, Squeak, Ayoob Sprint

Lum Tanto Sprint, Szabo Folder, Military Fluted Ti, Junior, Navaja

Tuff, SpyLeone, Vallotton Folder, Pygmy Warrior, Carpenter, Techno

Manbug, Southfork, Puukko, Delica Damascus Sprint, Manix 2 FRN

Carpenter

2011 – Byrd Production Prototype

Tern Slipit

2010 – Spyderco Production Prototypes
Pictures, Videos and Descriptions

Part 1:
Ed Schempp Balance, Jason Breeden Rescue, Kiwi slipit, FRN Manix 2

Part 2:
Matriarch Sprint Run, Grasshopper, Native 4, Damascus Delica Sprint

Part 3:
Caly 3.5, Chinese Folder Carbon Fiber, Chinese Folder Extra Large,
Super Leaf, Sage 3, UKPK FRN, UKPK Titanium, UKPK Carbon Fiber

Part 4:
Shabaria Sprint, Paramilitary 2, Fred Perrin 3-1/8″, Jens Anso Zulu,
Laci Szabo Folder

Scoop: Dialex Junior Concept Model

2010 – Production Prototype Videos
Click here to see all the videos I shot of the prototypes. Including the Ed Schempp Balance, Sage 3, Paramilitary 2, Caly 3.5, Manix 2 FRN, Fred Perrin PPT, Jens Anso Zulu, UK Penknives in FRN/Ti/CF, Matriarch Sprint run and the Bob Lum Chinese Folders.