Spyderco 2014 Prototype Video – Ed Schempp Frontier

The last Spyderco prototype I got on video this year, is the Ed Schempp Frontier. This knife was my number one favorite of all the prototypes Spyderco showed this year. This Ed Schempp design will be a great addition to the Spyderco series of ethnic folders. Eric Glesser from Spyderco gives a quick tour of this knife at the IWA Show in Germany.

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

For a close-up view of the Frontier, check out this entry.

Spyderco 2014 Production Sample Video – Peter Carey Rubicon

Spyderco’s Eric Glesser presents the Rubicon, designed by Peter Carey. This was really the proverbial custom quality folder. I am sure this knife will become a big hit.

I realize the tag says ‘production prototype’, but the information I got from Spyderco indicated that the Rubicon seen here was a ‘production sample’.

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

Want to see more images of the Rubicon? Click here!

Spyderco 2014 Prototype Video – Mike Read PITS

Finally, a slipit folder design that looks like it could take some hard use! I am very anxious to see this PITS folder, designed by Mike Read, in production.  

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

My photos of the PITS folder can be seen here.

Spyderco 2014 Prototype Video – Marcin Slysz Bowie

This upcoming Bowie folder, designed by Marcin Slysz, was one of my top three favorite Spyderco prototypes this year.

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

For more photos of the Slysz Bowie, go see this post.

Spyderco 2014 Prototype Video – Michael Burch Chubby

Spyderco’s Eric Glesser presents the production prototype of the Chubby folding knife, designed by Michael Burch.

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

My photos of the Chubby can be found here.

Spyderco 2014 Prototype Video – Serge Panchenko Dog Tag Folder

One of the prototypes Spyderco showed this year at the IWA show in Germany, was the Dog Tag Folder designed by Serge Panchenko. Eric Glesser gives a quick overview of this new upcoming folder.

There might have been a little mistake in this video, I overheard Eric explaining elsewhere during the show that the blade is stonewashed and not coated. This is still a production prototype, when the knife is ready for shipping, I’m sure the exact specifications will be published on www.spyderco.com.

I have no information on the pricing or (planned) availability of this knife.

Click here to see my more detailed photos of the Dog Tag Folder.

Spyderco 2014 Production Sample – Worker G-10

The last knife I can show you from the Amsterdam Meet is this wonderful Worker sprint run knife. I missed out on the Worker so far; the last sprint came out just before I became a diehard Spyderknut. However, I’ll do my best to snag this sprint run in green G-10!

The Worker is an original Spyderco design, and the many years of production-experience are evident in this piece. The action was smooth as glass and the lock-up seemed ‘native 5-tight’ to me, i.e. rock solid.

Spyderco 2014 Production Sample – Tatanka

Spyderco has been showing concept models of a mega folder at various Amsterdam Meets in the past. I recall one being called the Bison. The result of all this development work is the Tatanka.

The Tatanka was a crowd-pleaser and the large knife was -to me- surprisingly easy to handle and manipulate. I appreciated the fact that Eric and Sal brought along a version of the Tatanka with a clear scale so you could see how the lock works. The tang is radiused so the lock-up will adjust for any wear that might occur. The Tatanka’s lock also made sure the blade had a very nice ‘self close’ to it.

Spyderco 2014 Production Sample – Spy-DK

Apparently, the Danish spyderknuts liked the Pingo but some argued that it lacked the traditional Spyderco look of a leaf shape blade with a hump and full flat grind. Following that feedback, the Spy-DK was conceived.

I really liked the way this folder handled. Like the other FRN slipits, the Spy-DK is very light and ergonomic. The blade ‘locks’ up really well in both the open and closed position, and I really appreciate that fine splinter-picker tip. I will ‘need’ one for sure. And since these were production samples, I’m hopeful we’ll see these knives soon.

The approximate specifications of the Spy-DK production samples are:

Overall Length:  16 cm / 6.29 inches
Edge Length: 6 cm / 2.36 inches
Blade Length: 7 cm / 2.75 inches
Blade Thickness: 0,25 cm / 0.09 inches

Spyderco 2014 Production Prototype – Spin & Concept Model – Bead

The Spin is back for a sprint run in blue nishijin glass fiber. The blue handle color was quite striking. I loved the mini bead design; I think it’s a logical evolution from the first beads. Those first larger beads can be quite heavy if you attach them to a very small or lightweight knife.

The Spin combined with this mini bead made for a perfect little carry combo, I could get a full grip on the knife using the mini bead.  Naturally, a tip-up clip would fit even better with the mini bead lanyard.