From we get to catch a glimpse of the new 2010 Spyderco prototypes, this is part one and I will keep you updated on part two when it arrives!
Go to his website and check out the pretty pictures, out of respect I will not repost them here because he really does deserve full credit!
My thoughts on the new models;
Ed Schempp Balance
It is simply stunning, very much a throwback to the true vision- Function before form! It is in my opinion the best thing coming up besides the PPT.
I will no doubt get the RIL/Framelock plain stainless steel version since to me this is a great EDC folder, it looks like it will simply melt in your grip!
Jason Breeden Rescue
To be honest I always had a love hate with the captain and I sense this model will be no different. The handle and generally look is very comfortable and utilitarian however something about it just puts me off. Perhaps I need to hold it to fully appreciate it for what it is!
Kiwi SS Slipit
Thank you Sal! What a great lil slipjoint! I love everything about this model and I cant wait to get it- I wonder how the new “rough” feel/opening resistance will be like although I am sure if you really wanted to you could smooth it out with some judicious use of sandpaper and polishing compound.
Manix 2 FRN
And finally the “lightweight” version of the Manix 2, not really sure of how I feel about it- on one hand I think its way more sheeple friendly compared to the original tactical g-10 version but its just so very different, once the shock has been fully absorbed perhaps it will grow on me but for the time being its just a bit too much like a toy for me to view it seriously!
Overall I am pretty excited with what is coming, I did not expect such designs in these economic times but once again I am taken by surprise!
I am getting behind on blog posts but in my defense I have been very busy!
The new 2010 models have launched (atleast the information on the new models) and I WILL do I write up on them, but the moment I saw the I just had to write about it RIGHT NOW!
It is quite simply drop dead gorgeous, reminds me very strongly of the Pry mini however its price is what makes me go completely crazy over it…guess how much it is? Remember the Prymate Boker version was 170 euros…
The Gnome is 30 euros. 30 EUROS!!!
When I saw the price I was convinced it was a typo but it IS legit, this gorgeous necker will be launching in April for the paltry sum of 30 Euros.
Great job Boker, I mean it.
Specifications!
12C27 steel (awesome steel, very clean & compares favorably with aus-8/VG-10).
10cm long with a blade length of 5.6cm.
4mm stock thickness.
Weighs 47grams.
Kydex sheath.
Canvas micarta scales.
Just 110% gorgeous.
ONLY 30 EUROS.
I will have my thoughts on the new boker knives this coming week (hopefully) sorry about the long absence!
I feel the need to write a conclusion to briefly express what the point of my list was and to answer a criticism that will no doubt be leveled against me.
I fully expect people to bitch about how much knives dominates the list, that being said I do not write for or or any other objective cutlery magazine.
I write for myself.
I have said it loud and clear that I am a Spyderco fanatic and as such not only should you not be surprised when you see a bias towards them but rather you shouldcome to my blog and expect it!
My brief series on the Best production knives of 2009 was essentially a collection of 10 quality production blades I feel affected the knife world positively in my (humble..’ish) opinion.
No more and no less, if I get a positive response I will no doubt do it again for 2010.
While I would love to be sponsored by Spyderco I regret to inform you that I don’t make any money from choosing one brand over the other, its just my opinion.
(Sorry about all the bold I just need to make this clear before I get e-mailed with bullshit).
Out of the 9 knives preceding it, this knife has had the largest effect on the cutlery world, its also the most expensive and the smallest folder on my list.
I present to you the Victorinox Heritage folding pocket knife! This is the knife that started all swiss army knives after it and this modern replica by Victorinox faithfully follows the original design.
Lets get the price out of the way first, its 500$. Yes. 500$.
But its beautiful and completely worth it and not owning it is killing me so lets move on to the specifics!
It features the now common stainless steel regular swiss made spearpoint blade, comes with ebony wood scales, pinned construction and 125 years of history!
The history is why one would covet this knife, and the reason you would purchase it.
Although if I owned one, I would use it as an everyday carry knife too. While the price and limited availability would entice you to treat it as a safe queen and not use it I feel this would be a huge disservice to its original intentions and existence.
This was the original tactical knife, long before double edge automatic daggers and G-10 scales actual soldiers used to depend on these small, non locking folders.
First of all, yes I know it was released in 2008, however *I* didnt get to play with it until 2009 so for me its still a 2009 knife.
My blog. My rules!
So, the ‘Zaan is first of all a pure utility hard use folder with great lineage and when you buy a CRK knife your buying a piece of knife making history (as always, in my opinion). Its truly a revolutionary folder!
List of revolutionary features
Glass break built into the pivot/tang side of the knife.
Ceramic ball on the tip of the frame lock mates with the tang to reduce wear and tear.
When the knife is closed it mates with the detent in the blade to keep it closed.
Perforations in the washers have wholes & lubrication to maximize the time between maintenance.
Oversized pivot adds strength and stability.
The thumb lugs double as the stopping pins.
The thumb lugs also feature o rings to minimise the wear and tear and absorb shock.
So yeah, its a pretty awesome folder for that reason alone but while I loved the blade in the flesh, specially that gorgeous gorgeous swedge on the top I just dont like the way it feels compared to a Sebenza.
Thats why I dont own one.
But you should, because its an awesome knife!
For me, if I had unlimited money I would definitely buy it but the problems I have with it are not logical, just emotional.
I miss the simplicity of the sebbie, I miss the THUNK when it opens and I dont like the grooves in the handles, its too industrial and I want my knife to have soul like the seb.
I am picky but I still think it should be in the list. So here it is at number 9.
The is a near perfect licensed copy of the original custom knife by, an extremely talented knife maker & designer from Denmark.
it features that beautiful Warncliff style of blade which seems to blend seamlessly within the handles to provide a really striking and perfectly usable organic design.
I view it as a really perfect edc folder and although its not designed to be opened with one hand I cant stop liking it for what it is- a great harduse folder for the outdoors and the kitchen!
The blade is great 5mm slab of N690BO steel which in my experience has a similar level of toughness and edge holding capabilities of the fantastic Japanese steel, VG10.
The first production run was marred by reports of bad grinds and finish but hopefully those problems will be fixed and the Boker warranty is more than acceptable so I am not worried and those reports wont stop me from purchasing this knife with a smile on my face!
Basically;
Designed by Jens Anso!
Ti Framelock!
Good warranty!
Great organic design!
Sheeple Friendly!
If it wasn’t for the nail nick and the reports of bad grind job it would have been far higher on my list, sort it out Boker!
Knife number 7 from my “Top production knives of 2009″ list is the , I had seriously mixed feelings about putting a knife on the list because I dont really like the company anymore.
I feel SOG has strayed from its roots as a military/combat knife manufacturer and turned into a gimmicky joke of a company (my opinion only, no bitching people!) with customer service issues, that being said…the agency is a sexy sexy sexy knife.
I have not bought it yet but it has been on my to buy list on and off all year round, and for that reason alone it deserves to be on my best of ‘09 list.
Things I love
Stacked leather handles.
Classic look.
Super quick and curvy blade.
Vicious fighter.
Nice guard.
Lanyard hole is a nice detail.
Just goddamn beautiful.
Things I hate
AUS-8 blade steel which is just pathetic for a knife that costs 200$ MSRP, I would want VG-10.
The sheath felt badly made.
Made by SOG.
With this knife I feel one of two things will happen, I will either repress my instincts and not buy it or I will get it once everything else on the list (its a very long list!) has been bought.
Regardless of my feelings towards SOG this knife is a stunning stunning fighter and I have a love/hate relationship with it.
Go handle it, if you like it just buy it so you dont end up a twisted, confused shell of a man like me!
The company has a well deserved fanatical following (rivaling ) and the is the perfect representation of said RAT’s relentless commitment to function over form.
The Izula is really a no strings attached neck knife featuring a blade manufactured from1095 carbon steel by Rowen manufacturing which makes this knife not only tough but able to keep a wicked edge for extended periods of use.
It comes in a variety of colors including desert tan (the sexiest one) and tactical pink (really sheeple friendly) which makes this blade really sync with your own tastes and personality.
Its just a great EDC that is tougher than 99.9% of hard use folders that are commercially available & it will no doubt slice better too helped along with that gorgeous flat ground blade.
Specifications
Overall Length: 6.25″ Blade Length (end of handle to tip): 2.88″ Thickness: .156″ Steel: 1095 Carbon Weight: 2 ounces without sheath Finish: Textured powder coat (Black, Desert Tan, OD Green, Tactical Pink) Blade Width: 1.0″ Grind: Flat Handles: None Sheathing: Injection Molded, Black (Photo right) Pommel: Hole to accommodate carabiner Spine: Thumb grippers, .5″ long Each knife engraved with name, logo and unique serial number
The is another winner from the “ethnic” series that Spyderco is famous for.
Its is largely a modern interpretation of the classic every day knife of the common man in africa however unlike the basic carbon steel and wood handled originals the Spyderco Chokwe features the traditional shape with a nice choil, a really beautiful S30V blade, black G-10 scales on one side with a titanium framelock on the other.
A perfectly executed modern reinterpretation of a classical tool.
What I love about the Chokwe is the blade, its just pure utility! A wicked slicer with a really great tip for detail work, add to that the robust framelock and it just becomes a great edc/backup tactical folder!
Basic stats!
S30V steel.
Ti Framelock.
G-10 Scales.
3 3/4 in. (95 mm) Blade length.
Interesting history.
Sexy sexy blade!
Knife number 6 tomorow will not be a Spyderco (gasp!).
I dont think any has received as much discussion as the (Except perhaps the), the reception it has recieved has been largely positive even though some criticism was leveled at its rather thin frame lock (I have yet to hear of one failing).
So lets break it down;
2 1/2 inch blade (2 7/16 in. (62 mm) ) , S30V Steel, natural G-10 scales on one side and a titanium frame lock on the other.
Breathe in…breathe out.
This model is on paper the ideal small edc for many knife aficionados and it really does deserve this attention because it is simply a beautiful, very usable tough small folder with awesome, people friendly looks.
And thats why its on my list, I however… do not own one.
Why? No choil and it bit me one time too many! Unfortunately Spyderco has spoilt me with a never ending supply for folding knives featuring really ergonomic handles which tend to include very nice deep choils for me to hold on to. With the Leaf Storm I always found my fingers slipping far too high and resting against the blade.
So I got rid of it.
But that decision was based on my own habits- I doubt many people have this problem!
As a side note; the natural G-10 is in the flesh a somewhat different color than what is represented through the prototype photographs but apart from that its identical.
