Future of the SpyderEdge?

[WOTANSON1]

Hey all,
This is really a question for Sal. Is SE going the way of the Dodo? (pun intended). I've noticed fewer models being offered with SE and more importantly no sprint runs over the past year or two have had a SE option. When the CF Delica and Police models were introduced, they were made in SE and PE. However the ZDP-189 Horn, Delica and Caly Jr. weren't. Same thing with the Walker, CF Military both S30V and BG-42 and Goddard's both Grey and Burgundy. The foliage green Endura and Delica will be CE IIRC and both waved knives are also PE only. Add the Manix, Chinook, Persian and Spyker none available in SE. Note I'm not including the E4 and D4 or the Salt series as these are either A) re mods or B) existing models with new blade steels and improvements in locks, clips etc., which I like and have bought. So should SEheads resign themselves to this trend? I'd like to add that Spyderco are 95% of the production knives I buy and my loyalty is strong.
Cheers,
Rob

[dedguy]

my first spyder was a SE model and the majority of my collection is SE. i find it to just be a much more usable edge. it seems like many of the upcoming models (particularly the colabs) are only coming in PE as well. the Captain, P'kal, Lava, ect. the Byrds are also only offered in PE and CE with no full SE models. for some reason i never really like CE models.

[WOTANSON1]

my first spyder was a SE model and the majority of my collection is SE. i find it to just be a much more usable edge. it seems like many of the upcoming models (particularly the colabs) are only coming in PE as well. the Captain, P'kal, Lava, ect. the Byrds are also only offered in PE and CE with no full SE models. for some reason i never really like CE models.
Hit the nail on the head dedguy! It would be helpful if we could no how long this trend will continue. It would suck if Sal ends up saying the company has decided that the numbers don't support producing SE knives, which I hope is not the case, but I'd at least know.
Cheers,
Rob

[dedguy]

i can't imagine they'll stop making them. Spyderedge is one of the unique qualities of spyders along with the opening hole and pocket clip. it does seem though that they're not as popular. the SE models are almost always the last ones to sell out on popular discontinued models.

[JD Spydo]

My first Spyder I ever bought was a serrated one. It was a GIN-1, stainless handled Mariner. I couldn't imagine Spyderco ever giving up their serrated versions>> that would be like Laurel without Hardy, Batman without Robin, or worse yet Hewlett without Packard :eek: I believe there has been a surge of more Plain edged models here of late. Probably just a current, timely trend more than anything. That is only because a lot of people don't even want to try to understand the serrated edge and it's valued place in the cutlery arena.

I guess I'm in the minority as far as knife afficionados go in that I like all 3 of Spyderco's blade varieties, combo edge, serrated edge and plain edge. I have use for all 3 of them. I think you simply have an old human nature issue here that just doesn't give over to change easily. In other words it's simply nothing more than resistance to change or fear of what they don't understand.

You simply got people automatically disliking something that they don't understand or that they are hesitant to explore something different. The Spyderedge is a permanent fixture in the halls of the Golden Colorado Spyder Factory on the horizon and I would bet my bottom dollar on it. I am not sure how big of a roll it will be playing but trends change and the Spyderedge is something that the right marketing campaign could change in short order.

[dedguy]

i myself like plainedge, particularly on certain models (like the Lum Chinese, Native, Volpe, Viele, ect).

[gordonk]

It would be interesting :) Locally, I've found that, in general, the stores are tending to stock either PE or CE - it's actually pretty hard to find an SE one unless it's something like one of the Rescues. A couple of stores have mentioned that PE and CE's are their most popular across most brands. With Spydies, I'm usually a PE type, but I'm pretty fond of that SE too :) For the last little while, I've been using a CE Delica 4 to see if I can get to like a CE (I've never been fond of them), and I can get by with it OK, but it requires more attention on a cut. I actually don't mind a CE on a larger blade like an Endura, but with a 3 in blade..... My SE Delica 4 works swell :D

- gord

[Episteme]

I personally prefer a fully Spyderedged Spyderco on most all models. The only model that I prefer the Plainedge is on my SS Police-it's the model that looks exceptionally sleek and beautifully "sterile" in the plainedge. However, I own 3 Harpies, a Civilian, and a Tasman Salt (I really like hawkbills), and I think the Spyderedge is a necessity on the hawkbill, as a PE would tend to "gum" it's way through fiberous materials rather than tear and cut like the Spyder-teeth do so efficiently. My Rescue 93mm also excells at its best with the razor-sharp spyderedge, as does my SE FRN Endura 3.
My reasons for prefering the Spyderedge?
1). It cuts better
2). It looks better
3). There is a good piece of mind knowing that my Spyderco will continue to cut even after rubbing the edge against materials that would otherwise render a PE useless. (glass, steel, wire)
4). Sal mentioned that the Spyderedge makes the cutting surface up to 30% longer- always a good thing.
The only downfall to the serrated edge for me is the maintance; I do not own a Sharpmaker, only a whet-stone, so I touch up my PE Spydercos on the stone.
I have noticed that the serration pattern on the Spydercos have evolved somewhat, namely, they were smaller and less pointy on the 1st generation delicas and enduras. I actually prefer the smaller ones, but any Spyderedge is an awesome cutting edge.
Mike

[WORKER#9]

I Love Spyder Edge!!! :)

[dedguy]

i've found that while it won't cut exceptionally well a SE knife will still tear through most stuff even when very dull. i have enough knives i don't mind having to send a few knife to Golden a few times a year for sharpening.

[SoCal Operator]

The day that Spyderco stops offering hawkbills in SE is the day that I, well, I guess I'd just buy the knives anyway. But I'd be bitter about it! I see the trend you're talking about, and I was actually angry that they didn't make any SE waved Delicas, but I don't think Spyderco will totally eliminate something with this much tool value. Unfortunately for us affy's, models like the Captain and Lava are probably resigned to plain-ness. But who knows, maybe the trend will die out?

[Halfneck]

I am so looking forward to whatever the new SE ZDP-189 release will be. Be nice to go retro-Spyderco and see a SE ZDP-189 Harpy or Worker.

Handled a SE Tasman Salt last weekend at a gunshow. Actually liked the FRN handled. Was initially against it as my 1st Hawkbill (and 1st Spyderco ever) was a SS SE Harpy. I am looking at either getting a SE Tasman Salt or a SE Delica 4 as a work EDC.

Opening Hole + Pocket Clip + SE = Classic Spyderco.

[scout]

Is it possible that a serrated edge compensated for steels that didn't hold their edge well by today's standards? Are ELU's more familiar in how to produce a toothy cutting edge? Just some ?'s to advance the discussion.

[WOTANSON1]

Is it possible that a serrated edge compensated for steels that didn't hold their edge well by today's standards? Are ELU's more familiar in how to produce a toothy cutting edge? Just some ?'s to advance the discussion.

The SpyderEdge has always been available in the steels that Spyderco uses for all edge configurations whether it was Gin 1, Aus 8, VG-10 etc. etc. I honestly think most people not in the know about SE look at it as, well heck how the hell am I supposed to sharpen that on the stones I own and have become used to, well a Sharpmaker will do the best job on SE hands down regardless of steel. The video included will disprove all myths surrounding the difficulty of sharpening serrated edges, in fact sharpening SE is just as, if not easier (as in there is only one step) than a plain edge. Also just to clarify, I don't believe that the great Spyder factory will discontinue making SE, I just want to know why there seems to be a lack of new model SE knives.
Cheers,
Rob

[TazKristi]

Just to set your mind at ease, no the SpyderEdge isn't in any danger. There are a lot of factors that go in to determining configurations of new models or new variants. One is in the use of new steel (ZDP-189 being the perfect example), we know that PlainEdge is more popular with our "Steel Junkies". Just one example, but I wanted to at least assure you, SpyderEdge isn't going anywhere.

Kristi

[WOTANSON1]

Thanks Kristi, I didn't really have a doubt, however what about the lack of new models lacking a SE option. Will we be seeing a higher percentage of new models available in SE in the near future or will the SEless trend continue?
Cheers,
Rob

[dedguy]

Just to set your mind at ease, no the SpyderEdge isn't in any danger. There are a lot of factors that go in to determining configurations of new models or new variants. One is in the use of new steel (ZDP-189 being the perfect example), we know that PlainEdge is more popular with our "Steel Junkies". Just one example, but I wanted to at least assure you, SpyderEdge isn't going anywhere.

Kristi
i figured as much but it's nice to hear from Mr. Ed as it where. my only problem with all these ZDP models is i'm scared the ones i want (the Chinese and whatever the SE model may be) i won't have a chance to get.

[JD Spydo]

Just to set your mind at ease, no the SpyderEdge isn't in any danger. There are a lot of factors that go in to determining configurations of new models or new variants. One is in the use of new steel (ZDP-189 being the perfect example), we know that PlainEdge is more popular with our "Steel Junkies". Just one example, but I wanted to at least assure you, SpyderEdge isn't going anywhere.

Kristi

That's all great Kristi. But is there going to be any combo edges and/or Spyderedges for us steel junkies who like those edges? I think a lot of times it's just giving people a taste of something before they understand it and get to liking it. So do we have any chance at all for ZDP-189 Spyderedges and combo edges.

[spydutch]

So should SEheads resign themselves to this trend? I'd like to add that Spyderco are 95% of the production knives I buy and my loyalty is strong.
Cheers,
Rob

Sorry for being late on this one :p

Well I for one absolutely won't. :mad:

If Spyderco should stop making fully serrated knives( :eek: ), I would just enjoy the ones I have and try to buy back ups of them.

However, I would never buy a new model again in that case :(

[spydutch]

Just to set your mind at ease, no the SpyderEdge isn't in any danger. There are a lot of factors that go in to determining configurations of new models or new variants. One is in the use of new steel (ZDP-189 being the perfect example), we know that PlainEdge is more popular with our "Steel Junkies". Just one example, but I wanted to at least assure you, SpyderEdge isn't going anywhere.

Kristi

Thanks very much Kristi :cool:

You took a rather big load off my back by this ;)

Can't wait for all the fully serrated Spydies to come.

SERRATIONS REALLY RULE !!!!!!!

[jaislandboy]

when i grab for my Temperance (for some overgrown weeds/ pruning work in the garden).....it is invariably the Spyderedged version......a must have for the thicket that my yard has become! ;)

[dialex]

I love SE myself. My currently EDC is a PE just because there isn't a SE version available :( I can understand the new models coming mostly in PE due to market demand, but ona can still hope. After all they promissed SE ZDP ;)

[TK]

Why is no black bladed Military available in SE? I like my black Mili and I like SE. Would like to combine these. Any chances for a black SE Military?