A Spyderco made by Benchmade?

[Carlos]

I don't mean to be too inflamatory with that title <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> , but I am curious about something that Bob Terzuola said about his first collaboration with Spyderco:



&quot;When Sal Glesser of Spyderco first approached me for a Clipit design in 1989, we had been friends for several years. We knew each others standards of quality and willingness to truly collaborate and produce a product we both could be proud of. I was up front with him about my requirements for using ATS-34 (never before used in a factory folder), and having the knives made in the USA, not Japan (resulting in the eventual creation of Spyderco Manufacturing in Golden Co.).

&quot;The resulting C-15 became somewhat of a milestone in American made pocket knives, being the first factory knife made in the USA (or anywhere else) using ATS-34 steel, the liner lock and G-10 for its handles. (Few people know that even Benchmade got its start from this knife since Les D'Asis was the original manufaturer, even before Benchmade existed).&quot;



This quote is taken from an archived post in the Custom Knives Forum at Bladeforums. I am trying to understand whether he is saying that the knife manufacturing was done by Spyderco in Golden, or whether it was outsourced to Les de Asis (once of Pacific Cultery, &amp; now Benchmade) and resulted somehow in the creation of Benchmade, or some combination thereof.



Any clarification possible? (I suppose it would be mentioned in the Spyderco history book if anyone has one.)

[shootist16]

Good question. I originally thought from the title that you were talking about the AFCK, considered by many to be a Spyderco made by Benchmade.

[Carlos]

Well, one hint of an answer is already apparent. I was looking at the engraving on the blade of my C15P and on one side it says &quot;Spyderco Golden Colorado USA.&quot; So I assume that this one at least was produced in Golden. I'd still like to know the whole story if possible.

One other thing I wonder about the C-15 is whether it is based on or is the basis for Terzuola's Talon design, or whether it is an original devised for the collaboration.

I thought that the AFCK was a heretical sect that has broken away from the True Faith. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


Edited by - Carlos on 11/2/00 8:29:50 AM

[sal]

Hi Carlos. Heavy qustion. What Bob said is true. Lester had just moved his new factory to the Portand area. He was producing bali-songs along with a few models of Browning origin.

Spyderco had no US mfg facilty at the time and Bob T insisted that it be US made. Lester and I had been friends for many years. I agreed to have Lester make the C15 design for Spyderco. Lester and I went down to Bob's shop in Sante fe and Bob taught the both of us how to make linerlocks using the ball bearing detent developed by Michael Walker.

Lester went on to produce the first several runs of C15's for us. Then Spyderco set up our own mfg facility in Golden and took over production.

It was good for both Lester and I in many respects.

The AFCK was originally based on the Spyderco Police Model (hence the &quot;bent&quot; handle, hole, clip &amp; teeth). Chris Carraci was the original &quot;design start&quot;. Chris felt that the Police Model could be improved on with his modifications. Many agree. He got together with Lester &amp; Mark (Mel Pardue was also involved) to create the model.

Hope that answers your questions.

sal

[Carlos]

Wow, thanks Sal.

That is a great deal of history surrounding a single knife. I have one of the later Golden models in my pocket as I write this. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Thanks again.

[shootist16]

The AFCK would be a lot better if it were made by Spyderco. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Dennis Bible

[sal]

Hi Dennis. Thanx for the compliment. I must say, however, that Benchmade does a good job on the AFCK. It has become a classis design in its own right.

Any model can be improved on. The question for a manufacturer is always; &quot;Into which model do we invest?&quot;. If Benchmade is putting their money into the new designs and higher tech stuff, then the AFCK doesn't get it.

sal

[Paani]

Maybe it's time to renew this seemingly recurring relationship with BenchMade. It could, perhaps, even take the form of a &quot;legally made in the USA&quot; version of the Spyder-Bali! Excuse me while I drool on myself for awhile....

The new 42 seems to be a hot seller, but a
Spyder-Bali, Mmmm Mmmm Good! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>