On the Spot.

[Just Me]

Well I received the main collectors SPOT, which is the Micarta handled version in Spyderedge. It is a neat neck knife. It fits nicely in the hand and it feels like it would serve well and not be easily knocked out of one's hand in a scuffle. It would make a good box cutter too.



This knife is near jewelry-like in finish, and the design is top notch.However, when you inspect the skeletonized,inner cut-outs on the handle you hit a wall. The Micarta and the inner faces of the cut-outs are unpolished and actually have a serrated feel thanks to the mannor in which the Micarta was rough machined and left that way. Why on earth did Spyderco Japan leave these surfaces unfinished? Cost? Dang it all anyway. It is an expensive knife already, why not spend another 10-15 minutes and finish it completely and just charge us for the extra labor. The rough edges don't affect form and function, but you can sure feel the roughness and it catches the eye before you feel it. I expected more than half baked on this one.I'll give it a 7 on a 10 scale do to the serrated micarta edges and dull inner handle faces.



End of Rant.

103

[Pachucko]

Does it appear the tip would hang up in a forceful cut?

Are the collector's knives form the production line, or are they pre-production? Maybe yours slipped through the cracks?

Pachucks

[Just Me]

Pachucko,

The tip is not too big at all, so I doubt it. I am happy it has a bit of a plain edged tip, as it comes in handy for normal little tasks. The serrated belly of the blade would do all the work in a forceful cutting task. The belly is very pronounced.

I doub't mine slipped through. I'm betting it was a production shortcut by committee. The outside edges of the Micarta are polished to a gloss. The inside edges are chattered and dull grey/black in color. Fugly shortcut....


Edited by - 103 on 10/28/2002 1:53:49 PM

[Pachucko]

Thanx.

Pachucks

[Cooklane]

Heck, I would just like to find one. None of the websites I shop seem to have heard of the SPOT.

[cmassicotte]

103 - Would it not be worth checking with Spyderco to confirm your hypothesis that that the lack of complete finish is a "design shortcut," whether by committee or not?
I can certainly understand - with out seeing the knife in question - that it would be pretty disappointing to get a knife that was considered ready to ship at 70% ... or even 80%. I have one on order, so I have some personal concern here.
Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

[Just Me]

cmassicotte,

Chuck-Right?,
Well I had hoped that this forum would serve as just what you proprose; "checking with Spyderco". I'll bet that plenty of Spyderco staffers have read this post. They just have not made comment. My post was not meant to discourage anyone from buying this neck knife. They should, as it is a very functional tool. You gotta love VG-10. However, when it retails for over $100.00 US and fits in the palm of your hand, you'd just assume they would trick it out. I have neck knives from CRT, Junglee, Emerson and Gerber. They did not cost that much and are detailed to a higher degree-and I realize these knives are not made from VG-10. I am very tempted to take file and abrasives to this unfinished zone on the Micarta SPOT. I believe I could personally make it look a lot nicer. It would take me maybe an hour to sort it out. But I won't. If that is the way Sal wants his neck knife to look, then who am I to make it "better"?. If I bought a second one, I would definately detail it. Just for the record,I like this knife.

So; Carlos, Sal, Mike, Joyce, Vince, Joan-can you shed a little light on this nit picking detail please? Am I expecting too much finish detail for $110.00?.

And what does Rico & Java think of their Micarta SPOT?

[knifepunk]

can we maybe get some pics of the spot being held? thanks

[Just Me]

knifepunk,
Trying to digitize my fingerprints eh? Nice try. No Thanks

[java]

RL,

Sorry buddy. I haven't heard from my dealer yet. You can bet I'll make a bee-line to Dallas as soon as word is in though. I'm confused as to why the fine folks in the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>'s lair haven't responded myself. I would like to think they're checkin' out the stock on the floor and formulating a response. Would be nice if someone said something though. It's also interesting because even the roughly finished folding SPOT at the SOS seemed smooth through out the cut outs. I'll let you know how mine looks as soon as it gets here.

I think Rico's still searching for his Forum Vesuvius. (I'd make a smiley but I know that's a sore subject) Wonder if he ever got that resolved.

BTW - Just for S&amp;Gs, here's a website for anything you could ever want to know about Rock, Paper, Scissors:

http://www.worldrps.com/



"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" Neo-Javanese proverb

[Just Me]

Hi Java,

RC, RL, Sharp1, 103-whatever, what is in a name anyway!

I actually spoke with Joan, in passing, about the Collector's Vesuvius..seems there are some bugs that need to be chased away by the Orkin man prior to releasing these special gadgets to us picky collectors. Probably a back burner issue considering all the other cool knives in work.Big Guess by me. I know nuttin'.

The Micarta lined cut-outs on the VG-10 Spot are not tree chopping rough, but I noticed it within 10 seconds of grasping it. While not trying to make a big deal about it- I am wondering/posting to see if that is the way they are supposed to be purveyed. Diamonds in the rough ain't bad.

So were you born in 51? Just a guess...

[Just Me]

BTT: Carlos, Is your SPOT SPOT-ON?

[java]

RCLhoosiersharp103daddy, <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sorry about the RC. Got ya confused with a Harley rider at work with the RC moniker.

That's interesting about the Forum V. Maybe I can add V 068 to the numer 266 I have now. Mike mentioned the same thing to me about a normal V I purchased. Hope the Orkin dude doesn't dally amidst all the shiny stuff in there. Sal says all things come to those who wait but this IS a bit long on a previously intro'd model.

No word on the SPOT here. If nothing else can it be touched up with light Dremel work??

Smack dab middle-o-the century but close enough all the same. What gave my father-time look away??? Where abouts on the left coast are ye hiding, lad? NoCal is my old stompin' ground - miss the weather and the coastal scenery something fierce.

Gotta run ta lunch now. Chinook just hit me with an e-mail about going to Bandon for the candy and cheese and threw in a bit about a guy catching a 71 lb Salmon on the Rogue. BAM! Kicked my appetite up several notches!!
Back at ya later, 103

‹m› ‹(•&#191;•<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>› ‹m›






&quot;A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife&quot; Neo-Javanese proverb

Argh! WTF happened to my emoticon-thingy. Kilroy looks like he's got a cancerous growth secon face growin' outta his face! Ai! Back to the Internet for the Complete ID-ten-T manual.....lessee now....how do you spell HTML???

Edited by - java on 10/30/2002 11:49:29 AM

Edited by - java on 10/30/2002 11:56:44 AM

[Carlos]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>BTT: Carlos, Is your SPOT SPOT-ON? <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE></font><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2>

Mine is the same as yours. It is pretty noticeable.

[Just Me]

Thanks Carlos. At least I am not the lone holder of said &quot;Spotty&quot; workmanship. Whew!

Java,
Yes, a dremel, wet or Dry paper, wet sanding and a little file work would do it. But then you'd be changing the &quot;original&quot; and that makes it less collectable, as, of course, you might guess.

The edges of the Micarta actually stick up higher than the inside faces of the steel cut-outs. I guess that is what makes it the most anoying. These rough edges just beg to be honed down flush. But I shall resist.

RE: Your age -Well, I was off by one year. IMHO folks born after 52 usually don't have a grasp on the language; and you do! Sad but true.Something in the sugary cereals about then caused brain fade or something.

Also, you leave little hints in each missive. So I guess your being articulate and having the energy (Java Powered) of a Star Child from the age of Aquarius made it a fairly easy guess. Do you work at TI?

I live in the infamous South Bay Area of So Cal. I would live in the Nor Cal zones if for nothing more than the beauty and intellectual stimuli and advanced culture up there. Only trouble is that they are such poor drivers up there and the freeways such a mess, and the living costs so high that it would not make much sense to make that move. I may not survive all of that. At least in SoCal you can find a groove and hide away in a micro neighborhood and avoid the freeways once you get dialed-in. Hang near the shore and the smog is not a concern.

And Chinook!! Dang him. He was a valley boy who transformed into Northwest Man. Now he lives off the land. One of the few citizens actually required to carry a Spyderco in each pocket by local ordinance...

One of these days I too will escape!!

Got Cow Jokes?

[cmassicotte]

103, java,

Mine won't be a 'collectors&quot; edition so I will probably polish it up when I get it - which will probably be quite some time in the future, as I am just ordering mine from a dealer - well not &quot;just a dealer - GlassHartt - but I would not expect her to get one in for a while.
The funny thing about this is that if I had not read this thread and had received one as described, I would have sent it right in to Warrantee and Repair for polishing.
I wonder - could it be possible that a &quot;batch&quot; got out without the final polish and finish inspection? And I also wonder why we have not heard something from the folks at Spyederco about this.

Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

Edited by - cmassicotte on 10/30/2002 9:31:34 PM

[Just Me]

Chuck,
They wouldn't send Carlos a unfinished knife . He is an insider. So they must just be like that from the Japan Spyderco Factory. If you were to start whittling away on the cutouts and goofed-then what? It is such an intricate design that you almost need the touch and tricks of a jeweler to finish it off correctly. I am leaving SPOT #103 as is. It functions very well as a neck knife. I have been wearing it all week and it is very unobtrusive. You surely can't notice the rough edges when it is worn inside your shirt.

And I'd bet Linda can get Spyderco items as fast as anyone-maybe faster than most.

[java]

103,

Wow! I honestly don't remember that problem with the SPOT at the SOS show. Called today but our dealer doesn't have Rico's or mine in yet. Good point on the original condition vice collectible value. I'll probably get a couple users from the faire lady myself.

That's interesting you draw the line at '52. I think it's a question of the deterioration of our schools but the Twinkie defense works too. I had some pretty tough taskmasters in my hometown (Morgan Hill) I got beaned with erasers for not paying attention; heard the whistle of the incoming perforated &quot;Board of Education&quot; before it smacked my backside; and wore my right arm out writing quantitatively more but less interesting blackboard comments than Bart Simpson ever will. And then I moved to Oakland and went to a Catholic School. Learning was the only means of self defense against the &quot;penguins&quot;. This stuff doesn't fly today. I think somewhere along the way we became too progressive or liberal at parenting and it spilled into the educational arena. Too many Ben Spock babies grew up to question too many things that had worked for too many years. Whoa! Better stop the education rant before it gets too sidetracked here.

Star Child! LOL! Man, the guys at National Semiconductor, that work with me, break out in 5th Dimension choruses about the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius whenever I wax melancholy about the days gone by. That's funny! They also give me the worst time about my driving and if they read your post I'm really gonna take a verbal barrage! Ouch, that'll hurt coming from some the most bizarre drivers I've had the pleasure to share a freeway with! Texas insurance rates are higher than SoCal for a reason but many of the locals blame it on the Left Coast and Yankee influx. Probably right with the growth rate we've got here.

I've been hanging out more than usual here lately and the size of my posts seems be expanding exponentially. Also been causing a ruckus over on the flip side at BF. The Whine and Cheese forum has had me rolling so much my carpet's wearing through. Starting to drift a bit too and that's not a pretty sight to behold. I'm sure S&amp;S is keeping me under strict observation and has a double-aught license to inject at anytime. I'm going to have to drop you a line so we can delve more deeply into things. I've always enjoyed you posts and still marvel at the whole &quot;Now where was I&quot; thread from months back. Whatever became of Hoosierdaddy?? He taunted me and my Gary Fisher Paragon then just skeedaddled outta here.

I'll let you know on the SPOTs whenever they fly in.



Chuck,

The <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>co Silence is seriously sinister! I share your curiosity and your opinion of the faire Lady Glasshartt. She's aces, finer than frog hair, a cut above, and all them other suave and charming things you say about a classy woman. (I didn't say classy dame or none dem udder woids cuz I yem tryin ta make up for the rift what I may have caused over on one a dem udder t'reads).
Keep postin' on and hopefully we'll hear from the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>co gang soon.



"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" Neo-Javanese proverb

[Just Me]

Java,
Guessed wrongly again. Dang! TI/NS. Close though.In your defense, the really scary place to drive, IMHO, is the Orlando area. Blitherin' Bolsters. I cringe at the thought. Nor Cal drivers are sweethearts compared to SoFl.

Are you just being kind to Linda because she could make one quick little call and have a man in blue intercept you leaving the parking lot at lunch? Not that she would, but she could! I just bought some slips from her. Thanks GH. Sal is one the road to NYC and no one is commenting on the SPOT until he gets back? If so, fare enough.

Gotta hit the 405.........

[java]

103,

Sorry to push this back up there but there be daemons afoot today and they seem to be most antisocial.<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

This is but one of the Mailer Daemon responses I got when trying to e-mail ya. 207.115.63.111 does not like recipient.

Drop me a line so's we can hog-tie that there daemon!!

[Just Me]

You've got mail-Ding Ding Ding...

sorry. I have updated my profile as well...

Edited by - 103 on 10/31/2002 12:25:12 PM

[java]

RL,

Cruised over to Dallas yesterday and picked up the Impala and SE Temperance. The owner checked and there amidst the 30 or 40 knives waiting fer Rico - maybe I exaggerate a wee bit - was Micarta SPOT 068. The stainless looks to be finished okay but the Micarta scales are rough and overhang the VG10 on the inside of the cutouts.

No beefs on the Impala though! Can hardly wait for the PE variation and may have to get an un-numbered baby to use as an EDC (Hope the G10 Rookie SE didn't hear that!) Nice grippy handle! The handle's ergos are great and the recessed rectangle under the end of the clip has the same grippy texture and carries the handle securely in the pocket. Fit and finish of the whole knife is SPOT on! (bad pun - considering the topic....) including the lanyard hole. Mechanism is smooth and the blade is the right size for a good camp/game folder. The VG10 finish is flawless can't wait to try one out in the field. I won't be using the GH, so I'll buy a PE sans hook but, I read the article in the Jan 03 Tactical Knives issue and have no doubt about her performance. I was unimpressed when I first heard of the Impala but after handling the real thing, all I can say is, &lt;font color=&quot;blue&quot;&gt;Good work, Spyderco!! I'll take three!&lt;/font&gt;

Hope we can get to the bottom of the finish issue on the SPOT. She's a beauty of a neck knife and destined to be a hot seller. I saw where Carlos is bringing your quality issues up with Sal and hope this is just a one time slip up.

***Oh yeah! Golden could've used a slightly larger box. The width of the neck sheath makes for a squeaky tight fit in the box!




<b><font color="blue">"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" <i>-Javanese proverb</i></font></b>

[Just Me]

Java,
Nice blurb! I like the Impala (impaler). It feels great in the hand, and like you said, the actuation and egonomics are fab. The blems I am getting drive me nuts though. Being a bit of a composites weenie, when I see sloppiness in the G-`10 scales, or finish work not taken all the way to completion on the metals, then I get hot; especially at premium pricing. We should be able to show these knives-off to fellow experts and not have to make excuses for the workmanship. Then again, perhaps I shouldn't voice my observations on the quality issues, as most of my gripes would blow by most folks who purchase these knives(and apparently those factory QA types). Heck, it may sound like I am a fussy old dude with no life. Arguably so........

[java]

RL,

Composites weenie?! You in &quot;tha Industry&quot; man? Mix, weave, prepregs, or milling the laminates themselves? Had a hoop and a group of playtime working with the original CF and then boron graphite weaves and lay-ups when I was tearing up airplanes for a living. Got in on the follow up when two F-15s got torched at Luke AFB outside of Phoenix. The burning composite laminates released long strands of the fibers and when they settled on high tension lines in good numbers, transformers started poppin' and blacked out the north side of Phoenix. Interesting night - that one was! Wasn't the last time we messed with Phoenix either but I digress.

Fussy??? Hardly - quality work is quality work and when you see it slipping, you're 100% to say something. Spyderco stakes its reputation for quality on the fit, finish, and function of their product and for the additional $40.00 for the Micarta SPOT the finish better darn well be SPOT on! I'm sure Spyderco oversees or specs the quality for work that is outsourced from Golden. Japanese manufacturers are well known for their consistant quality. Kind of makes me wonder if all the work was done in Japan. Hope Sal and Co can offer solutions here.....

<b><font color="blue">"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" <i>-Javanese proverb</i></font></b>

[sal]

Well Hi 103. This is the first chance that I've had to respond since I returned from the NY show. Obviously you are not pleased with your SPOT. I'm sorry.

I do thank you for your input on the inside edge of the micarta. We will certainly look into improving that. I would suggest that for yours, you roll up or fold a small pieces of 400 grit emory paper and break the edge. It would only take a few minutes and would make you feel better to have a perect piece. I think that a Dremel might be a bit too much abrasion for the micarta. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the micarta with the emory paper. We use a much finer grit for polishing micarta.

What I can do is perhaps share some of my thoughts that might bring more focus to your judgement.

We used VG-10 as the steel of choice. The only other neck knife that I found with VG-10 was Fallknivens and it is considerably more expensive, even with its injection molded handle and sheath. The only way that I could have improved on the 9.0 VG-10 steel would be with BG-42 or powdered metals.

The ergos have been well thought out for the intended purpose and seem to work well. I would have to give it at least an 8.5 when comparing our neck knife to others.

The grind is very good. the drilling and reaming of the holes is also very good. The blade polish is good as is the final edge. From my point of view, also when comparing with others, I would have to give the blade finishing at least a 9.0. Even you said it had a &quot;jewelry like finish&quot;. Very difficult to do on VG-10.

To compare Spyderco with CRKT, Junglee, Emerson or Gerber isn't fair. When they use steels like VG-10, you can reasonably compare. VG-10 is considerably more expensive and much harder to work than anything currently being used by those companies. CRKT,s neck knife is made from 420J2, I believe? Ernie is using 154cm, which is a good steel (though not VG-10), but as I remember, Ernie's LaGriffe is more expensive than our SPOT.

The small micarta slab, shaped to the skeleton handle, pinned and polished is not often seen on anything but custom knives. The fact that we were able to achieve this is an example of craftsmanship I've not seen on other neck knives. At least an 8.5 in terms of cost and difficulty.

The knive comes with a custom Kydex sheath, each is weight tested for security. At least an 8.0, especially when being compared to injection molded sheaths.

Blade Steel 9.0
Blade finishing 9.0
Ergos 8.5
Handle scales 8.5
Kydex sheath 8.0

Average 8.6

I would give it a higher judgement that 7.0. IMO, taking away 30% of its performance because you were able to find a flaw in a new design/concept is cruel....but I respect your opinion.

I would like to know what you would consider a 10 in a neck knife?

sal

[Carlos]

If I can butt in: I would like to see that inner-edge of Micarta polished, and I think the holes drilled in the blade could be omitted. They don't add anything functional, and non-functional flourishes isn't &quot;Spyderco.&quot;

[Just Me]

Sal,
I'm reading your Spot reply post after replying to your response to my &quot;Other&quot; post on quality issues. Hmmm. Sorry that you took my comments as cruel. I know nothing about all that detailed knife manufacturing stuff you listed. Sounds like the Spot is quite an accomplishment viewed in that light. When I first saw the Micarta onsert I said &quot;Oh Wow Cool&quot;. When I felt it and looked closely I said-&quot;awe too bad&quot;. When I compare those brands of kneck knives, it is from a gut-feel, eyeballing them viewpoint. I pick it up, feel the materials, look at the facets, check the balance and the fit in my hand. If it looks and feels good, heck I consider it to be a good knife. That's about it for my level of appreciation. I guess I am not in the same leauge as some of the collectors who can wax poetically about the merits of the various steels. I can certainly appreciate all of that. I guess I don't know enough about the technical manufacturing aspects to be popping-off with all the criticisms. I had my Spot out today and marveled at the funtional design. Don't think I'll be taking the abrasives to it; not my job and I know I could wreck it if I goofed. My Spot is what it is. It can be a 10 if you like. Thanks for the low down once again. Best of luck in getting your factory back on the quality track.

(edited for spello's and added last line)103

Edited by - 103 on 11/12/2002 6:52:12 PM

[java]

Sal,

You have produced a long awaited product that is a cut above in steel selection, design, and function. I would agree on your rating with all EXCEPT the scales. (And for my mitts a 9.5 on the ergonomics.) Unless you're having the scales hand finished and pinned this is a CNC adjustment/quality issue that can and should be resolved. My Collectors Club SPOT will remain in the condition it was received in (unless Spyderco wants to polish out the scales) and I will buy an additional 2 Micarta SPOTs for daily users and if they have the same &quot;quality&quot; defect, the emory cloth comes out. With the kind of customer dedication shown by loyal Spydie fans, Collectors included, we just have come to expect the same cut above in quality. This Forum is an excellent source to &quot;brainstorm&quot; and gather inputs/ideas to improve Spyderco products. Better feedback at the bargain price of registration from ELUs cannot be cannot be found. In brainstorming, no idea is rejected or offense taken. I leave by saying, I'll give you the 8.5, maybe even go 9.0 for the Micarta SPOT. But with that said, and in view of the additional $40 for the Micarta scales, why not strive for 10.0?

Also, could you shed light on how you feel that BG42 would have been an improved choice for the steel. The powdered metals are understandable.

IMO: The solid VG-10 editions that I've handled approach the 10.0 BTW. These are the best value in a neck knife bar none! Many congrats on them.




<b>&lt;font color=&quot;blue&quot;&gt;&quot;A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife&quot; -Javanese proverb &lt;/font&gt; </b>


Edited by - java on 11/11/2002 10:07:32 AM

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Just wanted to say that my SPOT is also messed up. Here's my writeup on BFC: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=229094&quot;&gt;http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=229094&lt;/a&gt;

Also, here are pics if anyone's interested: &lt;a href=&quot;http://cpm440v.tripod.com/spot&quot;&gt;http://cpm440v.tripod.com/spot&lt;/a&gt;

[java]

&lt;b&gt;TOC,&lt;/b&gt;

Thanks for the link! Good review and good pix! Hope the defect gets ironed out in future production!



<b>&lt;font color=&quot;blue&quot;&gt;&quot;A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife&quot; -Javanese proverb &lt;/font&gt; </b>

Edited by - java on 11/13/2002 7:59:53 AM

[sal]

SPOT response

Hi Think, Thanx for the detailed report on the new SPOT. And thanx for the post on the Spyderco forums.

As much as I dislike hearing about problems or imperfections, I always appreciate hearing the truth. Truth still is the biggest circle.

Obviously we have a few things that have to be improved on the model. The unfinished inside portion of the skeletonized handle is the first most obvious problem, and has been mentioned by others in the forums. We are currently working on this both in Golden and in Japan. As much as I dislike letting imperfect pieces go through, it does happen. We are currently finishing the inside of the handle of the pieces here and those being made in Japan.

The holes in the blade were added to reduce weight and they are sort of a “signature” on the design. We planned to use them in part of the “grip” for the Kydex, but this is still being developed.

You guys are hard taskmasters, but it is you that we are tying to serve. So I still have to thank you for your keen eyes.

Java. “I’M NOT BEING DEFENSIVE!. heh, heh, just kidding. Sorry if I appeared that way. I’ll have to look more closely. I wouldn’t want to be defensive. That is a condition that impairs hearing and doesn’t serve.

sal

[chinook]

All parents are defensive of their newborn. The 'net' is notorius for blowing things out of proportion in very short order. Can't see the other person's face or hear their inflections. 'course those can be misinterpreted too. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Disguised as a responsible adult.

[vampyrewolf]

I'll wait a bit on ordering my VG-10/Micarta SPOT if you still plan to improve the sheath... I could always get one and ship it to Eric &quot;Normark&quot; to see if he could improve it, but if SFO will be doing it, I'll wait.

I haven't handled a SPOT yet, my local store hasn't gotten any in yet to handle, so I can only throw out my ideas on the 10.0 necker...

weight: I find my Q about the right weight for a necker(tossed it on a ball chain, and after 8 knives of testing, it was the best weight), so about 1.0-1.5oz

size: I have 1 necker, my CS Readyedge, but find it short. The handle and blade are a bit too small for me. How about a 3&quot; handle and 2-2.5&quot; blade. I like the forward cant and belly of the current model though.

grind: I'd like to see the cricket style blade in flat grind, offering more strength to the edge

edge: definately v-grind... hate chisel edges(I'm still trying to make the chisel edge tip on my native into a v-grind... 3 months of work and going)

steel: VG-10, BG-42, MBS-26(I think this is the stuff the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> kitchen series is made of)... the CPM metals might be too hard for this use. Most neckers get carried for a small utility, sometimes with the sheath modified for belt carry. The CPM would be a pain to sharpen, while VG-10 is quick to redo.

thickness: 3-4mm, as this would allow for &lt;i&gt;some&lt;/i&gt; prying

finish: satin finish, and with flat grind you need a grind on the spine like the calypso jr lt and 'fly models. possibly thumb notches for better control in wet hands

extras: even change the micarta scales to g-10 with the crosshatch like the military, improve grip when wet or cold(I like the kraton grip of my CS for this... think of working in a freezer for 20minutes without gloves.)

This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*

[java]

Sal,

Sorry I didn’t catch your reply earlier. I may have overstated the defensive part but I understand your viewpoint. To hear y’all are working on this from both Golden and Japan is “golden” for me. Soichiro-san would be proud of your interpretation of the defensive condition! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Thanks for listening and keep up the good work!

I’m still in for extras beyond the Collectors main and all variations. Number of SPOTs will approach the number of Qs, Prides, or Crickets here at the old Double E if I’m not careful and I’m sorely tempted to see what Frank Recupero can do to one of these babies.

Chinook,

I see you've been eavesdropping on Mrs Java and I but left your camera at home again. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> How was Bandon?






<b><font color="blue">"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" <i>-Javanese proverb</i></font></b>