Spyderco was founded in 1976 by Sal and Gail Glesser. They converted an old bread delivery truck into a motorhome, towed a Volkswagen Bug behind it, and traveled the country, selling their wares as “pitchmen” at fairs and trade shows. In addition to their first patented product, the “Portable Hand” (a device with multiple clamps used primarily for assembling electronic circuit boards), they sold various brands of knife sharpeners, knives, and other items.

In 1981, Spyderco introduced our first knife, the C01 Worker, and literally revolutionized the form and function of the modern folding knife. The Worker pioneered the concepts of a round hole in the blade (now a Spyderco trademark) for easy, one-handed manual opening and a clip on the handle for convenient carry at the top of the pocket. A year later, it became the first folding knife to add the option of a serrated edge for aggressive cutting performance. Collectively, these features set the standard for the modern folding knife that continues to endure to this day.

Over the years, Spyderco’s product line has also expanded significantly. Our groundbreaking original line of folding knives evolved to include many other revolutionary designs, including the first lightweight, clip-carried knives with injection-molded handles. Later we expanded even further to offer a broad range of fixed blades, world-class kitchen knives, and other styles of sharpeners. Along the way, we became the first company to collaborate with renowned custom knifemakers and other subject matter experts to incorporate custom-quality designs and features into premium factory-made products.