Received a couple great Spyderco folders in recently.  The Spyderco Starmate C55GP and the Spyderco Szabo folder C146CFP.  Below are pics and descriptions from Spyderco's website of both of these folders.

 

 

 

Spyderco Starmate, Model C55GP

 



Bob Terzuola
Widely recognized as the father of handmade tactical folding knives, Bob Terzuola is one of the most influential figures in custom knifemaking. He was born in Brooklyn, New York is a graduate of New York University. In 1967, he moved to Panama to serve as a Peace Corps trainer and ultimately studied jade carving and gemology in Guatemala. While living in Guatemala, he also developed an interest in knifemaking and by 1979 was making handmade knives for soldiers there. In 1981, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and joined the Knifemakers Guild.

Terzuola is best known for his high-performance tactical folders and fixed blades, which are the tools of choice of many savvy military and special operations personnel worldwide. He is also the author of The Tactical Folding Knife, a definitive work on his meticulous method of custom knifemaking.

Construction and Materials
The latest version of the Starmate faithfully retains all the features of Terzuola’s original design, but differs from the first production of the knife in several ways. Manufactured in Japan, it features a saber-ground blade made from VG-10 stainless steel. Like the original version, its handle is constructed with stainless steel liners and textured G-10 scales; however, unlike the nested liners of the first generation, the new Starmate features full skeletonized liners for a balance of light weight and superior strength.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of a Bob Terzuola design is his improved Walker LinerLock mechanism, which features a concave ramp on the blade’s lock face. This lock geometry, pioneered by Terzuola in his custom knives, provides greater strength and security than conventional flat lock ramps and is proudly featured in the Starmate.

To ensure convenient, versatile carry, the Starmate also features a new four-position clip with a broad triangular base for security and extreme strength. The new clip can be easily configured for tip-up or tip-down carry on either side of the body, allowing you to tune your carry to meet your personal needs and preferences.

 

 

 

Spyderco Szabo Folder, Model C146CFP

Construction and Materials
The heart of the Laci Szabo folder is its 4.5625-inch CPM S30V scimitar-shaped blade. Its partial hollow grind creates excellent edge geometry while reinforcing the spine for increased strength. A Trademark Round Hole™ in the blade supports swift one-handed opening with either hand and, together with a subtle guard on the edge side of the blade, effectively protects the user’s hand during use.

The Szabo’s handle is constructed of full stainless steel liners capped by Gold Line carbon fiber scales. This striking material combines the strength and light weight of carbon fiber with an outer layer of embedded gold-colored wire. Visually stunning yet incredibly durable, it provides a secure, non-slip grip.

To cope with the extreme leverages associated with its longer blade, the Laci Sazabo folder features an enhanced version of Spyderco’s proprietary Compression Lock mechanism—one of the strongest folding knife locks ever designed. When the knife is opened, a split leaf spring integral in one of the handle’s stainless steel liners extends between the stop pin and an upward-facing ramp on the blade’s tang. The wedging force of this spring locks the blade securely and its placement on the back of the handle makes it virtually impossible to disengage during use.

The Szabo folder’s Compression Lock is also unique because it is accompanied by an internal “self-close” mechanism. Nested within one of the handle halves, this mechanism uses a spring piston to engage a plate attached to the blade tang. When the blade is closed, the piston gains mechanical leverage to rotate the plate, keeping the blade nestled securely in the handle for safe carriage. Convenient carry is further supported by a four-position clip that offers tip-up or tip-down carry on either side of the body.

The Laci Szabo folder is a technologically and artistically advanced folding knife from the mind of one of the knife industry’s most creative designers. We sincerely hope that yours serves you and your personal needs well.

Design Inspiration
Laci Szabo is a law enforcement officer, a veteran U.S. Marine, and a word-class martial artist. He is also one of the most visionary knife designers in the industry, combining a unique flair for aesthetics with an in-depth understanding of function and defensive application.

The Laci Szabo folder is a reflection of Szabo’s philosophies regarding folding knife design as it applies to both utility and personal defense. Its large size creates a commanding presence and offers increased reach when used with fencing-style skills. The dramatic scimitar-shaped blade has a long, gently curving belly to maximize cutting power, while leaving the tip well centered to support point-oriented tactics. An unsharpened swedge on the back of the blade ensures an acute point and flows smoothly into a scalloped area on the spine. This unique geometry reduces drag and enhances the blade’s trapping potential when applied with reverse-grip skills. The blade is mated to a generously sized handle that easily accommodates the largest hands and provides extreme leverage in all applications.
 
A dynamic synthesis of form and function, the Laci Szabo folder faithfully captures both the creativity and practicality of its designer.

Thanks for looking,
Rob

New to the market - Fixed Blade Knives and Folding Knives

Over the past few months, there has been several new additions to the cutlery market.  I won't list them all, but will focus on a select few.

The Cold Steel Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Hunter is an updated version of more traditionally styled folders.  The Hunter features Cold Steel's patented Tri-Ad Lock which essentially adds a stop pin to the mix of the internal workings.  That addition aids in the reduction or elimination of vertical blade play that is present in many lock back type folders. 

The blade is AUS-8A stainless steel and features a plain edge and a 3.5" (89 mm) length bringing the overall open length of the Hunter to approximately 8.25" (210 mm) and a overall weight of 6.6 ounces (187 grams).



 

Cold Steel Mackinac Hunter, 3-1/2" SS Blade, Faux Stag Handle 54FBT

Spyderco has put out some great knives in recent times and one of my favorites is the Gayle Bradley Air.  This sweet little liner lock features an M4 steel blade which is renown for it excellent cutting abilities.  The blade is a 2.5" (76 mm) sheepsfoot style, plain edge and is approximately 3/32" (2 mm) thick.

This incredible knife features gray glass fibers scales that offer a bit of texture for grip, but also helps keep the weight down.  As the name implies, the Air is a lightweight knife coming in about an incredible 1.3 ounces (37 grams).  That is a whole lot of knife in a very lightweight package.



Spyderco Bradley Air, 2-1/2" M4 Blade, Glass Fiber Handle C159GFP
 

The Air is definitely one of my favorites in the world of new releases, however, there is another Spyderco that is competing for top spot in my book.  It is the Spyderco Techno.  What a great knife!  Not as light as the Air, in fact if it is more than twice the weight of the Air and comes in about 3.5 ounces (99 grams).  Like the Gay Bradley Air, the Techno features a flat ground 2.5" (76 mm) blade, but that is where the similarities end.  The Techno's blade features Carpenter Steel's CTS-XHP stainless steel (stonewashed) and is almost twice as thick as the Air's blade at 5/32" (4 mm).

The Techno also features a titanium handle with a built in frame lock and accommodates a right hand or left hand tip up pocket clip option.



Spyderco Techno, Plain 2-1/2" CTS-XHP SS Blade, Ti Handle C158TIP

All these great knives can be found at National Knives, LLC along with many others.  Stop by and take a look.  While you are there, don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of the page and Join the Mailing List where you will receive occasional emails from National Knives, LLC introducing new products, email only specials and more.

Thanks for looking,
Rob

Spyderco Delica 4. Great Value. Great Knife.

Spyderco Delica 4, 2-7/8" VG-10 Stainless Blade, Green Handle C11FPGR

One of Spyderco's best selling knives of all time is the Delica.  With a multitude of variations, from handle material types to blade steels, there is bound to be one made that fits your needs.  The Delica shown here is shown with a green Fiber Glass Reinforced, or FRN, handle which is a lightweight and extremely durable material.  The color is optional, you can get this particular model with a blue, purple, gray, black, brown and of course, green FRN handle.  The blade steel is a higher end stainless steel made in Japan called VG-10 which will offer great corrosion resistance and excellent edge retention.  The grind on this particular model is referred to as a full flat ground which means that when the blade was ground, starting at the cutting edge and moving to the spine, the blade begins thing and gradually gets thicker.  This grind is well suited for low resistance slicing.  This also features a right hand/left hand, tip up or tip down black pocket clip which allows you to adapt it to your needs.

This this particular model is $53.99 + shipping (starts at $3.99 for USPS Priority) at www.NationalKnives.com.  You can also view other Delica models here.


Rob

Get a grip! Wood as a knife handle material.

I would like to expand our knowledge of handle materials and their advantages and disadvantages. A knife handle is simply the part of a knife that was built with the specific purpose of being able to safely hold and use the knife it's attached to. In the beginning, the handle material was the part of the cutting tool that didn't cut you, not much as changed regarding the concept of the handle. However, the materials used and their purposes have changed.

I won't be covering all the different types of handle materials as just about anything that is relatively hard can be used. A shortened list of those materials would include, metal, wood, plastics, animal horns and more. I will cover some of the more basic materials of knives that National Knives has in stock and for sale or had in stock at some point.  This blog will focus on wood.

The first material I am going to address is wood. It's all around us and used virtually everywhere in just about everything, or so it seems anyways. Knife manufacturers don't simply rely on one type of wood to all their products. Different species of woods offer different textures, grains and either add or detract from the overall appearance of the knife. Wood can add to the cost of the knife or detract from it, depending on the type of wood used and how attractive it makes the knife when it is on the dealers shelves waiting to find a new home. A scarce wood that is plain in appearance and offers no usable advantages probably won't increase the value much, but probably wouldn't be used by a manufacturer to begin with. A scarce wood that offers visual appeal and/or usable advantages will not only add to the appearance of the knives but will usually add the the price of the knife too. Some of the more common wood types that are used in the manufacturer of knife handles are : Cocobolo, wood laminates (often dyed), Pakkawood, Rosewood, Oak and Sandalwood.
I would like to expand our knowledge of handle materials and their advantages and disadvantages. A knife handle is simply the part of a knife that was built with the specific purpose of being able to safely hold and use the knife it's attached to. In the beginning, the handle material was the part of the cutting tool that didn't cut you, not much as changed regarding the concept of the handle. However, the materials used and their purposes have changed.

The picture attached to this post features a Mcusta model 13D folding knife. Mcusta used ebony wood as the handle material with this knife. This particular model is finished smooth but has indents where the user can rest their fingers. I would not consider this knife a "hard use" knife, in other words, it would not be good for military, police, fire, EMS, survival applications. I would classify it more of a gentleman's knife and a great every day carry (EDC) knife and with it's Damascus style blade adding to the visual beauty, this would make a great special occasion folder.

Some woods are absolutely beautiful, but are difficult to keep stable so they won't split, crack or chip. One manufacturer recently used Spalted Maple, which is a heavy grained wood, as a handle material on a fixed blade knife that resulted in the manufacturer having to switch to a non-wood material and selling the defective knives at a discount. The knives were easy on the eyes with the beautiful heavy grained wood handle, unfortunately it just didn't work out for the manufacturer.

Please feel free to contact me at Sales@NationalKnives.com.

Rob