Talk:Spyderco

Misc
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

I don't know much about the history of the company, and the website is not too informative on that score. My recollection is that they started out in Texas and moved to Golden in the '80s, and that they've since expanded the factory / moved the factory outlet / etc.
 * http://spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/ has some more info. --User24 14:35, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

Should the article get into descriptions of specific models? I would maybe come back and describe some of their notable / longstanding models. And the Spyderfly would not by any means be the first example I would think of. It's a popular new model, and has been well-received by people that like butterfly knives, but it doesn't represent the core Spyderco 'thing'. --67.174.98.96 01:56, 5 September 2005 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure it should; perhaps a description of a classic spyderco knife, but really I think an image would suffice (perhaps of the Native FRN; it's got the form, handle and serrations that make a spyderco knife what it is). Agree that the spyderfly is not indicative of spyderco's product range --User24 15:39, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

Can you cite any neutral sources for the advertising claims you are making in your table of contents?
 * which claims? I've tried to cleanup the 'Steel Pioneers' section (now renamed 'Blade Steels', for one thing). --User24 14:35, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

Some information in this has not been verified and may not be reliable. Please check for any inaccuracies, and modify and cite sources as needed. Please cite some sources so that we can verify if they might be true.
 * am doing --User24 14:35, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

To meet Wikipedia's quality standards and comply with our Neutral Point of View policy, this article or section may require cleanup. The current version of the article or section reads like an advertisement. Please discuss this issue on the talk page. Editing help is available. When you get down to it, is this article an advertisement or a fan site? It is certainly not an encyclopedic entry. Sam 21:57, 12 September 2006 (UTC)
 * the page has changed significantly since you added this, would it be OK to remove the (advert) template now? --User24 14:35, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

I don't think it reads like an ad, however more sources need to be added. Most of the collaborators can be found on the company's website, if you hotlink to each one, you'll get accused of advertising. I can help a bit, press releases to the industry often list the different collaborators and designers that work with Spyderco. --Mike Searson 13:51, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

List of Collaborators
I'm in favour of removing this list altogether; the importance of these people is not asserted; are they legends in the knifemaking world or just random designers? (If they are legends, please add some references) I'm also thinking that the 'collaborations' sections needs expanding slightly, at least with references to models that have been collaborated on, and maybe who it was that collaborated. --User24 14:57, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

Depends how you define "legend"! Most are definitely notable knifemakers like Walker, Terzuola, Schempp, D'Holder, and Viele. I think it's important as it made me a collector for a long time and it was always intersting to see a new design between Spyderco and a custom maker hit the street. --Mike Searson 13:56, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

TODO list
some things that IMO should be considered:
 * see 'list of collaborators, above'
 * find some non-spyderco references for the article
 * remove the 'needs references' templates (by finding references, that is)

--User24 13:07, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

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Fair use rationale for Image:ByrdLogo2005 S.jpg
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BetacommandBot (talk) 19:01, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Cleanup Blade Steel
This section needs to be cleaned up--Mike - Μολὼν λαβέ 19:45, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Blade Steels
Spyderco is well known for experimenting with new blade steels

52100, ball bearing steel used in the first run of the Mule project. The only significant alloying elements are ~1% C and ~1.5% Cr, corrosion resistance is relatively poor. It was hardened to RC62 for the mule, and was planned to be used in the scandi ground Spyderco bushcraft knife, as well as a flat ground S90V version. Sal Glesser stated it was comparatively difficult to heat treat this steel, as it requires oil. Spyderco, like most cutlery production companies, use air hardening steels almost exclusively.

8Cr13MoV, a Chinese stainless steel with a high performance-to-cost ratio, often compared to AUS-8 (somewhat like 440B or 440C) but also to AUS-6 (somewhat like 440A). Tempered around the Rc56 to Rc58 range, see discussion below. Featured in the Tenacious and Byrd line of knives.

440C, a “classic” stainless steel, known for toughness, corrosion resistance, economy, and ease of sharpening. Reports exist that 440C is tougher and more stain resistant, although with less edge retention, than ATS-34. (Other info indicates ATS-34 is equivalently corrosion resistant to 440C, while being superior in wear resistance and toughness). While 440C isn't as corrosion resistant as 440A, 440C is considered by most as the superior choice for a cutlery steel between the two. 440C is usually hardened mid to upper 50s Rc range. It's a high carbide steel. Sal Glesser has commented: "...the larger carbides tended to cause the edge to 'break out'...steels like 440C...exhibited these characteristics..." These days, manufacturers are moving away from 440C toward H-1 for superior corrosion resistance. Currently used by Spyderco in its unsharpened trainer knives, and also in 2008's "S."

ATS-55, the offspring of its parent steel, ATS-34, which was the popular high-carbide Hitachi-made stainless steel of the 1990s (which followed the very similar American steel, 154CM). To create ATS-55, the molybdenum from ATS-34 was removed, making it a non-high speed steel (certainly not needed in a knife blade), with the side benefit of being more economical to produce. ATS-55 is reported to have better edge holding and toughness than its parent, ATS-34. In Spyderco knives, ATS-55 was replaced by VG-10.

AUS-6

AUS-8

AUS-10, the highest grade of the AUS Japanese stainless steel series made by Aichi: AUS-4, AUS-6, AUS-8, AUS-10. Has roughly the same carbon content as 440C but with slightly less chromium.

BG-42, a high performance stainless steel formulated for ball bearings, often compared to ATS-34, which has similar properties.

D2, a high performance tool steel that has 1 percent less chromium than required to classify as stainless steel. Spyderco uses CPM's version of D2, which is a particle metallurgy ("powdered") version, not wrought. CPM-D2 is found in a sprint run version of the Military model.

G2, aka GIN-1. A Hitachi-made low cost stainless steel comparable to, butsofter than, AUS-8. Generally hardened in the mid to high Rc 50s. A tough, corrosion-resistant steel.

GIN-2

H-1, a rust-proof steel, ideal for marine applications, because it substitutes nitrogen for carbon. Sharpens easily, scratches easily, has good edge retention and toughness is one of the tougher stainless steels available.

MBS-26: A Japanese [stainless] steel, very fine grained with high corrosion resistance used in the Catcherman and in most kitchen knives by Spyderco.

N690CO, an Austrian stainless steel, often mentioned as the equivalent of, or better than 440C. High value and performance with excellent corrosion resistance. Reportedly hardened to the high Rc50 range. Currently found in Spyderco's Hossom knives and the recently disco'd Italian-made Volpe.

CPM S30V steel a premium and controversial American powder-metallurgy, high-carbide super steel developed specifically for the cutlery market (which is rare, since most steels used for cutlery have been co-opted from other applications). A long-time Spyderco standard for its American-made knives. In 2008, featured in the Chinook III, Military, Native, P'Kal, Para, TMag, UKPK. Recently disco'd models with S30V included: Chinook II, ATR, Dodo, Gunting, Lil Temp, Manix, Spyker, WTC, and Yojimbo.

S60V, (aka 440V, aka CPMT440V) A modern American super-steel, extremely wear resistant (even compared to S30V) and thus difficult to sharpen. Extremely corrosion resistant. A relatively rare steel to be found in today's knife blades. Crucible has discontinued production of this steel.

S90V (aka 420V), similar to Crucible's S60V but designed to be more wear resistant with a very high carbide volume and high vanadium content. S90V was featured in a sprint run of Spyderco's Military in 2008.

VG-10, a premium Japanese super-steel developed for the horticulture industry by Takefu. Considered a good balance of corrosion resistance, edge retention, and toughness, but is not a "high carbide" steel [confirmation needed]. According to Sal Glesser: "Continuous edge testing on a CATRA consistently shows VG-10 to be superior in sharpness and abrasion resistance to ATS-34 and ATS-55." Often hardened around the Rc60 range. Reported to have better corrosion resistance but less edge retention than S30V. Considered easy to sharpen for a super steel. Overpowered edges tend to bend rather than chip, which is preferred by many. Widely regarded as a well-balanced steel, with high marks for edge-holding, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Currently found in many more Spyderco knife models than any other steel.

ZDP-189, a premium Japanese powdered super-steel made by Hitachi, hardened into the mid & upper Rc 60s, with very high carbide volume, superior edge retention, and the ability to maintain steep edge angles (at some cost to toughness and corrosion resistance, but “not as much of a compromise as you might expect,” say many.) Comparable to S90V. Complaints of staining (despite its high levels of chromium) and difficulty sharpening. Sometimes laminated between tougher, more corrosion resistant steels such as 420. Cost is about 20x higher than VG-10. Difficult to obtain a super edge, but holds it much longer once obtained. Has 3% carbon. In the 2008 lineup, it's found in the Stretch II, special versions of the Delica and Endura, and clad with 420J in the Caly III CF and the disco'd Caly Jr.


 * In 1994, Spyderco was the first company to use Crucible's S60V tool steel in a production knife.
 * In 1995, Japanese VG-10 stainless steel was used on their Bill Moran collaboration model.
 * From 2005, Spyderco has produced several limited edition models and a production model using new ZDP-189 steel provided by Hitachi.
 * Spyderco was the first knife company to use H-1 steel in a folder. H-1 is a  nitrogen precipitation-hardened steel touted as impervious to rust.

Blade Steels
Why is spyderco given credit for all the steel types? should be it's own page or on cold steel or buck or ontario or victorinox or leatherman or fallkniven or.... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.176.244.173 (talk) 00:48, 18 July 2012 (UTC)

H-1 nitrogen steel edge retention vs carbon steel edge retention
Quote from the article: "H-1, a rust-proof "steel", ideal for marine applications, because it substitutes nitrogen for carbon. Sharpens easily, scratches easily, and has good edge retention." => Is the edge retention of this nitrogen based blade less good or equal good than the edge retention of carbon steel? As a general rule I heard stainless steel has a less good edge retention than carbon steel. But I dont know it for nitrogen based steel. --User1973 (talk) 21:30, 17 November 2012 (UTC)