C163 Pingo
The C163 Pingo was introduced in 2012 and was designed to comply with strict Danish knife laws.
Appearance in catalogs
The C163 Pingo appeared in the following catalogs:
- 2013 Spyderco Product Guide (C163PBK)
- 2013 Spyderco Mid-Year Supplement (C163POR)
- 2014 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
Jesper Voxnaes
Jens Anso
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
Thread following the design of the Pingo, from a request for a Denmark-friendly design to the final product.
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C163 Pingo:
"A collaborative effort of Danish knifemakers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes, the Pingo was specifically designed to conform to the knife laws of Denmark, which prohibit both lock-blade folding knives and all forms of one-hand-opening knives.
The heart of the Pingo is its distinctive sheepfoot blade, which is ground from Böhler-Uddeholm’s premium N690Co stainless steel. The blade is designed to meet Danish legal length limits while still providing a very functional and versatile cutting tool. Its Trademark Round Hole clearly identifies it as a Spyderco knife and provides a handy purchase for two-handed opening, but the hole is purposely small to prevent one-handed blade-opening methods. Similarly, its stout notched-joint mechanism is powered by a strong spring that helps hold the blade securely in the open and closed positions, supporting its safe use as a cutting tool while precluding one-handed opening.
The Pingo’s handle is comprised of injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) scales and a sturdy stainless steel back spacer. The scales feature a molded checkered texturing that ensures a secure grip without being too abrasive. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides both left and right-side tip-up carry, keeping the knife accessible for immediate use while blending unobtrusively with virtually any color of clothing.
Although designed to meet the unique needs of the Danish knife community, the Pingo’s versatile design and socially friendly demeanor make it a perfect choice for knife users everywhere. It not only transcends the limits of the traditional non-locking pocketknife, but also redefines Spyderco’s own definition of a SLIPIT because of its purposeful two-hand-opening design."
The C163 Pingo in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
The C163 Pingo is made in Maniago, Italy and has
- Slipjoint
- Sheepfoot blade
- non-functional Spyderhole
| SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
| C163BK | Black cross-hatch FRN | PE | N690Co | Sept. 2012-end 2017 | 79.95$ (2013) | Prototype had "bunny ear" humps, which were omitted on the production version | N/A | Full Flat | silver deep-pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main |
| C163POR | Orange cross-hatch FRN | PE | N690Co | June 2013-end 2017 | 79.95$ (2013) | N/A | Full Flat | silver deep-pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
| C163TIP | Ti | PE | Elmax | June 2015 | 329.95$ (2015) | Sprintrun, pink/purple/blue anodized bug logo wraparound graphic on handle | 1500 | Full Flat | silver deep-pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C163PBL | Dark blue cross-hatch FRN | PE | K390 | June 2016 | £67 (2016) | Edge Matters Forum Exclusive, with their logo laser engraved next to the bug. Even though the color is called "dark blue" in the literature, it's more of a medium bright blue. Edge Matters included a custom thumb stud, should the end user want to install it. | 300 | Full Flat | silver deep-pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C163
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Q: Why were the "bunny ears" omitted on the production version?
A: Sal cited negative feedback: The "Bunny ears" are not a requirement for the design. They were a suggestion. I don't know that we can remove them from the first run, but I'll check. Thanx for the input. The blokes on the British Blade forums didn't like the "bunny ears" either.[1]
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C163 Pingo:
| Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| C163BK | 147mm | 88mm | 60mm | 53mm | 5mm | 2.8mm | 54g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C163 Pingo:
| Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| C163BK | 5.80" | 3.45" | 2.34" | 2.08" | 0.20" | 0.110" | 1.9oz |
