C35 Q

C35 "Q" was created to be very lightweight. The scales and blade are "skeletonized". Simple to construct and easy to have different blades designs. Introduced in 1996 it was awarded Blade magazine's knife of the year. Production started in 1997 with the Spyderco Bug in the blade and continued for a few years. The initial name for the Q was the Silhouette.

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

Why the Q?

Built to be very lightweight (34g or 1.2 oz) the Q also brought a small and rather inexpensive platform for customization and since many blade designs were possible, it would become a marketing tool for companies. It would also be used to recognize employees for various companies and given away as prizes and the such.

Innovations

New Patent was for the "spring lock". Essentially a formed piece of wire that rests in the scales and the wire fits into a notch in the blade tang that locks it in the open or closed position. The clip was also formed piece of wire that was located in holes in the scales. The holes were constructed for 4-way carry.

Variations

Initially the FRN handle was built in a 'sculpted' design. Where the scale was a little wider in the middle and narrower at the top and bottom. The next generation of handle the sides were flat. Also an additional pin was added at the top of the scales near the lock. It is unknown exactly how many variations of blade design were created. There exists pictures for more than 50 blade variables. Many were done with different color handles. Quantities also varied greatly between variations. From Prototypes where 1 or 2 exist, very small quantities of 25 up to thousands for companies like REI and EMS. SE is the most common edge although PE was available as requested by the companies ordering them. They can vary for each company, some varieties included both edge configurations. CE was also available, but rarely seen on the regular blade. A Sheepfoot Blade was available on two versions that were only done in CE. One PE Sheepfoot Blade was done in a solid blade (A blade without any cutouts). The C35 Q was available in the following FRN colors: Black, Red, Green, Grey and Blue. Below we've tried to list the different variations as far as we know. If you know of others, please let us know here

Special thanks to Chris (boxer93) from the Spyderco forums for maintaining a Q website, from where much of this information was taken.

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C	1996-	49.95$ (1998)	Regular Bug in blade, 3D handle		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C	1996-	49.95$ (1998)	Regular Bug in blade, 3D handle		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C	199?-1999	49.95$ (1998)	Regular Bug in blade, flat handle		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C	199?-1999	49.95$ (1998)	Regular Bug in blade, flat handle		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35S	Green FRN	SE	440C			Solid blade		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			ACE Case Co. with Ace of spades logo cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Advertising Products Co.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Anchorage Fire badge with flames		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Anchorage Fire badge engraved		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Bever outdoor store, Netherlands. Beaver image with the word bever cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Blade (magazine) cutout. Each one is numbered, with some reported to be higher than 1000.	1000+	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35S	Grey FRN	SE	440C			Blade (magazine) 25th Anniversary, with Blade and 25 cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Blue Ridge Knives, with skull and crossbones cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Bob's Gun Shop		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PSBK	Black FRN	CE	440C			Cabelas cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Cairns (leather manufacturer) cutout, with "Leather Since 1836" laser engraved below.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Calahan Construction		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Calif. Assn. of Nurses CRNA		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Carter Custom Weaponry with speeding bullet through company letters logo cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Crucible Metals with CM logo cutout. Given to employees.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			CICCC (Club International des Collectionneurs de Couteaux Customs) cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Denver Police Protection Agency		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Ducks Unlimited with duck head cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35S	Green FRN	SE	440C			Ducks Unlimited with duck head cutout, green handle		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Edwin A. Flak '2faces'		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Eastern Mountain Sports with EMS logo cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Foxcross Farms		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Fred Meyer with arched salmon cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Grey FRN	PE	440C			Fred Meyer with arched salmon cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			G. Sakai cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			GBC logo and sunburst cutout. A colorado-based laser cutting company.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Gun Games (magazine) logo cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Heckler and Koch with HK logo cutout, relatively few PE exist		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Heckler and Koch with HK logo cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			HL Dalis NYC Statue of Liberty		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Hugh M Woods arrow logo cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			John Larkin Coffee with steaming coffee cup cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			J.P. Tool cutout		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			KN Telecom		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Kanga Company		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Knife Magazine G. Sakai		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C	1998		Kona Hawaii, marlin cutout with "Kona '98" engraved.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C	1998		Kona Hawaii, marlin cutout with "Kona '98" engraved.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35S	Red FRN	SE	440C	1998		Kona Hawaii, marlin cutout with "Kona '98" engraved, red handle.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C	1999		Kona Hawaii, volcano and lava cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Leed Tool logo cutout, 3D handle.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Liberty Safes		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			M.I. Overseas		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Magnum Research gun and MR cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Masque Sound of NYC with theater mask cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Messer Klötzli cutout, stamped with "150 JAHRE" (trans: 150 years).		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Metal Finishing Systems		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			MIT Inkjet cutout. Made for a Swedish firm making inkjet heads for large scale printers.	Maximum 200 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			MIT Inkjet cutout. Made for a Swedish firm making inkjet heads for large scale printers.	Maximum 200 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PSBK Moteng #3	Black FRN	CE	440C			Moteng, with geometric pattern. Various similar patterns were made.	~500	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Neosho Industrial Supply		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PSBK New York	Black FRN	CE	440C	1996		New York Custom Knife Show with "New York" and a knife cutout. Sheepsfoot blade, 3D handle.	280	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Northwest Bank		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Platte Canyon Fire Dept. Colo.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Pt. Hueneme Marine Supply		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Potomac Electric Power Co.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK PRCA	Black FRN	SE	440C			Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association with bucking bronco with rider cutout and "PRCA PRORODEO" laser engraving.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Precision Graphics		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Prospector Outfitters with "Alaska" and mountain design cutout.	50	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Prospector Outfitters with state outline cutout.	50	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			REI and tree cutout. Made for Outdoor retail store Recreational Equipment Inc.	Unknown	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			REI and tree cutout. Made for Outdoor retail store Recreational Equipment Inc.	Unknown	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Reeds cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Reeds cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Blue FRN	PE	440C			Rocky Mountain Blade Collector. Regular bug cutout with "R.M.B.C. 1979-2003" engraved on front side of the bug and "XX OF 75" on the rear.	75	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			SACAC cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Salz logo and steer head cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C	1998		S.H.O.T. Show '98 aka Tropical has tropical island cutout with "S.H.O.T. SHOW 1998" engraved.	~600 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH	Variant
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C	1998		S.H.O.T. Show '98 aka Tropical has tropical island cutout with "S.H.O.T. SHOW 1998" engraved.	~600 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH	Variant
C35PBK SPRINGER	Black FRN	PE	440C			Springer cutout. Made for Austrian firearms manufacturer and hunting supply dealer Johann Springers Erben.	~50 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK SPRINGER	Black FRN	SE	440C			Springer cutout. Made for Austrian firearms manufacturer and hunting supply dealer Johann Springers Erben.	~50 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Spyder Active Wear		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Spyderco Eagle cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Spyderco USA Flag with stars and stipes cutout. Sold directly by Spyderco.	~3600	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35	Black FRN		440C			Theatrical Stage Employees Union IATSE		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	PE SE	440C			T&T Gunnery cutout.		Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Viking helmet in blade Made for Norwegian Spyderco importer at the time Viking international products.	150	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35SBK	Black FRN	SE	440C			Viking helmet in blade Made for Norwegian Spyderco importer at the time Viking international products.	50	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35PBK	Black FRN	PE	440C			Moose in blade Made for former Swedish importer Rocky Mountain AB.	Maximum 200 total PE and SE	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Blue FRN	PE	440C	2002		Part of a 5-piece set (blue, red, grey, green, black). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	20 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Red FRN	PE	440C	2002		Part of a 5-piece set (blue, red, grey, green, black). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	20 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Grey FRN	PE	440C	2002		Part of a 5-piece set (blue, red, grey, green, black). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	20 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Green FRN	PE	440C	2002		Part of a 5-piece set (blue, red, grey, green, black). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	20 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Black FRN	PE	440C	2002		Part of a 5-piece set (blue, red, grey, green, black). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	20 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Grey FRN	PE	440C	2004		Part of a 4-piece, solid sheepsfoot blade set (grey, blue, black, green). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	10 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Blue FRN	PE	440C	2004		Part of a 4-piece, solid sheepsfoot blade set (grey, blue, black, green). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	10 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Black FRN	PE	440C	2004		Part of a 4-piece, solid sheepsfoot blade set (grey, blue, black, green). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	10 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH
C35P	Green FRN	PE	440C	2004		Part of a 4-piece, solid sheepsfoot blade set (grey, blue, black, green). Includes signed letter of authenticity.	10 sets	Hollow sabre grind	Q wire clip	TD/TU LH/RH

Most collectible variation

With the C35 Q it's more a question of which variation is NOT very collectable. Considering the amount of people collecting the Q and how few was made of some of them, it's impossible to say which is the most collectible. The least collectible seems to be the regular Bug in blade Q and the one with HK in the blade. Both of these appear pretty often and never really bring the really high prices. Most of the others seems to command a premium whenever they appear for sale.

Questions regarding collecting the C35 Q

• How many different variations was made?
• How many of the different variations?
• How many in each edge configuration of the different variations?
• Which ones are mere Prototypes and which was made?
• All variations are supposed to have a 440C blade, but the crucible one seems to be marked 420V. Is there others with a different bladesteel?

Technical information

Typical metric measurements in mm and grams:

Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
						34g

Typical imperial measurements in inches and ounces:

Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
5 3/4"	3 3/8"	2 1/2"	2 3/8"			1.2oz