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 "spyder" in the blade and continued for a few years. The initial name for the Q was the Silhouette.
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. The 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.
Blade Edge Configuration
SE is the most common. 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 see on the regular blade. A Sheepsfoot Blade was available on two versions that were only done in CE. One PE sheepsfoot was done in a solid blade.
Handle Colors
Black, Red, Green, Grey, Blue
Steel
Only available in 440C, a crucible steel.
