C97 Howard Viele II

The C97 Howard Viele II is a smaller sized reissue of the C42 Howard Viele. The back side scale of the C97 is G-10 whereas for the original C42 it is Micarta. The C97 was introduced in 2005 and discontinued in 2007.

Appearance in catalogs

The C97 Howard Viele II appeared in the following catalogs:

• 2005 Spyderco Catalog Supplement
• 2006 Spyderco Products

Designer

Howard Viele

Howard Viele Makers mark

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

• The "Viele II impressions? Likes/Dislikes" thread on the Spyderco forums contains several comments on likes and dislikes of the C97.

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

"Howard Viele has been a leading member of the Knifemaker's Guild since 1976. His designs are visually identifiable and carry his personal stamp: tactical, modern, gentlemanly and tapered. The Spyderco/Viele wears this signature appearance embodying flowing lines and a high-tech tone. Its VG-10 blade is hollow-ground to further enhance the folder's overall tapered look.

Marking it as a Viele design is his signature logo of three small parallel holes and a circular symbol which represent the Japanse God of War. Positioned to maintain the intergrity of the blade's sleek shape, the Spyderco Trademark Round Hole is somewhat smaller than normally found on Spyderco knives. Texturing along the blade's spine is designed to grip the thumb's pad keeping it in contact with the top of the blade for added responsiveness and control over the cutting edge. An all-stainless handle is blanketed on the back by a scale of black woven G-10 and the handle's front scale is partly superimposed with a tile of black Micarta. The Micarta tile cuves downward near the blade giving the inpression of a bolster. An open spine with spacers lessens bulkiness and weight and facilitates cleaning and drying the knife's inner workings. Its black steel clothing clip carries tip-down."

Variations

The C97 Howard Viele II is made in Seki-City, Japan and has a

• Walker Liner Lock

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C97BMP	Black Micarta front, Black G-10 back	PE	VG-10	2005-2006	169.95$		N/A	Hollow	Metal	RH, TD

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C97

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C97 Howard Viele II:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C97	171mm	98mm	73mm	70mm	10mm	3mm	91g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C97 Howard Viele II:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C97	6 3/4"	3 7/8"	2 7/8"	2 3/4"	3/8"	1/8"	3.25oz

Pictures

See e.g. here for pictures of the C97.