K04 Utility Knife
The K04 Utility is part of Spyderco's kitchen knife series. It was also know as the K04 Pro Culinaire Utility knife, 1004 and Garde Manger. Since 2017, it is known as the K04 6,5" Utility Knife.
Appearance in catalogs
- 1986 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK appeared as the 1104 Kitchen "Sharps")
- 1987 Wholesale Prices & Order Form (K04SBK appeared as the 1104 Kitchen "Sharps")
- 1989 Wholesale Order Form (K04SBK appeared as the 1104 Kitchen "Sharps")
- 1990 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK appeared as the 1104 Kitchen "Sharps")
- 1990 Wholesale Price List (K04SBL and K04SBK)
- 1991 Wholesale Price List (K04SBL and K04SBK)
- 1992 Wholesale Price List (K04SBL and K04SBK)
- 1993 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only - called the Garde Manger)
- 1994 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 1995 Wholesale Price List (K04SBK only)
- 1996 Ironstone Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 1997 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 1998 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBL and K04SBK)
- 1999 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBL and K04SBK)
- 2000 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBL, K04PBK and K04SBK)
- 2001 Spyderco Product Guide (K04PBK and K04SBK)
- 2002 Spyderco Product Guide (K04PBK and K04SBK)
- 2003 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 2004 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 2005 Spyderco Product Guide (K04SBK only)
- 2017 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2018 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2019 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2020 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2021 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2022 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2023 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2024 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2025 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
History, mentionings etc. from the forums
Discussion about the reissue of the K04
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
K04 Utility (rerelease)
Spyderco’s involvement in kitchen knives dates back to the early 1980’s and the beginnings of the company’s knife production. After being discontinued a number of years ago, they are now back by popular demand and better than ever. Our current kitchen knives combine all the distinctive features of the originals with an improved handle material that offers increased durability.
The K04 Utility Knife has a 6.5-inch drop-point blade that is ideal for a broad range of kitchen cutting chores, making it the most popular “go-to” knife in many home and commercial kitchens. Like the original version, it features a premium MBS-26 stainless steel blade, ground exceptionally thin and meticulously heat treated for optimal cutting performance. Its durable polypropylene plastic handle is injection molded directly onto the tang of the blade and features a distinctive “stepped” texture pattern that provides exceptional comfort and control during use.
This version of the K04 features a razor sharp PlainEdge or a SpyderEdge blade with a unique two-step serration pattern that protects the edge from dulling on cutting boards.
The K04BK Utility (black) in Spyderco's online catalog.
The K04BL Utility (blue) in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
The K04 is:
- made by Masahiro (meaning Wide-Quality) in Seki City, Japan
- does not feature Spyderco's trademark round hole
- features a spear-point blade
- "each blade is individually heat treated, oil quenched, and ice tempered." (according to the 1996 Ironstone Product Guide)
| SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Collectors club |
| 1104 | Black Sermollan | SE | MBS-26 | 1986?-1990 | $15.00 (1986), $16.95 (1987), $19.95 (1989) | Part of Spyderco's Professional-grade Kitchen "Sharps", would later become the K04SBK. 2 step serration (1/4" & 1/16"). | N/A | Full Flat | |
| K04SBL | Blue Sermollan | SE | MBS-26 | 1990-1992, 1998-2000 | $15.95 (1992), $24.95 (2000) | N/A | Full Flat | ||
| K04SBK | Black Sermollan | SE | MBS-26 | 1990-2005 | $19.95 (1993), $34.95 (2005) | Called the "Garde Manger" (gar•mon•jay) in 1993 (but "Utility" all the previous and following years), as part of the Pro Culinaire line. | N/A | Full Flat | |
| K04PBK | Black Sermollan | PE | MBS-26 | 2000-2002 | $30.95 (2002) | N/A | Full Flat | ||
| K04PBK | Black Polypropylene | PE | MBS-26 | Jan 2014- | $49.95 (2014) | rerelease - small change to blade profile and handle | N/A | Full Flat | |
| K04SBK | Black Polypropylene | SE | MBS-26 | Jan 2014- | $49.95 (2014) | rerelease - small change to blade profile and handle. Serrations have longer center tooth than original version. | N/A | Full Flat | |
| K04SBL | Blue Polypropylene | SE | MBS-26 | Jan 2014- | $49.95 (2014) | rerelease - small change to blade profile and handle. Serrations have longer center tooth than original version. | N/A | Full Flat |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the K04
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the K04 Utility:
| Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Blade thickness | Weight |
| K04 | 275mm | 165mm | 152mm | 1.3mm | 60g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the K04 Utility:
| Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Blade thickness | Weight |
| K04 | 10.81" | 6.50" | 6.00" | 0.053" | 2.1oz |
References
Pictures
Related
- K01 Bread Knife
- K02 Cook's Knife
- K03 Carving Knife
- K05 Small Utility Knife
- K06 Filet Knife
- K07 Boning Knife
- K08 Santoku
- K09 Mini Paring Knife
