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	In addition to its other amazing qualities, the Darn Dao also holds a special place in Spyderco’s history as our second “Flash Batch” product. A Flash Batch is similar to a Sprint Run in that is it a truly distinctive, one-time-only event. However, whereas Sprint Runs are based on current or previously produced models, Flash Batches introduce a brand new design that will never be duplicated in the exact same form again. To make them even more unique and collectible, Flash Batches are individually serialized with a laser-engraved number on every blade.		In addition to its other amazing qualities, the Darn Dao also holds a special place in Spyderco’s history as our second “Flash Batch” product. A Flash Batch is similar to a Sprint Run in that is it a truly distinctive, one-time-only event. However, whereas Sprint Runs are based on current or previously produced models, Flash Batches introduce a brand new design that will never be duplicated in the exact same form again. To make them even more unique and collectible, Flash Batches are individually serialized with a laser-engraved number on every blade.


	==Exclusives==		==Exclusives==

ThatWouter: Created page with "The Spyderco byte December 2017 e-newsletter was sent out on 28 December 2017, and it contained the following articles. ==The Chapparal™ Lightweight C152PGY== '''MSRP:''' $134.95 '''Origin:''' Taiwan Spyderco’s Chaparral project is a unique approach to the gentlemen’s folding knife genre. Named after a plant native to the Western U.S. that is known for its extreme resilience, the Chaparral series uses a single design format to showcase a variety of distinctive..."

2026-08-19T17:58:20Z

Created page with "The Spyderco byte December 2017 e-newsletter was sent out on 28 December 2017, and it contained the following articles. ==The Chapparal™ Lightweight C152PGY== '''MSRP:''' $134.95 '''Origin:''' Taiwan Spyderco’s Chaparral project is a unique approach to the gentlemen’s folding knife genre. Named after a plant native to the Western U.S. that is known for its extreme resilience, the Chaparral series uses a single design format to showcase a variety of distinctive..."

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The Spyderco byte December 2017 e-newsletter was sent out on 28 December 2017, and it contained the following articles.

==The Chapparal™ Lightweight C152PGY==

'''MSRP:''' $134.95

'''Origin:''' Taiwan

Spyderco’s Chaparral project is a unique approach to the gentlemen’s folding knife genre. Named after a plant native to the Western U.S. that is known for its extreme resilience, the Chaparral series uses a single design format to showcase a variety of distinctive handle materials and texture patterns.

All Chaparral models share the same core features. They are exceptionally thin to minimize their weight and make them very convenient to carry—even when wearing a suit. Their leaf-shaped PlainEdge™ blades are full-flat ground from American-made CTS® XHP stainless steel and handsomely satin finished for near-effortless cutting performance. The blades also include a fully accessible Trademark Round HoleTM for easy one or two-handed opening that, together with a sturdy back lock mechanism and reversible wire clip make all Chaparrals completely symmetrical and their operation fully ambidextrous.

Where Chaparral models show their individuality is in their handles. The first member of the family, released in 2011, featured skeletonized full stainless steel liners and subtly textured carbon fiber scales. It was followed in 2012 by the Chaparral Titanium, which boasted solid titanium scales precision machined with an intricate geometric pattern. Continuing the titanium theme were the Stepped Titanium and Blue Stepped Titanium models, released in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Both feature an incredibly detailed “stepped” pattern machined into both scales. Composed entirely of straight lines, this amazing design creates the illusion of curves and detailed geometric shapes. In the Blue Stepped version, the scales are anodized a brilliant shade of blue partway through the machining process to create a spectacular contrast of alternating blue and silver surfaces. Earlier this year, we rounded out the Chaparral family with a version featuring scales made from Raffir®—composite material made with fine layers of crinkled metal mesh encapsulated in a translucent epoxy resin.

Although we are admittedly proud of the Chaparral family and the variety and pride of ownership it offers, we still felt there was something missing—a lightweight, affordable, user-oriented expression of the Chaparral spirit optimized for everyday carry. To fill that void, we created the all-new Chaparral Lightweight.

The Chaparral Lightweight offers the same refined design theme, functionality, and cutting performance as its brothers, but with a simple, reliable, and affordable injection-molded handle. Its tough gray fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle reduces its weight to a scant 2.1 ounces—22% lighter than its titanium-handled counterparts. At the same time, its molded construction allows it to incorporate a new style of Spyderco’s high-traction Bi-Directional Texturing™ pattern. Despite its slim profile and light weight, this version of the Chaparral still offers the strength of nested, skeletonized stainless steel liners and a stainless steel backspacer. They ensure excellent structural strength and the precise alignment of all key components.

Like the other versions of the Chaparral, the Lightweight has a mid-positioned back lock mechanism that locks the blade securely open and allows safe, easy one-handed closing. Its 50/50 index-finger choil straddles the juncture of the blade and handle to provide a solid purchase for a forward, “choked-up” grip. Despite the knife’s compact size, this feature allows even larger hands a full, four fingered grip. Matching “jimping” (grooves) on the choil and thumb ramp offer additional texture for even greater control during precise cutting tasks. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip attached to the butt end of the handle supports left or right-side tip-up carry and keeps this remarkable knife discreetly poised for instant access.

The Chaparral Lightweight proudly upholds the traditional values of the Chaparral family, offering the same convenience, reliability, and high-performance as its brothers, but at a fraction of the price.

'''Overall:''' 6.40 in / 91 mm

'''Blade:''' 2.80 in / 71 mm

'''Edge:''' 2.35 in / 60 mm

'''Weight:''' 2.1 oz / 60 g

'''Grind:''' Full-Flat

'''Origin:''' Taiwan

==The Darn Dao FB41GP==

The late Bob Lum was a legend in the knifemaking world. In addition to his consummate skills as a custom knifemaker, Lum had the uncanny ability to translate traditional Asian cutting tools and edged weapons into modern form. Best known as the true father of the “Americanized tanto”—one of the most popular blade shapes of all time—Lum was also instrumental in helping knife enthusiasts to understand and appreciate the deep historical significance of Asian blade patterns.

One of Lum’s rarest custom designs was his homage to the classical ''dan dao'' or “single knife” of the Chinese martial arts. In Chinese culture, anything with a single cutting edge is regarded as a knife—regardless of the length of the blade. This is in contrast to a sword, which they regard as a double-edged weapon. The ''dan dao''—or as Lum preferred to Romanize it—Darn Dao—was one of the primary weapons of the Chinese martial arts and typically had a broad blade about two feet long, a substantial disk-shaped guard, and a flared pommel. Designed primarily for swift, powerful cutting and chopping tactics, it was also a highly effective thrusting weapon.

Spyderco founder Sal Glesser was one of the few people fortunate enough to purchase one of Lum’s handmade Darn Dao. Although Glesser had long wanted to make a production version of the knife, the skills and technology of the knife industry had not evolved to the point that they could do this extremely special design justice. As the capabilities of our best-in-class manufacturing partners steadily improved, we felt the time had finally come to make it a reality.

Spyderco’s expression of Lum’s Darn Dao is expertly full-flat ground from thick CPM® 154—a state-of-the-art powder metallurgy stainless steel that offers increased toughness over the conventional ingot version of this alloy. Its long, unsharpened swedge ensures an acute point, while its tapered full tang reduces the knife’s weight and gives it extraordinary balance. Contoured black G-10 scales, an integral twin guard, and a flared pommel ensure a positive grip during high-speed manipulation. A generously sized lined hole offers further insurance, allowing the easy attachment of a lanyard or safety cord.

Every Darn Dao comes complete with a high-quality zippered storage pouch and a handsome leather sheath with an integral loop for belt carry. The sheath’s open-backed construction and thumb-break-style snap ensure positive retention, while still allowing a swift draw.

In addition to its other amazing qualities, the Darn Dao also holds a special place in Spyderco’s history as our second “Flash Batch” product. A Flash Batch is similar to a Sprint Run in that is it a truly distinctive, one-time-only event. However, whereas Sprint Runs are based on current or previously produced models, Flash Batches introduce a brand new design that will never be duplicated in the exact same form again. To make them even more unique and collectible, Flash Batches are individually serialized with a laser-engraved number on every blade.

==Exclusives==

An Exclusive is a special configuration of an established Spyderco design that is produced for a single wholesale customer or distributor. Every Exclusive represents a unique, one-of-a-kind combination of blade steel, handle material, handle color, and sometimes even blade and hardware coatings. Although multiple runs of it may be made, as its name implies, it is exclusive to that customer, will not be duplicated in that exact form for anyone else, and is commercially available only through that source.

Spyderco has had the pleasure of working on Exclusive projects with some of the leading dealers and distributors in the knife industry. In many cases, we have helped them develop signature “looks” for entire families of Exclusive products and, in the process, created extremely distinctive, high-performance variations of some of our most popular models. Since Exclusives are, by definition, limited-edition production, they are also very desirable and highly collectible—especially for Spyderco fans whose interests focus on specific models and their variants.

If you’d like to learn more about recent and currently available Spyderco Exclusives, the best one-stop resource is the dedicated Exclusives page on our web site, which is available in the selections under the “Products” drop-down menu. This highly functional web page not only allows you to browse through more than two dozen current Exclusives, its selector function also lets you search and filter them by key characteristics. Click on any individual knife and you’ll get full technical details and specs, as well as a link to purchasing information.

Exclusives are a unique and extremely collectible branch of the Spyderco product family. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you don’t know what you’re missing!

==Spyderco 2018 Product Guide==

After many months of painstaking work, the 2018 Spyderco Product Guide is finally finished! This annual catalog is the most complete reference of Spyderco’s overall product line and also provides a long-awaited glimpse into some (but not all) of the new designs that we will be introducing in 2018. To view or download it in digital format, visit the catalog page of our web site and click on the catalog cover image. On that same web page you can also submit a request to receive a printed copy, which will be mailed to you in the coming weeks.

Enjoy!

Spyderco byte - December 2017 - Revision history

ThatWouter at 17:58, 19 August 2026