Spyderco byte - October 2017

The Spyderco byte October 2017 e-newsletter was sent out on 1 November 2017, and it contained the following articles.

C229G The Shaman

MSRP: $279.95

Origin: USA

The newest addition to Spyderco’s USA-made product line, the Shaman is an extremely capable folding knife with an equally impressive lineage.

In simple terms, the Shaman’s hand-filling, no-nonsense design is our best-selling Native® model—on steroids. Originally released in 1997, the Native blazed a trail as an affordable, extremely ergonomic, lightweight folder. It was also instrumental in introducing Spyderco’s patented reversible pocket clip, which was a revolutionary feature for its time. Although stainless steel and carbon fiber versions were briefly produced in Japan, the Native Lightweight distinguished itself as a flagship of Spyderco’s American-made product line, offering superior quality and made-in-USA craftsmanship at an extremely affordable price.

In the 20 years since then, the Native has steadily evolved though five generations and spawned a wide range of variations, including a number of models specifically geared toward the needs of military, law enforcement, and tactical users. With countless thousands of Natives in daily use around the globe, it’s not surprising that we get lots of feedback from their owners. And one of the most common requests we get—especially from duty-bound end users—is for a larger, beefier expression of the same basic design. The Shaman is our response to that demand.

At 8.31 inches overall, the Shaman is about 20 percent larger than the Native, making it ideal for folks with larger hands and those who need or prefer a bigger blade. Its design offers the same refined ergonomics and proven qualities of the Native, as well as a few significant differences.

The soul of this impressive design is its CPM® S30V® stainless steel blade, which features a very high saber (partial flat) grind and a prominent swedge (unsharpened back bevel). This masterfully executed grind balances strength, low-friction edge geometry, and an acute, utilitarian point to offer a blade that will eagerly tackle almost any cutting chore. The blade’s signature Trademark Round Hole™ is fully accessible from both sides to support swift, one-handed opening with either hand. It is available with a choice of a PlainEdge™ or fully serrated edge SpyderEdge™ and features a handsome low-maintenance stonewashed finish. For tactical applications where light discipline is a concern, versions with a non-reflective black Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating will also be offered.

Although the Shaman’s handle shape and ergonomics follow the spirit of the Native, its handle construction and lock mechanism are distinctly different. The handle’s scales are 3-D machined from G-10 and thoughtfully contoured to provide a comfortable, secure grip. Skeletonized stainless steel liners nested within the smooth, matte-finished scales reinforce the handle’s structural strength and form the basis of the knife’s patented Compression Lock™. This high-strength mechanism is located in the spine of the handle, where it contacts the web of the thumb during normal use and is well protected from accidental release. Its location also allows the blade to be closed safely and easily with one hand without placing your fingers in the path of the edge. To ensure convenient carry and keep the knife poised for immediate access, the handle includes a stonewashed four-position pocket clip that offers a choice of left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry.

The Shaman is a powerhouse cutting tool that is deeply rooted in the success of one of Spyderco’s most iconic designs and the feedback of our loyal customers.

Overall: 8.31 in / 211 mm

Blade: 3.61 in / 92 mm

Edge: 3.12 in / 79 mm

Weight: 5.2 oz / 147 g

Grind: Full-Flat

Origin: USA

New Warranty Policy

When Spyderco manufactured its first knife 36 years ago, the world was a simpler place. Since then, we have grown, our knives have evolved, and the knife market has changed tremendously. The one thing that hasn’t changed, however, is our uncompromising commitment to stand behind our products, their materials, and their workmanship.

Doing that in today’s world means more than just ensuring the quality of our knives and accessories as we made them. It also means facing new challenges, like aftermarket modifications of our knives, custom scales and backspacers, replacement parts, and other third-party components.

Those of you who know Spyderco know that we believe in Constant Quality Improvement (C.Q.I.)—a relentless passion for making everything we do better. Well, C.Q.I. isn’t just limited to our products; it also applies to our policies. When the world evolves enough that our policies and procedures are no longer adequate, we fix them to make sure they address critical issues while remaining true to our spirit of service to our customers. That’s exactly what we did with our new warranty policy, which is available on our website and will soon be incorporated into all our printed literature as well.

Although the words of our warranty have changed to reflect the changing needs and tastes of our customers, the unwavering intent behind it is stronger than ever. We will continue to produce reliable, high-performance cutting tools and accessories and stand behind them with honor and pride. That’s the Spyderco way.

Seconds Sale

Mark your calendars and get ready for a road trip!!! Spyderco will be conducting our Seconds Sale on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 8:00am-5:00pm at the Spyderco Factory Outlet, 820 Spyderco Way, Golden, CO 80403. This highly anticipated, once-a-year event attracts hardcore Spyderco fans from far and wide with the opportunity to purchase Spyderco factory seconds, closeout items, and other select products at incredible discounts.

Here’s how it works:

• Spyderco factory seconds are fully functional products with minor cosmetic blemishes.
• Factory seconds are clearly marked and are not covered under our standard warranty policy.
• Customers may purchase a maximum of 25 factory second knives.
• There is no purchase limit on factory second ceramic sharpeners or first-quality products.
• Cash, check, and all major credit cards are accepted.
• Products are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions at sfo@spyderco.com.

We’ll see you there!!!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is an annual international health campaign to increase public awareness of the disease and support efforts to work toward a cure. Observed annually during the month of October, NBCAM is a time of many organized events to support those affected by breast cancer and raise funds for cancer-related research and treatment.

This month, Spyderco takes extra pride in our support of the Guardians of the Ribbon/Pink Heals Tour and the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" programs by donating a portion of the sales of our pink-handled knives. Founded in 2007 by retired firefighter Dave Graybill, this amazing charity focuses on providing direct care to women battling all forms of cancer. The Pink Heals Movement, best known for its fleet of pink fire trucks and police cars, tours the U.S. visiting women and children cancer patients, determining their most critical needs, and coordinating local resources to meet those needs. Pink Heals also recruits the support of tax-based services and community leaders to ensure continued support of women battling cancer by the donations staying local to the community it was raised in. Most importantly, Pink Heals applies 100% of all the donations they receive to direct care for the women it serves, providing immediate, tangible support to those who need it most. All the charity’s operating expenses are paid for by sales of pink shirts bearing their organizational logo. These shirts are also the foundation of the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign—a national campaign intended to increase the focus on women as one of the world’s most precious resources.

To learn more about its extraordinary programs and how you can help support their efforts, please visit www.pinkfiretrucks.org.

Discontinued List

All good things must come to an end. To make room for all the exciting new products we’ll be introducing in 2018, Spyderco has released our official list of discontinued products. These models will no longer be produced and will not be included in our 2018 catalog. Supplies are limited, so if you’ve had your eye on one or more of these knives, get them while you can!

C26PYL - Snap-It Salt PlainEdge

C36TIFP - Military Fluted TI

C36TIP - Military TI

C41TIFP5 - Native 5 Fluted TI

C79PSBK - Assist Satin Blade

C88PBBK - Salt Black Blade

C88PYL - Salt Yelow PlainEdge

C88SBBK - Salt Black Blade SpyderEdge

C88SYL - Salt Yellow SpyderEdge

C106PBK - Tasman Salt PlainEdge Black

C106PYL - Tasman Salt PlainEdge Yellow

C106SBK - Tasman Salt SpyderEdge Black

C106SYL - Tasman Salt SpyderEdge Yellow

C156GPBBK - Southard Black Blade

C156GPBN - Southard Brown

C163PBK - Pingo Black

C163POR - Pingo Orange

C163TIP - Pingo TI (Sprint)

C167GP - Friction Folder

C171TIBLP - Mike Draper Folder

C172CFTIP - Domino

C179PBK - Spy DK Black

C181GTIP - Lil’ Lionspy

C182CFTIP - Dice

C184GPOR - Firefly

C188ALTIBBKP - Dog Tag Black ALUM

C192TIBLP - PITS Blue TI

C193TIP - Squarehead

C194CFTIP - Myrtle

C195CFP - Positron

C196CFTIP - Mamba

C198TIP - Tighe Stick

C199TIP - Nirvana

C201TIBLP - Vrango

C206GP - Introvert

FB05P2 - Temperance 2

FB15P - Street Beat Micarta

FB28GBNP - Puukko

FB30GP - South Fork

FB34GP - Reverse

H01 - Szabohawk

LSSSP3T - Ladybug Tattoo