Spyderco byte - March 2018
The Spyderco byte March 2018 e-newsletter was sent out on 30 March 2018, and it contained the following articles.
Squarehead Lightweight
C193PGY / BK
MSRP: $79.95
MAP $51.97
Wholesale $39.95
Origin: Taiwan
The SquareHead is an unconventional pocketknife design created by custom knifemaker Darriel Caston. It combines a distinctive square-shaped sheepfoot blade with a rectangular, single-sided handle to yield a compact, low-profile, cutting tool that is small enough to carry anywhere.
In its original form, the SquareHead featured a one-piece handle machined from solid titanium—including its integral back strap and LinerLock-style lock mechanism. Its single-beveled, chisel-ground blade was crafted from CPM® S30V® stainless steel to provide excellent edge geometry and strength, while allowing the cutting edge to nest safely against the inside of the handle scale.
Released in 2015, the original SquareHead attracted a lot of attention, but its premium, high-tech materials left it priced outside the comfort zone of some customers. To remedy that, Spyderco began working on ways of expressing the same groundbreaking design in a more affordable, user-oriented format. The result of that effort was the Squarehead Lightweight.
The Squarehead Lightweight faithfully maintains all the innovative features and compact functionality of the original version, but in a more budget-friendly format. Its amazingly capable sheepfoot blade is crafted from American-made CTS® BD1 stainless steel. Ground only on the obverse side, its flat chisel grind ensures the PlainEdge™ cutting edge is safely protected by the handle’s back strap when closed. The blade’s generously sized Trademark Round Hole™ proudly declares its Spyderco identity and enables it to be easily opened with either one or two hands, while jimping (textured grooves) on the blade’s spine ensures a comfortable thumb purchase for enhanced control during use.
The defining feature of the SquareHead Lightweight is its handle, which features an injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) scale with Spyderco’s signature Bi-Directional Texturing™ pattern for a non-slip grip. Nested within the single-sided scale is a stainless steel liner that provides the foundation for a sturdy LinerLock mechanism to lock the blade securely open when in use. Intended for inside-the-pocket carry, the SquareHead Lightweight does not include a clip; however, the FRN scale does have a wide slot at its base that allows easy attachment to a keychain, lanyard, or even a dog tag chain for neck carry.
In many ways reminiscent of the “hideout” knives traditionally carried by spies and covert operatives, the SquareHead Lightweight is also an immensely practical everyday cutting tool that is so lightweight and convenient you can carry it anywhere. In fact, at a scant 1.2 ounces, you won’t even know it’s there until you need it.
One of the most unique cutting tools we’ve ever produced, the SquareHead Lightweight is available with a choice of a black or gray FRN handle.
Overall: 3.53 in / 90 mm
Blade: 1.30 in / 33 mm
Edge: 1.21 in / 31 mm
Weight: 1.2 oz / 34 g
Grind: Flat Chisel
Origin: Taiwan
Native 5
Anyone familiar with Spyderco knows that one of the primary driving forces of our knifemaking philosophy is C.Q.I.—Constant Quality Improvement. Inspired by the Japanese concept of kaizen (“continuous improvement”), C.Q.I. is the relentless process of evaluating every aspect of every product and meticulously reviewing all customer feedback to find ways of making even our best knives, sharpeners, and accessories better. In some cases the changes are subtle tweaks to internal parts, finishes, and processes that, in form, only we would notice. In performance, however, they pay off in some tangible way. Whether it’s increased precision, enhanced reliability, reduced weight, or something else, every C.Q.I. process takes us one step closer to perfection.
One of the latest benefactors of our C.Q.I. process has been the venerable Native® 5 model. As a fifth-generation design and a state-of-the-art expression of the back lock folding knife, the Native 5 is no stranger to improvement. However, its latest refinements take that process even further.
Based on the inspiration of our groundbreaking 40th Anniversary Native 5, which showcased a linerless fluted carbon fiber handle, most G-10-handled versions of the Native 5 will now also feature linerless construction. Eliminating the liner reduces the weight of the knife from 3.7 to 3.0 ounces—nearly 20 percent—without any substantial change to the knife’s thickness or structural strength. To maintain the versatility of its four-position pocket clip, the G-10 scales of the new version will include four sets of threaded inserts to support left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry.
The only exception to this change will be the CPM® S110V® version of the Native 5. Because of special production requirements with midnight blue G-10 scales, it will continue to use stainless steel liners.
After exhaustive in-house performance testing and tons of end-user feedback, we have also decided to change the blade steel of the Native 5 from its current CPM S35VN™ to CPM S30V®. This rolling change will be implemented as we exhaust our current inventory of parts, so some versions of the Native 5 will complete the switch sooner than others. However, the change will ultimately affect all standard G-10 and FRN-handled versions of this popular model.
In many ways, C.Q.I. is what defines Spyderco and our products—and always has. We take pride in our stubbornness and promise to never let “great” be “good enough” to stop evolving.
Shows Its True Colors
For fans of Spyderco’s popular BaliYo, Spring is definitely here! We are very happy to announce that the new colors of Made-in-USA BaliYos announced in our 2018 Product Guide are now in stock and shipping. These vibrant new color combinations include Orange/Blue, Gray/Black, and Coyote Brown/Forest Green. Because of very limited production previously on the Blue/White, we have replaced the Purple/White BaliYo pictured in the catalog with the original Blue/White (YUS107) sold previously. There will not be a Purple/White BaliYo (YUS115) produced at this time.
Celebrate Spring in style with your favorite colors from the BaliYo bouquet!
The Amsterdam Meet
On March 4, 2018, 80 passionate knife fans from all over the globe converged on Amsterdam, The Netherlands for Spyderco’s 14th annual Amsterdam “Meet.” Hosted by Eric Glesser, our European Sales Representative Jurphaas Van Rietschoten, and select members of the Spyderco Crew, this one-of-a-kind event combines all the best elements of a private knife show, a consumer research group, and a family reunion into one truly unforgettable gathering. Those lucky enough to attend were treated to Eric Glesser’s detailed presentation on dozens of new concept models and prototypes and a rare “inside look” at the future of the Spyderco product line. They also received personal insight on several designs from their creators, collaborators Alistair Phillips, Jerry Brouwer, and Tom Zoomer, who were also in attendance.
After the presentation of the knives, they were arranged on four tables and the attendees were encouraged to handle, discuss, and comment on them all. Their detailed feedback was recorded on several hundred comment cards, which will be instrumental in our decision-making and prioritization processes. While the attendees were enjoying their hands-on experience, “SpyderCollector,” aka “Mr. Blonde,” a trusted friend of Spyderco, was allowed to photograph a select number of the knives shared at the Meet. His outstanding photos and written descriptions are showcased in a dedicated thread on the Spyderco forum and on his website. If you want to share in the excitement, it’s all just a click away.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the 2018 Amsterdam Meet a great success and to all Spyderco fans for sharing in the magic!
