C72 Pride
The C72 Pride was introduced in 2002 and was designed without a lock to meet stringent world-wide restrictions. This was Spyderco's first non-locking folder and uses the Navigator pattern. It can be customized with flag inserts for states, clubs, or customer logos. It was intended to be sold in airports, but 9/11 put an end to that market.
Appearance in catalogs
The C72 Pride appeared in the following catalogs:
- 2003 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2004 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
- In this post on the Spyderco.com forum, from 5 May 2022, Sal Glesser shares some information on the design history of the Pride:
When I came up with the idea to make a series of knives that could be sold in Airports like the international spoons available in most airports, I thought it was a great innovation. I designed a slip-joint model of a blade length that would be available and legal all over the globe. Peter, our R&D manager, worked his *** off and designed all of the custom flags for all of the countries and possible customs, for clubs and other possibilities. We worked with our maker in Seki for quite a while to develop the design. We thought we had a winner! Just goes to show.
After we tooled up to the model and ordered all of the flags to be used, 9/11 happened and put the kabosh on our plans. Oh well, you can't win them all.[1]
- C72 Pride review by Mr. Blonde.
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C72:
"In several countries throughout the world, folding knives which lock open have come under scrutiny and are being legally restricted. We've developed our C72 Pride to accommodate these restrictions.
Politically and socially friendly it has a 2 1/4" slip-joint blade of AUS-6 steel and a handle of brushed aluminum. Inlayed Into the handle is an embedded cloisonné enamel flag of your choice: USA, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, France, Mexico, Israel, Sweden, South Africa, Diver or the Spyderco bug. Special order flags can also be produced for any country, state, city, corporate or group logo (minimum order 350). The Pride's lightweight cutout clip carries tip-down."
The C72 Pride in Spyderco's online catalog.
From a Spyderco Press release:
"Many countries of the world do not legally allow the carry of a folding knife with a blade that locks open. Prompted by this restriction Spyderco unveils the Pride, the first one hand open non-locking folder. Similar in function to traditional pocketknives of the turn of the century, the 2 _” (57mm) blade opens with a click and offers 10-20 pounds of resistance to closing. All resemblance to old-timer penknives ends there as the Pride blade has a modern modified-skinning shape, is made of premium AUS-6 stainless steel and available in a Plainedge or SpyderEdge configuration. The blade comes paired with a handle of brushed aluminum that has an embedded cloisonné enamel flag. Aptly named, the Pride is a showpiece of patriotism and available with flags from different countries. It is in the works for Spyderco to offer special order Pride models with personalized cloisonnés representing company and group logos. Handgrips in the handle offer ergonomic comfort and manipulation over the blade while cutting. A framed 3-screw clip, positions the folder for tip-down carry. Overall length is 5 5/8” (143mm), overall weight just 1.5 oz (43g) and the Manufacture’s Suggested Retail cost is $49.95. A creative gift-item, show your nationalistic pride and collect them all. For more information please contact Spyderco at P.O. Box 800, Dept____. Golden, Colorado 80402-0800. Phone: 800-525-7770, Fax: (303) 278-2229, Email: custsvc@spyderco.com"[2]
Variations
The C72 Pride is made in Seki-City, Japan, and features:
- Slip Joint
- Flag or Logo Insert
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C72P | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | USA Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-AUS | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Australian Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-CAN | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Canadian Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-COL | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Colorado Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-DEN | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Danish Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Diver Down (aka Scuba) Flag (red with white stripe from top left to bottom right) | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-FRA | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | French Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-GER | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | German Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-ISR | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Israeli Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-JAP | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Japanese Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-MEX | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Mexican Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-SPY | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Spyderco Bug logo | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-SWE | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | Swedish Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-ZA | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | South African Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-UK | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 2002-2004 | 49.95$ (2002) | British Flag | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | |
C72P-TNK | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 49.95$ (2002) | True North Knives logo. | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD | ||
C72P | Brushed Aluminum | PE | AUS-6 | 49.95$ (2002) | Confederate flag logo (this was a custom order). | N/A | Hollow | Silver | RH, TD |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C72
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Were any of these produced with custom logos?
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C72 Pride:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C72 | 149mm | 88mm | 57mm | 49mm | 12mm | 2.5mm | 62g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C72 Pride:
Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C72 | 5 5/8" | 3 7/16" | 2 1/4" | 1 15/16" | 15/32" | 3/32" | 2.2oz |
References
- ↑ From the Spyderco.com discussion forum thread 'Confederate flag Spyderco Pride knife, custom order....'
- ↑ [1]Press release