C88 Salt
The C88 Salt I is an intermediate-size knife with an H-1 blade introduced in late 2003. The C88 is comparable to the 3rd generation C11 Delica, but features a rounded blade tip, an enlarged Spyderco round hole, usage of non corrosive steel for all steel components, and usage of H-1 for the blade and lock.
The C91 Pacific Salt is a larger-sized version of the C88.
Appearance in catalogs
The C88 Salt I appeared in all annual Spyderco catalogs since 2004. The C88 Salt 2 first appeared in the 2017 Spyderco Mid Year Supplement.
These are the Spyderco Product Guides that feature the C88 Salt, that can be viewed online at the Spyderco.com website:
- 2006 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2007 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2008 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2009 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2010 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2011 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2012 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2013 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2014 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2015 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2016 Spyderco Product Guide
- 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
Spyderco
History, mentionings etc. from the forums
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C88BK:
"A myth in the knife world is that, out there somewhere exists steel with high-performance cutting abilities that cannot rust. A Japanese steel foundry recently turned this myth into reality with the introduction of a steel they call H1. H1 is a PH steel meaning it is a precipitation-processed alloy, that's rolled hard without heat-treating and has .1% nitrogen which acts like carbon in the steel matrix, but does not react to chlorine making rust. Surprisingly, it holds a sharpened cutting edge comparable to the premium knife steels being used in the industry by most knife manufacturers.
One of Spyderco's top sellers is our Delica Model. Users gravitate to it due to its sensible size, versatile shape and tested durability. It makes complete sense to plug H1 into this model, so we did, with a couple modifications. Salt I has a more rounded tip that's a bit thicker at the point. Since H1 was developed specifically for use in and around water, rounding the tip better met the requirements of cutting chores associated with boating and fishing. The Spyderco Round Hole is increased in diameter to 14mm facilitating easier access for gloved or wet hands. All inside/outside steel components (lock bar, pins and clip) have been treated making them impervious to rust and pitting. Volcano Grip texturing covers both sides of the FRN handle for friction-resistance to slipping. David Boye's locking lever dent is a standard feature that inhibits the lock from accidental release if the handle is gripped with great force. A matching black titanium pocket clip positions for left/right tip-up portability. A hole running through the hollow clip screw makes a lanyard pipe for stringing thong or cord through when using around water."[1]
See also: C88YL[2]
C88YL2 Salt 2:
"The Salt 1 folding knife was a revolutionary pocket-sized cutting tool that combined the 100% rustproof properties of nitrogen-based H-1® steel with the high-performance features and benefits of Spyderco’s third-generation Delica® design. Although it earned an extremely devoted following, in some ways it was outpaced by some of the design improvements that make our Delica 4 design even better.
Consistent with our obsession with Constant Quality Improvement (C.Q.I.), we decided to revamp the design to create the Salt 2. It combines all the salient features of the best-in-class Delica 4 Lightweight model with the extraordinary corrosion resistance of H-1 steel. These include enhanced ergonomics, a high-traction Bi-Directional Texturing™ pattern on the handle, and a black-coated titanium pocket clip that supports left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry. Unlike the Delica 4, which uses stainless steel liners in the handle, the Salt 2’s handle components are molded from solid fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) and fitted with four sets of threaded stainless steel inserts to mount the four-position clip. All other metal hardware on the Salt 2 is also machined from special non-rusting alloys.
This version of the Salt 2 features a high-visibility yellow handle and a choice of PlainEdge™ or fully serrated SpyderEdge™ cutting edge."
The C88YL Salt 2 in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
Salt 1
The C88 is made in Seki-City, Japan and has
The early C88s have a "Salt I" on the blade, which was later (when?) changed to "H1".
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C88PBK | Black FRN | PE | H-1 | late 2003-2014 | 71.95$ (2004) | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
C88SBK | Black FRN | SE | H-1 | late 2003-2014 | 71.95$ (2004) | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Main | |
C88PYL | Yellow FRN | PE | H-1 | late 2003-2017 | 71.95$ (2004), 124.95$ (2017) | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
C88SYL | Yellow FRN | SE | H-1 | late 2003-2017 | 71.95$ (2004), 124.95$ (2017) | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
C88PBBK | Black FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated H-1 | June 2015-2017 | 134.95$ (2015), 139.95$ (2017) | lockbar is also titanium carbonitride coated | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
C88SBBK | Black FRN | SE | Black TiCN coated H-1 | June 2015-2017 | 134.95$ (2015), 139.95$ (2017) | lockbar is also titanium carbonitride coated | N/A | Hollow | Black Titanium barrel bolt | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
Salt 2
The C88 is made in Seki-City, Japan and has
SKU | Handle | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C88PYL2 | Yellow FRN | PE | Satin H-2 | June 2017- | $124.95 (2017) | In 2022, the steel was upgraded from H-1 to H-2 steel | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88SYL2 | Yellow FRN | SE | Satin H-2 | June 2017- | $124.95 (2017) | In 2022, the steel was upgraded from H-1 to H-2 steel | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Main |
C88PBBK2 | Black FRN | PE | Black TiCN coated H-2 | June 2017- | $139.95 (2017) | Lockbar is also titanium carbonitride coated. In 2022, the steel was upgraded from H-1 to H-2 steel | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88SBBK2 | Black FRN | SE | Black TiCN coated H-2 | June 2017- | $139.95 (2017) | Lockbar is also titanium carbonitride coated. In 2022, the steel was upgraded from H-1 to H-2 steel | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88PWCYL2 | Yellow FRN | PE | Satin H-1 | Dec. 2018-2023 | $124.95 (2018) | Wharncliffe | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88SWCYL2 | Yellow FRN | SE | Satin H-1 | Dec. 2018-2023 | $124.95 (2018) | Wharncliffe | Regular production | Hollow | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88FPGR2 | Green FRN | PE | Satin LC200N | 2021 - | $166.00(2021) | Regular production | Full flat grind | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C88FSGR2 | Green FRN | SE | Satin LC200N | 2021 - | $166.00(2021) | Regular production | Full Flat grind | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant | |
C88FPWCGR2 | Green FRN | PE | Satin LC200N | 2021 - 2023 | $166.00(2021) | This model features a Wharncliffe Blade | Regular production | Full Flat grind | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C88FSWCGR2 | Green FRN | SE | Satin LC200N | 2021 - 2023 | $166.00(2021) | This model features a Wharncliffe Blade | Regular production | Full Flat grind | Black Titanium Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C88
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C88 Salt
SKU | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C88SYL | 177mm | 102mm | 76mm | 68mm | 14mm | 2.5mm | 57g |
C88SYL2 | 184mm | 108mm | 76mm | 67mm | 14mm | 2.5mm | 60g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C88 Salt
SKU | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
C88SYL | 7.00" | 4.00" | 3.00" | 2.68" | 0.56" | 0.093" | 2oz |
C88SYL2 | 7.25" | 4.25" | 3.00" | 2.65" | 0.56" | 0.098" | 2.1oz |
References
- ↑ The C88BK Salt I in Spyderco's online catalog
- ↑ The C88YL Salt I in Spyderco's online catalog