FB30 South Fork
The FB30 South Fork is a general outdoor and hunting knife design, that features a CPM-S90V steel blade
Appearance in catalogs
The FB30 South Fork appeared in the following catalogs:
- 2013 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2014 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2015 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2016 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2017 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
Phil Wilson
History, mentionings etc. from the forums
- South Fork, what's it for?, posted by forum member and designer of the FB30 South Fork 'Phil Wilson'
- South Fork Photos and Impressions, posted by forum member 'Ankerson'
- South Fork Performance Test., posted by forum member 'Ankerson'
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
FB30 South Fork
Phil Wilson is an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman who lives in the “Gold Country” of Northern California. He began making knives in 1985 after receiving a copy of David Boye’s Step-by-Step Knifemaking book from his son. Based on the information in that book, the tutelage of a number of veteran knifemakers, and lots of trial and error, Wilson developed his own unique approach to handcrafted custom knives.
Wilson focuses exclusively on fixed-blade knives for general utility and outdoor use and is best known for his exceptional fillet knives. An avid student of metallurgy, he eagerly experiments with new blade steels and personally tests his wares in the field. Wilson’s knives feature thin, flat grinds and distal tapers that produce excellent edge geometry and balance. Based on a painful personal experience he had while filleting fish, all his designs also include finger guards to ensure safety during use.
The South Fork is one of Wilson’s most popular hunter/utility designs. Its thin, trailing-point blade and simple, yet ergonomic handle design make it an excellent “do-everything” cutting tool and a popular choice among hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Those fortunate enough to own one of Wilson’s handmade versions swear by them, making it an ideal choice for a production collaboration with Spyderco.
The Spyderco South Fork is a faithful rendition of Wilson’s custom version, boasting all the qualities and features that define the design. Consistent with his penchant for high-performance steels, the blade is ground from state-of-the-art CPM S90V steel. This particle metallurgy steel was originally called CPM-420V and was developed as a wear-resistant steel for use in feed screws in plastic injection molding machines. Its high carbon content and the addition of molybdenum ensure a fine grain size and extreme wear resistance, giving it outstanding cutting performance and edge retention. Like Wilson’s custom knives, Spyderco’s South Fork is meticulously flat ground for superior edge geometry.
The South Fork’s handle features full-tang construction for strength and pinned handle scales made from polished G-10. An integral guard provides ample protection for the user’s hand, while the thoughtfully contoured handle shape allows both excellent control and fatigue-free cutting, even during prolonged use. The handle also includes a lined lanyard hole for users who prefer the additional security of a lanyard on their knives.
To protect the South Fork when not in use and allow it to be conveniently carried, it comes complete with a custom-molded Boltaron® sheath. The sheath’s G-Clip™ fastener supports vertical, horizontal and canted carry on the belt, as well as inside-the-waistband carry. The sheath is also symmetrical, so it can easily be configured for a variety of carry positions to suit the needs of both left and right-handed users.
The Spyderco South Fork is a high-performance hunting and utility knife that faithfully offers the critical qualities of Phil Wilson’s handmade custom version in an affordable, user-friendly package.[1]
Variations
The FB30 is made in Taiwan and features:
- a trailing-point blade
- a smooth 3D machined green G10 handle
- a lanyard hole in the handle
SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Sheath | Clip | Collectors club |
FB30G | Green G-10 | PE | CPM-S90V | 2013-2017 | $429.95 (2017) | N/A | Hollow | Boltaron | G-Clip | Main |
Most collectible variation
The original FB30 South Fork, complete with original box and papers in mint condition, is likely to be the most collectible version.
Questions regarding collecting the FB30
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the FB30 South Fork:
Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Blade thickness | Weight |
FB30G | 243mm | 122mm | 114mm | 3mm | 151g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the FB30 South Fork:
Variation | Length overall | Length blade | Length edge | Blade thickness | Weight |
FB30G | 9.57" | 4.82" | 4.51" | 0.118" | 5.3oz |
References
- ↑ The FB30 South Fork in Spyderco's online catalog