[jthuang]

Hello.

I typically carry Spyderco Enduras and Delicas. But I've been drooling at all the assisted-opening knives and wish Spyderco would jump on the bandwagon.

Does anyone make an assisted-open folder (3-4" blade) that uses the Spyderco thumb hole? I've used the thumb stud and don't like it.

The closest I've found is the Benchmade AFCK (AXIS assisted opening) but is there anything else? My only gripe with the AFCK is that it does not have the "hump" a la the Endura. That hump provides a great thumb-rest (I use saber grip exclusively) and helps prevent my hand from slipping over the knife when used for stabbing.

Thanks,

Justin

[hso]

Spyderco isn't interested in assisted openers. The Kershaw folks threaten to sue everyone that gets into this area and Spyderco considers the AOs to be no improvement over their method of opening (AOs are a compromise between manual and auto openers anyway intended to introduce a little "snap" in otherwise dull lives).

[Ol' Badger]

But imagine a AO in the Military Model Nice huh! :)
Down Boy Down (I'm not talking about my Dog either ;) )

[jthuang]

Thanks for the replies.

I went to the Harrisburg PA gunshow this weekend and sorted through the various knife displays. Even the Benchmade AXIS knife I mention above does not have auto-assist. :( The only ones were Kershaws and SOGs -- neither have any blades with the Spyderco-trademark hole.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep using my Enduras and Delicas.

Justin

[hso]

Currently assisted opener manufucturers are limited to Myerco, Kershaw, Timberline, SOG and Camillus (in order of development of their various mechanisms). Blackie Collins developed the Strut'nCut, Ken Onion developed the Speed Safe, Butch Vallotton developed the Kick Start, a team came up with SOG's, and Phil Gibbs (with possibley, Darryl Ralph) came up with Camillus'. All of them use thumb studs. The problem with a Spyderco hole with an assisted opener is that the mechanism engages after a bit of travel opening the knife and your thumb in the hole would prevent it from working. Studs are being pushed with nothing "behind" the thumb to resist the opening mechanism while the thumb in the hole would interfere. Assisted openers require slightly thicker handles to accomidate the mechanism. This means that retrofitting them into scale and skeleton designs would be difficult.

[arinvolvo]

The spyderco round hole is a trademark, and is patented by Spyderco...you wont find a round hole on a blade made by another reputable company.

You can always however, remove a thumbstud, and drill press yourself a nice round hole.

[The-Distinctive-Edge]

We love the Kershaw Leek! thay are a good size, the Chives are a little same for me. Just my opinion. Paul

[Gray_Fallen]

Why not put a "Wave" (like on Emerson knives) onto one of your Spyderco's? That'll make them open faster than even an assisted opening model.
You could do it like I have done, which I talk about in my articleCombat Customizing (http://www.geocities.com/mad_tactical/Combat_Customizing.html)

If you dont know how the Wave works, it is a "remote pocket opener", the notch catches on the lip of the pocket and pulls the blade open as you draw it. Faster on the draw than any other folder with practice.
You can see a video of it in action, on an Emerson knife here: http://www.emersonknives.com/videos/CommanderOpen.MPG
and more here:
http://www.emersonknives.com/EK_Video_Vault.html

http://www.emersonknives.com/UsingWaveFeature.html is the Emerson Co. info on using the Wave.

Emerson has the Wave trademakred and patented, but modifying your own knives for private use isnt a violation of that. Although some people have had their knives customized by folks, and had a wave type device done, without problem. This gentleman does such work, http://www.geocities.com/joyce43_c/RONSKNIFESHOP.html as do others.

You can also completely cut out part of the opening hole, and have it work in the same manner without losing the integrity of the hole [arguably the fastest thumb opening device around, especially under stress] (And, I dont remember who this pic belongs to, its not mine - so forgive me for using it):

[Gray_Fallen]

Arinvolvo said "The spyderco round hole is a trademark, and is patented by Spyderco...you wont find a round hole on a blade made by another reputable company.

You can always however, remove a thumbstud, and drill press yourself a nice round hole."

This is and isnt true. Yes, Spyderco patented it, I do believe that has ende dnow though, but also Yes it is a trademark that cannot be used without license.
For a time Spyderco let Benchmade use the round hole - no more. SO, Benchmade (like other companies) uses an oval hole. This gets around trademark problems, without sacrificing a good opening system for the end users (and without end users a knife company is screwed).
Spyderco DOES however license out the round hole to custom knife makers, for something like $0.10 a blade, or a once a year fee ($50 I think). Many blade-makers license this.
So, there are plenty of reputable knife companies and makers who have used and are using the round hole, or an oval hole, without being dishonest.

Personally, I think its all non-sense - I think it only hurts the knife industry and the customers when companies and makers go off and patent/trademark every little thing - especially those who do not license such stuff out.
That said, I think their decision to do so should be respected 100% and those who dont need a kick in the nads. :p

[arinvolvo]

Gray, thank you for clearing that up. I think that patent and trademark laws are a good thing...If you develop something that is a good idea, and the customer likes it, then you should be the one to make money off of it...Not copy catters...

There are several knife companies that have NO R&D departments...all they do is wait for patents to run out, or look for unpatented designs so they can rip them off. This is not good for those companies that spend a lot of money for R&D just to have their new and novel designs copied by some other company.