Spyderco Forums

JRinFL wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 14, 2022 2:45 pm

I'd rather see a secondary pry blade added to some models. Non-locking could work if the design was right.

Yeah, I've got to jump on the whole "not a good use for your primary knife blade" bandwagon.

This is one of the reasons that knives are often part of a larger EDC tool set or carried as part of a multi-tool. Some of us carry a dedicated knife plus a multi-tool. Some of us have a dedicated pry bar as part of our EDC. There are lots of ways to go here.

While the knives on SAKs and multi-tools can leave a lot to be desired, I have seen a few more straightforward knives with just one or two extras in the handle. I think Sanrenmu makes a few budget knives like that, where there might be a bottle opener or can opener that folds off the bottom end of the handle. I'm guessing Spyderco could design a higher quality version of something like that.

It seems the knives providing the easiest way to integrate a tool within the back of their handle, the most room to play with, are those featuring a liner lock (or compression lock, but I don't think we'll see that anytime soon in a Byrd ).

On the other hand, I personally prefer back locks to liner locks. I find them more ergonomic and also safer to some extent.

Adding a tool to a back lock knife would be challenging due to spatial limitation. Yet at the same time it could provide some additional, commercial differentiation ("Love augmented knives - primary blade + extras - but hate liner locks ? Byrd's got you covered !").

The secondary blade could rotate into a cut out on the pile side scale of a lock back knife. If done correctly, would not add width. However, there is still the second pivot.

I use a SAK driver/bottle opener for light prying frequently. Maybe a beefed up secondary blade on a clipitool would do the trick. I have the screwdriver/opener model and I think it could do the trick in a lot of situations, but it might be an easy solution to just make it a more pry specific tool.

The ClipiTool Rescue has a short screw driver opposite the belt cutter.

How about an Electrician ClipiTool model similar to the TL-29 knives. I think you could keep the smaller flat head and have a medium length pry / screwdriver (hopefully locking).

Is there a way to use the tang on a friction folder? Or maybe a hybrid friction folder / double detent?

I don't think you want to pry with the tab that opens the knife. You risk bending it.

My guess is pry type knives are subject to failure due to the heat treat. Take a crow bar or axe. The HT runs from mid 30's to mid 40's. Toughness is the main reason. Knife blades. Even the basic Buck 420HC runs far above a crow bar or axe.
And something like S30v is just not going to cut it.
I think a better idea.would be to have a proper high Rockwell thumb stud or flipper blade followed with a stiff steel liner heavy handle. or.steel liners with titanium slabs and perhaps a 1 piece handle even.
On the back make a spring eject pry bar from a proper tough tool steel.
Think of a Buck 110 with a bit taller handle equipped with a spring loaded prey bar inset in the top part of handle. Like an OTF.
I hope I explained my thoughts understandably.
I just think it is better to keep a knife and pry bar in different places as opposed to one and all.