pro grip history

[steeltiger]

Could any of you tell me more about my old spyder, the "progrip" it has an AUS8 blade kraton? insert in the obverse and beneath the molded pocket clip, its a Lock back and a DPT blade hollow ground. Was there any specific reason/application for it to be made, and about when?
Sorry for the lack of pic's no camera, but I would apreciate your help!

[jaislandboy]

sounds like a job for the Deacon!.....
this might keep u occupied though Steeltiger, courtesy of Ted....check page 35...
http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs/spyderco1999.pdf

it seems that the steel went to AUS-8 in 1999....
here's a wealth of Spyderco catalog stuff again courtesy of Ted...
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23068

[Ted]

Thanks Brian! The site is up-to-date at the moment and can be found at http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs.

Ted

[Ted]

Here's a bunch of info I once gathered about the C03/C13/C33

C03/C13/C33 Hunter/Pro-Grip/Pro-Venator

The first C03 was named the 'Hunter' which had a light drop-point blade shape, but actually. it's more of a spear-point with very little belly.



The C13 was a new version of this with more 'belly', krayton inserts and rubber inserts in the clip. The C13 was first named the Pro-Hunter, but that name was already taken by another company, then it was renamed to Pro-Venator, but since nobody could pronounce that properly or knew what it meant, it was renamed again to Pro-Grip in 1999 or so. Funny thing that in the 1999 catalog it is named 'Pro-Grip' but the text refers to 'Pro-Venator'. Before that, the C33 was already called the Pro-Grip.

After the C13 was released, a new version of the C03 was made with the blade of the C13, but with a normal clip and no krayton, but only in CE. Sometimes this one is called the Ironstone Hunter, because it was first marketed by Ironstone (the former Spyderco Factory Outlet), but it has never been an exclusive for Ironstone.



As mentioned earlier, the C33 is the lightweight version of the C13, in FRN with krayton and molded clip. This version has also been marketed as the C13PBK and C13PSBK



Models I've identified so far

C03P Hunter PE LH/RH
C03S Hunter SE LH/RH
C03PS Hunter (new blade style) CE
C03PS Hunter (new blade style) with wood inlay instead of FRN (Japanese only?)

C13P Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE ATS-55
C13P Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE VG-10 (pretty rare)
C13PE Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE with Everest engraving (Japanese only?)
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 2 serrations (25/75) VG-10
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 3 serrations (50/50) VG-10
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 4 serrations (60/40) G-2/ATS-55/VG-10
C13GBW Pro-grip with Gary Blanchard engraved casting(G-2)
C13GBE Pro-grip with Gary Blanchard engraved casting(G-2)
C13PRCA Pro-Grip with PRCA engraving
C13PSBK Pro-Grip PE black FRN+krayton
C13PBK Pro-Grip CE black FRN+krayton

C33PBK Pro-Grip PE black FRN+krayton AUS-8
C33PSBK Pro-Grip CE black FRN+krayton AUS-8

UK-Ken has several more after market versions, like the black and gold coated version

Some things I couldn't figure out yet

- what type of clip is on the wood-inlay? ( kinda odd since I had that knife but can't remember it) (Ken you still have it?)
- exact time line of model introduction and steel changes
- all steel variations...

I personally had both the Gary Blanchard types and several variations.
I took some pictures of the Gary Blanchard ones some time ago and they worked out pretty well.
All C03/C13/C33 have been sold but I might just pick up a VG-10 PE if I come across one.

[The Deacon]

- what type of clip is on the wood-inlay? ( kinda odd since I had that knife but can't remember it) (Ken you still have it?)

Had one of those too Ted, it had the same kraton inlaid clip as the "stock" version.

Model intro dates (at least the year) should be in the "Across the Years" timeline.

[WhyNot]

Ted,
Thank you for sharing such a great research with us!
This is the first time Pro-Grip really got my attention. Maybe because Gary Blanchard's engraving is so drop dead gorgeous!
WhyNot

[steeltiger]

WOW thank that awnsers my questions fully.

[D-Roc]

I have a model from 1996 that came in a small blue box. I no longer have the box, but I remember it saying it was the Pro Hunter, I may be wrong. It looked like the FRN version, but SE (60/40) I think they called it. Awesome knife.

[Bolster]

Awe inspiring photos & research, Ted, thank you!

[steeltiger]

alright, thanks again, I'm reveiwing old articles, and since I have virtualy no use for my pro grip, what is the going rate, primarily for curiosity willing to make arangements if any ones interested, but I imagine they are real common, so if its worth the twenty I paid for it I' be happy

Its the C33PSBK, aus8 CE, FRN/kraton

[UK KEN]

Here's a bunch of info I once gathered about the C03/C13/C33

C03/C13/C33 Hunter/Pro-Grip/Pro-Venator

The first C03 was named the 'Hunter' which had a light drop-point blade shape, but actually. it's more of a spear-point with very little belly.



The C13 was a new version of this with more 'belly', krayton inserts and rubber inserts in the clip. The C13 was first named the Pro-Hunter, but that name was already taken by another company, then it was renamed to Pro-Venator, but since nobody could pronounce that properly or knew what it meant, it was renamed again to Pro-Grip in 1999 or so. Funny thing that in the 1999 catalog it is named 'Pro-Grip' but the text refers to 'Pro-Venator'. Before that, the C33 was already called the Pro-Grip.

After the C13 was released, a new version of the C03 was made with the blade of the C13, but with a normal clip and no krayton, but only in CE. Sometimes this one is called the Ironstone Hunter, because it was first marketed by Ironstone (the former Spyderco Factory Outlet), but it has never been an exclusive for Ironstone.



As mentioned earlier, the C33 is the lightweight version of the C13, in FRN with krayton and molded clip. This version has also been marketed as the C13PBK and C13PSBK



Models I've identified so far

C03P Hunter PE LH/RH
C03S Hunter SE LH/RH
C03PS Hunter (new blade style) CE
C03PS Hunter (new blade style) with wood inlay instead of FRN (Japanese only?)

C13P Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE ATS-55
C13P Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE VG-10 (pretty rare)
C13PE Pro-Grip SS+black krayton PE with Everest engraving (Japanese only?)
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 2 serrations (25/75) VG-10
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 3 serrations (50/50) VG-10
C13PS Pro-Grip SS+black krayton CE w/ 4 serrations (60/40) G-2/ATS-55/VG-10
C13GBW Pro-grip with Gary Blanchard engraved casting(G-2)
C13GBE Pro-grip with Gary Blanchard engraved casting(G-2)
C13PRCA Pro-Grip with PRCA engraving
C13PSBK Pro-Grip PE black FRN+krayton
C13PBK Pro-Grip CE black FRN+krayton

C33PBK Pro-Grip PE black FRN+krayton AUS-8
C33PSBK Pro-Grip CE black FRN+krayton AUS-8

UK-Ken has several more after market versions, like the black and gold coated version

Some things I couldn't figure out yet

- what type of clip is on the wood-inlay? ( kinda odd since I had that knife but can't remember it) (Ken you still have it?)
- exact time line of model introduction and steel changes
- all steel variations...

I personally had both the Gary Blanchard types and several variations.
I took some pictures of the Gary Blanchard ones some time ago and they worked out pretty well.
All C03/C13/C33 have been sold but I might just pick up a VG-10 PE if I come across one.

Ted

Every time I see those shots of the Blanchard Pro-Venators I think that they must be the best you have taken.

Anyway.......the Gin-1 Cocobolo inlay Version I have in front of me right now has a stainless steel clip (with bug engraved or stamped into it and patent details) with no rubber on in.

The only version of this knife (I have 10 types) that have the Krayton strip on the clip are those that have the rubber insert on the front of the knife.

Regards, Ken
Regards, Ken