Open Back Construction
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Open Back Construction
Something I keep wondering about is open back or is it called open pillar construction?
There are a huge amount of Spyderco Knives built this way, the majority I would say in various models. I also see this construction favored by Chris Reeve and many many others.
I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?
Thanks.
There are a huge amount of Spyderco Knives built this way, the majority I would say in various models. I also see this construction favored by Chris Reeve and many many others.
I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?
Thanks.
Re: Open Back Construction
I remember years ago most people said "pillar construction" but open back seems more common now. I guess it's possible to have pillar construction and a back spacer along with it and it not be totally open back.
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Re: Open Back Construction
They kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."
Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.
Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.
- Nick
Re: Open Back Construction
Same with the Shaman. I’d call that open-backed.Mushroom wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pmThey kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."
Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.
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- bearfacedkiller
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Re: Open Back Construction
Thankfully they ditched that spacer and went to just standoffs with the last cqi. I stripped that aluminum backspacer more than once and ended up buying standoffs from a parts house.Mushroom wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pmThey kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."
Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.
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- JonLeBlanc
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Re: Open Back Construction
Tbh, I don't think I've ever heard of "pillar construction," but I'm a heel, so...
My collection so far: 52100 Military (2); 52100 PM2 (2); 52100 Para3; Stretch2 V-Toku; KnifeWorks M4 PM2; BentoBox M390 PM2; BentoBox S90V Military; Police4 K390; S110V PM2; SS Delica AUS-6; Wayne Goddard Sprint VG-10
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
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Re: Open Back Construction
They found it’s a good place to hold your loose changeDoeswhateveraspidercan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:57 pm
I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?
Thanks.
- Shannon
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Re: Open Back Construction
I've also heard it called "flow through" construction.
Last edited by I_like_knives on Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Open Back Construction
That's good to know! I didn't know that happened.bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:36 pmThankfully they ditched that spacer and went to just standoffs with the last cqi. I stripped that aluminum backspacer more than once and ended up buying standoffs from a parts house.Mushroom wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:55 pmThey kind of seem like interchangeable terms. You're not wrong to call a knife with pillar construction, an "open back knife."
Although, it does get a little weird when you call an open back knife like the military, "pillar construction." It has a partial backspacer, but still has an open back for the most part.
Funny, I also have a Ti Fluted Military and when I checked it just kind of assumed that the standoffs were unique to the Fluted model.
- Nick
Re: Open Back Construction
Meaningless terminology in my opinion.
"It ain't got no backspacer" sounds good to me.
But for some models I do prefer a backspacer.
"It ain't got no backspacer" sounds good to me.
But for some models I do prefer a backspacer.
Re: Open Back Construction
Hi I_like_knives,
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Re: Open Back Construction
The original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.
sal
sal
Re: Open Back Construction
Perfect for change. Also perfect to stick in parts of other knives, flippers, etc.prndltech wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:43 pmThey found it’s a good place to hold your loose changeDoeswhateveraspidercan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:57 pm
I am Curious what is the history on this construction method and who started it?
Thanks.
- Doc Dan
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Re: Open Back Construction
That’s too bad, too, because that would be a fantastic feature. Is it possible to do this in the future or with another material?sal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pmThe original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.
sal
I had a pistol sight that had some sort of material that would glow all night and any illumination made brighter.
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- rabbitanarchy14
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Re: Open Back Construction
i have a tritium vial on my keychain. they may not be bright but in the dark they are noticeable.sal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pmThe original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.
sal
this is a great idea. please oh please make them into other knives like the para 3, dragonfly, lil natives. i am okay paying extra, 25$, 30$, all the way up to like 45$ over price..
192.168.0.1 -Para 3 G10 M390 Red, Dice XHP, Lil Native Rex 45 comp, Manix 2 M390 G10 BR, PM2 M390 DLC BL, PM2 k390 RGreen, Cat BD1N, Dragonfly 2 k390
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Instruments- Kimber EVO, SA Hellcat, SW Shield Plus 9
Saving for - Lil Native K390, D'allara 3, UTX-70
Instruments- Kimber EVO, SA Hellcat, SW Shield Plus 9
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Re: Open Back Construction
A little must go a long way stuff is around $30,000 per gram from what I found looking into it.
Neat idea for an expensive sprint if you ask me.
Circling back to the question What is the history of open back construction?
Have to admit was a bit disappointed Sal did not give some insight into the history of the open back construction of knives.
When I saw he had replied I thought oh cool he is telling us.
Neat idea for an expensive sprint if you ask me.
Circling back to the question What is the history of open back construction?
Have to admit was a bit disappointed Sal did not give some insight into the history of the open back construction of knives.
When I saw he had replied I thought oh cool he is telling us.
Re: Open Back Construction
Hi Whatever,
Frankly, I don't now who might have started it. It can't be done with lock-backs or slip-joints. Which means it probably began with Linerlocks. Maybe Michael Walker, Bob Terzuola?
sal
Frankly, I don't now who might have started it. It can't be done with lock-backs or slip-joints. Which means it probably began with Linerlocks. Maybe Michael Walker, Bob Terzuola?
sal
- standy99
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Re: Open Back Construction
Makes it a lot easier to clean the knife
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Re: Open Back Construction
As someone born in South Africa I have to say i do enjoy hearing of Spyderco involving us in your industry (or at the least trying to)sal wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:02 pmThe original Military partial back spacer was designed to house a tritium vial. The holes in the scale were smaller than the hole for the vial so it would glow if lost on the ground. We got a great price on tritium vials from South Africa As it turned out, the tritium was so regulated in the US that we had to hire an "authorized" installer which raised the price of the knife more than $25, so we dropped the vial.
sal
When I read the description for the matriarch it makes me quite happy how you designed it with us in mind.
The chokwe even though it's from Zambia brings a smile to my face.
This might not be the thread for this question but i have to ask if you've considered any collaborations with some knife makers from SA.
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Re: Open Back Construction
Wow that is amazing that you do not know and very humble and honest too, Thanks Sal. This answer is more amazing than any I had considered.
Due to all your innovation and involvement with Crucible and so many truly incredible Spyderco designs I always just thought it was a collaborative design effort that came about years ago between you and other designers.