The heinous Canis

[MichaelScott]

It is interesting how “looks” can bias one’s perceptions of objects. Most people have a learned preference for certain kinds of symmetry and ratios. I have heard the “ideal” of a 50/50 handle to blade ratio for knives, especially folders, for a long time. When I look at an aggregation of folders, say Reeves, ZT, etc. frankly, they all look grossly the same. Some are larger, some smaller, different blade shapes, flipper tabs and all that. Frankly boring. If the design intent supports that even ratio, or close to it, fine. But knives like the Schemp Bowie and Para 3 for example have much longer handles that blades which I find very useful and pleasing. It’s the form follows function thing.

If looks are most important to you, fine.

[TkoK83Spy]

Read post wrong. Reply no longer applies :p

[Naperville]

It is interesting how “looks” can bias one’s perceptions of objects. Most people have a learned preference for certain kinds of symmetry and ratios. I have heard the “ideal” of a 50/50 handle to blade ratio for knives, especially folders, for a long time. When I look at an aggregation of folders, say Reeves, ZT, etc. frankly, they all look grossly the same. Some are larger, some smaller, different blade shapes, flipper tabs and all that. Frankly boring. If the design intent supports that even ratio, or close to it, fine. But knives like the Schemp Bowie and Para 3 for example have much longer handles that blades which I find very useful and pleasing. It’s the form follows function thing.

If looks are most important to you, fine.

I rarely buy knives with blades that are shorter than 3.5 inches. I prefer knives with blades that are 4in to 24in long.

[mikey177]

I did a little research on the Canis concept. The fixed blade version looks more aesthetically balanced, but I understand how challenging it must have been to translate the design into a folding knife with a Spydie hole. I'll most likely get one because I really like wharnies.

[Mushroom]

Just got notification that this is shipping to dealers already! Surprised to see it so soon after the reveal. Especially with how many we're still waiting on from the reveal prior.

[Woodpuppy]

^^ I just got it too and had to go look it up

[justjohn]

The Canis, much like the Yojimbo was designed to do one thing extremely well, personal protection. Based on it's blade style and architecture I'd say it can accomplish it's intended purpose quite well. I don't think the individual on the receiving end of the blade is going to care about it's aesthetics, nor do I think the person on the delivering end will either. I challenge you to think back to the time you first saw a Spyderco Knife. My first thought was what the "censored" is up with the hole??? I learned what purpose the hole served and lo and behold the look grew on me. I will buy one because of it's eclectic design and my confidence it will serve me well should the occasion arise. The preceding was just my opinion, and yes I know about opinions. :D

[ladybug93]

i really want to see a 360 of this blade. how thin is the middle portion of the blade? how thick is the tip? i need to see a video of this one in a hand with someone showing dimensions. in the picture, it looks pretty cool. the handle looks a lot more comfortable than the yojimbo, but the thumb ramp looks a lot less comfortable. interesting trade-off...

[JMM]

I like it, form & function look great, I'm definitely buying one.

[spyderwolf]

If it didn't have that enormous swedge thingy, it just kills it for me.

For me too.I would have love it,without the Strider-mall ninja grind.

[Neatknife]

In stock at knifeworks

[mikey177]

Has anyone gotten this yet? A few photos of the blade from different angles would be appreciated.

[ladybug93]

https://youtu.be/k3FuKSRfReQ

[mikey177]

https://youtu.be/k3FuKSRfReQ

I just finished watching it. Thank you!

[koenigsegg]

So I'm just curious who thinks this is a good looking knife? And who wants it just for defense and doesn't care what it looks like?

[JuPaul]

I actually think this is an awesome-looking design. I like the swedge, I like how it looks like a scrappy attack dog. It does not fit my typical carry needs, though, and I wouldn't feel confident using a big knife for self-defense. If I was to get one someday, it'd be as a collection piece.

[TomAiello]

The more I look at the Canis, the more it grows on me.

[rangefinder]

The more I look at the Canis, the more it grows on me.

Same here. I don't mind the swedge, and it's a unique design feature that makes this knife really stand out against a sea of other wharncliffe designs.

Watching the video, there are some other nice design touches. For example, the video shows the back of the knife a few times, and I see the standoffs at the butt end of the knife are machined so they're not just a basic cylinder like on the PM2 or Yojimbo.

I would like to see some comparison pics with a Yojimbo. According to the numbers posted on the Spyderco website, the Canis is a tiny bit bigger in all measurements (open length, closed length, blade length, weight) except the blade stock (3mm Canis vs. 4mm Yojimbo).

Incidentally, a production version of the Canis folder has had a long gestation. I found this on the "Kembativz Brand" (Kelly McCann's company) FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/kembativz/phot ... 400235665/

Kembativz Brand
June 5, 2013

Hey Folks - Here are a couple pictures of a Canis prototype made by Emerson. I had to compromise on the original design to accommodate Ernie's manufacturing processes (the original custom Canis made by Jeremy Krammes is a frame lock and incorporated more exotic materials; carbon fiber, titanium, D2 steel, etc.). In order to fit a wider user group, I increased the size of the original custom knife by 15%. On the one pictured here, I added the finger grooving, some additional jimping and other finishing touches. Unfortunately, this knife won't ever be produced by Ernie.

After two and a half years we just couldn't agree on a production release date despite Ernie rolling it out at two SHOT shows. It's unfortunate, but that's the way these things go sometimes. If I get a production alternative sorted out you'll be the first to know. There was a tremendous amount of interest in the Canis and I'm confident we'll have it made, but the whole process is frustrating and, frankly, a huge pain in the ***.

When BlackHawk made the original Crucible knife, Mike Janich was their Brand Manager and shepherded the process from beginning to end resulting in a really high quality serialized set of knives (folder, fix blade and trainer). Mike is a real professional and stayed on top of the prototyping process then followed through in production and the knife's ultimate release. It was a pleasure to work with him and BlackHawk and as a result (although the original serialized sets are no longer available) the Crucible II folder is still selling really well. Hopefully I'll have a similar experience with the Canis someday.

Memento Mori - Carpe Diem,
Kelly

That last paragraph might explain how the Canis finally made it into production at Spyderco. :)

There are some tiny pics of the Emerson prototype at the bottom of that post. There are a couple bigger pics in the Emerson section of this page (from the 2011 SHOT show):

http://www.2centtac.com/shot-show-knive ... and-tools/

And although it's not labeled as a "Canis", this looks like one of the Jeremy Krammes customs:

https://www.arizonacustomknives.com/kni ... 88098.html

[ladybug93]

i think it looks cool and looks very comfortable in hand. i’m not sure how that swedge works in use though. either way, i probably won’t own it any time soon. i’m more than happy with my yojimbo in this role.

[Candyman]

I stock at DLT!

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-can ... C3L39yOD3q