Montbell Pirka
- zenheretic
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Montbell Pirka
Anyone have access to the spyderwiki? I notice the super rare Montbell Pirka isn't in it. Would be a shame to not have that little back alley footnote in the records.
Super short story. There was a sporting goods supplier called Montbell who specialized in outdoor goods. Many from Japan. . Roughly the size of the Delica with unique blade grind, and used the generation 1 frn handles.
Correction an anciet Paul post reminded me: "Interesting story here. These knives were made by Spyderco, exclusively for a Japanese chain named Mont-Bell, which happens to have stores in the USA as well. They were not suppose to be sold in the US, but apparently Mont-Bell made a mistake and some were sent here, and sold."
In 2006, someone mentioned it on this Forum.
Spyderco put a stop to the selling of it.
Very few floating about in the wild.
Super short story. There was a sporting goods supplier called Montbell who specialized in outdoor goods. Many from Japan. . Roughly the size of the Delica with unique blade grind, and used the generation 1 frn handles.
Correction an anciet Paul post reminded me: "Interesting story here. These knives were made by Spyderco, exclusively for a Japanese chain named Mont-Bell, which happens to have stores in the USA as well. They were not suppose to be sold in the US, but apparently Mont-Bell made a mistake and some were sent here, and sold."
In 2006, someone mentioned it on this Forum.
Spyderco put a stop to the selling of it.
Very few floating about in the wild.
- SpyderNut
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Re: Montbell Pirka
Good to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
Btw, do you still have that marvelous collection of Ronins? I always enjoyed seeing pictures of those.
Take care,
Michael
Btw, do you still have that marvelous collection of Ronins? I always enjoyed seeing pictures of those.
Take care,
Michael
:spyder: -Michael
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
- zenheretic
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I've cut back.SpyderNut wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 8:04 pmGood to see you back, Zen. Interesting story on the Mont-Bell. I imagine Kyle will likely chime in. I think he's still one of the primary folks involved with keeping spyderwiki updated.
Btw, do you still have that marvelous collection of Ronins? I always enjoyed seeing pictures of those.
Take care,
Michael
- The Deacon
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Re: Montbell Pirka
Good to see you again Zen! And for those who've never seen one, here's a photo of the Pirka...
...It combined the handle of the FRN Pro-Grip with a blade shape most similar to the C26 Snap-It.
...It combined the handle of the FRN Pro-Grip with a blade shape most similar to the C26 Snap-It.
Paul
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Re: Montbell Pirka
The Deacon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:16 am...And for those who've never seen one, here's a photo of the Pirka...
...It combined the handle of the FRN Pro-Grip with a blade shape most similar to the C26 Snap-It.
Wow, neat. Thanks for showing. It looks like a proto Caly.
For those who don't ultralight backpack, Mont-Bell is a very desirable (and usually expensive) brand of outdoor gear. I don't own much of it, because it's too fancy for a dirt clod such as myself! But high quality and light weight.
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I would pick up a reprised version in FFG and modern steel.
Maybe that’s an Urban, though?
Maybe that’s an Urban, though?
- VooDooChild
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Re: Montbell Pirka
It looks a lot like a smaller spyderco flatiron.
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- The Deacon
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I'm not sure what would it bring to the table that the Delica 4 and Salt 2 do not offer. I have to wonder how many folks would still want a knife with an integral FRN clip. Not to mention the Kraton insert in the handle, since that material has proven itself prone to disintegrate after a few years of use.
Paul
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- zenheretic
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Re: Montbell Pirka
It does have an attractive grind, but the Deacon is right in that the Delica, which seems just a bit longer and not as much booty, does everything this one does, and with the 4 way reversible clip, more.
I had two of this rare bird. One of those things that just isn't exciting to many because of "plastic".
I had two of this rare bird. One of those things that just isn't exciting to many because of "plastic".
- kennethsime
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Re: Montbell Pirka
Fantastic little knife. It comes up here every few years and I always like the look of it a lot.
I wonder if the LeafJumper will essentially be its successor?
I wonder if the LeafJumper will essentially be its successor?
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
- Doc Dan
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Re: Montbell Pirka
It looks hollow ground. Is it? I've never seen one of these. I could see a place for this in the lineup, unless the Delica with the hollow grind that is forthcoming will take its place. In any case, that is a good looking knife. If I had a choice, I'd make the hollow grind a little higher.
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Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I completely agree that a re-release in the original configuration would be a slow mover.The Deacon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:42 pm
I'm not sure what would it bring to the table that the Delica 4 and Salt 2 do not offer. I have to wonder how many folks would still want a knife with an integral FRN clip. Not to mention the Kraton insert in the handle, since that material has proven itself prone to disintegrate after a few years of use.
The blade shape (specifically the pronounced belly) is what makes it stand out to me. I know there’s a lot of competition in this size of folder from Spyderco’s current product line, but if this were brought back in volcano FRN with a wire clip I would pick one up even though I own several Delicas and a Salt 2.
I’m not about to make a “no I won’t shut up” thread demanding one, but I would put my money down if it became available again in VG-10 or better.
- jabba359
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I was unfamiliar with this knife until Rich (Candyman) posted it on a Facebook group the other day. I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
Re: Montbell Pirka
Peter - founding member of Spydiewiki.com
"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"
Spyderco's company motto
"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"
Spyderco's company motto
- jabba359
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Re: Montbell Pirka
Ah, I found it. I didn't see it indexed anywhere, but it shows up in the search function: https://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?ti ... irka_Knife
Re: Montbell Pirka
You find it in „Spyderco other products and merchandise“.
Peter - founding member of Spydiewiki.com
"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"
Spyderco's company motto
"Integrity is being good even if no one is watching"
Spyderco's company motto
- SpyderNut
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Re: Montbell Pirka
Glad to hear you and Peter were able to get this sorted. Always cool to find a piece of Spyderco history.jabba359 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:41 amI was unfamiliar with this knife until Rich (Candyman) posted it on a Facebook group the other day. I haven't been to involved in maintaining the Spydiewiki lately, but certainly can add an entry for this.
Seeing as how it doesn't have a SKU, any suggestions for how it should be organized/categorized?
:spyder: -Michael
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
"...as I said before, 'the edge is a wondrous thing', [but] in all of it's qualities, it is still a ghost." - sal
- Mr Blonde
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Re: Montbell Pirka
It's been indexed on this page: https://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?ti ... erchandise , which appears to be a collection page for items that don't fit in the other established categories.
- jabba359
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Re: Montbell Pirka
I didn't look there, as I recalled it being a page of non-knife items. Guess the Pirka snuck in there as the only knife.Mr Blonde wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 6:15 amIt's been indexed on this page: https://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?ti ... erchandise , which appears to be a collection page for items that don't fit in the other established categories.
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Re: Montbell Pirka
One possibility would be to have a category for Japanese Domestic Market models. Granted, most of the entries would just be JDM variants of regular models but, IIRC, the Pirka is not the only "JDM exclusive" model.
Paul
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WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!