Why were the older stainless models tip down?

StuntZombie · #1

Looking at pictures of older Spyderco models, I noticed that most if not all of the stainless models were made to be carried tip down only, while the FRN models were tip up. Was there a reason for the difference between the two?

yablanowitz · #2

The only reasonable way to carry is tip down, so that's how they made the early stainless models. When they started doing FRN, they couldn't mold the clip on the right end because of the pivot, so they stuck it on the other end instead, and tip-up was born.

Yes, I'm razzing the tip-up cary fans a little, and I wasn't there for any of it, but I suspect the actual process went something like that.

JediKnight86 · #3

Because Chuck Norris said so.

yowzer · #4

Continuing Quality Improvement. As soon as Spyderco realized that tip-up is the way to go, they started making more knives with the appropriate clip position.

The Deacon · #5

The combination of the Spyderhole opener and tip down carry allows for rapid deployment by grasping the Spyderhole between ones thumb and forefinger to withdraw the knife from the pocket. If you look at Spyderco advertising from the early years, it used that as a selling point. Tip up carry does not allow that.

#6

As Deacon mentioned, when we began the lite weights, we new the sales would be greater and we didn't think it would be a good idea to have everyone "spyder-drop" opening, so we created tip-up carry for more secure and less intimidating opening.

sal

StuntZombie · #7

Thanks for the information. Truthfully, I've never really deployed my Spydercos by grabbing the hole and flicking them open. I guess I always worry about flinging them. I guess that method doesn't work as well with the lighter handled FRN models either.

JabFynger · #8

sal wrote:As Deacon mentioned, when we began the lite weights, we new the sales would be greater and we didn't think it would be a good idea to have everyone "spyder-drop" opening, so we created tip-up carry for more secure and less intimidating opening.

sal

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing.

TexSierra · #9

You learn something new every day; it's great to have Sal be so involved in this forum answering these questions!!! It's not every day that you can talk with the brains behind the product.