Normally progress involves advances in materials, function, performance, and reliability. However, sometimes moving forward to meet the needs of our changing society means taking a calculated step “backward” in technology. A prime example of this concept is Spyderco’s Spy-DK™ folding knife.

As the knife laws of other countries became stricter, the UK Penknife became increasingly popular among knife users in many other areas of the world. Some countries, however, like Denmark, prohibited any one-hand-opening knife. To meet the needs of Danish knife users, in 2005 Spyderco produced a modified version of the UK Penknife with a small, chamfered Trademark Round Hole and a shorter blade. The reduced size of the Round Hole still proudly proclaimed the knife as a Spyderco product, but eliminated its function as a “purchase” for one-hand opening. The “DK Penknife™” successfully met Denmark’s legal requirements for a legally permissible pocketknife, but was only produced in limited quantities.

The Spy-DK traces its lineage back to Spyderco’s UK Penknife™. Originally released in 2004, it was developed in response to restrictive laws in England that prohibited the carry of one-hand-opening lock-blade knives. The UK Penknife combined the key advantages of a classic Spyderco CLIPIT®—a convenient pocket clip and our Trademark Round Hole™—with an improved version of the traditional slipjoint mechanism that featured a notched joint. The resulting hybrid pioneered the concept of the SLIPIT™—a non-locking, clip-carried, one-hand-opening pocketknife—and was an immediate hit in England.

Having confirmed that there was a market eager for a Denmark-legal pocketknife, Spyderco approached Danish custom knifemakers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes and asked them to design an all-new folding knife that was fully compliant with Danish knife law and was consistent with the traditional style of Danish working knives. The resulting knife, released in 2012, was called the Pingo™. Although it was well received and successfully met the needs of most Danish knife users, some of them appealed to Spyderco to make a Denmark-legal knife that offered a more conventional blade shape and better point utility. The response to that appeal was a second-generation DK Penknife—the Spy-DK.

The Spy-DK is based on the exact same platform as the UK Penknife. Its blade is full-flat ground from Böhler-Uddeholm’s premium N690Co stainless steel, but its length is reduced to 2.69 inches (68mm) to comply with Danish law. Its Trademark Round Hole™ clearly identifies it as a Spyderco knife and provides a handy purchase for two-handed opening, but the hole is purposely small to prevent one-handed blade-opening methods. Its sturdy notched-joint mechanism is also powered by a strong spring that helps hold the blade securely in the open and closed positions, for safe use as a cutting tool while further precluding one-handed opening.

The Spy-DK’s lightweight handle is constructed of injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) scales attached directly to the stainless steel back spacer/spring. The molded checkered pattern on the scales and a textured index-finger choil at the juncture of the blade and handle ensure a secure grip and allow the user’s index finger to serve as a natural stop to prevent unintentional closure during use. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides both left and right-side tip-up carry, keeping the knife accessible for immediate use while naturally blending with virtually any color of clothing.

Although created to conform with Danish knife laws, the Spy-DK’s highly functional design and socially friendly demeanor make it a perfect choice for knife users everywhere. It combines convenient clip carry and a purposeful two-hand-opening into a design that redefines the non-locking pocketknife.

Sometimes progress does indeed start with a calculated step backward.

Designed by its namesake, custom knifemaker Brad Southard, the Southard Folder™ was a turning point for Spyderco. As our first folder to feature a Carson-inspired “flipper” opener, it was an experiment to see if the community of Spyderco knife users were interested in flipper openers. The success of that experiment not only inspired other flipper designs like the Domino™ and the Dice™ but also created a calling for an all-black version of the Southard Folder for use in tactical environments where reflectivity and light discipline are a concern.

You asked, so we’re answering with the new Black Southard Folder. It features the same high-performance design, state-of-the-art materials, and exceptional fit and finish as the original version, but all its metal parts—including the blade, solid titanium scale and liner, assembly screws, and pocket clip—are all cloaked in a durable black titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coating. Its G-10 handle scale is also black and features a medium texture, as opposed to the more aggressive texture of the brown scale on the original Southard Folder.

For the record, the original stonewashed, brown-handled version of the Southard Folder is still an active item in the Spyderco product line. The all-black version is in addition to that. No matter which one you choose, you can easily satisfy your need for speed.

TOUGH MUDDER

http://www.toughmudder.com

The Tough Mudder is one of the hardest mud run obstacle course races in the world. Races are held in multiple cities worldwide and consist of a hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle course with stations designed to test participant’s all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Whether you race solo or do it as a team, no one is left behind. We are proud that a group of Spyderco employees will be running the Colorado Tough Mudder.

The Colorado Tough Mudder is September 6-7 in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Team Spyderco will take on some of the steepest climbs and deepest mud pits that the high altitude alpine mountain terrain is famous for.

Tough Mudder races support the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) whose mission is to empower, help and honor Wounded Warriors.

Go Team Spyderco!

MEN'S SOFTBALL

The Spyderco men’s softball team is playing now through August, every Thursday evening on a recreational league in Lakewood, Colorado.

Best of luck to Team Spyderco and knock it out of the park this season.

ARMED FORCES WEEK:

MAY 11-17, 2014

Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May. Starting on the second Saturday in May, is Armed Forces Week and Spyderco is celebrating by honoring and recognizing the men and women serving our country today, and the veterans who have served in the past. We encourage all Americans to join us paying tribute to these people who our country owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to. We thank you for our freedom and God bless our troops.

BLADE SHOW 2014

Join Spyderco at the world’s largest knife show and blade experience, the 2014 BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia on June 6-8 at the Cobb Galleria.

Open to the public, the Blade Show features artisan bladesmiths, custom knifemakers, cutlery accessories, knifemaking supplies and more than 200 factory production knife company and steel company booths along with 700 independent seller tables.

Friday and Saturday offer a full schedule of demonstrations and seminars and the 12th Annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition will be presented by BladeSports International.

Seminar Schedule:

Stop by booth #23, visit with the Spyderco Crew, see new Spyderco prototypes and concept knives and simply say hello! We look forward to seeing you there.