Custom Spyderco Knives

Custom Spyderco Knives
By Spyerdco, Inc.

Custom Spyderco Knives: Innovation Combined with Timeless Design

Originally founded in 1976 by Sal and Gail Glesser, Spyderco has earned a reputation for building innovative folding knives and fixed blades that embody their Reliable High Performance slogan. While many of their innovations are commonplace in the knife industry today, the Golden, Colorado-based company is credited with pioneering instrumental features such as the pocket clip, a round hole for one-hand opening, and even their own proprietary SpyderEdge serration pattern.

With a reputation for innovation, it would be easy to discard the past and fixate on finding the “next big thing.” However, the greatest testaments to Spyderco’s lasting success are the models that have withstood the test of time and remain user favorites to this day. Two of their perennially best-selling folding knives, the Endura and Delica, are celebrating their 30th year of production in 2020. Though they’ve been refined through a process of Constant Quality Improvement (C.Q.I.) over the years, Spyderco never lost sight of what made these knives supremely functional.

Endura and Delica 

Designed by Sal Glesser, the Endura and Delica made their debut in 1990. Purpose designed to be lightweight, easy to manufacture, and affordable, they were instrumental in popularizing fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) as a handle material. The FRN handles not only reduced weight, but also introduced a high-traction Volcano Grip pattern and a molded integral pocket clip.

In 1996 and 1997, respectively, the Delica and Endura Lightweights were joined by the Delica II and Endura II, which offered the same proven designs in an all-stainless-steel format with AUS-6 stainless-steel blades. Like the FRN-handled versions, they featured a sturdy back-lock mechanism and were available with a choice of PlainEdge, SpyderEdge, or CombinationEdge blades.

Change of Style

Although the first-generation lightweight models were incredibly popular, they underwent a significant redesign in 1998. The molded, integral clip was phased out in favor of a more durable steel clip. To give the user more flexibility to change the knife’s position in the pocket, these clips were attached by a two-piece barrel bolt that allowed for reversible tip-up carry. This seemingly simple change made the knives truly ambidextrous and allowed both sides of the handle to have a molded texture pattern for enhanced grip. As the third-generation models continued to evolve, they upgraded to ATS-55 stainless steel and made use of the Boye Dent—a scalloped cut in the lock bar that helps prevent unintentional release.

In 2006, the Delica and Endura underwent their most recent redesign. The current fourth-generation models feature screw-together construction, low-friction pivot washers, and VG-10 stainless-steel blades. To add additional strength while minimizing weight, their handles include skeletonized stainless-steel liners. Even the grip has taken a step forward, transitioning from Volcano Grip to a Bi-Directional Texture pattern that ensures additional security in hand. The stainless-steel pocket clip remains, but is now fully adjustable for tip-up and tip-down carry on both the right- and left sides.

Using the Endura 4 and Delica 4 designs as a base, Spyderco knives continues to introduce additional features and variants including an Emerson opening feature, a stealthy black blade, a variety of different colored FRN handles, training models, Wharncliffe-style blades, full-flat-ground blades, and premium steels such as ZDP-189 and K390. In addition to the various full-production versions of these venerable knives, both designs have also been a canvas for many other Sprint Runs, Exclusives, and limited editions, including elite, investment-quality versions with jigged bone handles and Damascus blades.

Thanks to 30 years of hard-earned experience and unrelenting innovation, the Delica and Endura are undeniably two of the most remarkable custom Spyderco knives designs ever made. With no signs of slowing down, these two classic models are sure to remain at the forefront of folding knives for many generations to come.

For more Sypderco, Inc info check out Spyderco’s website.