SpyderCollector Reveals Four New Models at 2018 Amsterdam Meet

SpyderCollector‘s coverage of Spyderco’s 2018 Amsterdam Meet has chronicled several major surprises. All of the SHOT Show models were present and accounted for, but four new models were also on display at the annual, exclusive gathering.

According to Wouter, the man behind the Spyderco-centric blog, Spyderco’s mix of different price levels and categories impressed all in attendance. “[They are] showing a nice balance in their designs. I saw plenty of what are bound to be affordable, practical, good EDC knives, and some cool, very high-performance designs with high-end blade steels,” he tells us. “Yet there were also a few designs that are bound to be grabbed up by collectors.” Wouter documented all of these categories. The Smock, Hanan, the Stop Lock Parata and the Techno 2 should appeal to the enthusiast, while knives like the full-size ClipiTool models and the Brouwer cater to use and carry. The long-awaited Rhino and the Amalgam flipper, as well as two impressive renovations in the new Mantra 3 and Li’l Native Lockback, also fall into a practical genre. Fixed blades also enjoyed strong representation with the Sal Glesser designed Respect and the unusual, Hamaguri grind-sporting Zoomer.

Also on display were some eye-opening custom collaborations. All four of the knives debuted in Amsterdam were picked among popular models from rising star designers.

The structure of the Meet itself also changed this year. When we spoke with Wouter last week, he described an informal flow of models circulated by hand from person to person. But this year the knives were introduced in a more streamlined way. “The knives weren’t passed around during Eric [Glesser]’s presentation, but rather put on several tables after the presentation portion,” Wouter says. “That created a very nice informal atmosphere and everyone got much more time to check out the new designs. I liked it a lot.”

Alistair Phillips
Last year Australian maker Alistair Phillips showed us his folding knife design, first made for food prep. The knife received input from Sal Glesser himself at the time, and now it’s going into full production. The Phillips comes with a 3.5-inch blade secured by a compression lock. Its sleek, slender handle is accented with gently-contoured carbon fiber, a decorative pivot, and a red G-10 backspacer.

The Phillips takes Knife of the Show for Wouter. “[This knife] stood out for me, it was my favorite new design,” he says. “It was also a new design that I didn’t read about before and I didn’t see it in any of the SHOT Show videos, so that was a nice surprise. I can’t wait to clip it in my pocket.”

Nati Amor
Jewelry maker-turned-blade smith Nati Amor stunned collectors with his folding pocket machete, the Sabotage. Now the exalted custom is getting the production treatment, debuting in an eye-catching orange G-10 coloration with stylized titanium liners. Just like its custom inspiration, the Nati Amor is not for the faint of heart, with a blade length over 4-inches and a weight in excess of 6 oz.

Jonathan McNees
McNees is a master of the micro knife, and the new collaboration with Spyderco emulates his Killer B custom. It comes sized like a keychain knife but the full titanium construction, complete with faux hammer-beaten finish on the pivot and lock bar relief, make the 1.5-inch bladed McNees too nice for all but the most opulent keyring. Thankfully it comes with a classic Spyderco spoon clip for standard carry.

Paysan
Fans of Peter Rassenti’s Nirvana design can stop mourning that knife’s discontinuation when they set eyes on the Paysan. This new integral opts for a streamlined look and a new, wharncliffe-inspired blade profile. Gone are the bead blasted handles and blade from the Nirvana. The Paysan sports a stonewashed handle and a standard, satin-finished blade – still slated to be made in high-performance S90V steel.

Knife featured in image: Spyderco Nati Amor
Image used with SpyderCollector.com‘s permission. All rights reserved.