Spyderco Request for Input

[sal]

Hi Bill, Team Sergeant,

I'll cut up some static line today.

sal

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Welcome Sal!

I've got a question, did you happen to test the knife on a real static line w/250lbs hanging from it?

Being a knife making layperson and "end user" I would be impressed to watch a demo of the knife's cutting abilities concerning the static line and not with the CATRA edge tester.

Team Sergeant

Originally Posted by sal

Hi Bill, Team Sergeant,

I'll cut up some static line today.

sal

Sal,

The comment above about having 250# or more hanging on it is key!! These things are a different critter when they are under tension!!

Take care & I'll see'ya at SHOT!!
Martin

[sal]

Hi Martin,

I can cut slices off of a static line like cutting vegetables with a very sharp knife. Under tension, these lines tend to just separate like they're string.

I don't know about 250 lbs, but I'll hang a weight, maybe 100 lbs or so, and do a cut. I'll let you know.

sal

[The Reaper]

sal:

Have you been in the back of a military aircraft for a static line jump, or seen a good video of the action?

TR

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

sal:

Have you been in the back of a military aircraft for a static line jump, or seen a good video of the action?

TR

Sal,

Download this or watch it on the small screen.

https://www.infantry.army.mil/videos/video05/index.htm

If you have a Jumper in tow, you've got your hands full!!!

Later.
Martin

[Lmmsoat]

Sal, have you considered a method for attaching the sheath to the ruck when JM'ing for combat jumps. One of the most popular methods of attachment during slick or combat light is on the calf. When they jump a ruck, most guys mount it on the front of the ruck. On the old ALICE pack it was easy, just slide it in the tunnel behind one of the outer pockets. The new MOLLE pack might require some sort of other attachment.

Frog, I also use hook knives when jumping MFF. You can put the things just about anywhere. The problem is most guys won't carry (or spend the money on) a single use item. Joe want's something he can also use as an MRE opener, screwdriver, prybar, axe, self-defence, etc. In addition you must also be prepared to cut equipment loose. The gate opening to the hook might limit the size of what you can cut. BTW have you been to Otay lakes lately? I had a great time out there last year.

[sal]

First I would like to apologise for the confusion of two models in one thread. Let's keep this thread for the Jumpmaster model shown first. We'll begin a new thread for the other model.

Hi Martin, that is great footage, would anyone mind if I showed that to our staff at Spyderco?

TR, I've been in the plane, but only during training on the ground. I'd seen a number of films of the jumpers while at the 82nd.

I'll try to provide some brief history of the model:

Major Bryan Hernandez contacted us some time ago. He said he was seeking a better knife solution for their Jumpmasters. He asked us to send a rep to see what we had. I told him that we didn't make anything that I thought would serve, and we didn't have reps, but that I would come down and speak with them about creating a model. I sent a box of knives, various models, for them to test and use and gt a good idea of what we do. Then I went down to the 82nd. We worked together, about a dozen Jumpmastes, the Major and me. We developed a model for their purpose. Protos went back and forth for many months.

We felt that the steel would be critical. The first enemy is rust, which occurs even if the knife is not used. The edge is the first to go because the edge is exposed on both sides and is very fine.

It took about a year to be able to get the steel we wanted (H1) and then another 2 years to refine the model and tool up.

For me, it was more a project of passion than business.

The Jumpmaster is now in production. Completed samples will go to each of the Jumpmasters that developed the design.

The sheath is for calf mount. That was their preference. It's ambidextrous (knife goes in either way). Like all of our purpose built models, we continue to develop the design based on input from our users. Many of our models have evolved for 20+ years. It's a work-in-progress to continue to provide better and better product, especially where life or limb is in danger.

The Jumpmaster should perform well for our team. They're strong, light, cut well for a long time. One of the problems with using a knife for everything is the edge is gone, often diminishing performance when the knife is really needed. We think we have a good start on a good all around solution that is still purpose built for the intended use.

sal

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by sal

Hi Martin, that is great footage, would anyone mind if I showed that to our staff at Spyderco?
sal

Please feel free to show it. It is Open Source, Google "Army Jump Video" and it will be at the top of the list. It's from a US Army site at Benning.


Take care.
Martin

[Bill Harsey]

***Editorial footnote***
For anyone who might not know of or yet handled a Spyderco serrated edge, it was Syderco who brought really aggresive sharp serrations to folding knives. These knives come danger sharp and this is so they cut stuff.

I have been lucky to have sharpened many dozens of these over the years here in my shop. My Apologies to Sal and Kristi for how I do it and teach it to be done in the field with flat stones but the point here is that they are SHARP.

***end editorial***

Edited to clarify
Spyderco's knives take a beating out here in Oregon. The "locals" that come around here are LEO's, fireman, loggers, farmers, ranchers, AKA knuckleheaded buddys of mine.
I never intended to imply these knives go dull easy because they don't, period.
After they've cut wire, worked on logging machines and done hundreds of other things they weren't supposed to, sometimes I'm asked to touch them up, especially just before hunting season.

[mswilliams]

Sal,
Another suggestion on the attachment straps, if it isnt too late. The straps in the picture look to be standard straps, which are slick and dont grip very well. They have a tendency to allow the sheath to slide down the calf (especially on our boys who have Gi-normus calfs) We have all had problems with our leg holster straps which dont grip and end up doing a crappy job of holding the holster tight.

Eagle came out with leg straps with grippy elastic threads woven into the actual strap. It was the best fit i have every come across and definitely did the job.
Just a thought

Mike

[sal]

Thanx Mike,

We already have production going with the current straps, but refinement is our middle name.

Can you give me more input on the Eagle straps?

sal

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by sal

Thanx Mike,

We already have production going with the current straps, but refinement is our middle name.

Can you give me more input on the Eagle straps?

sal

Sal,

I'll be happy to show you what Mike means at shot show. I have the holster with the leg straps he's talking about. It was a big improvement over regular straps! This is from Eagles website:

Leg straps are made of 2” Rubber Track webbing with a double layer 2” heavy-duty elastic expander

http://www.eagleindustries.com/produ...&cat=54&page=1


Team Sergeant

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by sal

Thanx Mike,

We already have production going with the current straps, but refinement is our middle name.

Can you give me more input on the Eagle straps?

sal

Sal:

More than happy to walk you over to the Eagle booth, if you want to get the skinny on the material.

TR

[sal]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Sal:

More than happy to walk you over to the Eagle booth, if you want to get the skinny on the material.

TR

Sounds good TR, I'd like to see them. We've done business with Eagle many times in the past. Good people.

Any day but Friday (16th), I'm booked on Friday.

sal

[TazKristi]

We did a little filming yesterday. Here is a link to a couple of videos showing Sal cutting static line with the Jumpmaster. One video is him cutting it with approximately 300lbs hanging from it and the other is simple cuts after it dropped.

I've also included a few still shots.

Hope you enjoy.

Kristi