Product Warranty
ABS
A black amorphous thermoplastic polymer
with high impact strength.
Alumina Ceramic
e compound used in Spyderco sharpening
stones. It consists of a ceramic-bonding agent
mixed with alumina particles (synthetic
sapphires) that is shaped and kiln red at
temperatures in excess of 3000 degrees F.
Ambidextrous
Using both hands with equal ease. Pertaining
to knives, it is a knife that can be operated
equally well with both the le and right
hand.
Anodize
To subject a metal to electrolytic action as
the anode of a cell in order to coat with a
protective or decorative lm.
Austenite
A solid solution of carbon or of carbon and
other elements in gamma iron, having a face-
centered cubic lattice at all
temperatures.
Austenitic Steel
A major class of alloy steel, especially
stainless, composed primarily of austenite.
Unlike martensitic steels, which are
hardened through heat treating, austenitic
steels work harden.
Bead Blasted
A nish achieved by bead blasting, a form
of abrasive blasting that uses ne glass beads
as an abrasive medium. Abrasive blasting is
the operation of forcibly propelling a stream
of abrasive material against a surface under
high pressure smooth, roughen, shape, or
clean a surface.
Bolster
A piece of metal, generally nickel silver or
stainless steel, that is located at one or both
ends of a folding knife handle.
Boltaron
®
A recycled ABS/acrylic PVS extruded alloy
sheet material used for making sheaths. A
moldable thermoplastic, it has excellent
impact strength and is resistant to chemicals
and abrasion. Similar to Kydex®.
Caping
e careful and detailed removal of the
hide of a game animal for the purpose of
taxidermy. More precisely it refers to the
removal of the skin from the head, shoulders
and neck.
Carbide
A hard, sharp carbon/iron material typically
used in tools for the machining or drilling
of steel. Spyderco uses carbide to make the
glass-breaker tip of the C79 Assist model.
Carraca
An onomatopoeic term referring to the
sound of a Spanish navaja folding knife
when it is opened. e sound is created by
the knife’s ratchet-style lock mechanism.
Choil
A small scallop or cutout between the cutting
edge and the ricasso of the blade that allows
the edge to be sharpened all the way to the
shoulder of the ricasso.
CLIPIT
®
Spyderco’s trademarked term for their line of
folding knives that feature a pocket clip.
Cobra Hood™
A machined ange or shroud positioned
over the Spyderco round opening hole on the
spine of a blade. It provides increased surface
area and a positive purchase when opening
the blade one-handed. Ideal for use with
gloved hands, this feature is currently used
on Spyderco’s C79 Assist rescue knife.
Cordura
®
Cordura® is a family of fabrics made from
yarns or bers from INVISTA. It is used
in a wide range of products, including
luggage, backpacks, boots, military wear,
and performance apparel because it is very
durable and abrasion resistant. Spyderco uses
Cordura in our SpyderPacs and in the sheath
of our Warrior knife.
Corrosion
A process in which a solid, especially a metal,
is eaten away and changed by a chemical
action.
C.Q.I.
Constant Quality Improvement—a process
Spyderco applies to product design
and manufacture in which changes and
renements are continually made to existing
models, improving ergonomics, materials or
manufacturing techniques.
“D” Pin
An assembly pin or pivot use in knife
manufacture that features a at on one side
of its cylindrical body so its cross section
resembles an upper-case “D.” When inserted
into a matching hole, this shape prevents the
pin from spinning.
Damascus Steel
A steel produced by forge welding
layers, rods, or strands of steel to create a
homogenous piece. Nonferrous metals are
sometimes also included in this process.
Aer nal shaping, parts made from
Damascus steel are typically etched to
highlight the steel’s pattern.
David Boye Dent
Custom knifemaker David Boye removed
a small arc or “dent” of metal from the lock
bar lever of his knives.is modication,
adopted by Spyderco, reduces the possibility
of gripping the handle hard enough to
depress the lock bar and accidentally unlock
the blade during use.
Detent
A minute divot or dimple machined into the
tang of a folding knife blade. A ball bearing
seated in the surface of the LinerLock® drops
into the detent hole when the knife is in the
closed position to hold the knife blade closed
inside the handle.
Diamond Coating
e mechanical entrapment of diamond
crystals into a metal substrate. Used in
the production of sharpening devices, this
process is done by depositing metal, layer by
layer, from a plating solution until enough
material is built up around the diamond
crystals to hold them in place.
DLC Coating
DLC (Diamond-like carbon) is a mixture
of sp
2
(graphite) & sp
3
(diamond) used for
coating blades and parts to make them non-
reective and increase their wear resistance
and corrosion resistance.
EDC
An acronym for “everyday carry,” indicating
a knife that is carried and used daily.
Embellishment
A term used to describe personalized
engraving or additional ornamentation
added to a knife aer it is manufactured.
Emerson Opening Feature
A blade opening device invented and
patented by Ernest Emerson of Emerson
Knives. It consists of a hook protruding
from the blade’s spine that catches the edge
of the pocket when the knife is drawn to
automatically open the blade. Licensed from
Ernest Emerson, Pat. #5,878,500.
Ergonomics
An applied science concerned with designing
and arranging things people use to maximize
safety and eciency. Knives that are
designed to be comfortable and less fatiguing
to use are considered “ergonomic.”
Exclusive Run
e production of any Spyderco product
at the request of a wholesale customer in
a conguration dierent than what has
been previously produced. Exclusives are
produced for one customer or cooperatively
between one customer and the Spyderco Fac-
tory Outlet Store. e customer reserves the
right to reorder this item while it is under the
exclusive contract. In most circumstances,
Spyderco reserves the right to reproduce
the item aer contractual obligations have
been fullled.
False Edge
Originally a term that referred to the upper
edge of a sword that faced back toward the
use and was used in reverse or “back” cutting
tactics. When applied to knives, it refers to
a section of sharpened edge on the back of
the knife near the tip. It is sometimes used
interchangeably with “swedge” to describe an
unsharpened bevel on the back of the blade.
Finger Choil
A cutout or scallop in the prole of a knife
at the juncture of the handle and blade that
provides a purchase for the nger when
gripped. On non-locking SLIPIT™ knives,
this feature also helps Prevent accidental
blade closure during use.
Flipper
A small integral tab near the tang of a folding
knife blade that extends from the back of the
handle when the knife is closed. Invented by
custom knifemaker and Cutlery Hall of Fame
member Kit Carson, it provides leverage that
allows the blade to be opened with a stroke
of the index nger.
G-Clip
An adjustable thermoplastic clip axed to
xed-blade sheaths to support a variety of
carry positions on the belt, waistband,
or other locations.
Guard (aka Handguard)
A protrusion or expansion at the juncture
of the handle and blade of a knife that
helps prevent the user’s hand from slipping
forward onto the edge.
High Alumina Ceramic
e compound used in the manufacture of
Spyderco sharpening stones. It consists of a
ceramic-bonding agent mixed with alumina
particles (synthetic sapphires) that is shaped
then kiln red at temperatures in excess of
3000 degrees F.
Inlay
To ornament an object by embedding a piece
of a dierent material in it, ush with its
surface, or the piece of material inlaid into
an object.
Jimping
Grooves on the edge of the tang, spine, or
other surface of a knife that provide texture
for increased control during use.
Kick
e unsharpened portion on the underside
of a knife blade adjacent to the edge. e
kick prevents the edge from touching the
inside of the handle when closed.
Kraton
®
A high-performance elastomer
manufactured by Kraton Polymers
used as a synthetic replacement for rubber.
Kraton provides the exibility, high traction,
and sealing abilities of natural rubber, but
with increased resistance to heat, weathering,
and chemicals. Kraton is used in the
manufacture of knife handles to provide a
comfortable, secure grip.
Kydex
®
A thin thermoplastic material commonly
used for rearm holsters and knife sheaths.
It can be easily heat formed, yet is exible,
durable, and resistant to perspiration,
chemicals, oils and solvents.
Lanyard
A cord passed around the neck, wrist, or
other anchor point for holding a knife or
other object.
Lanyard Hole
A small hole in a knife’s handle through
which a cord or lanyard may be threaded.
Lanyards provide additional security during
use of a knife and help prevent dropping or
loss, especially around water.
Liner
A thin, at metal plate that provides the
primary structure for the handle of a folding
knife. Liners are typically used in pairs.
Little Big Knife™
A term coined by Spyderco to describe a
small-bladed knife (generally under three
inches) that is manufactured using features
and materials that allow the knife to be used
for strenuous cutting tasks normally only
performed with larger, heavier tools.
Martensite
A solid solution of carbon in alpha-iron that
is formed when steel is cooled so rapidly
that the change from austenite to pearlite is
suppressed; responsible for the hardness of
quenched steel.
Martensitic Steel
A steel composed primarily of martensite, a
crystalline structure created when the steel
in subjected to a heat-treating process in
which it is heated to critical temperature and
rapidly cooled or quenched to harden it.
MOLLE
An acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-
carrying Equipment—the current system
of load-bearing equipment used by military
and law enforcement personnel. It consists
of a grid of nylon webbing that allows the
modular attachment of pouches and other
equipment to achieve customized
mission-specic congurations.
Nesting
e practice of machining a recess into
G-10 or other handle scale material to inlay
the liners and lock mechanism. Nesting
increases structural strength while reducing
the overall thickness of the handle.
Nonferrous
Relating to or denoting a metal other than
iron or steel.
Obverse
e side of a coin or medal bearing the head
or principal design. When applied to knives,
it is the side of the knife visible when viewed
edge down with the point facing to the le.
OpFocus
®
Short for “operational focus,” a term coined
by Spyderco to describe a perspective of
our product line as it applies to operational
applications. Roughly synonymous with
“tactical,” it highlights the features and benets
of our products as they apply to the needs of
military, law enforcement, and rst responder
personnel and self-reliant civilians.
Phosphor Bronze Washers
Washers placed over a knife’s pivot pin
between the between the scales or liners and
the blade. ey are made of phosphor bronze
alloy, which provides a low-friction bearing
surface for smooth operation.
Pommel
e knob or expansion found at the butt end
of a knife handle.
Powdered Metallurgy
As it applies to knife steels, a manufacturing
process in which the component alloys of
a steel are gas atomized into powder form
and thoroughly mixed before heating and
compressing the material into a solid billet.
is process ensures a highly homogenous
material and the uniform distribution of the
alloys throughout the steel.
Quillion
A handguard protruding from one or both
sides of a knife at the juncture of the handle
and blade. Its purpose is to prevent the
hand from sliding forward onto the blade
during use.
Reverse (aka Pile Side)
e side of a knife opposite the obverse side.
It is visible when the knife is viewed edge
down with the point facing to the right.
Scale
A slab of material used as part of a knife
handle. Handles typically have two scales
that are riveted, screwed or bonded to the
tang of the blade.
Skeletonized Liners
Internal steel handle liners that feature a
series of holes (skeletonizing) that reduces
their weight while maintaining strength
and rigidity.
Spine Cusp
A ridge or crest above the Spyderco Round
Hole that creates a shelf for the thumb to
apply pressure during use.
Sprint Run™
A limited, one-time-only production of a
specic knife design or variant. Production
quantities of Sprint Runs are limited to less
than 1500 pieces.
Spyderco Trademark Round Hole™
A round hole in a knife blade that is used for
ambidextrous one-handed opening
of the blade. In xed-blade knives, it also
serves as a forward-positioned lanyard hole.
Spyder-Drop Opening
A one-handed opening method that involves
grasping the closed blade of a folding
knife near the pivot pin and swinging the
handle down to open the knife. It is best
accomplished with a Spyderco knife, using
the Spyderco Round Hole to achieve a
secure grip.
Stainless Steel
Steel containing a minimum of 12%
chromium, making it resistant to corrosion.
e chromium oxide (CrO) that forms on
the surface of the steel creates a barrier
to oxygen and moisture that inhibits rust
formation. Stainless steels are corrosion
resistant, but not immune to rust.
Stepped Pivot
A folding knife pivot that features right-
angle “steps” or shoulders between sections
of dierent diameters. Most commonly,
the center of the pivot is larger in diameter
than the two ends. is pivot style provides
increased strength and ease of assembly
during manufacturing.
Stonewashed Finish
As it applies to knives, a dull matte nish
on a metal part produced by a tumbling or
vibratory process using a coarse polishing
medium.
Swedge
A beveled area on the back of a blade near
the point that is purposely unsharpened.
Tang
e portion of a blade that connects to the
handle or serves as the foundation of the
handle of a knife.
Tip-Up/Tip-Down
Terms of reference that describe the position
of the blade of a closed knife when it is
clipped to a pocket. e attachment of the
clip to the handle of the knife determines
whether it is positioned tip-up or tip-down.
For a more detailed knife
terminology glossary, go to
www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/
glossary.
EDGE-U-CATION
70
GLOSSARY