Spyderco knives are popular for many reasons. To reduce the list of why to two would be insulting, so that is not our purpose.
Rather, we just want to shed some light on two of the features common on Spyderco knives (one of which is universal in their folders) that have contributed to their incredible popularity. So let’s get into it.
Spyderholes (“Spydieholes”)
Spyderholes, affectionately known as “spydieholes” by fans, are universal on Spyderco’s folding knives.
They are thumb holes, plain and simple. In lieu of thumb studs or flipper tabs, this is the method that Spyderco has chosen for deployment, and it is a good one for several reasons.
One is simplicity. Thumb studs require additional material to be added, and are often threaded onto the blade, which requires additional machining. Both of these things increase the complexity of the design of the knife. They also potentially increase the cost of manufacture.
In addition, thumb thuds are inherently biased towards either a right or left handed user. As a result, most knives that have thumb studs have not one but two, one on either side of the blade, so that both right and left-handed users can deploy them.
This is another selling point of the Spyderhole. It is naturally ambidextrous. The thumb hole is equally amenable to both right and left handed users by its very design, with no additional engineering or consideration required.
Of course, the Spyderco is also potentially better than thumb studs because it is simpler. A thumb hole can’t become loose or unthreaded and lost. And, on top of that, a thumb hole removes mass from a knife, lightening it, rather than adding weight to it.
Lastly, the Spyderhole is popular because it enables the signature “Spydie flick”, typically executed with the index or middle finger of the dominant hand, which brand fanatics love.
Compression Locks
The Compression lock, developed by Spyderco and present on some models like the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and Sage 5 (among others) is one of the strongest folding knife locks that has ever been developed.
Invented by Sal Glesser, the Compression lock consists of a lock bar in the top of the knife that moves into place when the blade opens, which wedges itself between a stop pin and a ramp on the blade tang when engaged.
It’s a bit difficult to describe in words, but it’s almost like a liner lock at the other side of the knife, only much stronger.
And, in addition to being strong, the Compression lock solves some of the problems of a liner lock. Notably, it is almost impossible to accidentally disengage the mechanism, and for another, you can close a knife with a Compression lock without putting your fingers in the path of the blade. The same can’t be done with a liner lock or even a frame lock.
And then, of course, it has one of the highest breaking strengths of any knife lock that has even been developed, which has in no small part contributed to its popularity.
Shop Spyderco Knives at River’s Edge Cutlery to Learn More
Want to explore popular Spyderco knives, some of which have the features mentioned here, and many of which sport their own unique features? Visit River’s Edge Cutlery. They carry some of the most popular Spyderco models and if you have questions their team would be more than happy to help. Check out their catalog and get in touch with them if you have additional questions.
