Spyderco Knives

I wanted to have the chance to introduce folks to one of my hobbies.  I've always had a knife for as long as I could remember it must have been something I found interest in when I was a boy scout and I have always lived by the boy scout motto "Always be prepared".  I've had hundreds of knives over the years, folders, fixed blades many different makes, models and brands.  I don't remember when I first stumbled upon Spyderco but I fell in love instantly!!



Spyderco HQ:   820 Spyderco Way Golden, CO

For me it was the patented hole in the blade that assists you in opening the knife I really loved!  Most of their knives also have a clip so that you can hang it off the inside of your pocket so you don't have to hunt in your pocket among keys and everything else to use your knife.  My first Spyderco was a Native, it was the perfect size and shape for me and then I discovered that this knife company is based here in Golden, Colorado!!  Sal Glesser the founder of Spyderco is a down to earth man and has not let the success of his company let him forget his roots and those that made his company grow, the consumer.

Since my first Spyderco Native my collection has grown to over 150 and it continues to get bigger, I thought I would share a few of them:



My spyderco dump!



This is called the "Q".  Spyderco attempted to make a super lightweight folder with using laser cut blades, a wire clip and skeleton handle.  They also attempted to make different blade designs for marketing.  They have become quite collectible.



These are called "Bugs", they were meant as fun little working replicas.




This is called the Poliwog.  One thing about Spyderco designs is they focus on ergonomics and function....many times Spyderco's have been called ugly but I think they are quite beautiful.  This one happens to be designed by Eric Glesser, the founders son.



This is the Spyderco Kopa.  It has Dark and light pearl and Abalone inlays.



Spyderco Kiwi.  This is one of the few Spyderco knives that doesn't have a clip.  This Kiwi has a bloody Jasper inlay done by Santa Fe Stoneworks

You can see the rest of my spyderco collection here

And for those that have been wondering, yes, I cut myself all the time.  It seems like tradition that every new knife I purchase, I get cut at least once.  It's a good reminder to respect these tools!

- Ian

Friday Photo: Savery Savory Mushroom Tower

Today's Friday Photo is of the water tower that supported the mushroom farm which used to be near 112th and Sheridan in Westminster, CO in the 1930's and 40's.

I took these photos in June 2006 - They had pulled the rusted and nearly erased water tower down to restore it as a historical mark for the area.  This always makes me very happy to see this happen... I think even with the forward movement of development in the area that the history should still be preserved in some way.

Shortly after they brought the water tower down they had someone working on replacing all the metal work and then they began painting it.

The idea behind the water tower was to have it look like a can of mushrooms you would buy at a local market.  Take a look at the rest of the photos to see how they restored it.  I still have to go back at some point and get a picture of it after they put it back on the top of the tower... but for the sake of reference, here's a painting of how it turned out:

-Ian