Spyderco C06TIP TUSK
We’ve all heard the saying, “Good things come to those who wait.” If that’s true, great things must come to those who wait patiently for more than 25 years. Spyderco’s new Tusk mariner’s tool is certainly proof of that.
The original concept of the Tusk was conceived by Spyderco’s founder Sal Glesser in the early 1980’s. He wanted to create a compact, multi-function folding tool that incorporated a locking marlinspike, a cutting blade, and other performance features that would be of benefit to sailors. Unfortunately, development of the concept was limited by the lock technology of the time and his early design efforts never progressed beyond a few very rough sketches and the reservation of a product code as a “placeholder.”
More than 25 years later, Sal’s son Eric Glesser found the original sketches in Spyderco’s files and decided to pick up the project, pursuing Sal’s original vision with his own design flair and the benefit of decades of Spyderco technological innovation. In addition to the original marlinspike function, he added two sizes of shackle keys and a high-performance cutting blade, all synergistically nested in a convenient, pocket-friendly package. He also incorporated modern high-strength locks and state-of-the-art materials to ensure extreme strength, reliability, and highly rust-resistant construction. The result is an extraordinary working tool and a vivid reflection of Spyderco’s rich history.
The foundation of the Tusk is its handle, which is precision machined from two slabs of solid titanium that provide extreme strength, light weight, and are impervious to corrosion. One end of the handle houses a Plain Edged blade ground from LC 200 N steel—a nitrogen-alloyed tool steel that offers extreme toughness and superior corrosion resistance. This advanced alloy has a highly refined, homogenous microstructure and was specifically developed for tools subjected to high stress in corrosive environments. The Tusk’s blade features Spyderco’s Trademark Round Hole™ for easy, ambidextrous one-handed opening and locks open via a sturdy Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) mechanism machined directly into one of the handle’s titanium scales.
At the other end of the Tusk’s handle is a 300-series stainless steel marlinspike, which features a unique round-to-square cross section for increased leverage when loosening knots. The marlinspike body is also home to a small shackle key for unscrewing and tightening threaded shackles. In the closed position, the marlinspike completes the ergonomic shape of the Tusk’s handle when using the knife blade and also forms a larger shackle key with the tool’s handle. To allow the marlinspike and its shackle key to withstand extreme leverage during use, it locks securely in place with Spyderco’s patented Ball Bearing Lock™ mechanism. When the spike is opened, a spring-driven plunger drives a ball bearing forward onto a ramp on the tang, wedging it between the ramp and elliptical cutouts in the handle’s titanium scales. Pulling back on the ball bearing releases the lock and allows the marlinspike to pivot smoothly closed. One of the strongest locks ever designed for a folding tool, the Tusk’s Ball bearing Lock features a special ceramic ball to ensure that all the Tusks’s component parts are extremely rust resistant.
To keep the Tusk instantly accessible, it includes a reversible pocket clip that supports left or right-side tip-down carry. A lanyard hole in the handle also allows the easy attachment of a safety lanyard to prevent loss in choppy conditions.
Spyderco’s Tusk literally began as a tool that was ahead of its time. Thanks to the combined visions of Sal and Eric Glesser, Spyderco’s tireless commitment to innovation, and a full complement of state-of-the-art materials, that time has now come.
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=859
We’ve all heard the saying, “Good things come to those who wait.” If that’s true, great things must come to those who wait patiently for more than 25 years. Spyderco’s new Tusk mariner’s tool is certainly proof of that.
The original concept of the Tusk was conceived by Spyderco’s founder Sal Glesser in the early 1980’s. He wanted to create a compact, multi-function folding tool that incorporated a locking marlinspike, a cutting blade, and other performance features that would be of benefit to sailors. Unfortunately, development of the concept was limited by the lock technology of the time and his early design efforts never progressed beyond a few very rough sketches and the reservation of a product code as a “placeholder.”
More than 25 years later, Sal’s son Eric Glesser found the original sketches in Spyderco’s files and decided to pick up the project, pursuing Sal’s original vision with his own design flair and the benefit of decades of Spyderco technological innovation. In addition to the original marlinspike function, he added two sizes of shackle keys and a high-performance cutting blade, all synergistically nested in a convenient, pocket-friendly package. He also incorporated modern high-strength locks and state-of-the-art materials to ensure extreme strength, reliability, and highly rust-resistant construction. The result is an extraordinary working tool and a vivid reflection of Spyderco’s rich history.
The foundation of the Tusk is its handle, which is precision machined from two slabs of solid titanium that provide extreme strength, light weight, and are impervious to corrosion. One end of the handle houses a Plain Edged blade ground from LC 200 N steel—a nitrogen-alloyed tool steel that offers extreme toughness and superior corrosion resistance. This advanced alloy has a highly refined, homogenous microstructure and was specifically developed for tools subjected to high stress in corrosive environments. The Tusk’s blade features Spyderco’s Trademark Round Hole™ for easy, ambidextrous one-handed opening and locks open via a sturdy Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) mechanism machined directly into one of the handle’s titanium scales.
At the other end of the Tusk’s handle is a 300-series stainless steel marlinspike, which features a unique round-to-square cross section for increased leverage when loosening knots. The marlinspike body is also home to a small shackle key for unscrewing and tightening threaded shackles. In the closed position, the marlinspike completes the ergonomic shape of the Tusk’s handle when using the knife blade and also forms a larger shackle key with the tool’s handle. To allow the marlinspike and its shackle key to withstand extreme leverage during use, it locks securely in place with Spyderco’s patented Ball Bearing Lock™ mechanism. When the spike is opened, a spring-driven plunger drives a ball bearing forward onto a ramp on the tang, wedging it between the ramp and elliptical cutouts in the handle’s titanium scales. Pulling back on the ball bearing releases the lock and allows the marlinspike to pivot smoothly closed. One of the strongest locks ever designed for a folding tool, the Tusk’s Ball bearing Lock features a special ceramic ball to ensure that all the Tusks’s component parts are extremely rust resistant.
To keep the Tusk instantly accessible, it includes a reversible pocket clip that supports left or right-side tip-down carry. A lanyard hole in the handle also allows the easy attachment of a safety lanyard to prevent loss in choppy conditions.
Spyderco’s Tusk literally began as a tool that was ahead of its time. Thanks to the combined visions of Sal and Eric Glesser, Spyderco’s tireless commitment to innovation, and a full complement of state-of-the-art materials, that time has now come.
- length overall 6.55"/6.41" (166 mm/163 mm)
- blade length 2.38" (60 mm)
- cutting edge 2.14" (54 mm)
- blade thickness 0.118" (3.0 mm)
- blade steel LC 200 N / 300-series
- length closed 4.17" (106 mm)
- weight 4.2 oz (119 g)
- handle material Titanium
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=859
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