Spyderco byte November 2024 - Featured Product Techno™ 3 C158TIP3
Tech Specs
- Closed Length: 3.70 in / 94 mm
- Overall Length: 6.32 in / 161 mm
- Blade Length: 2.64 in / 67 mm
- Edge Length: 2.48 in / 63 mm
- Blade Thickness: 0.127 in / 3.2 mm
- Weight: 3.3 oz / 93 g
- Blade Steel: CTS XHP
- Edge Type: PlainEdge
- Blade Grind: Flat
- Handle Material: Titanium
- Lock Mechanism: R.I.L.
- Carry Option: Right Tip-Up
- MSRP: $400.00
- Origin: Taiwan
One of our most popular and prolific collaborators has been Polish knifemaker Marcin Slysz. To date, we have produced five of his designs and are proud to announce the release of the sixth—the Techno 3.
Techno Evolution
As its name implies, the Techno 3 is a third-generation expression of this model. The original Techno was introduced in 2012 and was the first of Slysz’ collaborations with Spyderco. Its compact, extremely capable design quickly found favor with Spyderco’s followers. It also gave them an appreciation for Slysz’ painstaking craftsmanship and whet their appetite for more of his work.One of the responses to that demand was the Techno 2. Introduced in 2018, it also packs tremendous strength and utility into a compact package but is more streamlined and pocket friendly. Like its predecessor, the Techno 2’s stonewash-finished blade is crafted from Carpenter® Technology’s CTS® XHP stainless steel, but its thickness has been reduced from 4.5mm (0.177 inch) to 3.5mm (0.138 inch). Its high saber grind maintains a full-thickness spine for strength while offering enhanced edge geometry for low-friction cutting performance. The blade’s refined, near-sheepfoot profile also provides enhanced point utility and cutting leverage compared to the original drop-point design. Thoughtfully placed jimping (textured grooves) on the thumb ramp offers an excellent purchase for maximum control during use and our signature Trademark Round Hole™ allows swift, positive one-handed opening.
The Techno 2’s handle is constructed with two precision-machined 6AL-4V titanium scales joined by green-anodized titanium standoffs. This creates an open-backed construction style that reduces overall weight and allows easy cleaning and maintenance. The reverse-side scale forms the foundation of the knife’s stout Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L., aka “frame lock”) mechanism, which locks the blade securely open during use, yet can be easily released with one hand. Since users of small knives often like to accessorize them with lanyards and fobs, the Techno 2’s handle also includes a generously sized lanyard hole. Both handle scales feature a handsome stonewashed finish and are machined to accept the knife’s deep-pocket wire clip, which is easily reversible to support left or right-side tip-up carry.
The Techno 3
While the Techno 2 is still an active and extremely popular member of the Spyderco product line, when Marcin Slysz revealed his “Mouse 3” custom design, fans of his work immediately voiced their desire to see it expressed by Spyderco as well. The response to that calling is the Techno 3.Manufactured for Spyderco in Maniago, Italy, the third-generation Techno 3 is an elegant synthesis of practicality and style. It faithfully translates all the key qualities of Slysz’ coveted custom folder into a practical, affordable, factory-made knife. It also showcases distinctive features that set it apart from earlier generations of the design and Slysz’ other Spyderco collaborations.
While both its predecessors showcased a large Trademark Round HoleTM in the blade for one-handed opening, the Techno 3 features an index-finger “flipper” opener. Despite its understated size, it offers excellent leverage and is supported by ball bearing pivot washers that ensure a smooth, frictionless action. True to our trademark, the blade still incorporates a small Round Hole as a proud symbol of the Spyderco brand.
The Techno 3’s blade is crafted from CTS XHP—a premium American-made stainless steel that combines the corrosion resistance of 440C and the edge retention and toughness of D2. It is also produced using Carpenter’s Micro-Melt® powder metallurgy process, which ensures an extremely fine microstructure and uniform distribution of the elements throughout the steel. Taking full advantage of these properties, the Techno 3’s blade features a high flat grind and a stylish swedge (unsharpened bevel) that provide low-friction cutting performance, excellent point utility, and unmistakable style.
The knife’s handle features precision-machined solid titanium scales joined by a titanium backspacer. The reverse-side scale serves as the foundation of its high-strength R.I.L. mechanism, which includes a stainless steel interface. This premium feature creates steel-to-steel contact between the lock bar and the ramp on the blade’s tang, ensuring a solid lock-up, a smooth action, and a long service life. It also does double duty as an overtravel stop to prevent weakening of the lock bar’s spring tension with repeated use.
Unlike the flat scales of its predecessors, the Techno 3’s intricately machined, matte-finished scales include faceted chamfers that enhance the knife’s ergonomics and give it exceptional style. To ensure ease of carry and instant access, the Techno 3 showcases a beautifully machined titanium pocket clip configured for right-side, tip-up carry. The clip is also attached with internal screws to accentuate the knife’s sleek, high-tech styling.
