Edge-U-Cation® - COLLABORATOR CORRECTION
In last month’s issue of the byte, our in-house technical writer Michael Janich wrote: “In 1990, Spyderco became the first production knife company to collaborate with a custom knifemaker in the design of a factory-made knife.” This statement is not historically accurate.Bob Terzuola’s Spyderco design was the first custom-knifemaker collaboration on a factory-made folding knife design, but it was not the first time a custom maker collaborated with a knife manufacturer. That honor rightfully goes to the late Robert W. Loveless and the Schrade Cutlery Corporation. During 1975-1976, Schrade produced a Loveless-designed fixed blade called the “Schrade-Loveless Hunter” (RL-2). From 1991-1995, they also manufactured two versions of their “Pro Hunter” model, which closely resembled the Loveless design, but were not marked with his name.
In 1980, Loveless also collaborated with Gerber Legendary Blades on his “Guardian” series of fixed-blade personal-defense knives. Originally, the Guardian design was to be manufactured for Paladin Press of Boulder, Colorado, and sold through their channels; however, that deal never materialized and ultimately Loveless partnered with Gerber. Here is the original pencil drawing that Loveless did for Paladin Press, dated February 16, 1978, along with an example of one of the Gerber Guardians that it later inspired.
Michael Janich and Spyderco apologize for the error in last month’s byte and appreciate your understanding as we set the record straight. We’d also like to thank long-time Spyderco dealer Brian Huegel of Country Knives in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, for bringing it to our attention.