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First I would like to apologise for the confusion of two models in one thread. Let's keep this thread for the Jumpmaster model shown first. We'll begin a new thread for the other model.
Hi Martin, that is great footage, would anyone mind if I showed that to our staff at Spyderco?
TR, I've been in the plane, but only during training on the ground. I'd seen a number of films of the jumpers while at the 82nd.
I'll try to provide some brief history of the model:
Major Bryan Hernandez contacted us some time ago. He said he was seeking a better knife solution for their Jumpmasters. He asked us to send a rep to see what we had. I told him that we didn't make anything that I thought would serve, and we didn't have reps, but that I would come down and speak with them about creating a model. I sent a box of knives, various models, for them to test and use and gt a good idea of what we do. Then I went down to the 82nd. We worked together, about a dozen Jumpmastes, the Major and me. We developed a model for their purpose. Protos went back and forth for many months.
We felt that the steel would be critical. The first enemy is rust, which occurs even if the knife is not used. The edge is the first to go because the edge is exposed on both sides and is very fine.
It took about a year to be able to get the steel we wanted (H1) and then another 2 years to refine the model and tool up.
For me, it was more a project of passion than business.
The Jumpmaster is now in production. Completed samples will go to each of the Jumpmasters that developed the design.
The sheath is for calf mount. That was their preference. It's ambidextrous (knife goes in either way). Like all of our purpose built models, we continue to develop the design based on input from our users. Many of our models have evolved for 20+ years. It's a work-in-progress to continue to provide better and better product, especially where life or limb is in danger.
The Jumpmaster should perform well for our team. They're strong, light, cut well for a long time. One of the problems with using a knife for everything is the edge is gone, often diminishing performance when the knife is really needed. We think we have a good start on a good all around solution that is still purpose built for the intended use.
sal
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