Spyderco | C58 - J.D. Smith - Model Information
MODEL NAME - J.D. Smith
MODEL NUMBER - C58
DESIGNER - J.D. Smith
BLADE LENGTH - 3.6875"
CLOSED LENGTH - 5"
OVERALL LENGTH - 8.625"
BLADE THICKNESS - .111 / .125"
BLADE STEEL - ATS-34 / VG-10
BLADE GRIND - Hollow Grind / Full Flat Grind
HANDLE MATERIAL - Black Linen Micarta / Foliage Green G-10
BOLSTER / GUARD MATERIAL - N/A
LINERS - Stainless Steel
SPACER(S) - Stainless Steel
BLADE FINISH - Satin
LOCK MECHANISM - Lock-Back
CLIP - Black J-Clip - RH - TD / Black or Matte SS J-Clip - RH/LH - TD/TU
THUMB STUD(S) - Spyderco Round Hole
WEIGHT - 3.8 oz. - 4.2 oz.
SHEATH - N/A
YEARS OF PRODUCTION - 1999-2000 / 2001 / 2009
VARIATIONS
- C58BMP - Black Linen Micarta / ATS-34 - Satin / PlainEdge / Black J-Clip / 3.8 oz. / 1999 - 2000 / $146.95 / Total Production Unknown
- C58BMS - Black Linen Micarta / ATS-34 - Satin / SpyderEdge / Black J-Clip / 3.8 oz. / 1999 - 2000 / $146.95 / Total Production Unknown
- C58BMP - Black Linen Micarta / VG-10 - Satin / PlainEdge / Black J-Clip / 3.8 oz. / 2001 / $146.95 / Total Production Unknown
- C58BMS - Black Linen Micarta / VG-10 - Satin / SpyderEdge / Black J-Clip / 3.8 oz. / 2001 / $146.95 / Total Production Unknown
- C58GPFG - Foliage Green G-10 / VG-10 - Satin / PlainEdge / Black or Matte SS J-Clip / 4.2 oz. / 2009 / $219.95 / Sprint Run / Total Production Unknown
ORIGIN - Seki-City, Japan
DESCRIPTION - This model was custom designed by ABS Mastersmith J.D. Smith, and was produced in extremely limited numbers. It was subsequently re-released in an updated version in 2009 with Foliage Green G-10 and a full flat grind.
J.D. Smith is a longstanding member of the Knifemakers' Guild and an ABS Mastersmith. In the 90s he designed and made a tactical-style folder for his own personal use, crafted using advanced materials yet also managing to delight the eye. His design eventually developed into the Spyderco C58 J.D. Smith CLIPIT® and new for 2009, Spyderco is re-releasing a Sprint Run (limited in number) with a foliage green G-10 handle.
One unique feature of the design is the Spyderco Trademark Round Hole strategically positioned on the Flat Ground VG-10 blade so there is no pronounced hump. This gives the folder an aesthetic, streamlined shape starting from the blade's tip to the end of the handle. Blade length is 3-13/16" (97mm) and comes only in a PlainEdge configuration. In keeping with J.D.'s style and preference for quality materials, the handle is foliage green G-10 and flares slightly where it joins to the handle creating a finger choil and guard. Four-way ambidextrous steel clip.
COMMENTS - Interesting history to that model that few would know. The first design was created by JD Smith and made by a new maker for us. Capacities in Seki being small, we're always trying new makers. It takes many years to develop the skills these makers have. The maker went bankrupt due to the poor Japanese economy at the time. At this time, one of our current makers was able to pick up the project, but there was a lot of political juggling involved so we retooled a second time for the model and JD made adjustments to his design during the change. The chamfer was his solution to the lockbar question. As I remember, the 2nd run was made with VG-10. All in all, there were only about 2000 JD Smith pieces produced between the two runs/makers. It's a very nice design but did not attract enough attention for the numbers we need to keep production going.