Spyderco Squeak Folder

Not everybody loves Spyderco knives; I’m one of those that likes some of their designs but not others, while my colleague Pete Moore is an absolutely avid collector of the little arachnids. However, I must declare a special interest in the Spyderco Squeak. This is a neat little folder with a slip-joint lock and 2” blade that makes it legal to carry in the UK - which means ‘with good reason’ under normal circumstances - and has therefore made it my EDC (every day carry) knife of choice.

For those that may not know, a slip-joint mechanism is the most commonly used on penknives and other ‘non-locking’ folding knives. The traditional slip-joint or ‘friction lock’ doesn’t actually have a separate locking mechanism at all. Instead there is a steel spring in the shape of a bar – called a ‘back spring’ which bears against the blade’s tang (which is positioned on an axis pin) at all times, so friction keeps the blade closed and offers a measure of resistance when opening the blade, then once opened a notch and pawl on the tang and back-spring holds the blade fi rmly in place – but not locked. To close the knife pressure is put on the spine of the blade to disengage the notch and pawl, overcome the friction, and swing it back through its axis until it reaches the closed position within the handle. Spyderco’s version of this mechanism is called SLIPIT.

Build Quality

The Spyderco Squeak is made in Maniago, Italy’s premier knife manufacturing region, which suggests a real guarantee of quality. The leaf shaped 2” (50mm) fl at ground blade is made from 2.9mm Austrian Bohler-Uddeholm’s N690Co high carbon steel with added cobalt for structural uniformity, resulting in enhanced edge retention and easier sharpening. The blade is supplied literally ‘shaving sharp’ and is easy to keep that way. Spyderco’s signature ‘hump’n’hole’ on the spine gives the Squeak a typical Spydie look and provides a single-hand opening facility. Textured jimping is machined into the blade’s spine and the deep choil, positioned on the underside of the blade directly below the thumb allowing increased control on intricate work. The 3” long handle is made from textured FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) giving good grip, and comes with a reversible tip-up wire pocket clip. The Spydie ‘bug’ logo is displayed on both the handle and blade.

Performance

I’ve used the Squeak for all manner of cutting tasks, mainly small but some quite substantial, and it has been up to them all. The razor edge backed up by almost 3mm thickness of steel gives real cutting power. A small word of warning here; your index finger falls naturally into the jimped choil of the Squeak which helps as an extra block on the blade from accidentally closing when cutting. However, avoid putting too much pressure on the upper jimping (on the spine) as this has the opposite effect, and can cause the blade to partially close, pinching or even cutting your index finger below, depending on its position. I did it once, so with lesson learned I know keep my index finger on the choil jimping 100% and thumb off the spine jimping for 90% of cutting, and both on with equal pressure but with thumb only half way up the jimping when making pressure cuts or boring.

As mentioned above this has become my EDC knife of choice, bearing in mind the very strict UK laws on knife carrying – and do bear in mind that even a non-locking knife with a non-aggressive looking blade of less than 3”, like the Squeak, could still get you into real trouble with the law if carried or used in the wrong place at the wrong time, or even displayed in a manner that could potentially be regarded as threatening or hostile, so be warned and be sensible. For instance; if you tried using your ‘legal’ EDC to peel an apple at a Premiership football match, you could easily find yourself at the bottom of a big pile of Police, Security Guards and Stewards – and possibly pepper-sprayed or tasered too… enjoy your apple!

The Spyderco Squeak is priced at around £47.95.