Contents
Trademark Round Hole and why the round hole on the knives?
This is one of the most common questions that some people who do not know knife folders but in some cases the hole is also present on fixed knives although for different reasons.
In this case I’m not telling you about the paracord holes made in the handle or blade or the karambit holes or the pinky knife but the holes made on the blades of the knife folders.
On the knives folder is made as a means of retention to open the blade and the Spyderco is in the case of folders “why the round hole?” because it is the company that introduced this simple but very effective function to perform this function.
The round hole allows you to quickly and easily open the blade of a folding knife with one hand.
This revolutionary feature was granted a utility patent in the United States in 1981 and literally helped define the shape of the modern folding knife.
Unlike thumb protruding perks, discs, and other bindings that open with one hand, the hole offers a larger surface area for greater reliability and does not interfere with theblade cutting action.
It is an iconic symbol of the Spyderco brand, the Trademark Round Hole ™ it also acts as a user-friendly alternative to the traditional (nail) nail notch in the blades to perform the two-handed opening and is now a symbol and identity of the Spyderco brand now used both in folders but also in the brand’s fixed blade knives.
The hole on Spyderco knives ranges from a diameter of 4.9 mm to a diameter of 15.5 mm.
The Spyderco patent of the Trademark Round Hole
The Spyderco hole is registered.
Yes, you got it right and it’s also the reason why they use it on all their knives, including fixed blades.
It was patented in 1981 and at that time I’m sure it was a big problem because the one-handed folder knives were completely unknown, apart from the snap blades and gravity knives.
Nowadays with all the different opening techniques a one-handed knife is no longer a big deal, so today it might seem like something trivial now what was once patented.
Another simple invention: the lever.” It’s just a “stupid” stick!” or the chair but the problem is not simplicity but the concept that “there are leaders and there are followers”.
By copying you will never be able to overcome a company that innovates.
It’s why people have trouble catching up with companies like Spyderco or Apple in telephony, because while they’re creating new products, others try to mimic the things they did years ago.
As for brand identity, it’s a completely different topic.
It’s why fixed blades have holes (not because it’s a great place to tie a lanyard).
If other brands use the hole it is actually something very confusing and frustrating because they have not understood that in some cases it is a marketing of Spyderco, a brand and that it is not made to pass a Paracord (you can also do it but that’s not the sense), in the end they are copying badly not understanding its meaning and belittling their history and their brand.
Currently, the round hole is still officially and legally registered.
In the end I think that the controversy over knives of other brands such as Benchmade or Sog, etc. is related to the similarities of the shapes rather than to the presence of the hole for opening to one hand.
A drilled hole is simply one of those types of inventions that you can’t cling to on your own as a company just like nail print, thumbstud, liner lock, flat bevel blade, etc.
The design of the knife is what can really give rise to controversy by blatantly copying a knife from a manufacturer or maker.
The official statement from Benchmade and Spyderco is that there is an agreement between the two parties.
The attractive design and the very high quality of Spyderco is what makes them probably among the best knives on the market and the hole of the spydie that distinguishes the knives will continue to be copied but in my opinion it is fine if you understand the sense.
The SOG hole is oval in shape and in some cases has a cut.
So it could be argued that it is not 100% identical to a brand but trademarks are used to identify and distinguish a specific product.
You see the difference between a group of Spyderco and this SOG or a Benchmade a few feet away and eventually most people will say or think “hey, they all look like a Spyderco.
Now I don’t think we should get too fixated on this, it is a hole and it is the design that is most important also because I repeat in the end everyone will always say it has the hole as the Spyderco is one of the laws of marketing.
How can a hole be considered an idea that cannot be copied?
After all, which company first invented the nail? Which company first invented the thumb pin?
I don’t think you can take ownership of a practiced hole.
It is the overall quality of the knife that makes it a Spyderco and the hole is now its trademark.
It’s just a hole, but it’s a hole that works better than a thumb pin, doesn’t add weight to the knife, doesn’t add any material cost to the knife, and adds an interesting look to the final product.
It’s very well thought out and it’s a bit surprising that no one has said to himself:
“What’s the best thing I can use to grab the blade with my thumb?” Spyderco did it and that’s why it innovated, the power of demand.
I bet that if other manufacturers had asked themselves the question first looking for an answer and innovating, getting there first, this would have been a bargain for their company much bigger for them and with a “simple hole”.
Today it is not only Benchmade and Sog who use a similar “hole” on their knives, other manufacturers are emerging because it is comfortable, helps opening and can also be used for other functions.
What does Spyderco do with the scraps of all those holes?
The round hole of Spyderco’s trademark is cut out from each of their blades.
Fixed blades and two-handed openers also get the Spyderhole treatment.
There are a lot of holes made of lasers, which means a lot of advanced steel discs and it’s a lot of steel because they sell so many and also because they’re cut near the thickest part of the blade.
What happens to all the “holes”?
Apparently, most of them are scrapped and sent back to the steel companies Spyderco works with for recycling.
But a small part is saved from the workshop and made available for sale in the Spyderco Factory Outlet store – $ 5 for a bag of 6.
Spyderco is also known to send them to fans via their contact us page.
Holes are unusual collectibles and a curiosity of the manufacturing process of many fans of the brand.
The holes are unfinished, unmarked and bear the scars of the laser cutting process used to cut them.
Conclusions
Now it seems incredible how behind a simple hole there is a story that has also made the knife a real symbol for the Spyderco brand.
Innovation in cutlery is something that must never be forgotten.
Are you experience?
Andrea
If you liked what you read and it was useful before leaving the page, share the article through the social buttons you see at the top and comment. Thank you very much!
Important! I still ask you for a little effort but for me it is useful for the project, click like on the Facebook Page and Instagram Channel.
0 Comments