Howdy and welcome to the inaugural Redline Red Letter!

We’re planning on using this newsletter to highlight a specific knife model and share some interesting Edge-U-Cational information about it, as well as some behind the scenes insights at Redline. Today, we’re featuring the highly anticipated new Spyderco Smock variant, which will be available for pre-order tomorrow!

SMOCK AVAILABILITY INFO 

Redline Blades is proud to announce that we are about to open pre-orders for the new Smock Exclusive! 

There will be two batches of these Smocks, identical except for the timing. B1 should be getting to me next week and B2 is expected sometime next month. We should be getting a total of 50 units for B1 and we are expecting to sell out during the pre order phase - however, B2 will have more units and we should be able to accommodate everyone who wants one during our second drop. More info on Batch 2 will be posted as soon as it becomes available and will also have a longer pre-order period to make sure we order the right amount. 

Our current general preorder policy is that while we do collect payment up front, we will only open pre orders when we get our allocation quantity and a delivery ETA. We do not want to create situations where you put money down for the full price only to wait for months and months and months, or to be told your order is cancelled because we oversold. Though we will often delay preorder drops more than other dealers, we appreciate your understanding with this issue and we hope you agree it’s for the best. 

As many of you know, we are going to be offering free Skiff Workshop Smock-compatible bearings (3/16”-(12)-1/16") with our Batch 1 preorders. This size of bearing is also compatible with other knife models, such as the Protech Malibu. Check the Skiff full compatibility chart for reference.

The Skiff bearings offer will still be valid for Batch 2, but I am also planning to offer another promotion only for Batch 2 - a free color-matched Lynch clip. I am already in contact with Casey Lynch about this and if things work out, they should hopefully be in stock on our store in a few weeks in case you want to pick one up later. I’m also not sure if I would rather color match the blade or scales, so feel free to let me know what you think. 

TLDR:

Batch 1 - Free Skiffs only - Mid March - Qty 50

Batch 2 - Free Skiffs OR Free Lynch Clip - Sometime in April - Qty TBD

SMOCK BATCH 1 PRE-ORDER INFORMATION

We will be opening up our Pre Orders at 7 PM Central Time tomorrow, Wednesday March 5th. 

The distributor will be receiving B1 on Friday or Monday and therefore we’re expecting to be able to ship to you between March 12th-19th, depending on potential shipping delays. Our free shipping option uses USPS Ground Advantage (<0.045% loss rate for me so far) but we also offer a $5 upgrade to USPS Priority if you prefer. 

When it’s time, use the link below to go straight to checkout with the knife, bearings, and discount automatically applied! Or, manually add the items to cart and apply the code SMOCKNROLL at checkout to make the bearings free.

https://redlineblades.com/cart/50300646359360:1,50088830861632:1?discount=SMOCKNROLL

As always, we have a massive selection of knives available through our suppliers, if something isn’t in stock or not listed, just reach out and we can see if we can get you exactly what you need. The only popular brands we are not authorized to carry are Benchmade, GiantMouse, and WorkSharp.

SMOCK EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION

The Spyderco Smock Distributor Exclusive featuring TiCN Cruwear & Black Aluminum

Product SKU: C240BKALBKCWP

Story

The C240 Spyderco Smock is a collaboration with Kevin Smock, a custom knife maker and designer. This Spyderco model is based on Smock's SK23 custom, which was the first knife design to utilize the button release compression lock. Smock licensed the use of the compression lock mechanism from Spyderco, then iterated on its design to include a button on the show-side scale that actuates the lock. The button actuated compression lock is unique because it combines the exceptional strength and longevity of the compression lock with the easy, fidgety actuation of a button lock.

Fun fact, typically the left side liner contains the lockbar (leaf spring), but the Smock features a mirrored lock configuration, since the lock is intended to be actuated by the thumb rather than index finger. 

For more about the Smock, check out Kevin Smock’s Designer Insight video posted by  Spyderco on YouTube.

Materials

For the handle scales, this distributor exclusive variant features black anodized aluminum scales, an unusual configuration among Spyderco knives, especially for the Taichung facility. I believe this may actually be the first use of aluminum in the Spyderco Taichung facility, which is widely acclaimed as one of the best production knife factories in the world due to their stellar engineering and craftsmanship.

The reverse tanto / modified wharncliffe blade is hollow ground from CruWear steel and coated black using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) with pure Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN), which can reach hardnesses of 70 HRC. We love the Taichung TiCN coatings because they’re highly durable and beautiful. The PVD method, unscientifically explained, vaporizes the coating ingredient materials in a vacuum chamber and the coating condenses onto the target part, forming a permanent chemical bond to the part. The result is very thin, yet very durable coatings, perfect for high performance knives. Also, the glossy (smooth) finish that Taichung does on their TiCN is a favorite of ours. It has a distinctly premium  look and feel and the grind lines are subtly visible through the coating, like a black satin finish. I haven’t seen this kind of finish from any factory other than Taichung. For comparison, the USA Spyderco facility does PVD coating with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) as their coating material over a blasted finish, giving their knives their distinctive low-reflectivity aesthetic while still keeping friction to a minimum. This coating is also pure TiCN, unlike the much less durable coatings on Seki-made blade Spyderco models which are a black oxide coating impregnated with some TiCN particles. 

CPM Cruwear (also stylized Cru-Wear or CruWear) is a very tough AND wear resistant semi-stainless American tool steel made by Crucible Industries of Geddes, NY and rolled by Niagara Specialty Metals of Akron, NY. Cruwear earned a cult-like following among the knife user community for its very well balanced characteristics and ease of sharpening, especially with Spyderco’s acclaimed heat treatment. Dr. Larrin Thomas of Knife Steel Nerds (and Magnacut inventor) rates this steel as an 8/10 in toughness, 5/10 in edge retention, and 5.5/10 in corrosion resistance (“stainless" classification starts at 6/10). This combination of properties means it will stand up to harder use while staying sharp, and with just a little mindfulness, corrosion won’t be an issue. With the TiCN coating, the corrosion resistance is enhanced even further. 

This distinctive all-black Smock variant also features black coated hardware, the new pivot design, and a glossy black clip to complement the beautiful TiCN blade. (The Stormtrooper Smock exclusive variant featured a less premium matte black clip). Overall, the premium materials and fine craftsmanship of this knife come together to make it a uniquely high performance and intensely collectible option from Spyderco that has a place in any collection or pocket. 

Technical Specifications:

• Overall Length: 7.92"
• Blade Length: 3.39"
• Handle Length: 4.53"
• Blade Thickness: 0.118"
• Weight: 3.7oz
• Liner Type: Full, Unnested
• Blade Material: CPM CruWear
• Handle Material: Black Anodized Aluminum
• Action: Manual
• Lock: Button Release Compression lock
• Country of Origin: Taichung, Taiwan
• Aftermarket Scales: Limited options, but available. Kevin Smock also makes special scale options.
• Skiff Bearing Compatibility: 3/16”-(12)-1/16”

Disassembly Notes

Also, if you are new to the Spyderco Smock design, please note that it has a second detent added to it to avoid classification as a gravity knife, which would be illegal in most places and a potential safety hazard. This second ball detent basically stops the blade from falling open when the button is pressed (accidentally or intentionally) which actuates the lock. However, many fans of the Smock, including myself, enjoy the option to open the blade with the button because it makes the knife more fun to fidget with. 

The second detent is quite easy to remove during disassembly. It is simply a tiny coil spring pressing a small ball bearing against the tang of the blade, but it is not captive, so chances are high that when you go to take the knife apart (such as to install the skiff bearings upgrade set), the ball (and sometimes coil spring) will fall out, land on the floor, and roll into an unreachable or undetectable spot. Therefore, we advise some caution when disassembling your Smock and using quality screw bits (T8 and T6) and a takedown mat. Overall, we rate the Smock as moderately easy to dis/reassemble; easier than a PM2 but more difficult than a Native. Also, Spyderco will continue to honor their warranty on the original components of their knives long as they are dis/reassembled properly and therefore mechanically functional.

We plan on filming a Smock Disassembly & Maintenance video soon.

Spyderco Amsterdam Meet Insights

This past week, I was fortunate enough to attend the Spyderco Amsterdam Meet and got a close look at 80 prototype and production samples in various stages of development, from imminent release to very rough first handmade prototypes. There was also a 45-minute long deep-dive on coatings by one of Spyderco’s lead R&D engineers (as you could probably tell from the TiCN discussion above). While I can’t share much about the prototypes, I do have a few things I think I can share with you.

As Eric mentioned back at SHOT show 2024, Spyderco will soon be doing their USA coatings in house, which will also be Zirconium-based PVD. Though Titanium-based coatings are more commonplace, Zr is more cost effective than Ti in the US while offering very similar performance characteristics (e.g., durability & friction coefficient). The vertical integration aspect is especially exciting, with benefits such as lower costs, superior quality control, more color options, more finish options (e.g., glossy, stonewash, matte). By the way, the FDE PVD coating seen on the REC exclusive “avocado” variants is already Zr-based, but previously not done in house. Super excited to see them roll out the new coatings!!

The Edgerati is very interesting. I’ve already handled the prototype at Blade Show in June 2024, but it’s nice to see the production sample after all this time. It’s literally a skeletonized Alu Shaman with a clip point blade and no liners except for a lockbar. Super light and minimalistic, but not intended to be dis/reassembled frequently. They did improve the hardware and such before production, but still would not recommend disassembling it if avoidable. It also looks like the Edgerati has the polished detent track like the Military 2 does, but I don’t think the Shaman does that. So I’m not entirely sure if the blades will be interchangeable, but I’m sure someone will test that when it launches. Though the Shaman-style of knives isn’t really my favorite, I think I’m still going to get one to complete my skeletonized Spyderco collection with the vintage Q, R, and S models. I think everyone who likes the Shaman is probably going to want to pick one up. I’m guessing that they should be dropping somewhat “soonish”, maybe before or around Blade Show this summer. We already have the satin and black versions on backorder.

Last thing I can share is that Spyderco is attempting to get back to their old production pace of one new design per month. This has been a goal of theirs for a while, but has been held back by the pandemic AND the USA factory expansion. Now that the pre-COVID backlog is cleared out and factory building is done (not moved in fully yet though) they hope to do new things in or before 2026. I’m really excited to see more of those awesome prototypes I saw make it to market, especially at that faster gait, especially the budget models. 

Spyderco Forumite “Mr Blonde” will also be posting photos of production samples on his blog over the next few weeks, as he has done in previous years. He already posted two of them up so far. We’ll also share a link to his posts with you again after he gets all the photos uploaded.

 

The Redline Rapport

Sorry for the delays in getting this out and responding to messages! I’ve been very busy with my trip to Europe, I definitely do not mean to be leaving you all hanging.

I (Zen) will be going to Blade Show Texas this weekend (Mar 7 & 8) in Ft. Worth, TX! I’ll be there late Friday afternoon and all of Saturday, please reach out if you’re going, I’d love to say hi and give you a handshake. This will be my third BS TX and likely the last for a while, since I will also be moving to Arlington, VA from Austin, TX in one month. 

Incidentally, during my cross-continental move in early April, Dan will take over some fulfillments for popular items but some orders that I have to do will not be able to be fulfilled during the week or so it takes to drive across the country + load & unload. We’ll update the website banner when I’ll be out when I confirm the dates.

Shopify has flagged some of our product listings (mostly automatics) as “weapons”, therefore we can no longer list automatic knives on our website. However, we can still buy and sell them, just let us know what you’d like and can work out a deal.

We will soon have Poltava resin- and metallic-bonded diamond abrasives available for sale! They are made-to-order from Ukraine, so it’s been taking a while to get here, but we think they are worth the wait! They are among the highest quality and highest performing abrasives on the market. Dan has been particularly excited about these, which makes sense considering he is also a professional sharpener. Feel free to give him some love on his personal instagram here. The stones are already in transit, so keep an eye out updates on Discord and Instagram!

We have been really humbled by the positivity and support from you all during our first few months of operation. The connections and lifelong friendships Dan and I made through through knives continue to drive our passion to share great knives & accessories with great people. Our policy always has been and will be that we only carry stuff we love. We are so honored to be a part of your knife journey and we’re looking forward to serving you in the future.

Thanks again for choosing Redline Blades!

Zen & Dan

Co-Founders 

redlineblades.com 

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