Spyderco's Super Oldies: The GIN-1 Blade Steel models

[JD Spydo]

As many of you know I'm still a big fan of many of the earlier Spyderco models. My favorite era is what I affectionately refer to as The GOLDEN ERA Of SPYDERS 1998-2003. But I want to talk about where it all started and that was with the GIN-1 models>> I've heard that G-2 and GIN-1 is virtually the same blade steel. But so many memorable classics got their start in the GIN-1 Era.

My first three Spyderco models I owned from the GIN-1 Era were the POLICE, MARINER, and RENEGADE models. Now GIN-1 wasn't particularly one of my favorite blade steels but I did think that it performed well in Spyderedge. I carrried/EDCed a GIN-1 RENEGADE for almost a year so it's fair to say that I did like some of the models out of that era.

So let's chat about or even show off your GIN-1 Spyderco models. I'm also kind of wanting to know which year it was that GIN-1 was eliminated from the main line up?

 

[Sonnemann]

I'll post up my Renegade pic (top knife) that was from the other forum
Believe it or not, I have read that this steel is close in composition to the CTS-BD1 that is currently used on several models.
Please someone correct me if I am wrong!

I'm still hankering for the full SE version of the Renegade...and the Blackhawk.

 

[JD Spydo]

I'll post up my Renegade pic (top knife) that was from the other forum
Believe it or not, I have read that this steel is close in composition to the CTS-BD1 that is currently used on several models.
Please someone correct me if I am wrong![/IMG]

I'm still hankering for the full SE version of the Renegade...and the Blackhawk.

I've heard that same claim about CTS-BD1 having similar properties and performance to GIN-1. Spyderco used GIN-1 for many years so you sure can't say much bad about it. I'm with you 100% on a Sprint Run or a new rendittion of the RENEGADE because I EDCed one of them for almost a year and it was a great all around work knife>> it was one of the few knives I also loved in combo edge. Also it was one of the very few models that was made in GOLDEN CO USA and Japan.

I did have a full SE Blackhawk that I did like a lot but when I got a 440V full SE Military model I really had no use for it anymore. There is something special about those full Spyderedged models made at the GOLDEN plant USA.

 

[EricV]

Was the Jester ever offered in GIN-1? I had an early one but can't for the life of me remember the steel, it may have been AUS-6.

I had a Pegasus in GIN-1 for quite a while. I think I sharpened it once and never touched it up again, but that tiny blade never saw much use.

Picture is from spydercosource:

 

[okto]

Image link doesn't work.

 

[B.F.U]

I want a plain edge Renegade sooo bad. Such an awesome knife.

 

[Larry Turko]

I don't think I've ever heard of, or seen a picture of, the Renegade before. It is indeed an awesome looking folder. I wish Spyderco would bring it back in it's original configuration instead of bringing out knives like the Mamba and Tighe folder in expensive and totally irrelevant materials.

 

[Sonnemann]

Note the lack of a 'hump'; it is the ancestor of the Native in this regard.

 

[B.F.U]

Note the lack of a 'hump'; it is the ancestor of the Native in this regard.

Definitely. That's why I love it. A 4" bladed Native is my dream knife.

 

[Armadew]

This thread inspired me to carry my Blackhawk today!

 

[remnar]

Here are all of my Gin-1/G-2 blades. Sorry for the low quality pic.

 

[Armadew]

 

[JD Spydo]

I want a plain edge Renegade sooo bad. Such an awesome knife.

You better believe it!! The Renegade would definitely be in my USER rotation if they would make a newer, updated model with a better blade steel>> now I also believe it was the very first Spyderco model in G-10 and they can keep the G-10 handle if they ever do a SPRINT Run. I EDCed one for about a year and it was a great performing knife even with GIN-1 blade steel. I also had a USER Blackhawk ( Renegade's little Brother) but the Blackhawk just wasn't as versatile as the RENEGADE>> It would be so cool if they would do a Sprint Run Renegade in PE & SE both with maybe XHP or M390.

Again the C-01 Worker model was a great little USER knife as well. There were some very overlooked and under-appreciated models in the GIN-1 era and the RENEGADE was probably my all time favorite out of the bunch.

 

[blanex1]

i have two natives in GIN 1, and i think they made a JD-smith in the GIN1 ! i would just love to own,grate looking knife to,one day hopefully i'll get my hands on one!

 

[JD Spydo]

i have two natives in GIN 1, and i think they made a JD-smith in the GIN1 ! i would just love to own,grate looking knife to,one day hopefully i'll get my hands on one!

If they made a JD Smith model in GIN-1 it's got to be about as rare as an honest politician or a hen's tooth. I've owned several JD Smith models and still own two of them proudly >> and of all the JD Smith models I owned were either ATS-34 or VG-10. I never owned or seen a GIN-1 version of a JD Smith>> not saying that they don't exist because I don't know 100% for sure but I've had my hands on quite a few of them over the years and again the ones I've seen and owned were either ATS-34 or VG-10.

Now I will say this not to get off the subject but I have seen Spyderco models listed in catalogs with steels they were never made with. One prime example of that was that the 2000 Spyderco Dealer's catalog has the C-50 Centofante model as being available in 440V>> and believe me if there was a 440V, C-50 Centofante model I never found one and believe me I looked for one for over 10 years.

Now there is also a possibility that there may have been prototypes or display models they had at knife shows in the early going that may have had different blade steel than what the mainline models had but I've seen very few examples of that with Spyderco.

 

[blanex1]

thats what makes the spyderco brand so much fun,the hunt for the next knife/steel combo!and the possibility's seem endless,i really love trying and using different steels this brand has to offer,like no other.

 

[carbonsteelfan]

JD , l think the last time Gin 1 was used was in 1997. If my memory serves me correctly , the G-10 Harpy was made only from 1997-98. The 1997 ones were Gin 1 , but the 1998 ones were ATS-55. My Grandfather still has a Gin 1 Mariner. It holds an edge better than AUS-8 , on par with 440c and CLEARLY below ATS-34.

 

[JD Spydo]

JD , l think the last time Gin 1 was used was in 1997. If my memory serves me correctly , the G-10 Harpy was made only from 1997-98. The 1997 ones were Gin 1 , but the 1998 ones were ATS-55. My Grandfather still has a Gin 1 Mariner. It holds an edge better than AUS-8 , on par with 440c and CLEARLY below ATS-34.

Carbonsteelfan I think you're probably right on the money. That does sound right because to the best of my memory I do believe that the Harpy model did go from GIN-1 directly to ATS-55>> Yeah because that's about when all those ATS-55 models like the Stainless RESCUE, The Herbst, The Lum Tanto and just about every Japan made model were all in transition at that point.

Funny you mention the GIN-1 SE Mariner because that was the very first Spyder I ever bought back in 1995. Now I will respectfully debate you on edge holding with AUS-8 versus GIN-1>> because at least with Spyderedged models I've had much better luck with AUS-8 over GIN-1. I will however give you the benefit of the doubt in the plain edged category because I never seriously put them side by side to test them. But AUS-8 is a really decent steel for Spyderedges as well as ATS-55, 440V and H-1.

Now I was told that there were prototypes or maybe even early production of the MERLIN and Dyad Jr. both being made with GIN-1 in the early stages>> I did hear that from more that one guy too.

 

[JD Spydo]

Well I'm sort of surprised with the lack of input since I pulled this thread back up>> I know there are some of you guys here that cut your Spyder Teeth on some of the older/original GIN-1 models. Because after all the Police, Harpy, Endura and even the Renegade all got their start with GIN-1 blade steel.

I still think that GIN-1 makes a decent blade steel for serrated edges and combo edges. Some of the original early 90s GIN-1 blades are starting to get extremely collectible. Many of the early models like the C-01 Worker, The Hunter and even the ProGrip were all from the GIN-1 era. I believe it was a vendor by the name of Ironstone who sold a lot of the early GIN-1 models.

I just heard the other day that the Merlin model was even done with GIN-1 in the early going as well as the Dyad Jr. C-39.

 

[Vegas Blade]

Man I have great memories of Gin-1. I had an Endura straight edge in that steel and man it would get sharp! That was way before "super steels" and Wicked Edges. I thought I was THE pro knife sharpener guy with my Sharpmaker and my Gin-1 Spyderco Endura. Looking back now, it likely wouldn't hold a candle to the S90V, and S110V of today. For that time, the late 90's, it was the business.