Spyderco Dog Tag folding knife C188ALTIP

Dog Tag, based on one of Serge Panchnko’s most popular custom designs, is a new Spyderco product from August 2014. Its single-sided handle is fabricated from solid titanium and accurately replicates the size and shape of a military dog tag.

The “business end” of the Dog Tag is a sheepfoot-style blade made from premium CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel with a stonewashed finish. To protect the edge when closed, the blade is chisel ground with a single flat bevel on the front side—an unusual feature for a Spyderco knife. Spyderco’s Trademark Round Hole™ in the blade allows easy opening, and a subtle swedge (unsharpened bevel) and a decorative fuller (groove) near the spine add a touch of style. The blade’s pivot is also accentuated by a round aluminum disk that provides stability and structural strength as well as an aesthetic touch.

A non-locking folder, the Dog Tag’s blade is held in place in the open position by a detent mechanism. A ball bearing in the handle scale’s integral spring arm indexes holes in the tang of the blade to hold it both closed and open. Since the blade does not lock, care should be taken during use to apply cutting pressure only in a direction that maintains the knife’s open position.

This version of the Dog Tag features a green anodized handle scale and contrasting blue anodizing on the back strap and pivot pin disk.