This Is the Pocket Knife You Design When You Have a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Paul Alexander’s new Spyderco creation, the Nand, looks like no other we have seen before.

spyderco nand trioSpyderco

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Say what you will about Spyderco — presumably something good — it’s a brand whose knives by and large carry a pretty recognizable look, highlighted by the trademark circular thumbhole, ever-present pocket clip and typically a round, full-bellied blade.

We can only imagine that Ph.D. provides a framework to understand what is possible and functional in a knife, as opposed to just cool looking like the ones we used to doodle in the back of the class, which would have been unfeasible or at least impractical to bring to life.

Then there’s this new design by Paul Alexander. The man has a lifelong love of knives plus a distinct point of view thanks to a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Those factors combine into a silhouette that can safely be referred to as “bizarro Spyderco.” 

It’s called the Nand, and it brings a wild new look to the brand. Here’s what you need to know.

spyderco nand full
With its severe angles, the Nand is easily the most calculated-looking Spyderco knife we’ve ever seen.
Spyderco

Uncommon design

We can only imagine that Ph.D. provides a framework to understand what is possible and functional in a pocket knife, as opposed to just cool looking like the ones we used to doodle in the back of the class, which would have been unfeasible or at least impractical to bring to life.

Actually understanding mechanics frees one’s mind to dream up something like the Nand, which Spyderco includes in its SLIPIT family because, yes, this is a non-locking folder. 

In the closed position, the “tail” of the blade sticks out from the pivot-pin end of the handle, enabling you to access with your index finger and deploy one-handed as you would a barber’s straight razor. 

spyderco-nand-folded
The tail should make for easy deployment, but as with any Spyderco, you are welcome to use the hole, too.
Spyderco

Once deployed, the blade is held in place by a Ball Joint Non-Locking Mechanism — twin ball-bearing detents within the handle’s frame index. This design plus hand pressure on the oversized tail and angular finger choils on the underside of the handle lend a super secure grip. So yes, the Nand is functional AF.

As unconventional as the design is, the materials are a bit more predictable and premium. The 3.19-inch full-flatground wharncliffe blade is made of M398 stainless steel, valued for its corrosion resistance and durability, while the handle scales are precision-machined from solid titanium. 

There’s also a deep-pocket wire clip that is reversible, rounding out this very not-round knife’s ambidextrous appeal. Hopefully it’ll remind you the Nand is actually in your pocket. After all, the minimalist profile and space-age materials add up to a weight of just 1.8 ounces.

Availability and pricing

The Spyderco Nand is available for pre-order now at Blade HQ (and other retailers) for $243.75.

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