Spyderco Nati Amor Subvert Sprint Run Folding Knife C239CFP

Spyderco Nati Amor Subvert Sprint Run Folding Knife C239CFP

Knives are unique tools that fulfill one of humanity’s most practical needs with a distinctive aesthetic style. At their highest form, they represent a symphony of functional design, artistic appeal, ergonomics, engineering, materials science, and craftsmanship. The first example of this elite level of synergy is the Spyderco Subvert.

Designed by Israeli-born Nathaniel Amor, or “Nati” as he is better known, the Subvert faithfully translates his custom-made “Sabotage” model into a superbly crafted production folding knife. It vividly reflects Amor’s talent as a professional jeweler and goldsmith, as well as his hard-earned appreciation for functional cutting tools for everyday carry. Amor conceived the Sabotage model—his first professional custom knife design—while listening to the Black Sabbath rock song of the same name. After the design became reality, it attracted considerable attention in the custom knife community and quickly brought Amor and his work into the spotlight. With that recognition, and not-so-subtle encouragement from some of his friends, he submitted the design to Spyderco for consideration. Spyderco’s leadership was extremely impressed by Amor’s craftsmanship and the uniqueness of his design and decided to adapt it into a production version—the Subvert.

“STANDARD” SUBVERT

Introduced in 2018, the Subvert is a meticulously crafted folding knife that accurately captures every detail of Nati Amor’s highly sought-after custom versions in an affordable and widely available format. At the heart of the design is its dramatically styled blade, precision-ground from American-made CPM S30V particle metallurgy stainless steel. The 4.14-inch (105 mm) blade with a beautiful satin finish features a broad profile, gentle curvature, pronounced belly, and a full-flat grind. Together, these features provide maximum cutting edge length and low-friction edge geometry for extreme cutting performance. To allow fast, fully ambidextrous one-handed opening, the blade has a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole and a “humpless” spine that maintains a slim, pocket-friendly profile. The blade is also supported by two caged ball-bearing pivot washers that ensure exceptionally smooth action.

THE SUBVERT SPRINT RUN (this model)

The Subvert is an extremely capable full-service folding knife that truly reflects the outstanding craftsmanship and distinctive style of Nati Amor’s handmade design. To celebrate this unique design and elevate it to an even higher level of sophistication, Spyderco created an elite Sprint Run version. Like all Sprint Runs, this is a limited-edition, one-time expression of this model.

The first defining feature of the Subvert Sprint Run is its blade, which is crafted from CPM 20CV by Crucible Industries. This highly wear-resistant powder metallurgy stainless steel contains a large volume of vanadium carbides and the highest chromium content of any currently available vanadium-rich stainless steel. The synergy of these elements gives CPM 20CV a remarkable combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness, while also allowing relatively easy sharpening. The dramatic, full-flat-ground, satin-finished blade of this Subvert takes full advantage of all these properties to offer exceptional cutting performance, reliability, and user-friendliness.

Equally unique, the contoured scales of this knife are precision machined from solid carbon fiber. The careful machining process used to shape the crowned surfaces of the scales also creates a subtle textured pattern for enhanced grip security and reveals the stunning depth and complexity of the layered carbon fiber construction.

All other features of this remarkable Sprint Run are consistent with the standard Subvert, including caged ball-bearing pivot washers, thick skeletonized titanium liners, a strong LinerLock mechanism, and a custom pocket clip configured for right-side tip-up carry.

No matter which version you choose, the Subvert faithfully delivers the meticulous craftsmanship and premium materials of Nati Amor’s coveted custom design in a production folder within reach of every true knife enthusiast.

DESIGNER PROFILE

Nati Amor

Nathaniel “Nati” Amor is a rapidly rising star in the world of custom knifemaking. Although his passion for knives began when he was a child in Tel Aviv, his journey to becoming a custom knifemaker was uniquely “indirect.”

After completing his standard education, Amor formally trained as a goldsmith and eventually worked for 17 years as a professional jeweler. He specialized in making men’s jewelry, including bracelets, rings, and cufflinks using gold, sterling silver, diamonds, and other precious stones. During this time, his interest in knives continued to grow, and he became an active member of various online forums devoted to knives and related art forms. As his first bridge from the jewelry profession into the knife world, he also began making custom lanyard beads for fellow knife enthusiasts.

The turning point in Amor’s decision to try making knives himself came in two forms. First, he took a trip with a poor-quality everyday carry knife and was extremely disappointed by its performance as a cutting tool. That experience led him to believe he could make knives that offered better and more reliable performance.

At about the same time, Amor was fortunate enough to meet fellow Israeli and kindred spirit Lee Lerman on a knifemaking forum. Lerman was also a passionate knife enthusiast who dreamed of leaving his profession as a carpenter to make knives. At 22, he did exactly that and dedicated his life to custom knifemaking.

Amor and Lerman became friends, and Nati soon began sharing sketches of his knife design ideas. Lerman provided feedback on the technical aspects of the designs and eventually mentored Amor in the art of making flipper-style folding knives.

For the next six years, Amor made folding knives exclusively for his own enjoyment. His early efforts averaged about one knife per year and were mostly tanto-style designs. However, everything changed in 2016 when he unveiled his first professional design, “Sabotage.” Its exceptional balance of style and functionality attracted major attention in the custom knife community, and interest in the availability of Amor’s work skyrocketed. Encouraged by the reaction to his design, Amor immediately changed the course of his career and became a full-time knifemaker.

Under his business name Black Snow Customs, Amor specializes in making large-bladed, tactical-themed folding knives that reflect the beauty, precision, and refined aesthetics of his jewelry-making skills. He loves experimenting with exotic materials such as mokume gane (a non-ferrous Damascus-like material), MokuTi (titanium-based mokume), zirconium, and Damascus steel, and incorporates them into many of his knives. For now, all his models feature titanium LinerLocks and ball-bearing pivots, although he hopes to master the mechanics of additional locking mechanisms in the future.

Amor carefully makes his knives one by one by hand, and each of his creations is a unique, distinctive work of art. Even his most basic knives sell for several thousand dollars, while those with Damascus blades and other premium materials are valued at over $10,000.

Nati Amor is an exceptionally talented designer and craftsman whose talent truly pushes the boundaries of knifemaking. Spyderco is immensely proud to have the opportunity to collaborate with him and honored to share his knifemaking vision with its audience.

Specifications:

Closed Length: 13.2 cm

Blade Style: Drop Point

Blade Grind: Full Flat

Blade Finish: Satin

Blade Edge: Plain

Handle Color: Black

Locking Mechanism: Liner Lock

Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right Carry

Model Number: C239CFP

Model Name: Subvert Sprtin Run

Designer: Nati Amor