Spyderco Knife Documentation

Documentation for the Spyderco tribute knife that was made as a fundraiser for 9/11.

Spyderco World Trade Center Fundraising Knife Project: Knife with WTC steel and Presentation Box

Number 612 (of 2819), this is a Spyderco World Trade Center knife.  A special tribute and fundraising effort, it incorporates WTC steel in the Twin Towers silhouette on the handle.
Info from Spyderco's website about this knife:
Spyderco's World Trade Center Fundraising Knife Project began when Spyderco's owners and employees deeply wanted to contribute to a cause we felt strongly about -- helping the surviving families of the fire and police personnel that perished on September 11, 2001. A commendable outlet for doing just that was the New York Police and Fire Widow's and Children's Benefit Fund*. At the project's inception unique challenges were met by a number of same-feeling people who made it all happen. In honor of the fallen members of the Saving And Serving community we designed a variation of a sheepfoot rescue model with our new Ball Bearing Lock set in a black FRN handle. There are a total of 2819 numbered pieces, one for every life lost that day. Making the knife extraordinary is an inlay of the Twin Towers skyline cut from a steel girder retrieved from World Trade Center Tower One it is set flush into the handle. The knife is presented in a custom box of cocobolo wood. $225. per knife with all profits going to the New York Police and Fire Widow's and Children's Benefit Fund. Our gratitude for those who are helping us make this a reality.

• Police Lt. John McArdle (NYPD)
• Police Officer Jerome Kazlauskas (NYPD)
• Police Officer Jerome Maier (NYPD)
• Police Officer Juan Gonzalez (NYPD)
• Jeff Silman
• Police Officer John D'Allara and Family New York
• Judd Evans, Evergreen, CO
• Joe Rogers, Rogers Wire EDM Service, Arvada, CO
• Darrell Lewis, Bodycote Metallurgical Coatings, Greensboro, NC
• The Spyderco Crew, Golden, CO

*This charity is an IRS Section 501c(3) corporation. The charity has annual Certified Financial Statements from Grant Thornton CPA's filed with the New York State Department of State. The Tax ID number is 13-33440675. The charity has less than 2% expenses, does not use professional fundraisers, and relies on active volunteer committee to raise funds. 
 DISCONTINUED.

United Cutlery Corp 9/11 Tribute Knife

September 11th tribute knife offered by United Cutlery Corp.  Packaged in a patriotic box.

Tribute Knife

Tribute knife.

Tribute Knife

One more example of a tribute knife. The eagle with the tear is a frequent image.

George Bush Tribute Knife

Tribute knife featuring George W. Bush next to an American flag. This is a typical example of memorabilia object that resulted from 9/11.

The Tribute Business: Call it what it is

I don't plan to make this a regular occurrence, but I couldn't resist commenting on this recent item posted on eBay. Plus, this item is out of my price range and won't be joining my collection. I included the posting info below. The best intentions were behind many September 11th tribute and commemorative items. The eBay seller relates the story behind the knife's development and how 100% of the proceeds were donated to the NYC Police and Firefighters Widows and Children's Benefit Fund. But ultimately, what is the real reason for offering an item like this? One obvious reason is a marketing opportunity. I don't say this in a negative way. We live in a consumer-driven society where material goods define who we are (and how we remember). This knife clearly has special significance. But it is also this special quality that will demand a higher bid (as the seller relates below). Companies can't escape why they exist, no matter what they say their intentions are. They exist to make money, and these objects were created to make money. Whether a portion or all proceeds were donated, does it matter? The motive is still the same. And people bought these objects realizing this was a transaction. Their purchase helped support something (ie. made them feel good about it) and the object served as a connection and a way to remember to September 11th. Consumers and businesses together played this exchange out with a wink and nod. A win-win for everyone.

EBAY LISTING:

You are bidding on limited edition knife. This is Spyderco World Trade Center ( WTC) Collectible Knife. The insert in the center of the knife was made from actual steel beams recovered at the WTC. This knife 1252 / 2819. Through collaboration between company founder Sal Glesser and a group of firefighters and first responders in the New York City area, Spyderco designed a special folder to commemorate their service. The company offered a limited number of special folders that honor the men and women who fell in New York City on that day none of us should ever forget.

Basically, the folder is a special Rescue model with a CPM S30V steel sheepsfoot blade. This model was also chosen to debut the company’s new ball bearing lock, which is such an interesting concept that it really deserves a separate article. The knife is marked with a serial number from 1-2819, to commemorate all those who died in the towers that day. The WTC Rescue by itself would be a beautiful and handy folder for any first responder’s kit, but it boasts at least a couple of other special features.

The WTC Rescue is supplied with a tasteful wooden presentation box . One hundred percent of the profits from these knives when originally sold were donated to the New York City Police and Firefighters Widows and Children’s Benefit Fund.

Over the years, I have seen about six of the 2,819 knives up for auction. The last one sold for over $650.00 . This is as new in the box, never carried, never sharpened, the recent economy dictates its sale.

Paypal accepted +3%, or Postal MO. Shipped same day as payment recieved. Shipped USPS, with tracking sent to buyer. Shipping in CONUS add $12.00
Buy It now: and I will pay for the shipping, insurance, and tracking.
September 11, 2001: Never Forget.

Case Knife Tribute

This Case knife is one of many tributes to September 11th, especially focusing on American symbols. This object clearly has a patriotic marketing message tied to it, and thus, has a consumer driven focuse.

Twin tower blades

Twin blades are a tribute to the Twin Towers. Featuring steel blades with an eagle handle incorporated, this double knife is hung on a wood shield. Is this tribute knife a call for revenge? A tribute made in the form of a cutting tool or weapon, what call to action is implied here? What message does this send? Who would buy such an item and how would they use it?