Blending elements of Spyderco’s core design with custom knife legend Bob Terzuyola’s Advanced Technology Combat Folder influence, the limited-edition Starmate folding knife puts peak cutting performance in your hand
by Dexter Ewing; photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Some pairings are legendary. They go together like it was divine intervention or something. Peanut butter and jelly. Wine and cheese. Simon and Garfunkel. William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Thunder and lightning.
There is one legendary pairing in the knife world that originated in 1990, and back then no one knew exactly the impact of such and the ramifications they had on the knife industry.
What I am talking about is Spyderco and custom knifemaker Bob Terzuola. Terzuola is a living legend of sorts in the knife industry. He is credited as one of the few makers who has popularized what we know as the tactical folder. He began his knifemaking career making custom fixed blades of the combat knife variety, which were bought by those in the armed forces and the CIA.
The year was 1984. Terzuola relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and began making folding knives. He designed and made a folding knife that was like a more compact version of one of his larger fixed blades — a knife that could be carried more discreetly than any fixed blade. Thus, the modern tactical folder was born.
Terzuola’s ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder) design is one of those knives that has achieved legendary status. It is the maker’s most iconic design. It was his third folding knife design and the one that really took off. The ATCF was and still is a technically advanced tactical folder. It showcased a lot of innovations we know now as standard equipment, such as a pocket clip and thumb disk for ambidextrous one hand opening. It is one of the legendary knives that helped to define the tactical folder genre.
In 1990, Spyderco released their C15 Terzuola model. Terzuola was Spyderco’s very first custom collaborator. The C15 exhibited all the hallmarks of a Terzuola design with its straightforward, utilitarian mindset of the blade and handle design. Its sheep’s foot-like blade was ATS-34 steel and the handle anodized aluminum, which later was changed to black G-10.
A smaller, more compact version was also introduced later — the model C19. In 1999, the first version of the C55 Terzuola Starmate was released. This was a made-in-the-USA model as well and featured CPM 440V (later renamed S60V) steel and black G-10 handles. Unlike the C15, the Starmate had a more ergonomic-shaped handle paired with a drop point blade hosting a more streamlined “hump” that accommodates the trademark Spyderco round hole.
The current Spyderco Starmate featured here incorporates a lot of what the ATCF has but with a more ergonomic-shaped handle, with the various curves helping to mold the handle to your hand for an elevated user experience.
The 3.7-inch-long drop point blade is made from premium CPM 20CV high performance stainless steel. Known for its extreme edge holding and excellent corrosion resistance properties, 20CV is a particle metallurgy steel that is made in the USA. At 0.145 inches thick, the blade stock definitely withstands heavy use. The hollow grind removes enough material to create a very sharp edge while the swedge grind gives the knife its attitude. The trademark Spyderco round hole is incorporated into the thumb rest portion of the blade, creating a spacious platform to rest your thumb when applying pressure to the cut or for more precise control. Traction notches help obtain a secure grip.
The Starmate is only available in a satin finish, plain edge configuration.
The handle is textured black G-10 and measures 4.9 inches long. There are two stainless steel liners that are nested inside of each side of the handle, and the nesting means the width of the handle is kept at a minimum. The liners are skeletonized to help remove as much weight as possible. You will also notice that the handle is drilled out and tapped in multiple places to provide left-hand and right-hand carry options. Within those, you have tip up or tip down configurations. So, you can carry the Starmate any way that you like.
Speaking of the clip, there is a matching black steel pocket clip that is sturdy and secured to the handle with three T6 Torx head screws. On the presentation side of the knife, you will find an inlaid medallion with Terzuola’s dragon head logo and the Spyderco logo. The handle features an open construction with three standoffs, so cleaning debris out is as easy as using compressed air or rinsing the handle out with running water.
At nearly 9 inches overall length, the Starmate is a larger folder so it will easily tackle a good portion of your cutting tasks. Right out of the box, the edge is excellent as per Spyderco standards. The blade slices through a variety of materials and doesn’t shy away from the more difficult cutting tasks. The edge has great bite to it, thanks in part to the hollow grind. The handle has curves in the right places, and they help you to obtain a secure, non-slip grip. The textured G-10 scales also help in this regard.
Overall, the Starmate is a very capable cutter for cutting tasks large and small. The handle instills user confidence, and the blade shape is utility friendly. There is still plenty of blade tip to take on detailed cutting and scoring. The curve right at the blade tang thumb rest is executed perfectly. Your thumb sits in there and you can lock your grip onto the handle and cut whatever you need to cut. I love how it feels like your grip is locked onto the handle.
And when it comes time to use the knife, the sturdy liner lock swings into place to prevent the blade from rotating closed. It engages the tang crisply and surely, leaving no doubt the lock integrity is high and there is no chance of accidental closure until you want the blade to close. Carry-wise, the Starmate rides comfortably in the pocket or IWB, and it is easy to withdraw and deploy the blade.
The Spyderco Starmate C55GCV20P is a stylish and hard-working folder. MSRP is $450 and it is made in the USA. It is a limited-production item and may or may not be available by the time you read this. But it is a significant knife in the Spyderco lineup because it commemorates Spyderco’s very first custom collaboration ever, and the first one with Bob Terzuola.
