An unusual design, a forward-curving blade, a distinctive cutting geometry and an accessible stainless steel: the Spyderco Retract is Ed Schempp’s latest interpretation of a traditional cutting tool. But is there more to this knife than its unconventional appearance?
There is a little backstory to this Retract, and it would be a shame not to share it: my friend Patrick Bonetta, the man behind the legendary Kitchen Warrior that was presented to Eric Glesser at the Spyderco Minimeet, is a very close friend of Ed Schempp. Two legendary figures in the world of knives, each in his own way.
Patrick is something of an institution in the culinary world. Known as the knife sharpener to some of the world’s greatest chefs, including Alain Ducasse, he is also an exceptional craftsman in his own right. His sharpening skills are sought after by some of the finest kitchens in the business. And his workshop has a history of its own: it is the very same workshop originally established by his grandfather, right here in Courbevoie, France.
Anyway, Patrick calls me one day and tells me he has a knife from Ed for me. A Retract. To be perfectly honest, it wasn’t a knife that had initially caught my attention. As some of you may have noticed, I’m rather what you’d call a steel geek. I’m usually drawn to unusual alloys, powder metallurgy, exotic heat treatments and the sort of technical details that can keep knife enthusiasts talking for hours. The Retract wasn’t exactly ticking those boxes…
But this one was different. It came from Ed Schempp, through Patrick Bonetta, and that alone gave it a story worth telling and I was very honored. So I asked Patrick to add his own signature to the knife. Because Patrick isn’t just a friend and a legendary sharpener; he’s someone whose hands have worked on knives used in some of the world’s greatest kitchens. Having his signature alongside Ed Schempp’s makes this particular Retract something rather special to me.
Sometimes, a knife becomes interesting for reasons that have very little to do with its steel, huh?
Ed Schempp’s distinctive design philosophy
Some Spyderco designers have an unmistakable visual identity. Ed Schempp is certainly one of them. The Khukuri, the Tuff, The Persian…
Ed has built a reputation for reinterpreting traditional blade shapes and adapting historical designs to modern folding knives. His work often explores the relationship between blade geometry, ergonomics and cutting performance rather than simply following contemporary EDC conventions.
The Retract is a particularly interesting example of this approach.
Its forward-curving blade immediately brings to mind the traditional Nepalese kukri, a design historically associated with powerful chopping and slicing capabilities. Again, Ed Schempp takes inspiration from this distinctive geometry and translates it into a compact folding knife intended for everyday use.
The result is a folder that looks quite different from the usual drop-point and spear-point designs dominating the EDC market. But the unusual appearance is not simply a stylistic exercise. The blade geometry has a clear functional purpose.
A blade designed around cutting performance
The Retract’s most distinctive feature is undoubtedly its blade. At approximately 3.4 inches (86 mm), it remains within conventional EDC dimensions. However, its pronounced curvature and forward-oriented geometry give it a very different cutting character.
The shape is particularly interesting for pulling cuts. As the blade travels through a material, its curvature helps maintain contact with the cutting surface and makes the most of a drawing motion.
The full-flat grind is another important element of the design. It provides a relatively thin cutting geometry and complements the blade’s intended slicing performance.
As you can see, it passed the plastic bottle-bottom test with flying colors! Patrick Bonetta’s convex edge made ridiculously short work of it. No hesitation, no snagging, just a beautifully clean cut. That’s what a properly executed convex edge can do!
The negative blade angle also changes the relationship between the cutting edge and the handle. This influences the way the knife engages with materials and gives it a distinctive feel compared with more conventional folding knives.
What makes the Retract interesting is that Ed Schempp has not simply designed an unusual blade. He has built an entire cutting tool around a particular mechanical approach.
9Cr18MoV: An overlooked steel or a compromise?
This is probably the aspect of the Retract that will generate the most discussion among Spyderco enthusiasts.
The big question is: WHYYYYYYYYY?!!! Why, in an age of REX 121, MagnaMax and CPM CruWear, are we getting 9Cr18MoV?
The answer is actually quite simple: this is a $70 knife.
9Cr18MoV is a readily available Chinese stainless steel, relatively inexpensive to source and manufacture. And that’s precisely the point. The Retract belongs to Spyderco’s more affordable range, not its premium steel showcase. We are looking at an economically positioned production knife, designed to make Ed Schempp’s distinctive blade geometry accessible to a much wider audience.
- 0.85–0.95% carbon
- 17–19% chromium
- 1–1.3% molybdenum
- A small addition of vanadium
For those more familiar with European and American steel designations, 9Cr18MoV is broadly comparable to 440B, rather than being a direct equivalent of 440C. It is a conventional stainless steel, not a powder metallurgy alloy. Think of it as a straightforward, affordable and reasonably corrosion-resistant steel, with decent hardness potential and relatively easy sharpening characteristics. I got nothing against that.
The high chromium content contributes to a good corrosion resistance, while the carbon content allows the steel to achieve a respectable level of hardness when properly heat-treated. Molybdenum contributes to its overall performance, and the relatively straightforward metallurgy makes it easier to sharpen than many highly wear-resistant premium steels.
Compared with VG-10, CPM S30V or more recent steels such as CPM MagnaCut, 9Cr18MoV does not occupy the same performance or market category. Its edge retention is unlikely to compete with the more wear-resistant powder metallurgy steels, particularly under demanding use. Nevertheless, corrosion resistance, sharpening convenience and practical cutting performance should not be overlooked.
Let’s not forget the three fundamental ingredients that make a good blade: steel, geometry and heat treatment.
You simply cannot judge a book by its cover and a knife by its steel designation alone. Otherwise, how would you explain the worldwide success of Opinel or Victorinox? Neither built its reputation on exotic powder metallurgy steels, but on practical designs, effective blade geometry, reliable heat treatment and outstanding value for money. A great steel with poor geometry or inadequate heat treatment won’t necessarily make a great knife. Conversely, a relatively inexpensive steel, properly heat-treated and combined with excellent blade geometry, can deliver surprisingly good cutting performance.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of all three that matters.
One important piece of information remains unclear: the exact hardness of the steel used in this particular model. Without a confirmed HRC specification, it would be premature to make precise claims about its edge retention or toughness. My assessment is therefore fairly straightforward: 9Cr18MoV is a sensible choice for a knife in this market segment, but it is unlikely to be the reason enthusiasts buy the Retract.
They will be buying it for Ed Schempp’s design and the distinctive cutting geometry.
The handle combines textured G10 scales with stainless steel liners.
G10 is a proven handle material, offering good dimensional stability, resistance to moisture and a secure grip. The textured surface provides additional traction without becoming excessively aggressive. The knife uses a thick stainless steel LinerLock mechanism. The construction remains relatively conventional despite the unconventional blade profile.
Opening is handled by Spyderco’s familiar round thumb hole, allowing manual operation with either hand.
The reversible wire pocket clip allows tip-up carry on either side. But there’s a more interesting idea behind the design: Ed Schempp wanted to create a substantial, full-sized working knife that carries with the discretion and convenience of a much smaller folder. And that’s exactly what the Retract and his Bowie achieve.
The quality of construction and finishing is right up there with Spyderco knives made in Golden or Seki. The action is smooth, and the ergonomics are simply addictive. This is one of those knives you instinctively want to put to work.
You almost feel like giving it some serious abuse. You want to chop with it, despite its relatively compact size, and even a bit of light pruning suddenly sounds like fun. There’s something about the way this knife sits in your hand that makes you want to find excuses to use it.
Right now, I’m tempted to ask Spyderco for a Sprint Run in CPM-M4, just like they did with the Tenacious. This design deserves a proper tool steel, in my opinion. CPM-M4 would be a fantastic match for Ed Schempp’s blade geometry. Do you hear me, Golden? 😀
The Retract is a true folding Kukri. And remember how powerful a traditional Nepalese Kukri can be? Its forward-weighted blade and pronounced belly make it an exceptional chopping and slicing tool. Obviously, the Retract is no full-sized Kukri. But Ed Schempp has cleverly condensed that distinctive cutting geometry into a compact folder. The forward-curving edge excels at drawing cuts, bites naturally into the material and makes this little knife surprisingly capable.
A centuries-old working design, reinterpreted for your pocket. Pretty clever, isn’t it?
So, my mini folding Kukri is now ultra-shaving sharp, thanks to Patrick Bonetta’s magic touch. In kitchen use, the main source of abrasion will simply be the cutting board. Pull cuts are an essential part of many kitchen tasks, and that’s precisely where the Retract’s blade geometry comes into its own.
Oh, and I took a diamond file to the spine of the blade to round off the sharp edges and make the thumb ramp more comfortable. It also lends itself really well to wood carving.
Anyway, for the kind of use I put it through, 9Cr18MoV is perfectly adequate. Bringing the edge back to razor sharpness is also effortless: just a few passes on a honing steel or even a leather strop will do the trick.
And that’s the thing: a knife should be a pleasure to use. Enjoyment is part of the equation. Above all, though, this is a knife meant to be used, not babied. A proper workhorse, the kind of knife you’d expect to find in the toolbox of a construction worker. Something that can tackle drywall one minute and open up a half-kilo loaf of bread the next, ready to be stuffed with chicken breast and cheddar. Yep, that’s what I call a proper working knife!
Its open construction makes it incredibly easy to clean under running water, lubricate and maintain. The hidden choil is another clever safety feature, providing an additional point of control while keeping your fingers safely away from the cutting edge, without sacrificing any usable edge length.
And then there’s something much simpler: the Retract is a beautiful knife. At least, I think so and for around $70, getting an original Ed Schempp design with this level of construction and finish is a pretty compelling proposition.
Ed designs working knives, inspired by the practical demands of life on his ranch. The Retract follows that philosophy perfectly: a solid, reliable tool with an unusual personality, built to work hard without costing a fortune. And sometimes, that’s all a knife needs to be. Don’t you think?
