Everyday Carry

Spyderco Squarehead Lightweight

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Spyderco Squarehead Lightweight

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When space is at an absolute premium, or your situation demands something smaller than a traditional compact EDC knife, you need something special. You need an extremely small and discreet EDC knife that can cut beyond its size. The Spyderco Squarehead Lightweight is just that. It fits a sharp and capable folding knife into a frame that's only slightly larger than a quarter.

The Squarehead Lightweight is an update to a collaboration design originally made by custom knife maker Daniel Caston that makes the knife both more affordable and more practical for EDC. Like the original, you get a tiny folding knife in a discreet card-shaped handle that measures 2.23” closed. Unlike the original, which featured a smooth titanium handle, the Lightweight features grippy textured FRN scaling. But true to its name, the Squarehead Lightweight comes in at only 1.2 ounces on the scales. That makes it perfect for neck carry, especially with the lanyard hole on the frame. It works well for for barely-there pocket carry as well.

The Squarehead Lightweight features a 1.3” sheepsfoot blade that's perfect for utility cutting work. The blade itself is made of American CTS-BD1 stainless steel. It's strong and corrosion resistant, but it's also easy to sharpen. That ease is important because the blade features a single-sided chisel grind that's similar to what you find in Japanese cooking knives which would otherwise be harder to maintain. Because of its unique design, the blade nests evenly with the frame of the knife when closed. Spyderco's signature thumbhole makes for easy deployment, and a stainless steel liner lock holds the blade in place during use.

It's hard to find a folding knife as small as the Squarehead Lightweight that’ll come in handy for EDC whether it’s as a backup or as an ultra-discreet primary blade. Check it out at the link below.

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Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Discussion (2 total)

Victor Coste ·
Amazing, but a bit steep on price. At least here in the Nederlands it is very very expensive. Could buy a decent Kershaw or Gerber for that price...
Victor Coste ·
Something else to mention, the Böker Plus Dog Tag Knife (01BO210 folding knife, John Kubasek design) is much more affordable and has the same tech.