Spyderco Paysan
The Peter Rassenti integral-lock folder, translated from custom benchwork into Spyderco's Prestige line. Produced 2018–2023. Now discontinued.
Editorial
The Paysan is a production knife built from a custom knifemaker's drawings, and the construction shows.
Peter Rassenti's original Paysan is a one-piece titanium integral folder; Spyderco's production translation — designated C238TIP — appeared in catalogues from 2018 to 2023. The handle is machined from a single block of titanium, with the Reeve Integral Lock cut directly into it. A stainless steel lockbar interface doubles as overtravel stop and lock-reinforcement insert. CPM S90V on the blade. Ball-bearing pivot washers. Saber grind. Trademark Round Hole opener.
The name is French for "peasant." It is a deliberate irony — this is one of the most refined production folders Spyderco has built.
Why It Matters
Production integral-lock folders are rare because the technique is borrowed from custom benchwork and demands significant CNC time per piece. The Paysan made integral-lock construction accessible at a price (USD $800 MSRP) that sat well below what a one-off custom integral commands. It is a benchmark for what the Spyderco Prestige line could do when the brief was "build a custom knife, ten thousand times."
Best For
- Collectors of integral-lock folders
- Deliberate EDC carry rather than constant pocket use
- Reference piece for the Spyderco Prestige line
- Anyone studying production knife-making at custom-grade construction standards
Technical Snapshot
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | C238TIP |
| Blade Steel | CPM S90V (particle metallurgy stainless steel) |
| Blade Length | 3.88 in (99 mm) |
| Overall Length | 8.74 in (222 mm) |
| Closed Length | 4.86 in (123 mm) |
| Edge Length | 3.70 in (94 mm) |
| Weight | 4.4 oz (125 g) |
| Blade Thickness | 0.157 in (4.0 mm) |
| Blade Shape | Modified sheepfoot / uniquely shaped profile |
| Blade Grind | Saber grind |
| Handle Material | One-piece solid titanium (integral construction) |
| Lock Type | Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) with stainless steel interface / overtravel stop |
| Clip Position | Right-side, tip-up (hourglass clip) |
| Country of Manufacture | Taiwan (Taichung) |
| Designer | Peter Rassenti |
| MSRP | $800.00 USD |
| Pivot | Ball-bearing washers |
| Opening Mechanism | Trademark Round Hole (ambidextrous one-hand opening) |
Collector / Field Notes
The Paysan sits in the Spyderco archive as of 2024. The C238TIP designation refers to the production version; Rassenti's original custom Paysan predates and informs it. No sprint runs were issued. Pre-discontinuation street prices ranged from USD $644 to $920; the secondary market currently treats clean examples as Prestige-tier collectibles. The model number is C238TIP and the designer is Peter Rassenti — both have appeared incorrectly in some retailer listings; verify against Spyderco's archived catalogue or SpydieWiki before purchase.
FAQ
Is the Spyderco Paysan still in production?
No. The Paysan (C238TIP) appeared in Spyderco catalogues from 2018 through 2023 and was formally discontinued. It does not appear in Spyderco's current catalogue.
What's the difference between C238TIP and C257?
Different knives. C238TIP is the Paysan, designed by Peter Rassenti, made in Taiwan with a CPM S90V blade and titanium integral handle. C257 is the Pattadese, made in Italy with a G-10 handle and M390 steel. The two are sometimes confused in retailer listings.
Who designed the Paysan?
Peter Rassenti. The production Paysan is Spyderco's translation of Rassenti's custom titanium integral-lock folder into a Prestige-line catalogue piece.
What blade steel does the Paysan use?
CPM S90V — a particle-metallurgy stainless steel with high vanadium content. Excellent edge retention, harder to sharpen than entry-tier steels, and well-suited to the Prestige-line positioning.
What does "Paysan" mean?
French for "peasant" or "farmer." The naming is a deliberate irony — the Paysan is one of the most refined production folders Spyderco has built.
Sources
Frequently Asked
- Is the Spyderco Paysan still in production?
- No. The Paysan (C238TIP) appeared in Spyderco catalogues from 2018 through 2023 and was formally discontinued. It does not appear in Spyderco's current catalogue.
- What's the difference between C238TIP and C257?
- Different knives. C238TIP is the Paysan, designed by Peter Rassenti, made in Taiwan with a CPM S90V blade and titanium integral handle. C257 is the Pattadese, made in Italy with a G-10 handle and M390 steel. The two are sometimes confused in retailer listings.
- Who designed the Paysan?
- Peter Rassenti. The production Paysan is Spyderco's translation of Rassenti's custom titanium integral-lock folder into a Prestige-line catalogue piece.
- What blade steel does the Paysan use?
- CPM S90V — a particle-metallurgy stainless steel with high vanadium content. Excellent edge retention, harder to sharpen than entry-tier steels, and well-suited to the Prestige-line positioning.
- What does "Paysan" mean?
- French for "peasant" or "farmer." The naming is a deliberate irony — the Paysan is one of the most refined production folders Spyderco has built.