Spyderco AU
Spyderco | ARK
Spyderco | ARK
The ARK—or “Always Ready Knife™—is a purpose-designed personal-defense knife conceived by U.S. Army combat veteran John Shirley and his friend Sam Owens. While deployed to Afghanistan, Shirley learned that an alarming number of U.S. personnel were falling victim to sexual assault, particularly while showering. Drawing from his knowledge of the Japanese martial arts and with the help of Owens’ skills as a craftsman, they developed the ARK as a lightweight self-defense tool that can literally be carried anywhere.
The heart of the ARK is its deeply curved clip-point blade ground from H-2® steel—a nitrogen-based alloy that is extremely corrosion resistant. The curved edge packs impressive cutting power into the compact blade and the clip-point profile ensures a strong, extremely sharp point. The ARK’s fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle is molded directly onto the tang and features Spyderco’s proven Bi-Directional Texturing™ pattern and an index-finger groove to guarantee a secure grip—even with wet hands.
To ensure universal carry, the ARK includes an injection-molded polymer neck sheath with a breakaway ball chain. Best of all, the ARK and its sheath together weigh only 2.0 ounces (57 grams), so you’ll hardly know it’s there—until you need it.
Care and Maintenance
Care and Maintenance
To keep your Spyderco knife performing at its best, clean the blade with warm soapy water and a soft cloth after use. For tougher grime, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. If debris accumulates, use compressed air to clear the pivot and hard-to-reach areas. Ensure your knife is completely dry before applying a drop of lubricant to the pivot for smooth operation. Avoid disassembling your knife unless absolutely necessary, and always follow proper reassembly practices. Store your knife in a dry place and avoid prolonged contact with moisture. For additional care tips or assistance, please contact our customer service team—we're here to help!
