However, there are some major changes. For instance, the original ATCF had a thumb disk for manual deployment — a small, circular piece of metal that sat perpendicular atop the blade’s spine. Instead, this version gets Spyderco’s signature Round Hole.
While modern versions of the ATCF now have a pocket clip, the original didn’t. In fact, that was another Glesser innovation applied to the Starmate that makes its return here.
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While the knife remains stylistically identical to its first appearance in 1999, the materials have undergone some significant modern updates.
For instance, the spear point blade, which measures 3.74 inches long, is now crafted from high-end 20CV steel, putting it in the super-steel knife category.