C69GP Temperance (Leaf blade) = Perfection

V-1

Joined
Apr 14, 1999
Messages
1,490
Sal and crew have out done themselves this time. I have lived w/ and carried this knife constantly for a few months now. Here are my general thoughts on the design and execution of the Temperance #037.


Handle: The ergonomics of the handle are first rate but this will be a personal preference. For my hands, this handle shape is perfect. I appreciate the guards and the handle hasn't developed any hot spots yet w/ different grips over longer chores. If you are a fan of saber grips this handle design will lock into your hands. The surface milling to help your fingers in one grip and thumb in another grip get traction blend flawlessly into the handle. The handle itself is made out of an OD Green shade of G-10. It is a nice shade that's a welcome break from black. As with all in-house Spyderco designs the handle and blade lines beautifully flow into each other whether the folder is opened or closed. The three index points milled into one frame slab are perfectly mirrored on the other side by the three holes milled in the clip. The clip alone is a work of art. The forming of the sides of the clip make for a sure comfortable grip. "Sal"'s logo completes the look. All in all, the self-defense nature of the knife is quite obvious once the knife is seen and handled.

Blade: The blade is a perfect rendition of my favorite spyderco blade design, the calypso jr., only much beefier w/ a much higher grade of steel (440V). The blade is 3" to make it legal in a larger variety of jurisdictions. The blade is noticeably wide (not too mention thick near the pivot) for it's length. Here some of the other self-defense aspects of the design are noticed. I imagine this knife would create a rather wide wound channel. As expected from Spyderco, the blade was razor sharp w/ crisp, clean grinds.

Lock: The Compression lock engages firmly and is somewhat resistant when you are trying to release the lock. This is a good thing in that it will help alleviate unexpected blade closures. Those are never pleasant. After ALOT of repeated openings the lock is visually unchanged. It locks up in the same place on the tang. My limited torque and pressure tests completely unaffected the nestled lock engagement. This is my first experience w/ the Compression lock so it is limited but very positive. I would need more time w/ this lock before I passed my final judgement.


Overall, the Temperance design is w/ out a doubt a large step forward in the field of self-defense knives. I purchased it mainly to cover a niche. To carry in areas were 3" blade limits are in effect for self-defense. Surprisingly, I find that it has taken the place of my main utility knife. It has become my EDC for all my utility needs. At this point in the knife industry it is the pinnacle of knife design for my needs. Thanks Spyderco!
 
Hi V-1. Thanx for the kind words. The Lil' Temperance was a challenging design to create. More than 20 plastic versions were made before we were satisfied with the pattern.

Unfortunately, there aren't very many of them out there so discussion about the design will be limited. I plan to use the pattern to test some of the newer high tek materials. I find myself carrying one often.

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
I plan to use the pattern to test some of the newer high tek materials.

If these models aren't tested to the point of destruction would Spyderco ever consider selling them through SFO when R&D is through w/ them? If so, who should I contact? I would be very interested in purchasing one. I find myself carrying one of the Lil' Temperance models at all times any more.
 
Sal

I would be interested in talking about a Temperance in anything you are calling "high tec". May not be able to swing it but?!?!?

V-1
I've got #037V. Tried to talk myself into both but you beat me to #037. Haven't really carried it but just around the house. Can't wait to get a leaf point non-numbered for EDC. Should match up quite well with my Wagner/Spyderco Ocelot proto, just a little stouter.
 
The 440V is a much higher grade of steel than VG-10?
I was always under the impression that VG-10 was the pinnacle of steels. Especially considering the Calypso Jr. is my favorite knife.
:confused:
 
It's funny that you should mention the Calypso Jr. It was my favorite Spyderco up to the arrival of the Lil' Temperance. I have several different versions of the Calypso Jr. w/ micarta and FRN handles. I still carry them daily. Classic design w/ perfect ergonomics and beautiful lines open or closed.

According to what I've read in trade literature, CPM440V is a higher grade of steel then VG-10 for industrial uses. On the open market, in raw material form, CPM440V is more expense then VG-10. I'll have to see if I can find some sales literature for the steels listing suggested applications, machining techniques, mechanical and metallurgical properties, etc.

In my own experience, CPM440V holds an edge much longer then VG-10 over the range of my uses (home/office/shop/outdoor environments). I own several knives that employ each steel in subject. On the other hand, CPM440V has also been much harder for me to sharpen once I do finally manage to knock the edge off. VG-10 is quicker to sharpen to a very wicked edge. I cannot attest to the steel's differences when it comes to stress resistance, machinablity, rust resistant properties, etc. My uses have been limited to strictly cutting different materials.

All in all, I am quite satisfied w/ having either steel in my blade. I like both. :D
 
Pyrguy

I ended up doing the reverse. I just picked up a trailing point model for EDC. I've been trying not to subject #037 to much use but it's becoming a losing battle. The knife is w/ me at all times. Depending how I take to the trailing point blade shape, I will probably pick up an un#ed leaf shaped blade. When they hit dealer inventories and my $ fund recovers from the Trailing point purchase that is. The leaf blade shape (think calypso jr) is my favorite for EDC.

I plan to use the pattern to test some of the newer high tek materials.

I can only imagine what these different versions will be like! What it would be like to work for Spyderco's R&D dept.!
 
V-1

Leaving #037V home is easy. I just put #17 Ocelot proto in and away I go. Or my Blue G-10 Native. Or the Meerkat. or a custon Ken Onion Whisper. or a custom Illusion Apogee. or...

See it's easy. Just have LOTS of other choices for your EDC. :rolleyes:
 
My strong endorsement still stands! I received a trailing point model a short while after my review. I have been using it every day since and it's still in perfect shape. No blade play has developed. The Compression lock hasn't even moved a 1/32" across the tang. The Lil' Temperance is still the best folder I have found for my uses.

On the downside, it's definitely put a hurting on my knife buying habit. Few other folders seem to measure up :).

Hopefully it's sold well enough to justify different variations in the future. I wouldn't mind carrying around a carbon fiber model for a while. Or maybe a titanium frame lock version. Not sure how it would turn out w/ the milling for the thumb in that area of the handle but I'd like to see the prototype photo. There's probably a titanium prototype model floating around the Spyderco skunkworks. God knows what's floating around the Spyderco R&D lab!

Alright, enough of the rambling, I'm off for another Guinness.
 
I agree! I've had my LT TP since Feb. and I haven't bought a knife since. The only one I want right now is the up-coming Mili Jr.
 
VG-10 vs CPM440V

From my experience...heh...whoa don't leave now...

VG-10 will sharpen to edges that are downright scary with little work. Holds good on softer stuff, get into something thats hard, and it'll "fail". But fixing it is a snap. I love it, its a tool and you gotta maintain it. Oh, and get yerself a quality steel(like a chef's), you can keep VG-10 shaving sharp all the time. I've noticed the edge won't necessarily chip or dull really, it'll just bend a hair. A good steel is practically like sharpening anyways(cardboard works in a pinch).

CPM440V, if I had to pick a steel that I had to use for days and not have access to my stones, I'd grab my Military and know I'm doing the right thing. This steel loves abuse and will laugh at attempts to dull it. Although its brittle as heck(I hear the newer runs are better than the first few batches), it will cut and cut and cut. Only thing I've seen do better in head-to-head comparos is that talonite(Stellite 6k?) stuff, and thats not really a fair comparison. Talonite is a matrix, and a well designed one(HINT! HINT! Sal.) Only thing besides the brittle nature of CPM440 that bugs me is how dang hard it is to get a razors edge on it. You have to watch your angles, or you'll spend hours piddlin and getting the angles back in to sympatico. Once it's sharp tho.....its great.
 
V-1,
My thoughts exactly! The Calypso Jr was my EDC, but the Lil' Temperance is now the Sypdie of choice. Your review was true and very much along the lines of my current evaluation.:D
 
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