Calypso Jr Lite ???

I'm coming in a bit late here, but please, please, keep the micarta Calypso Jr. VG-10 and the micarta would be a nice combo for simplifying production, and the Zytel would be a great price-point model. It doesn't seem like many here would miss the stainless handle version.

The micarta is near and dear to my heart.
It's the first knife my wife "stole" from me and keeps with her constantly. I bought another and rotate carrying it with my small Sebenza. I've given four or five others as gifts. The micarta version is a great, classy knife. Long live the C52BM! (I hope that was the correct number.)

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Don LeHue

The first sign of poor craftsmanship is wrinkles in the duct tape.


 
Very interesting thread. Danelle, please print this for the Sales dept. Though I personally agree with you, the numbers don't. The steel handle Calypso Jr. outsells the micarta version by triple. Probably the size, or the fact that Spyderco's stainless models began the "change" and many still opt for the "heft".

More than likely, the micarta version will "go" when the "liteweight" comes out. Maybe an occasional "batch" if demand requires. We'll keep the VG-10. It also looks like the Calypso (larger micarta version) might a;lso go. the "general public" does not seem to like micarta as much.

Marion - The Calypso Jr. was the "choil" version, the Delica was the non choil version. The Native is the "humpless version" (Sometimes you feel like a hump, some times you don't). Different solutions to the same question.
sal
 
Very interesting thread. Danelle, please print this for the Sales dept.

I personally agree with you, but the numbers don't. the stainless steel Calypso Jr. outsells the micarta version by triple. I guess the "general Public" doesn't like Micarta as much as the aficianado. Might be the size, or the fact that the stainless Clipits are what created the "change" in the industry and many still opt for the heft.

The Micarta Calypso Jr. will probably "go" when we reduce, as will the larger Micarta Calypso.

Marion - The Calypso Jr. is the "choil" version. The Delica is the "non choil" veersion. The Native is the humpsless version. (sometimes you feel like a hump, sometimes you don't).

different solutions to the same question.
sal
 
WOW! Three to one stainless over micarta? That's pretty amazing. I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't come from somebody like Sal. I do believe him, but I am surprised.

The stainless handled versions of the Calypso Jr are cheaper, but not by so much that I would have expected that much disparity. My feeling was (and is) that the Calypso Jr is more of a "dressy" knife than, e.g., the Delica, and that the Micarta is definitely a serious contribution to the "dressiness". I'd really like to see the Micarta version stay in production, but OTOH, I do have one and I probably won't be buying lots more of them myself. I probably would buy more if they came in other colors. The thread about another Bladeforum special consisting of a Calypso Jr with coral micarta is great. I would certainly buy at least a couple of those, even, or maybe especially, if they didn't have "BladeForums" etched on them.



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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
 
I think maybe I can guess why the numbers weigh more toward the SS version. In general, just seems right for a knife to have metal liners, or all metal scales. I know that the Calypso Jr. isn't exactly a heavy use knife. But, when I handled one at the store over the weekend, I have to admit that I liked the idea of the SS version more than the micarta. The micarta LOOKED _great_, but the SS looked good, too. The handling (fondling?
wink.gif
) session led me to start the thread asking about the metal liners in the micarta handles. With zytel, I'm not as hesitant. I know what zytel is, and that it can stand up to some abuse (I have some in-line skates with zytel frames; now THOSE take some ABUSE). So, with zytel, I'm not as worried about the strength of the material.

Just my 2c worth, as a one of the general public...generally
redface.gif
. (but I'm a-learnin')

O_D
 
Black linen micarta will stand any abuse you want to dish out bare-handed.
wink.gif


I suppose, being in a number of distinct minorities among the general public on matters of politics and religion, it is fitting that I should also be in a minority among buyers of sharp objects, and prefer the micarta Calypso Jr. to the stainless version. And I'm also a fan of the Benchmade Mini Spike, also discontinued this year.

So it goes.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
 
James,

The first line of your post was almost exactly the type of statement I was looking for when I posted my question thread regarding micarta.

If you are in a minority, then I guess I am too. Because for looks, feel, and weight, I would prefer the micarta as well. If it is sturdy/strong, then that would be my pick as well.

But, you see, I just became more informed than I was yesterday, and much more informed than the general public. There's why the SS outsells 3 to 1.

O_D
 
I think the micarta Calypso Jr is as good as folders get. I have many and most cost more but none are better. This knife is lignt and feels so good in the hand. It would be a shame to discontinue it.
 
Actually this thread prompted me to take a look at the micarta Calypso Jr. at the local knife show. Well.. I walked away with one right there. I liked the smooth opening, great feel and classy look of the micarta. I decided to give it to my wife for Easter. Actually I gave it to her when I got home. She gave me "the look" when I handed her the knife box, but…she looked at it, opened it and a coy smile came to her face, she loves it! This is from a person who doesn't care for my knife collection in the first place. Now she is trying to have a race seeing who can withdraw and open our Spyderco's the quickest, is that cool or what! Thanks Sal! I think I'll pick one up next time I'm back at the knife show, I don't know if it will replace my Wenger Jr. as my daily carry, but it may go good with my dress clothes, and with the black clip it doesn't draw too much attention.

Take care,
Tom
 
Finally I stop lurking and have something to say. I was amazed that so many people (people that seem to really know about Spyderco products and knives in general) feel the same way about the Micarta Calypso Jr. that I do. Great minds think alike they say. It has been my favorite carry knife (next to my small Sebenza) since I bought it the summer before last. I have to say that the stainless handles do not appeal to me in the slightest. I recently bought one of the Wegner's which I had waited years for since seeing the Boguzowski (sp?) prototype at the Blade Show and gave it to a buddy shortly there after because I couldn't stop carrying the Calypso Jr! Here's my $.02 on the design.

GOOD
flat grind
distal taper
Black Micarta (akin to black leather bucket seats)
choil
lanyard hole (with steel liner!)
light weight
low pocket carry
"Liners! We don't need no stinking liners!"
plain edge (on mine anyway)

NOT SO GOOD
AUS-8 steel (not bad, but not great)
sharp hump on back (mildly irritating)
black anodized pocket clip (looks great in the showcase, but quickly looks beat up)

I have owned over a dozen Spyderco knives over the years (including that handy little parer) and given away many (Oh I love to see that first glint of understanding in their eyes!) and this is my all time favorite. I've also handled just about every model Spyderco makes, and while there are definitely others that I want (I'll post more about my SpydeRench fantasies-oh yes, I got to handle a prototype at last years Blade Show--drool....) the Calypso Jr. BM will always be special to me. From looking at this post the only thing I seem to like more is parentheses! ;-P

Please, oh please Sal, don't stop production on this little gem. Perhaps you need to try to educate the general public more on the strength and versatility of Micarta like you have done with steels. Sales may not reflect it but it sounds like the diehards know quality when they see it, and I'm willing to bet that everyone on this thread owns more that a couple of Spyderco knives! If you used a better steel I would definitely buy a couple more for myself and who knows how many for gifts.

OK I know this is a long post but here is a related story. I came downstairs a couple of hours ago to find our 17 pound tom cat sleeping on the couch while laying on the TV remote with his right paw laying on my Calypso Jr.! No joke. I always new he was a very cool cat. (The Catlypso Jr? OK that was way bad!)

Love the knife, love the company, and love the forum. Sal, Danelle and the other folks at Spyderco should be commended for the active role they have taken here.

Paul
Keep it sharp!
 
The only Spyderco knife, or any one handed knife for that matter, I own is the Delica. I got it about 2 weeks ago and love it. I've opened and closed it so much that I think my thumb has gotten stronger from the exercise. After reading through all the remarks made about the calypso jr, I am going to buy it. Hope you guys don't discontinue it.

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Johnny
[]xxxxxx[]=============>
 
The only Spyderco knife, or any one handed knife for that matter, I own is the Delica. I got it about 2 weeks ago and love it. I've opened and closed it so much that I think my thumb has gotten stronger from the exercise. After reading through all the remarks made about the calypso jr, I am going to buy it. Hope you guys don't discontinue it.

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Johnny
[]xxxxxx[]=============>
 
Sal
my 2 cents worth on the Calypso jr's
THERE GRRRRREEEEAAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!

now that that's said here's my story.
I've carried a Spyderco (Mariner) daily, every day for the past 12+ years. Last December my oldest son turned 8 and my wife and I decided it was time for him to have his own knife. One of his daily chores is feeding the horses and he'd been borrowing my Mariner to cut open the hay bales. Well the big decision was do we get him some $5.00 piece-o-crap from K-mart(if he looses it no big deal) or a real knife (something to be proud of and cherish). After going through stacks of material it came down to a Calypso jr the problem was which one, micarta or stainless. I ordered one of each (what the heck I can always use an extra). Decided on the micarta for my son and to say it was a big hit would be a severe understatement. I have never seen him so proud about anything before or since. I think it took about two weeks before he was able to breathe normally again. I felt pretty damn good myself. As for getting an extra knife for me well that ended as soon as my wife got a grip on the stainless Calypso jr and said, "this feels perfect" (she has carried it daily since). In about 2 years my youngest son turns 8 want to guess what he's going to get?
As an aside when my son showed his micarta calypso jr to a friend of mine the first words out of my friends mouth were "this is just what I've been looking for, next time you order get me one". And I did.
Out of all the friends and family that have examined the two jr's there have not been any negative comments about them.
Thanks for making them
Paul

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Strange women lying in ponds passing out swords is no basis for a form of government
 
I think what this amounts too is that the micarta Calypso, Jr. is kind of a "knife knut's knife" -- people who are big into knives like it for it's better qualities that perhaps the standard ELU cannot appreciate. Kinda the way the M-14 was a "rifleman's rifle" (the last to be adopted by the US Military, but I digress).

I personally like the sharp hump. Looks sharp and I don't think it hampers performance. YMMV, of course. And I like AUS-8. I think even better than the ATS steels. Still, a VG-10 Calypso, jr. would kick @$$. Micarta is strong, lightweight, and looks classy even after been abused a bit. This is the only knife that competes with my Sebenza for daily carry.

I hope it continues to be made. And I hope there is a micarta Dragonfly in the works (I still think it should be called a "Baby Calypso" or "Calypso, Jr., Jr." or "Calypso III" but I am weird).

PS look for a thread regarding Micarta in the near future

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

Picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue...

 
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