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Cat Owners
- Thread starter SteelSnob
- Start date
I received my CAT about 3 weeks ago and was a bit concerned about what it would be like after reading all the negative comments on the F&F.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got the knife. The blade is dead centered and the lockup has zero vertical or horizontal play. The knife came wicked sharp out of the box but I have re-profiled it with my sharpmaker and it sharpens and performs like any of my other S30V knives do. (Which is outstanding..)
I wasn't too sure how well the blade size would fit into my EDC rotation but I find myself carrying it almost all the time. Usually as the only knife around the house and as a second blade when I go out. I normally don't have too much use for smaller knives but the CAT is actually quite useful with it's "pointy" leaf shape and razor sharp FFG. The only other knife I own that is roughly the same size is a Navi II but the CAT is way more functional than the Navi imo.
Opening and closing action is super smooth with a noticeable mid-way detent.
In terms of the CF, steel liner finish, it's not quite up to par of the Sage I, but my example is still extremely good. The quality of the CF itself is not as polished as the Sage or Native4. In fact, that might be what I would consider the weakest component of the knife. It looks a little cheesy when you look at it in the light. Has kind of a "PCB" look to it. But to put things in perspective, it's a CF/S30V knife for under $50. The blade itself has the "brushed" look of the SAGE with some slight patina (as opposed to say the more "bright polish" look of an S30V Para).
I am very happy with mine. Hope this helps.
Michael-
I was pleasantly surprised when I got the knife. The blade is dead centered and the lockup has zero vertical or horizontal play. The knife came wicked sharp out of the box but I have re-profiled it with my sharpmaker and it sharpens and performs like any of my other S30V knives do. (Which is outstanding..)
I wasn't too sure how well the blade size would fit into my EDC rotation but I find myself carrying it almost all the time. Usually as the only knife around the house and as a second blade when I go out. I normally don't have too much use for smaller knives but the CAT is actually quite useful with it's "pointy" leaf shape and razor sharp FFG. The only other knife I own that is roughly the same size is a Navi II but the CAT is way more functional than the Navi imo.
Opening and closing action is super smooth with a noticeable mid-way detent.
In terms of the CF, steel liner finish, it's not quite up to par of the Sage I, but my example is still extremely good. The quality of the CF itself is not as polished as the Sage or Native4. In fact, that might be what I would consider the weakest component of the knife. It looks a little cheesy when you look at it in the light. Has kind of a "PCB" look to it. But to put things in perspective, it's a CF/S30V knife for under $50. The blade itself has the "brushed" look of the SAGE with some slight patina (as opposed to say the more "bright polish" look of an S30V Para).
I am very happy with mine. Hope this helps.
Michael-
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 1,861
I am still awaiting my Cat and Chicago...excited to have them both
Hey guys,
Just wanted to update you on a pretty serious flaw I found in my CAT.
Actually, I'm a little sheepish that it took me a month to discover it.
I mentioned in my post above that the lockup on my knife was nice and
tight without any vertical or horizontal blade play but it never occurred to me
to check the lock itself. I've never seen this on any Spyderco before
but if I press down on the spine of the knife in the locked open position,
the lock will slide up the ramp and the knife will close.
It actually does this without a whole lot of pressure, less than even a slip joint.
Needless to say, it's going to make a trip to W&R asap.
Frankly, I'm really disappointed...there's really so much to like about the
concept of this knife. The blade shape, the ergos are all really excellent but
the execution obviously has some serious problems.
To be honest, I would have been willing to pay much more for a "Mini-Sage"
which is what the Cat *could* have been.
Please check your knives more thoroughly than I did when you get them!
On a happier note, I just received a Sage II yesterday in the mail. It may
quite possibly be the finest, most well designed and executed Spyderco I
have ever had the pleasure to hold. What an AWESOME knife!
Michael-
Just wanted to update you on a pretty serious flaw I found in my CAT.
Actually, I'm a little sheepish that it took me a month to discover it.
I mentioned in my post above that the lockup on my knife was nice and
tight without any vertical or horizontal blade play but it never occurred to me
to check the lock itself. I've never seen this on any Spyderco before
but if I press down on the spine of the knife in the locked open position,
the lock will slide up the ramp and the knife will close.
It actually does this without a whole lot of pressure, less than even a slip joint.
Needless to say, it's going to make a trip to W&R asap.
Frankly, I'm really disappointed...there's really so much to like about the
concept of this knife. The blade shape, the ergos are all really excellent but
the execution obviously has some serious problems.
To be honest, I would have been willing to pay much more for a "Mini-Sage"
which is what the Cat *could* have been.
Please check your knives more thoroughly than I did when you get them!
On a happier note, I just received a Sage II yesterday in the mail. It may
quite possibly be the finest, most well designed and executed Spyderco I
have ever had the pleasure to hold. What an AWESOME knife!
Michael-
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 1,861
mwong61,
I would have to agree with you on the Sage 2!
It is a beautiful knife and fit n' finish it outstanding, so nice I picked up the Sage 1, just for comparison. Both the finest knives I have at the moment.
Anyways not to steal the thread...I was supposed to have a Cat and Chicago shipped out to me, but the seller disappeared and was refunded by eBay. Very disappointed, but it did give me the money for the Sage so all in all worked out.
I would have to agree with you on the Sage 2!
It is a beautiful knife and fit n' finish it outstanding, so nice I picked up the Sage 1, just for comparison. Both the finest knives I have at the moment.
Anyways not to steal the thread...I was supposed to have a Cat and Chicago shipped out to me, but the seller disappeared and was refunded by eBay. Very disappointed, but it did give me the money for the Sage so all in all worked out.
Yikes. My sister's Kershaw Chive does that. This particular method of testing that you mentioned is exactly what I did when I first got my Spin, and it passed with flying colors :thumbup:
Sorry to hear about your Cat, though
Wow, that shouldn't happen, I wonder if more of them are like that? I know Spyderco would like to take a look at it, and I'm sure they'll make it right for you.
Sage II is my absolute favorite knife. It has the most amazing fit and finish that I've experienced on a Spydie to date. I love that maker and want more from them.
Sage II is my absolute favorite knife. It has the most amazing fit and finish that I've experienced on a Spydie to date. I love that maker and want more from them.
powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,976
I had never even heard of the Cat until this thread. I need to start paying attention.
smoker420x
BANNED
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
- Messages
- 49
Mines fine too. I got mine a while ago and like the rest of you heard all these bad things and have not experienced any problems so far. The f and f on my are great. Its a little small for my edc needs but still for that price you cant beat a 40 dollar CF spydie!
