Cat Review

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Brules1

Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
881
I just received a Spyderco Cat and really like it. The blade is a bit shorter than I prefer, so I may buy a Chicago soon. The fit and finish is somewhere between a Byrd and Spyderco quality. Lockup seems to be good. I had to open/close it several dozen times before it felt smooth. I really like the clip. Overall, a very good buy for the money.
My next purchases will probably both a Chicago and a G10 Dragonfly.
 
Just to be clear, the Chicago is shorter than the Cat, not longer. If you're looking for a larger version of the Cat, the Sage 1 is a larger, more nicely-executed knife that follows the same general design cues.
 
I'd agree that the quality ranking of these three blades goes like this:
-- Sage
-- Cat/Chicago
-- Byrd

But why do you say the quality of the Cat is in-between Byrds and Sypdercos in general?

The Sage is a much more expensive blade -- it should have better F&F than the more value-priced Cat/Chicagos.

I'd rank the Cat and Chicago very highly, and not just at their price points.

To take just one example: Spyderco's highly-praised Dragonfly FRN lists at $70 for an FRN handle and VG10 blade.

The Cat lists for $5 more but has about the same street price, and has a CF handle and S30V steel.

I'm unaware of any quality differences between the two. While I appreciate both, I know which one I prefer.

I'd be very interested in what Sal or others at Spyderco have to say about the quality of the Cat/Chicagos.
 
flash900, I agree the Cat/Chicago isn't on par in quality as the Sage.
I'd rate them as #1 Spyderco #2 Cat/Chicago & #3 Byrd.
 
Brules1 said:
flash900, I agree the Cat/Chicago isn't on par in quality as the Sage.
I'd rate them as #1 Spyderco #2 Cat/Chicago & #3 Byrd.
Click to expand...

The Cat/Chicagos are "Spydercos."

Which is my point. They aren't some kind of third level in-between "real" Spydercos and Byrds, as some seem to think.

They are the real deal, but value priced.
 
SteelSnob said:
My Cat had great materials but not so great f&f.
Click to expand...

Some pics for illustration would be great if you can swing it, SteelSnob. It is just that every Taiwan Spydie I own has a build and f & f as good or better than Golden. :confused:
 
They had some issues with the first batches of Cats/Chicagos and pulled them from sales. Many surfaced as seconds. The newer ones should be better, but keep in mind what you get for the price. I would call the Cat/Chicago a very nice deal at that price.

Show me ANY knife that has full flat ground s30v and carbon fiber and will run you less than $50. For that price you cannot expect F&F to be comparable to a $100+ level. Its silly to expect it. That's like wanting an Acura for the price of an Accord.
 
flash900 said:
The Cat/Chicagos are "Spydercos."

Which is my point. They aren't some kind of third level in-between "real" Spydercos and Byrds, as some seem to think.

They are the real deal, but value priced.
Click to expand...

flash900, what I meant was the Cat/Chicago does not have the fit/finish standard of most Spydercos. It's better than the Byrd line, but not up to what I consider to be Spyderco standards. The Cat/Chicago is a great knife for the money, and I would recommend them. I feel the Cat/Chicago should have been sold as a Byrd model.
 
Brules1 said:
flash900, what I meant was the Cat/Chicago does not have the fit/finish standard of most Spydercos. It's better than the Byrd line, but not up to what I consider to be Spyderco standards. The Cat/Chicago is a great knife for the money, and I would recommend them. I feel the Cat/Chicago should have been sold as a Byrd model.
Click to expand...

I guess it's a good thing Spyderco doesn't have to check with you regarding their 'standards' or anything, yeah?

-Tye
 
Tye, there is nothing wrong with Brules expressing an opinion. His opinion is the reason you clicked on this thread, after all. :thumbup:
 
The Cat is a great little knife. S30V & CF in my mailbox for $55.90 really can't be beat. As far as F&F goes it's nothing an afternoon w/an old Lansky stone to bring the liners & scales flush & finishing w/a little scotchbrite can't fix. Take your time & I think you'll be very pleased with the results.
 
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