dialex said:
Wow again! Nice work Paul. Though the Delica doesn't look like a Delica anymore, but rather like the Calypso jr.
Thanks Alex, but unless you mean that just adding the fish-scale texturing would make it look more like Calypso Jr., I think you may have mis-read what I was trying to say. My idea was to keep the mods on the Endura and Delica limited to two on the stainless handled versions, and three on the FRN versions. Increase the spyderhole diameter to 14mm for ease of opening with gloved or numb hands. Add traction grooves to the thumb-ramp, preferably fairly fine ones, like those on the stainless Native, for control. Finally, on the FRN versions, change the handle pattern from volcano to bi-directional fish scale, both for improved control and for looks. I'd keep the blade and handle outlines, and the heavily rounded edge on the FRN handles (as opposed to the almost squared off handle edge the Calypso Jr. has) because, to me, those are the things that define these models. I'd stick with the current grinds, mostly to keep the degree of change down, but frankly don't think the "average user" bases their purchase decision on the type of grind.
I did the Endura up in gray, as I do like that color on the Calypso Jr. and would really like to see it used more, but mostly because I though it would show up the texturing better than black. I also left out the Boye dent, although I expect Sal will retain it. I find no benefit to them, think the spoil the "line" of the handle, and some (especially the one on my CF Police) make it difficult for me to close the knife.
The other picture is for something else altogether and, perhaps did not really belong in this thread. It represents an FRN handled version of the "R". The originals, with their skeletonized blades and skeletonized almite handles are beautiful, but sold poorly because they were expensive and somewhat impractical. The basic design, stripped of these costly features is, in my opinion, one of Spyderco's best and very much deserving of a second chance. The deep choil and deep case make it feel great in my hand. With its 3.5" blade, it falls nicely between the Delica and Endura. I propose it, not as substitute for, or redesign of, either of them, but rather as a separate model. I suggest a flat ground blade, to keep it as different from them as possible, to minimize weight, to give users more choice of grinds, and because I like them. I also suggest upping the size of the spyderhole to 14mm and grooving the thumb-ramp and using the fish scale texturing, for the same reasons as I stated for the Delica and Endura. Closest thing to it in the current lineup is the Para-Military, a great knife, but a bit higher priced for some. By keeping the blade thickness of the new "R" to 3mm, like the original, and using FRN for the handle, I would guess the manufacturing costs, if made in Golden, would be comparable to that of the Native, so it would offer folks a choice between superior strength at a higher price or reasonable strength at roughly half that price.