First Impressions of the Lil Temperance

J

jag-engr

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
341
I recently traded for a plain-edge, leaf-blade Lil Temperance.

While I should logically be repulsed by the sheer hideousness of the knife, I find myself fascinated by it.

I have to say that the knife easily has the most solid ergonomics of any knife I have ever handled - even better than the Manix or UKPK!:eek: I was especially impressed with the way that the knife engages all four finger for the grip. Most knives really just engage the first and second finger. The Lil Temp is designed to engage all four fingers. The only problem with this is I'm left-handed and it's not comfortable to grip the knife with my wedding ring on.

You can argue the merits of the clip both ways. Personally I think the weird clip utilized by this knife and the ATR is just fine. I just wish this knife would allow for left-handed carry options.:(

All that being said, I think I'm going to trade the knife, as it is simply too big to carry and not long enough to justify the bulk. I enjoyed handling this innovative knife, but i don't think it fits into my knife needs.
 
Well brother it truly baffles me as to why that Lil Temperance model ( leaf and trailing point) didnt take off like wildfire and become a flagship knife for Spyderco. It's just one of many great Spyders that never got appreciated until it got discontinued. Some of the others are: The fixed blade Temperance, The Impala, The Massad Ayoob, the Dodo, The Titanium ATR, The big Dyad and the JD Smith.. None of those models as well as the Lil Temperance did well at all when they were in the main line up. But they all were catapulted into stardom by being discontinued. Spyderco has that distinction more than any other production knife company that I know of.

But now go try to find one of those aforementioned models at a decent price. The Lil Temperance probably had the quagmire of being perceived as being overpriced during it's tenure. But if you ever own and use one as you have you immediately see that it was indeed reasonably priced for the impeccable quality you have in that knife.

The Lil Temperance is literally a TANK of a knife and probably the most muscular knife of it's blade size in the entire production knife world.
 
Its funny. I actually like the Lil Temp. I have a trailing point, the rarer of the 2. However, I think I ruined any value of the knife by having the rear of the clip semi-sharpened for reverse grip hoking and shearing. However, I believe it is the only one like it ;)
 
Amen JD!

The only down side I can possibly see for the Lil' Temp is that it's very obviously right handed.

And I'm right handed.:D
 
Sometimes I have to disagree with ole JD. The Lil' Temp is a legend amongst many Spydie affis, but IMO it is an ugly and bulky knife. I have had a couple but rarely carried them. I agree with the ergos praise. It has that, but not much else. The ones with 440V are almost impossible to sharpen.
 
Slatts said:
Sometimes I have to disagree with ole JD. The Lil' Temp is a legend amongst many Spydie affis, but IMO it is an ugly and bulky knife. I have had a couple but rarely carried them. I agree with the ergos praise. It has that, but not much else. The ones with 440V are almost impossible to sharpen.
Click to expand...

I agree - it is one big chunk of G-10!
 
I miss my 440V gunting PE. the 440V I managed to get super scary sharp. now imagine that super scary sharpness on a full flat grind blade.

I agree the handle, the colour and the clip are fugly tho'. The leaf blade is pure joy, like my Caly 3.
 
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