I`m not "Joe spyderco" but there are a few that kinda strike my fancy. The full size Calypso is one that I just can`t stop looking at. Now I understand it`s going to be discontinued next year. Is there something I`m missing? It`s very attractive and has that nice flat ground VG10 blade why isn`t it more popular? Unless there`s some deep dark secret problem with it I`m thinking I better snag one before they`re gone. Marcus
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Full size Calypso?
- Thread starter Marcus
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I'd go out and shop the net while I waited for a reply. I also admire the design and material.
I adore my Calypso, but I'd like to take a guess as to the poor sales of this model.
It's big. Really big, a "full-size" 4" blade. Virtually everything else in that class is a "tactical" knife - heavily built, function-first, with a clear emphasis on (perhaps imaginary) strength. The Micarta Calypso sticks out as a really classy knife - but not a heavy-duty one. The linerless Micarta is seen as less tough than G-10 or steel (it is, but hardly enough to matter in a folder), and the slender, flat-ground blade puts a clear emphasis on cutting, not digging and prying - as if you'd want to cut with a "tactical" knife (though kudos to the Military for bucking this stereotype)? Frankly, I think the Calypso may be "too pretty" for the class its size puts it in. That's what I like about it, but I have more than one knife so it's a nice contrast. Most buyers, I'd imagine, aren't saying "that's a classy alternative to my Police Model for dress-up."
I guess I'm thinking the Calypso fares badly in "comparison shopping" because, due to its size, it will be compared with knives like the Military, AFCK, and Police Model. Most users aren't going to buy a knife in that size class on looks alone, and the competitors all seem like stronger, heavy-use knives. People perhaps don't want a classy knife that big?
That's my guess. I'm sad to see it go. It was something really different, simple elegance in a full-sized knife. But sales are what drives this industry like any other, so I guess we'll bid it farewell. Still pushing for it as a liteweight, though
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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
It's big. Really big, a "full-size" 4" blade. Virtually everything else in that class is a "tactical" knife - heavily built, function-first, with a clear emphasis on (perhaps imaginary) strength. The Micarta Calypso sticks out as a really classy knife - but not a heavy-duty one. The linerless Micarta is seen as less tough than G-10 or steel (it is, but hardly enough to matter in a folder), and the slender, flat-ground blade puts a clear emphasis on cutting, not digging and prying - as if you'd want to cut with a "tactical" knife (though kudos to the Military for bucking this stereotype)? Frankly, I think the Calypso may be "too pretty" for the class its size puts it in. That's what I like about it, but I have more than one knife so it's a nice contrast. Most buyers, I'd imagine, aren't saying "that's a classy alternative to my Police Model for dress-up."
I guess I'm thinking the Calypso fares badly in "comparison shopping" because, due to its size, it will be compared with knives like the Military, AFCK, and Police Model. Most users aren't going to buy a knife in that size class on looks alone, and the competitors all seem like stronger, heavy-use knives. People perhaps don't want a classy knife that big?
That's my guess. I'm sad to see it go. It was something really different, simple elegance in a full-sized knife. But sales are what drives this industry like any other, so I guess we'll bid it farewell. Still pushing for it as a liteweight, though
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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
Sal Glesser
Moderator
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Drew - Thanx. good info. We found much of the same. One thing I might add is tha the Calypso was designed for me to hae a larger version of the Calypso Jr. (I generally like a 4" blade). IMO it is a very sophisticated design that will appeal more to the knowledgable knife afficianado than the general ELU. In VG-10, it is a lot of knife in a slim easily carried package.
We may make a batch here and there for the knife people as we already have invested in tooling, but I believe the general market does not appreciate the refinements.
sal
We may make a batch here and there for the knife people as we already have invested in tooling, but I believe the general market does not appreciate the refinements.
sal
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
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- 4,842
I went out to buy a Calypso -- I mean, why not, it's just a bigger version of my fave Spyderco knife the Calypso Jr. But after handling a bunch of knives at the dealer's table, I walked away with an endura98. For much of the reasons Drew brought up. It's a big knife -- the handle is really big, 5.25" or so as I recall. Handling it, I also realized that I use my bigger knives for the harder uses and abuses. My need for a gent's scalpel is met nicely by the smaller Calypso Jr., so why carry around a much bigger knife?
Anyway, appreciate the design and elegance of the Calypso, it just didn't fill any need for me.
Joe
Anyway, appreciate the design and elegance of the Calypso, it just didn't fill any need for me.
Joe
- Joined
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I like mine a lot. It is indeed a large gents knife and very light to carry for it's size. I'm sorry more folks don't like it, glad I have one since it's going away.
Sal Glesser
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Joe - good point. Would a titanium handle and a very secure (cannot accidently unlock) & high (ultimate) strength lock make the model suitable for "hard use"?
BTW, the Endura 98 with ATS-55 is also a nice reliable high performance piece.
sal
BTW, the Endura 98 with ATS-55 is also a nice reliable high performance piece.
sal
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The titanium handle would be a nice touch, but I don't think it would help too much. The titanium would drive the price up and the blade still would come across as a "light duty" blade due to it's fine profile.
I got a few of them in both plain and serrated when they first came out and I think I have sold two. Its virtually the same size as the poilce model and the customers generally go for the tougher knife. I've even noticed the difference in interest in the new blades on the G10 police models. The flat grind isn't near as popular as the old style. I have actually had customers specifically ask for the old style G10 police model and want to trade in the flat grind versions for them.
Personally, I like the Calypso, but the general knife buying public, at least out here isn't interested. Right now it appears that I have a "lifetime supply" of them.
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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, Kalifornica
wrightknife@ixpres.com
I got a few of them in both plain and serrated when they first came out and I think I have sold two. Its virtually the same size as the poilce model and the customers generally go for the tougher knife. I've even noticed the difference in interest in the new blades on the G10 police models. The flat grind isn't near as popular as the old style. I have actually had customers specifically ask for the old style G10 police model and want to trade in the flat grind versions for them.
Personally, I like the Calypso, but the general knife buying public, at least out here isn't interested. Right now it appears that I have a "lifetime supply" of them.
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Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
La Mesa, Kalifornica
wrightknife@ixpres.com
Sal Glesser
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DL - Probably not likely.
sal
sal
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Just to add praise to the Calypso... unfortunately I have been slacking in carrying it much. In fact in the last 1.5 months since I received my two Sean Perkins knives I haven't carried ANY of my folders! Oh well. Anyway, the Calypso is a great knife. Mine has an interesting story behind it. One day after having it for a week or two I was looking at it more closely and I noticed there was a noticeable bend in the blade about 1.5-2 inches away from the tip. After an inquiry was made, Sal said that the first run of Calypsos all had this bend which was due to warping during heat-treatment. I kept it and would never know it was bent unless I looked. Anyway, it is absolutely the sharpest thing ever. I mean crazy sharp! and the VG-10 sharpens up very easily and holds a nice edge. Despite its size carrying it isn't obtrusive as it is quite light due to the lack of liners. There is a bit of blade play, but not enough to annoy me. I suppose it could become a problem down the road, but only tyime will tell. Lockup is great. Not the smoothest knife ever due to the lack of washers or anything, but not too bad at all. Very attractive. And, the knife is much tougher than it appears. I felled three tree-like weeds that had slightly woody branches and stalks of diameter from 1/2 inch to nearly two inches. I made lots of cuts to drag the fun out, and the Calypso usually cut right through on the first swing. It was incredible! I even over-swung and caught the tip and dragged it for several inches at the end of the swing (full power, mind you) along the slate on the wall of the house. There was a slight chip in the edge, but the tip was fine! It sharpened out quite easily. I am super-impressed with this knife, and it can take a lot more abuse than it looks. Get one or you'll regret it down the road when people are selling them on Ebay for $200!
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Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
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Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
T
tek
I am a recent convert to Spyderco knives. In fact I have sold or traded all of the other knives I owned for Spydercos (and have not been disappointed yet). One of the very first Spydies that caught my eye was the Calypso and I got one. I can't say enough good things about it, I really hate to see it go. The knife has made me a fan of flat grinds and VG-10 steel. Like DL I would love to see some micarta handled Jr.s with the VG-10 steel (just my $0.02). If you don't already have a Calypso I would definitely suggest getting one before they are gone.
Travis
Travis
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Sal --
While titanium handles and a really strong lock are always nice, I don't think the micarta handles or the Calypso's regular lock are problems for hard use at all. What stops me from thinking of the Calypso as a harder-use knife is my perception that the blade tip looks really really thin and weak. It sounds like you think this is a misperception on my part. I do tend to do at least a little poking and prying and other tip no-no's with whatever my 4" folder is (usually endura98 or Axis). Am I wrong in thinking I couldn't use the Calypso's blade tip for medium-to-hard penetration into something or light-to-medium prying? I keep envisioning that tip bending really easily.
Joe
While titanium handles and a really strong lock are always nice, I don't think the micarta handles or the Calypso's regular lock are problems for hard use at all. What stops me from thinking of the Calypso as a harder-use knife is my perception that the blade tip looks really really thin and weak. It sounds like you think this is a misperception on my part. I do tend to do at least a little poking and prying and other tip no-no's with whatever my 4" folder is (usually endura98 or Axis). Am I wrong in thinking I couldn't use the Calypso's blade tip for medium-to-hard penetration into something or light-to-medium prying? I keep envisioning that tip bending really easily.
Joe
Isn't this the same argument that came up months and months ago about the Military? It's liner/liners will NEVER hold up, and the Military's tip and Walker Lock is way too WEAK and 440V is too BRITTLE! Seems like dejavu all over again. Oh yeah Sal, I forgot; Mad Dog knives are the best in the world and are unbreakable. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Sal Glesser
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Gene - Nothing is unbreakable! Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Best? depends on the contest doesn't it?
Is that a Maddog in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
I'm sorry Mr. Gene, we cannot let you take your Maddog on the airplane, you'll have to talk to the policeman.
Son, didn't anybody tell you that your Maddog was a concealed weapon in these hea parts? 'fraid we gonna have to lock ya up!
sal
Best? depends on the contest doesn't it?
Is that a Maddog in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
I'm sorry Mr. Gene, we cannot let you take your Maddog on the airplane, you'll have to talk to the policeman.
Son, didn't anybody tell you that your Maddog was a concealed weapon in these hea parts? 'fraid we gonna have to lock ya up!
sal
Uh, Sal And Others,
My post was a "slam", i.e. "tongue in cheek" about MD knives. Ask Cliff if MD's break or not and if MD honors his "iron clad" guarantee? Ask Military owners if their liners or Walker locks or blades are "fragile" or not and if Spyderco honors their guarantee? I like Spyders, NOT MD's. Uh, 'nuff said...
My post was a "slam", i.e. "tongue in cheek" about MD knives. Ask Cliff if MD's break or not and if MD honors his "iron clad" guarantee? Ask Military owners if their liners or Walker locks or blades are "fragile" or not and if Spyderco honors their guarantee? I like Spyders, NOT MD's. Uh, 'nuff said...