Help me make a tough decision

ThinkOfTheChildren

ThinkOfTheChildren

Joined
Jul 7, 2000
Messages
1,556
I'm troubled deciding between two spydies for my next purchase: the Calypso Jr. Lightweight or the Lum Chinese Folder.
I know they are pretty different but I find them both very attractive and I want a flat-ground blade made of VG-10 from Spyderco.

Here's the pro-con list I have worked out:

Calypso jr ltwt:
Pro:
Cheaper
Gold bug on clip (I love that)
Front lock (I hate liner locks)
Con:
I don't really like FRN handles
It's tip-down: I prefer tip-up

Lum chinese folder:
Pro:
Beautiful handle
Fantastically unique blade shape
Tip-up option
Con:
Price
I hate liner locks
No gold bug on clip
biggrin.gif


I know I should probably get both (maybe I will in the future). But I need advice on which I should get for an every day carry piece.

The part that bugs me is that I promised myself I wouldn't buy anymore liner locks: I don't trust them. But I also promised myself I wouldn't buy anymore FRN knives: they just don't feel great to me. So I'm going to have to break a promise to myself! HELP!!!!

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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction
 
TOTC,

Buy the Calypso Lightweight Jr. for a fraction of the cost of the Lum Chinese. Then, carry and use it for a week or so while you are busy justifying the extra money for the Lum Chinese and getting past the "won't buy another liner lock" thing and by then you'll be so totally blown away by the capability of a flat-ground blade in VG-10 that you'll buy the Lum Chinese out of sheer excitement and lust for it's design. This is of course, the best reason to buy a knife anyway. At least, that's how I would do it.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.
 
I'd definitely lean toward the Calypso for an EDC. Awesome for that role, IMO.

I LOVE mine.

Steve
 
Please refrain hereinafter from taking my name in vain.

I share your tastes. Only difference is, I just bought the Calypso Jr FRN. Haven't yet carried or cut with it. Too many new knives at once, and frankly, the Native tripped my trigger more at first. So, it's in my pocket. (Well, yes, changing the clip is much easier on the Native too)

I happen to be one of the weirdos who likes Zytel. In large part that comes from carrying a Gerber LST around 15 years, and it looks like when it was new, when I clean it up, once or twice a year. The grip patterns on the handle of the Calypso Jr is easily the coolest and most grippy of any I've yet encountered. It makes the knife so light, it's like you aren't even holding it, but you know you've got this incredible slicing machine there.

I think the Lum Chinese is one of the coolest looking knives I've ever seen. I have 2 Spyderco linerlocks. The used little Walker Ltwt isn't all that impressive, but then again, it doesn't fail me either. The other is on my new Wegner that I haven't used much if any yet either. But, I -- who own primarily linerlocks -- believe that the Wegners is the surest, best-fitting of what I own. Sal Glesser and Co take safety and locks real seriously. All their locks are checked, evaluated, and labelled for the level of service they will safely deliver. Don't know what the rating is on the Chinese. But, am sure you could find out.

I'm not likely to get the Chinese, as pretty as I think it is, because I have no use for slippery handles. Few things could be more worthless or dangerous than a sharp knife you can't keep hold of -- IMHO. I have real dry skin on my palms, and know I'd have trouble hanging onto plain metal handles, without grooves or something.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
strangely enough i am in the process of a trade for a Lum prototype - for some reason the lum has been looking good lately, i just like the looks, have never actually seen 1, but if all goes well will have 1 soon.....


sifu
 
Hey guys,thought I might wade in on this one,while I hav'ent owned a calypso jr.,I do have the Lum chinese folder,I have never been a fan of aluminum handles,but I really like the Lum,I think it's becose of the alimite coating,it seems to have a slight texture to it,while the design of the handle makes it even more secure,even with sweaty hands,so I don't think you will have a problum with it,besides,LOL its one good looking knife!! if you go with the lum I don,t think you will be disiponted,just mt .02

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If you want to accomplish anything interesting,you are going to have to go hard. R.Rollins
 
I have a Calypso Jr.ltwt plain edge & a set of the Lum Chinese Folders (#104 & 104V). I use the Calypso Jr.ltwt as my EDC at work and love it. Sal's design is a great user and perfectly fits my hand. The Lum, for me at least, is just a bit too nice for EDC. I do love the design and look of it, but it spends more time with the collection than in my pocket.
I feel that the Calypso Jr. is just more secure in my hand than the Lum. The handle shape and molded scales give an excellent grip. Plus, with the cusp point for thumb leverage and choil flowing into the handle for your index finger, the blade stays in control and in your hand.

IMO, get the Calypso Jr.ltwt if you want an EDC user -- get the Lum Chinese Folder if you want an elegant and unique EDC.

Good luck with your decision!


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RVO3VOM
(It's my license plate, read it backwards - ~Drew)
 
Calypso Jr, they are getting very hard to find. I never liked the Chinese folder.

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
Calypso Jr all the way.

I myself was checking out the chinese folder today, and for that price I'm just gonna get a Chinook.

The Calypso jr would be a great shape for EDC, with a little more belly than the delica/endura line.



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~Alea iacta est
~Par Palam e Flamma Fert Spiritus
~Regere Sanguine Regere In Veritatem Est
~Moritori te Salutamus
~Mortem Recipis, quod Vita in Morte Venit

What's sharper? Your Mind, or my Spydie?
 
I may hate liner locks but I've never had a spyderco with a liner lock. I must admit that I was extremely impressed with the lockup on a new bob lum tanto that my friend bought.

The slipperyness of the handles on the lum is not a fear for me since I don't plan any thrusting with this knife. A BM940 has been my primary EDC for many months now and the handles have treated me just fine. They should be the same, right?

I know that the cost of the lum is high for an EDC but I've had no problem using my BM940 for anything and everything. The BM940 costs more so I don't think I'll feel bad using the lum.

Right now I'm leaning towards the lum.... hmmmm..... it's so gorgeous

One last fear about the lum: is it delicate? Do I need to baby it? I know that spydercos are meant to be used but when I look at pictures of the lum I'm afraid that it might be a bit on the delicate side. I don't want to spend the money for something that can't stand up to every day use. I'm sure I'm worrying too much due to the cost factor so please put my fears to rest.

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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction
 
No way is the Lum a delicate knife. In fact I think it is far more suitable for heavy use than the Calypso Jr. as the aluminium scales make it feel much more robust than the FRN scales of the lightweight knife. I have both and usually take the Calypso (or it's micarta sibling ) to work but it is always the Chinese Folder in my pocket at weekends.

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Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.
 
I have to vote for the Calypso Jr. It is absolutely my favorite EDC in terms of convenience, weight, ergonomics, and sheer cutting performance. It is the knife that made a Spyderco fan out of me.

Having said that, I have been looking at the Lum and having some strong feelings...flat ground VG10 is good stuff.
 
I have the Calypso Jr. in micarta. I have no doubt that it's the all-time greatest everyday knife. And I also don't trust linerlocks (oh, you know, something about solving a problem that doesn't exist...). But I really, really want a Lum Chinese too. Just got a Lum tanto in a trade today. Mighty nice knife.
 
TOTC, you have really hard choice
wink.gif


Calypso Jr. Lightweight is very nice (though modest) performer, really hard to beat in cost efficiency competition. It matches practically all my needs as EDC in urban environment.

Bob Lum Chinese Folder is the knife very different in appearance - it is simply exciting. And it is enough sturdy to hold up for daily cutting tasks. The cutting performance doesn't differ too much from Calypso Jr. It has the same steel, similar edge geometry and the blade shaped following quite similar philosophy. It is nothing wrong with its liner lock, seems SPYDERCO folks really know how to make them.

Well, buy the Calypso first to have very decent performer. Then buy the Lum to have excellent knife for suit carry. It is true pleasure to cause such reaction when you draw it: "Wow, but it is sweet!"

BTW, if you like BENCHMEDE 940 Osborne you will have a problem - which to put into your pocket - daily
biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 06-20-2001).]
 
Well, my expensive tastes got the best of me: I ordered the Lum Chinese. I'll share my opinions when I get it.

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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction
 
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