Lil' Temperance Question

C

cds1

Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
237
Hi, guys. I'm looking for a folder that is short enough for interstate travel (for summer vacation), but still has enough blade and a solid enough grip to be viable for self-defence. The Lil' Temperance seems to be the obvious choice.

One question, though. There are posts in the AKTI forum describing people being arrested in NYC for carrying various types of folders that can be "flicked" open, on the premise that they are gravity knives. This is a silly question, but the silly NY policy forces me to ask it: How easily can the Lil' Temperance be "flicked" open? I don't want to get arrested for carrying it in NYC. (I'm not sure just how far the NYC cops are taking this. Maybe I shouldn't carry anything other than a stiff lockback.)

Regards,
cds1
 
I belive it has an adjustable pivot so you can tighten it enough not to be able to flick it open.Then losen it when you leave NYC.
 
u812 is right. The Lil' Temp has an adjustable pivot - you just need a torx bit to tighten / loosen it. It has an ingenious "flat sided" pin on the opposite side which is keyed so that it cannot spin in the pivot hole, making it so that you only need one torx driver to adjust the screw.

Out of the box, my Lil' Temp was very easy to "flick" open, due to the smooth pivot action and heavy, 4mm thick blade, but as u812 said, you could easily tighten the screw down temporarily if you were worried about it.

Also, the detent from the compression lock that keeps the blade in the closed position is strong enough that you really do have to "flick" your wrist pretty fast to overcome it, even if the pivot is loose. It certainly can't open by gravity alone, but if a cop wanted to be a stickler, I guess they could call it an "inertia opener".

Legal controversy aside, I can't say enough great things about the Lil' Temp! It is absolutely my favorite Spyderco bar none. The grip, the weight, the strength, the blade shape, all are perfect for me. It feels great in the hand, cuts like a laser, and the compression lock is oh-so-convenient to operate.

Not sure how it would work out for lefties, but if you're right handed, it's hard to beat, in my opinion...
 
You will like the Lil' Temp. The grip is outstanding, fits your hand like a glove. The blade (leaf) is sturdy. Over all it's a tank. I have an older one in CPM440V, but the new ones are in S30V.
One time I used my Lil' Temp as a can opener, used an old can of Coleman fuel to make a trough. The Temp sliced that can like cardboard. Only dulled the blade a little, continued useing knife till I could get back and sharpen.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I'll need to keep a torx screwdriver in the car to accompany my knives when driving through NYC, until this latest anti-knife bullsh-t is resolved.

I know if I buy the Li'l Temperance, I won't feel under-knifed! That does look like one big little knife.

Regards,
cds1
 
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but...

The Lil' Temp's handle leads me to more questions: Is it difficult to grip it in anything other than a standard grip? How is reverse grip? Pikal?

Thanks
 
As for the 'flick' thing in NYC, to the best of my knowledge, that was a part of a general crackdown on dealers (selling crap knives generally). Unless you do something colossally stupid on the street, or look like you're 'trouble', no NYC cop is going to hassle you out of the blue for a clip showing in your pocket.
 
Rick in KY said:
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but...

The Lil' Temp's handle leads me to more questions: Is it difficult to grip it in anything other than a standard grip? How is reverse grip? Pikal?

Thanks
Click to expand...
It is just as comfy in reverse grip. It feels like when you take a clay ball and squeeze it to make a grip. I bet this knife would suit someone with carpal tunnel syndrome.
 
The reverse grip is outstanding. Very powerful. It likes large hands, but it handles extremely well in any grip.

For me the action was a little light, especially the closing was a little to easy. Sometimes I would "throw" it closed as I am used to from other less smooth knives and the blade would hit on the kick and jump open again. A tiny tweeking on the torx gave it just a little more friction to prevent that and still kept it smooth and fast. The adjustment is very sensitive. You can do the adjustment with a torx bit in your bare hands (unless you've used loctite like me). The design of the counter nut is really impressive. Not only does it prevent rotation when tightening on the torx, but it is also exccentric and allows you to adjust how far over the compression lock engages (essentially allows to adjust for major wear).

"Underknifed" with a Lil' T...that is a good one. Even though they have nomenally the same blade length, the Lil' T makes the Delica and the Calypso Jr. appear like toys for children.
 
HoB said:
"Underknifed" with a Lil' T...that is a good one. Even though they have nomenally the same blade length, the Lil' T makes the Delica and the Calypso Jr. appear like toys for children.
Click to expand...

Even the Millie looks skinny near the Lil'T ;)
 
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