LIL Temperance vs newer bulky Spyders

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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I own a couple of Manixes, a Persian, A Chinook II and a G-10 Police. All of which are great knives but I still can't say that I own anything better in strength, grip, total dimensional length and the ability to leverage in tough situations as good as one of My Lil Temperance models.

Oh yes Spyderco continues to bring out good models and some are even great. But for the type of knife it is, with the superb compression lock, with the ergonomic artisan handle of the Lil Temperance I still say that particular knife is still in a league of it's own and will be very difficult to top.

OK with that being said we want it brought back in this newer, super steel that Crucible has been talking up>> yes A Lil Temperance with M-4 and a Titanium compression lock. IF you can't beat it then let's go back and dance with the one that brung us. Does anyone disagree? Why so?
 
JD,
I think you like those Lil' Temps! I don't disagree with anything you said, but I just can't don't get into the style of that knife like I do the Manix or Chinook. It's beauty in the eye of the beholder and I think functionally the Manix or Chinook are just as hearty or even more so than the Lil' Temp.

What is M-4? a new steel?

Thanks
Shawn
 
Slatts said:
JD,
I think you like those Lil' Temps! I don't disagree with anything you said, but I just can't don't get into the style of that knife like I do the Manix or Chinook. It's beauty in the eye of the beholder and I think functionally the Manix or Chinook are just as hearty or even more so than the Lil' Temp.

What is M-4? a new steel?

Thanks
Shawn
Click to expand...

Yeah Crucible Powder Metallurgy who makes S-30V, 154-CM, 440V among other great Blade steels is launching a new Blade steel i.e. M-4. I was at the BLADE show this last weekend and went to Crucible's seminar that they had on it. It is really some very promising stuff from what they were telling us.

I still say that the LIL Temp handle configuration has a lot more safe leverage than some of the ones you mentioned. It's funny because people on this Forum feel somewhat the same way you do about the Lil temperance but on the Spyderco.com Forum it's just the opposite. People there on that forum look at the Lil T like it's some sort of deity. I'm also weird in the fact that I like the "Trailing Point" (Rhino Horn) version of the knife whereas 90% of Lil T fans like the leaf blade.

But do keep your eyes out for M-4. 2 guys I talked to from Crucible have higher expectations for this blade steel than they did with S30V. And we know how popular that got.
 
D'Allara drop point falls into this category too IMO. It is as tough as most of the knives mentioned at a much lower price point.
 
JD, comparing the Lil' Temp and the 83mm Manix would be much more realistic, as they are nearly identical in all dimensions when closed. Given that, I will repost what I said on the other Spyderco forum a couple days ago regarding them.

I think either one of them would take more punishment than any sane person would ever give them. I will agree that the Lil' Temperance is an excellent knife with a loyal following. However, I think it only fair to point out that for some, it also has several points against it compared with the 83mm Manix.

  • more limited grip options, due to lack of a choil
  • clip is generally considered the weakest ever produced by Spyderco, prone to breakage
  • not ambidexterous, handed lock, RH only clip mounting options
  • relatively "hjgh rise" carry at a point in time where most seem to be clammoring for low-rider clips

Granted, the overall thickness, length and height are virtually the same but the milled area on the left scale of the Lil Temperance makes it feel thinner in the hand. While you seem to consider this a plus, others may consider it a negative.
 
I agree with JD. I am almost a bit afraid about the Lil'T II comming out, fearing that I might be disappointed. But AFAIK M-4 isn't exactly a new steel. It's just one of the tool steels that seem to be very suited for knifeblades.

I would have to disagree (as always) the assessment of the clip of the Lil'T. Personally I think it is one of the best clips ever....and never had a problem having it break on me.

Deacon, honest question: Do you really consider the compression lock a "handed" lock. I have played around with it and to me it doesn't make much of a difference. Yes the way you close it with you left hand is different but in the end thumb or index finger doesn't matter much to me? I agree though that a lefty will never really be able to flick a compression lock closed.
 
I like the lil Temp but I don't love it. I think the handle is not that comfortable for some reason. I have to say that I just can't get into compression locks either. If you changed the handle shape to make it longer and not as stocky and made the blade a little longer and not as stocky, I would like it more. Give it a liner lock or a frame lock and it would be even better.

I guess that is why they make so many different type of knives. The Calypso III that is comming out seems like my style.
 
I had a Lil Temp and I really liked it. However I now carry knives in my _front_ pocket and the Lil Temp is just too wode and thick to do that comfortably.
 
I would love to see a big lil temp maybe with a 4" blade. Spyderco seems to be concentrating more on their smaller more economical knives though. Maybe there is something in the works in the future. The handle is great if you have gloves on when you'd lose a little knife like a delica in your hand.
 
I have a Native II, a Mini Manix, and soon get a fixed Temperance. (And a Caly III as soon as it will be available.) ;) So, I love the leaf shaped blades, also the Lil' Temp.
It's a beauty - maybe it will be too beautiful to me to work with it...
 
HOB I totally agree with you that people just plain unjustly blast the pocket clip of the Lil T. I personally have never had a problem with it. Also I agree that I am hesitant to support the re-intro of a re-vamped, modified Lil T. I think that this is a case of >>" IF IT AIN'T BROKE THEN LET'S DON'T TRY TO FIX IT<<<<.

A newer blade steel would be cool. Maybe make a new one with a different color handle like blue or purple. But I do not want a thinner handle and I don't think that the Lil T would be a candidate for a Titanium handle either.

Deacon I'm sorry the knife isn't lefty friendly for you but that's kind of another issue for another thread. I will agree with you though that I am a bit disappointed that you don't see as many left handed Spyders as I use to. I do think it gives south paws as yourself a great option coupled with the fact that I think Lefty Spyders will be a special collectible down the road at some point.

Choil is not an issue with me at all. All I care is how the knife fits in my hand and how mobil I can be with it during a cutting chore. And I think the Lil T has good ergos. I don't think anyone can argue ( with any solid basis) that the Lil T has already reach the status of being a super classic.
 
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