List of flat grind models?

mike_mck2 · Sep 9, 2005

The flat grind is the most efficient for slicing, so I am try to find out exactly which Spyderco models have a flat grind.

I know of the following:

Military
Paramilitary
Manix
Calypso Jr.

I have the Military, and a Manix and Calypso Jr. on the way.

I really wish the Native had a flat grind as well.

daverave999 · Sep 9, 2005

I assume you mean full flat grind?

UKPK
DKPK
R2
Lil' Temperance

off the top of my head. You may find others disagree with your statement saying flat grinds are the best slicers. I'm expecting someone to chip in with a convex grind argument, but I have no experience with them.

[EDIT] Of course, the Calypso (not Jr.) and is the Fred Perrin too?

spyderknut · Sep 9, 2005

Ronin, Yojimbo, Kopa

Dragonfly, Navigator II

frank k · Sep 9, 2005

Dont forget the Temperance, Stretch, Moran, Catcherman and of course, the kitchen knives.

- Frank

The Deacon · Sep 9, 2005

spyderknut said:
Ronin, Yojimbo, Kopa

Dragonfly, Navigator II

Nav II is really a very high sabre grind, almost full flat, but not quite.

In discontinued models, some of the "AG Russell Special: versions of the Jess Horn II were full flat - the burgundy and white micarta full size, and the white micarta Baby. Single liner G10 Police, Centofante I and II, C27 Horn, Lum Chinese, and the PE blade on the various Dyads too.

hanswurst · Sep 9, 2005

What about the Salsa?

spyderknut · Sep 9, 2005

The Deacon said:
Nav II is really a very high sabre grind, almost full flat, but not quite.

In discontinued models, some of the "AG Russell Special: versions of the Jess Horn II were full flat - the burgundy and white micarta full size, and the white micarta Baby. Single liner G10 Police, Centofante I and II, C27 Horn, Lum Chinese, and the PE blade on the various Dyads too.

Thanks for the clarification Paul. The Nav II is one I don't have. I don't understand why Spyderco gave it a new SKU number but considered it a variant in terms of the collector's club. Oh well.

The Deacon · Sep 10, 2005

spyderknut said:
Thanks for the clarification Paul. The Nav II is one I don't have. I don't understand why Spyderco gave it a new SKU number but considered it a variant in terms of the collector's club. Oh well.

I could be wrong, but what I think has really happened is that the serrated version has been desginated as the "base" model, making the PE a variant, but for some reason the SE has been delayed and the PE reached the shelves first. Catalog insert shows it both PE and SE and unlike the Poliwog, have seen nothing "correcting" that to PE only.

mike_mck2 · Sep 10, 2005

Thank you very much for the models, it is much appreciated.

I just recieved a Grey Calypso Jr., and it looks like this is just what I was looking for. It's even better than the Native, for me.

Besides the Native and the Calypso Jr., are there any other lockback models that can be spin closed?

TIA

Carl64 · Sep 10, 2005

daverave999 said:
I assume you mean full flat grind?

UKPK
DKPK
R2
Lil' Temperance

off the top of my head. You may find others disagree with your statement saying flat grinds are the best slicers. I'm expecting someone to chip in with a convex grind argument, but I have no experience with them.

[EDIT] Of course, the Calypso (not Jr.) and is the Fred Perrin too?

I would agree that a full convex grind (not just the edge) is the best, but I have never seen one except for:
a decorative sword
1 side of an Opinel
A small POS knife I made

If anyone knows of a good convex bevel knife, let me know!

daverave999 · Sep 10, 2005

mike_mck2 said:
Besides the Native and the Calypso Jr., are there any other lockback models that can be spin closed?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by spin closed. Could you elaborate please?

Carl64, you might want to look at Fallkniven and Swamp Rat, off the top of my head.

mike_mck2 · Sep 12, 2005

daverave999 said:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by spin closed. Could you elaborate please?

With the Native, Calypso Jr. and the Manix, you can let the knife close down on the finger, and then spin it around the finger and finish closing it, one handed. It's just easier than using two hands to close the knife.

trout #2 · Sep 12, 2005

With the Native, Calypso Jr. and the Manix, you can let the knife close down on the finger, and then spin it around the finger and finish closing it, one handed. It's just easier than using two hands to close the knife.

I hope I'm not understanding this correctly, but this conjures images of severed fingers to me

I have a Manix and can start closing it with the choil on my finger. Is that part of this technique? The lock and pivot are smooth enough that I can close it one-handed by tripping the lock with my thumb, start pulling the blade in with my index finger on the hole, and then transitioning to my thumb to shut it completely. I do keep my fingers out from under the blade though. I would imagine that the Chinook would function in a similar fashion.

Hawkbill · Sep 12, 2005

I wonder if I have been doing something similar and just calling it something else. I start the blade closed and stop with a finger, then after moving fingers (from path of sharp part) press the blade closed. In my case, I use the side of my leg to press on the blade spine. By pivoting the blade so the web of my hand meets the blade spine, I can close it, but it doesn't seem as solid a grip.

Is that it?

Tom Krein · Sep 13, 2005

full size calypso is another.

Tom

mike_mck2 · Sep 13, 2005

trout #2 said:
I hope I'm not understanding this correctly, but this conjures images of severed fingers to me

It sounds flashier than it is, and it does not really require an undue amount of dexterity. It's harder to explain how to do it than it is to do it.

Just release the lock with your thumb, allow the blade to close down on the index finger, flip the knife upside and close it.

I had thought pretty much everyone who owned a Native closed it this way, and any knife with a finger choil can safely be closed this way.
I find it to be much easier & safer than closing it on the leg.

Just give it a try and you see it's not some flashy move with a good bit of risk invovled, it's just an easy way to closed these lockbacks with one hand.

HoB · Sep 14, 2005

Actually, that is the technique that Spyderco suggested in the past catalogs for closing any lockback Spydie. I think it can be done with all Spyderco lockbacks, the ones that have a choil have a greater safety margine, but even the ones that don't have choil have enough of a kick that you can drop the blade on your finger. Just make sure your fingers a close to the pivot. Otherwise there will be hell to pay.