Love the Cricket!

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
Got the plainedge lightweight Zytel version today. I only recently became interested in this model. I used to think it looked somewhat "flimsy." Then I felt it would make a fine nondescript money-clip-sized folder.
After trying it out, I find it cuts great due not only to its curvy edge, but the edge is ground extra thin. Also the cutting surface it longer than the 1 7/8" blade length. I probably don't prefer to use it as a pocket clip knife due to its small size. (may unknowingly slip out). I'll carry it in the waist bag. It's a quality piece of work that is another keeper!
smile.gif

Jim
 
I too thought it would be too flimsy, buy my dad and I each picked one up about nine months ago. I like mine, but I don't carry it too often. My dad carries his all the time as a money clip. He hasn't had anything bad to say about it yet.

It's a good, "cute" knife, for those times that I'm sitting in class and need to cut something, but can't really bring out anything bigger without causing a stir.

~Mitch
 
I have written so many times about the merits of the lightweight plain-edge Cricket that people might think that I'm on the company payroll!

One small modification that you can do to increase the traction and avoid losing it:

1. Unscrew the pocket clip, marking (with tape, chalk, whatever) the place that the clip touches the plastic body of the knife.
2. Using another knife with a sharp and pointed tip, make three small cuts (like the checkering on a gunstock) in the Zytel material, exactly at the place that the spring touches the handle.
3. If you have done everything right, after installing the clip, the small incisions will be totally hidden underneath, but improving friction and security when clipped to the pocket.

I hope my explanation is clear, the whole point is to find the exact place where the curved part of the clip bears on the handle.
 
Mitch:
I would agree that its cuteness can come in handy when you need a knife and not scare anyone...plus it cuts like a hot knife through butter. Its appearance belies its cutting power.
Costas:
Thanks for the tip!
smile.gif

Jim
 
Cute, you say? I had a serrated Cricket at work and one my co-worker`s remarked "I`d hate to see THAT in a dark alley!" A CRICKET!!! I guess the recurve and all those teeth made him nervous. I wish I had a Civilian to show him. I`m pretty sure he`d have wet himself.

UW Mitch- I don`t know what the situation is in Seattle, but here in Massachusetts, you can`t even pull a fingernail clipper out of your pocket in class without creating a stir, let alone a real live knife, like a Cricket!

[This message has been edited by Steve B. (edited 01-08-2000).]
 
The plainedge Cricket is my choice in knives when it absolutely, positively has to be politically correct. And, most importantly, it's an effective cutting tool.

The Cricket is small and cute, and the lack of a penetrating point makes it appear non-threatening. However, I've got to admit that from a sheeple point of view, the serrated version would look nasty.

------------------
Dave

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of More Knives
 
One thing that just came to mind: The Cricket's reverse-S edge is exactly the opposite of the recurved edges on Cold Steel's Vaquero series, or to a lesser extent, Benchmade's 710 Axis Locks. I know that's rather obvious, but interesting nonetheless.
Jim
 
I carry the pink cricket as my every day money clip. No one ever gives it a second look.

Just the thing for discrete carry out in the open.



------------------
Dwight

It's a fine line between "a hobby" and "mental illness".
 
Best coupon clipper on the planet. The great advantage is the combination pull and push cuts achievable. Those tough coupons don't stand a chance...

Cheers,

RLR
 
The plain edge Zytel Cricket is my everyday go-to-work knife and some days is used extensively opening boxes, cutting tape, rope, twine, cardboard of all thicknesses and such.
It is an outstanding little using knife that even the knife-phobic people I work for can't get their corporate feathers ruffled about. My Calypso lightweight Jr. is too big for their tastes, but the Cricket is within their repressive 2" blade length limit. And it excels at whatever cutting task I need it for.
A great little knife to have around.

------------------
So, what IS the speed of dark?
 
I have an alamite version. It has been worked to death and has saved me in many situations where I needed something to cut in a place where you might not expect to need a knife (like in the middle of a ski resort when you have to create a makeshift sole spacer for your son's ski boots that just don't fit right).

Thanks for the Cricket Sal....
 
An alamite Cricket..??!! Where have I been? I didn`t know such a thing existed. Sounds like a nice alternative to the now defunct carbon fiber version, for those of us that have grow allergic to Zytel.
 
Hmm, there are only gray anodized aluminium crickets at my local store.

I'm to understand these are the old (first?) Crickets - I read somewhere the newer ones are 'improved', anyone knows what these improvements are?

 
I have my cricket (aluminum handle full serration) (I had it a year already and still have not carried it) and one other suggestion if you want it to stay on your pocket is remove the pocket clip and superglue a little ping-pong paddle rubber on the underside of the clip.
 
Edwint - The first Crickets were anodized aluminum. We never used "Almite" on these. The improvements were adjustments in the lock geometry.

We had planned from the beginning to make the model in FRN but we like to make sure everything is working well before tooling up in plastic molds.

We also ended up refining the locks on the FRN model. Hope that helps

sal
 
Sal,

I was just wondering - when were the aluminium Crickets discontinued?

I just picked one up today. 8) My first Spyderco (although it's the 2nd Spyderco I've bought). Think it's really great. 8)

Ed.

PS: Crickets for left handers... anywhere can I find one?



[This message has been edited by edwint (edited 01-14-2000).]
 
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