Meerkat after a year or so.

[gajinoz]

When I first bought my Meerkat I was pretty happy with it. It was, in fact, my first Spyderco. I've gone on to buy a Cricket SS, Ladybug and Native.

As time has passed I have come to see that it has limitations. I tend to carry it around much of the time in the front pocket of my jeans. However I have decided to look for another small EDC for my jeans. Here's why.

The locking mechanism. This seemed like an amusing and cute novelty when I got the knife but it is now simply an annoyance. It's designed for right hand use and, although I can close the knife left handed, it's a bit of a hassle. Not a huge one, just enough to be slightly annoying.

The clip. Basically, this is a POS. I've almost lost the knife on at least four occasions because it either falls out of my pocket or it catches on something.

The blade. I actually like the shape of the Meerkat, especially the blade. It came sharp out of the box and I can keep it sharp with the Sharpmaker, no problem. Unfortunately, while it will peel an apple really good, and slice through paper with the best of them, it has not proven to be a good, all round cutter of various things. Yesterday I tried to cut through some new nylon rope. I might as well have been using a butter knife. (OK, maybe not a fair test for a small knife but the blade from my Leatherman got through it without too much trouble).

Anyway, I've decided, with some regret, to retire it from my EDC list. I still have some affection for the little thing, despite the POS clip, so it will probably sit on the kitchen table for those apple peeling, letter opening chores.

What suggestions do you have for a replacement? I want a Spyderco of similar size, slightly larger is OK but not much larger. Must have a GOOD clip suitable for carrying in the front pocket of my jeans. Something convenient for a left hander to use. Must be able to handle a variety of cutting tasks. Doesn't need to be perfect for any specific task but it should be able to get through most things even if with a bit of effort.

I have other, larger, knives for more serious cutting applications.

 

[donutsrule]

Back when people were proposing models for steel/style upgrades, I proposed a little sprint run of left-handed reverse-S Meerkats in something nicer than AUS-8 (even VG-10).

I still think they would be neat. I haven't had any problems with the clips on our Meerkats, but I don't EDC one all the time (the Dodo rules that roost right now).

 

[fret]

Take a look at the Dragonfly. I use my left hand to open and close it with no problem. Mine is FRN PE. I like my Cricket PE FRN but it is for the right handed person. I am right handed but always use my knife left handed. I also have a Meerkat. It's a nice knife and I like it. It is a little awkward for me to close right handed but I don't use it so I don't know if I could get used to it?

 

[Stockman]

Simple - Grey FRN Calypso Jr, its a little bigger, than the Meerkat, but as a small front pocket knife, IMHO it has no peer. It is my American Express of knives, I do not leave home without it. It is the only knife that I own two of, just in case I loose one, or when I eventualy wear the first one out. It is my sharpest knife, its easy to keep sharp and will out slice most.
If I could only choose 1 spydie to keep as a user, this would be my choice, ahead of knives that cost three times the price.

 

[Roger Blake]

I think the best thing about the Meerkat is the clip. I like wire clips and I like deep carry. I don't like the lock and I don't like the thickness, its too thick. The lock is a novelty but not as convenient as a lockback. Design-wise it is a Navigator which is a great design. Great cutting leverage for its size. Mine has the 440C blade and I can keep it sharp and it cuts well. Until I got a UK Ultimate Penknife it was my EDC on office days.

 

[gajinoz]

Simple - Grey FRN Calypso Jr, its a little bigger, than the Meerkat, but as a small front pocket knife, IMHO it has no peer. It is my American Express of knives, I do not leave home without it. It is the only knife that I own two of, just in case I loose one, or when I eventualy wear the first one out. It is my sharpest knife, its easy to keep sharp and will out slice most.
If I could only choose 1 spydie to keep as a user, this would be my choice, ahead of knives that cost three times the price.

I was thinking, believe it or not, of exactly that knife as I was driving back from town today. I think it might be time for a visit to the NGK website.