Meerkat an excellent small folder

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
I got one last weekend and like it a lot...the phantom lock is a great modification of the lockback mechanism. I like the gimmick factor, and so long as the lock is kept clean I can't much see an accidental closing.

The blade is only 2" but feels much larger. The handle fits the hand perfectly. At first I did not like the pocket clip on it, but on second thought, it's a great idea. The knife sits deep in the pocket, and the surprisingly strong clip does not appear at all like a knife clip when it's clipped to the pocket. It could be anything to a casual observer.

Great knife.
Jim
 
I agree. It's a great little knife. The ergonomics are great and I happen to like 440C a lot.

I've been carrying mine for almost a month now, so I have a couple of comments, positive and negative.

Even though the phantom lock is really just a modified lockback, I think it's a brilliant evolution in locks that are hard to close by accident. Much like a good framelock, this one should be more secure when you grip it hard.

I think the Meerkat could be a little easier to close. Mine's broken in a little by now, but I still find myself wishing it were easier. I think the problem is that it's not always easy to get a secure grip on the smooth FRN handle with only three fingertips. Now, I know that FRN was chosen to keep costs down, and I have no problem with that. And I'm not even going to give the usual suggestion about making a high-end model, since that's just not the point with this knife. But I think it makes sense to exaggerate the nooks and crannies so that you can't help but get a good handle on the knife when it's time to close. Just make the indents 50% deeper, and perhaps rough up or checker the FRN in those areas.

The Meerkat has really changed my opinion on small knives. I used to consider 3 inches to be the minimum length for a useful knife, but this one measures up at 2 inches and, thanks largely to the ergonomics, leaves nothing to desire in terms of length.
 
Looking at the Meerkat as the Navigator has long since been stolen by the wife. Anyone have it available via web or mail order?
 
Greetings~
Has anyone tried quick-opening the MeerKat using the new locking mechinism?
Fun to play with:)
Aloha~
Patti@SFO
 
I just got mine -- nice.

Doing a direct comparison between the Meerkat and the Navigator (slotted almite handle), the Meerkat is significantly easier to open, more like a linerlock than a lockback. I could easily do a spyder drop, right out of the box. Dimensionally, the Meerkat's blade is a little shorter, a little more humped, and its handle is slightly longer and about 1/8" thicker.
 
I just received mine today and I must say that I'm running out of pockets to carry all my Spydies. The Meerkat is an awesome knife for the price and as always it comes razor sharp. Thank you Sal for another well designed model.
 
I've recently handled a Meerkat. I was really impressed - quite a neat knife. BUT the phantom lock didn't work for me. I'm a lefty and I found it really hard to open with my left hand. I always blocked the locking mechanism with my fingers. Maybe I was being clumsy but it just felt awkward. At first I couldn't open it at all. The lock seems like a good design except that it isn't ambidextrous. I would have bought the knife if I had been able to open it comfortably. Seems, this one is not for me.
 
Got mine yesterday! I agree, great small knife. Well made and as usual, "Spydie sharp" :) The Phantom Lock is pretty cool, and as James pointed out, it has the "gimmick factor" going. It may take a little practice, but it is possible to close it one handed. Kudos Sal & crew for another diminutive cutter well done!

:cool:
 
Culter,
You are right. After reading your post I have tried to open this neat little knife with my left hand (I'm forced almost-amby) and - ooopppsss! - in normal grip the fingers pull the movable scale backwards obstructing the opening pretty noticeably. Sure, it is possible to find the grip what could minimize this effect, but it still exists.

I didn't find the closing somewhat less comfortable than with my right hand, it is not important too much should I move my thumb forwards and the forefinger backwards or inversely, for me at least.

As to the rest - very comfortable grip, nice leverage when cutting. Very discreet clip - no knife handle stands above pocket upper edge and entire clip doesn't look like knife clip. Generally I like 440C steel, it's tougher and less prone to chipping than ATS-34, more rust resistant and easier to sharpen. When properly hardened it holds the edge just slightly worse than ATS-34. I didn't make any edge retention tests with mine but the 400C steel on my SpydeRench blade holds up very decently, I guess it is no reasons for SPYDERCO to heat-treat Meerkat blade worse than SpydeRench one.
It's very comfy to work and non-aggressively looking knife. Probably I would like it to bee somewhat lighter for this size.

I also would like the lock to work smoother. Currently I have applied some drops of gun oil everywhere it could be applied and I'm trying to break it in.
 
Serg, do let that Meerkat break in. It took a while for mine (along with some baked-on Militec), but it's mighty smooth now. Closing with one hand is a foregone conclusion. The blade just drops into the handle like an Axis knife.

I agree that the knife is clearly not ambidextrous. It's probably the least ambidextrous design there is.

I also agree about 440C. It is now my second-favorite steel behind VG-10. It might not have a lot of snob appeal--it gets confused with other 440 steels--but rust resistance is great, and it takes a great edge. Not a pain to sharpen like ATS or CPM steels.
 
I bought it just after 9/11/01, when the questions of paranoia and security in downtown Washington, DC, where I work in a federal agency, became rather too much to continue to carry my Gunting. The Meerkat is a delightful little knife that doesn't feel a small as it really is. I like the feel of the hilt and the shape of the blade, ans I am glad that I am right-handed, as I tried to open it left-handed and discovered that Sergiusz is exactly correct about your fingers interfering with the rotating scale of the lock. Other than that, it is one wonderful knife!
 
Thanx much for the input. It's always appreciated. Sorry 'bout the "not lefty friendly". If the modelis popular enough, we'll make a lefty version.

Hi Serg. thanx for the input on the clip. I agree. W're working to modify the bend.

sal
 
I LOVE my Meerkat. It is the perfect choice for a federal employee at the moment. And, please, do not let people talk you into lightening it. The weight is perfect just as it is. Were it any lighter, it would not feel as real and substantial as it does now.
 
Actually I prefer ambidextrous opening. I often open my knives with whatever hand is free. I don't mind closing a knife with both hands. Maybe the phantom lock could be modified to make opening ambidextrous. Although I have no idea how. But I've only seen it once. Maybe someone of you guys who have one at home to play around with can come up with something.
 
Big brown truck just dropped off my lefthanded Meerkat....

not really, butt I find this thing easier to close lefthanded than righthanded. It seems about as easy to me to open it onehanded with either fist. Closing is another story. It is a bit hard for me to gain purchase enough with my right thumb to actuate the lock. I assume that it will loosen up with use.

Try this tho.. hold the knife upside down in your left hand with the backspacer toward your palm. grip the bottom of the scales in your fingertips. Your fingers will naturally fall into the crescent cutouts and you can actuate the lock very easily in this position.
Just close the blade by pushing the back of the blade on your leg.

Now for the fun part. Lokelani alluded to it earlier, butt if you hold the closed knife upside down as described above and actuate the lock it just falls open. and you can manipulate it and it will flip closed too.

KEWL

I'm going to carry this in my left pocket.
 
oh please sal, a lefthanded meercat would be great. Otherwise i can't justify buying another non-lefty friendly knife, as cool as this looks

- Pete
 
I was just looking into a meercat for a smaller blade(the only knife I have now is around 3 and 3/4 inches) and I was wondering if I should get the reverse s blade or the regular blade. The old style is 440c and the new reverse s is AUS 6, how do these two compare? Any thoughts or experiences with either meercat would be appreciated:D
 
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