Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Eveything is slowed down until we get the SpydeRench production up to schedule.
My plan is early Y2k for the first batch.
sal
...Cannot improve the handle to blade ratio and still keep the choil. Please keep in mind that "handles are for holdng and blades are for cutting". The ratio is only relevant to the eye. Think of a scalpel.
The Miliary Jr. feels the same in the hand as the larger version. Just raises fewer eyebrows. It is however, a much "larger" knife than the Calypso Jr.
sal
...Yes, there will be a test run at least. But it probably won't happen until mid 2K.
sal
[This message has been edited by Sal Glesser (edited 12 December 1999).]
We have a design, we have blade and handle material (BG42 & G10). We are just very busy right now. I would say a "test batch" might be available early 2000.
the Military Jr isn't smaller, just shorter at both endes. The "cockpit" area remains the same as the large model.
sal
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The Military Jr. will first be test. Using BG42 permits a test of both design and steel. The steel from the point of view of both manufacturing and ELU response to design and material. If the test goes well, we will ore than likely use 440V as well on the model. If the test goes poorly, then we go back to R & D.
I would be surious as to what tests "prove" BG42 to be inferior, in what regards, and who did these tests.
Please remember, when we introduced 440V into the marketplace, hardly anyone had heard of it.
If it's good, we'll use it. If not, then not. We like to do our own testing. There are very few "real" experts in this area. Lab tests are good, but there is nothing like a "knife nut" to get feedback on something new.
We planned on using the Rolling Lock for this test model but that deal fell through. We'll be making linerlock the same as the Military and Starmate locks. I personally do not believe that there is a better made, stronger or more reliable linerlock than our Military and Starmate locks. Production or custom!
sal
Guinness - We have no intentions of dropping 440V. We also have intentions of playing with 420V some more (We made a run of "Q's" in 420V with the words CPM420V cut into the blade".
We're also playing with BG42, Dendritic Cobalt, H1, etc. etc.
The BG42 that we tested here in Golden was HTed by Chris Reeve and it tested very well in edge retention. Samples are going out for corrossion testing now.
BH - Not sure of exactly what we're doing with the Military Jr. Depends on how many we make for the test. If we make enough, we'll even sell a few. Help pay for tooling, etc.
sal
...Of the steels that we have tested for edge retention and initial sharpness, there were 4 in that "upper" range of our own tests. 440V, 420V, BG-42 and ZDP-189.
In actual numbers (smaller range done from averages) BG-42 tested better than CPM-440V & ZDP-189 in both initial sharpness and edge retention. This was with Chris' heat treating.
We were convinced enough that we've already received a batch of BG-42 that is currently being cut for the Military Jr. experimental batch. We're hoping Chris will help us with heat treat...
We're working on one now. Blade length is 3-1/8" (including choil). Large hole is ratained (handle still looks oversized). It is a shorter stubby Mlitary. I don'think it will win any beaty conests, but should be functional. Model will have a Rolling lock or a "Wedge lock" (in house name).
sal
Current design calls for a blade slightly over 3" from hilt to tip. The "Cockpit area" of the model is the same as the regular Military. Thus the heft and full hand feeling is still there, but the overall length is shorter. Soprt of "Stubby". "The Concept Model" will have a Rolling lock. Probably be just one or two, which means initial testing will be done by Vince and I. Sorry.
sal
) 
You never mentioned that you owned the model. In fact, you specifically said that you decided it was too big after looking at a picture of it. I'm sorry I got the wrong impression and I really mean no offense.