My New Navigator

S

Smoke

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 14, 1998
Messages
2,554
Just got a plain edge Almite Navigator in Gin 1 from chaicutlery, to satisfy my blade craving. Or I should say, another blade in case I lose my plain Delica.

Almite feels quite light almost like plastic yet has more resistance than stainless steel. The hollow ground blade is very sharp, almost like 440 V and is better than my first experience with Gin 1. The finger "shelves" are interesting and would be an improvement on the current Delica handle. Interestingly, the hole, clip screws are bigger on the Navigator than on my Delica.

I only have 2 gripes, firstly, there's a little bit of lateral blade play especially with the blade folded at 90 degrees. The clip on the Navigator is too short for my pocket carry. A 1/4" longer would be better IMHO though there may be a trade off in comfort of grip.

 
Smoke,

I recently got a Pegasus and was really surprised at how small and thin the knife was. The handle although slightly different to your Almite Navigator is comfy. For someone with bigger hands, I'm not sure if they could hold it comfortably or not..but it suits me. The clip is shorter than my other SPydercos but I think that its appropriate given the size of the handle.

Overall a great little knife for odd jobs. Hardly notice it at all clipped to my pants.
 
I've had my G 10 Navigator for about 8 months now, It is about the most useful small knife I have seen.

My new Wegner Mouse is now competing with it for space in the watch pocket of my jeans.
 
NMH : I have 2 G10 Navigators and they are my favorite everyday carry Spydies (since my Shabaria is a little to big)

Smoke : if you have other Spydies try switching the clip ; it worked perfectly for me, because the original clip is indeed a bit short.

I hope Spyderco will produce the Meerkat (I hope Sal is listening) because it seems a nice evolution on the Navigator.

Philip

PS : you guys are lucky, U.S. knives are very expensive in Belgium (high $ = low Euro)
 
About blade play: you could do something about it, if you remove the clip and gently tap at the pivot pin with a medium weight hammer (there are special punches used for rivets to do this correctly).

I will not say more, because this is something that would damage your knife if you don't know how to do it. If you have a clue, then from what I have described you will know how to do it safely and successfully.
 
Hi, Smoke.

I just got my plain edge blue almite navigator from Chai Cutlery today. No blade play. Sorry to hear yours has it. I'm sure James would replace it if he has another. Have you asked?

It is an elegant little knife, isn't it? I really like mine, it's replacing my stainless steel Dragonfly (at least for now) for daily carry.

Good luck.

Dean

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"All is well. And all will be well - in the garden." Chance the Gardener
 
Smoke,

The problem with the hammer idea is that it bends the pivot (per Sal when someone else said they had done this). I guess the "gentle" part would really be important here.

Dean
 
Dean, I tried the hammer idea but here's the catch. The clip is putting a bit of pressure on the pin. Luckily, I've been able to get a tighter action so the play isn't as bad.

The clip also affects my grip when the knife is in my other hand.
 
As far as the grip goes, the smaller Spydercos in Stainless or Almite are definitely slippery - the clip actually helps the grip. But only for the right hand. I have a real problem with the left on these.

Dean
 
... Or I can look to see what I still have in the drawer.
smile.gif




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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Do you see, Smoke? The solution presents himself.

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"All is well. And all will be well - in the garden." Chance the Gardener
 
Hi Mr. M, I'm still playing with the Nav. The first session with tapping the pin produced a blem. I might do a bit more tapping.

 
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