My New Poliwog

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FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
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I got a Poliwog last weekend and it is certainly an odd looking thing. It is so odd looking that I bought it on faith in Spyderco's ability to design excellent knives. It is all of that, but, damn, is it odd looking to carry and to use. I have found that it really does fit my hand like a much larger knife and that it feels comfortable in all grip modes that I have found to try. I like the blade, it is essentially a 2 5/16" Native blade in VG-10, but placed at an odd angle to the hilt and the hilt is as oddly ergonomic as the Gunting. This is very definitely an example of the Miis van der Rohe dictum that "Form should follow function." It is, despite its odd appearance, a keeper.
 
I have to admit I bought the poliwog just because of the odd look it had. One of those..... its so different looking I gotta have one deals. But agree that its a nice blade, just a little wide in the pocket.:)
 
"Is the clip reversible or removable? Also, one hand close?"

The answer is yes to both questions.
 
The Poliwog is a knife I have considered several times, but it is about 4.5 oz. or close to the weight of my 80mm Manix! That said, I may yet get one.;)
 
My only reservation about the Poliwog is its bulk in your pocket. It occupies a failrly large space when closed as the hilt is a sizable item. I figure that is the [rice of having such an ergonomic hilt.

BTW, much to my surprise, it still scares hoplophobes.
 
It is the "sleeper" in the Spyderco line!

That little heavy bugger has become one of my favorites!:thumbup:
 
FullerH said:
BTW, much to my surprise, it still scares hoplophobes.
Click to expand...
Upon consideration, that is a stupid line. A "hoplophobe" is, by definition, one who has a fear of an armed man/person. So, of course, any knife would scare a hoplophobe. I am MOST reluctant to use the term, "sheeple" as I know many Quakers and others who legitimately do not believe in violence but who do not fit the term, "sheeple". I wonder if there is a better term, one somewhat less pejorative, for such people.
 
For all of its weight and width, it fits the hand really well and is MOST ergonomic. When I said that it occupies a large space, I was talking about its width. It is actually quite thin, being just over 3/8" thick, less the clip. But it is 1.75" wide at its widest point, which is well down into your pocket, the knife being tip up carry. This is compared to about 1.25" for my Calypso Jr. and that has the widest point near to the top, since it is tip down. It may not seem like much, but that extra 1/2" of width causes it to hang up on things when I take them out of that pocket.
 
A hoplophobe is actually one who fears weapons. Comes from two Greek words, for "weapon" and "fear."
 
Puukkoman, the word "hoplophobe" was coined by Col. Jeff Cooper some years ago and is a combination of the Greek word "hoplite" with the suffix "-phobe" from "phobia" or "irrational fear." Hoplite was the name given to the heavily armed and armored ancient Greek troops that fought in the phalanx and it came from their large shields, called "hoplons". So, what you get from "hoplophobe" is someone with an irrational fear of an armed man.

Anthony, as you can tell, I have some mixed feelings about the Poliwog. It is a wonder to use but a bit of a bother to carry, at least for me.
 
I've got one on the way. I love the funky look of it and couldn't pass it up. I've got a very small collection, i.e. 3 counting the " 'Wog ". It will look good with my Kershaw Ken Onion Blur and my Benchmade Mini-Grip. :D
 
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