Native or Calypso Jr for everyday carry ?

M

Mextreme

Joined
Jun 20, 2000
Messages
54
I haven´t been able to handle these knives ´but they seem to fit my needs as a everyday knife. I will use it in the office and for medium work on boat and in field. I have rather large hands.
Which handle is best and how is the blade geometry ? I like VG 10 and the calypsos look is a little less intimidating to non knifers. But if the CPM 440V is better and the handle is more comfy I think I will go with the Native. I prefer plain edge.
Whats your opinions?
 
Calypsos handle is more versatile. Flat grinded blade outcuts hollow grinded when cut is any deeper and is in this case as good as hollow in shallow cuts too.

Buy calypso jr first and later Native. You end buying bouth anyhow.

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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
 
I personally find the Native has the more comfortable handle..the deep finger choil is probably the reason. But the Calypso has so many more plus points.....thinner blade of VG10 which I prefer to CPM440V, Boye recess on the locking lever, tip down carry. It's also thinner overall and easier to carry.

I recommend that you get them both! But if you must get just the one....go for the Calypso Jr Ltwt.
 
Thank you guys.
I will go for the Calypso Sounds like it fits my requirements. Later I will get the Native too.
 
If you have big hands, the Native might be more comfortable but I recommend getting both since you can easily do that for around $90 or $95 if you look if not cheaper.
 
This question has been raised here before and has no easy answer since they are both such good knives. As Anthony said, buy both, you probably will eventually anyway. Here's a thread which might help, and another. I think I would choose the Native for use on the boat as the grip is really secure, it feels locked into your hand. Also, as I've said before, I think it's more suitable for heavier use than the Calypso. But then again I do like the flat grind of the Calypso
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. I guess this doen't help much
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Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.

[This message has been edited by Clay Kesting (edited 10-24-2000).]
 
I cannot speak for the Calypso, but I carry a BF Native with G-10 scales and 440V blade daily at work. I love it, although my real favorite is my StarMate; I just can't carry a knife that big where I work.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
I own both, and my first Spyd was Calypso, but Native, that now is my favourite, has from my point of view a better handle, and, most important, is for axbidextrous!

EX ALTO FULGOR
 
Mextreme,
I have Calypso Jr. Ltw. and I can say certainly - it is very nice little knife. It is practically unnoticeable in the pocket, you can set it up for both right- or left hand carry (mine is set up for left hand). The handle is very comfortable to hold and provides very accurate blade pointing, this is very important for wide range of precise cutting tasks. Thin VG-10 blade holds the edge nicely, especially when slicing. This is my very favorite small lightweight folder.

I do not have Native but it seems designed more for defensive use. At least I'm taking the spear point blade with pronounced false edge mostly as stabbing tool.
 
Calypso, Jr. Lightweight. Like air in your pocket. The VG-10 takes an edge that cuts like a laser.

The Native is also a very good knife with very good steel. I just like the lighter feel and ergonomics on the Calypso Jr. better.
 
The Native was my first Spyderco knife. I also own the Calypso Jr. Lightweight and the BF Native.

For all-around utility, it's hard to beat the Native. It has many features that the Calypso Jr. lacks. First, it has more grabbing options for the handle. You can grab it normally, or use the deep finger coil for better cutting control. It is a great stabbing tool, which is reinforced by the hollow ground and spear-point shape. The flat grind of the Calypso Jr., however, is designed for precision-cutting tasks, and I would hesitate to use it in a more aggressive environment. It's steel might be a better cutter overall, but one can hardly argue that CPM-440V is much worse at this task. It is considered a superior steel overall.

I tend to use my Calypso Jr. only for precision cutting chores. My Native, however, I prefer to carry everywhere and throw everything at it, and it never lets me down.

For your purposes, I highly recommend the Native over the Calypso Jr. I'm sure it will be much handier for boat and other utility tasks. Matter of fact, get both, but Native is best overall IMHO. Great knife for the money. You might want to consider getting the black G-10 version that Sal is putting up for sale soon in limited quantities. This handle material is considered superior for gripping and overall utility purposes.

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Hermes :"The Applegate Fairbarn is not bad...but for both offense and defense, the Randall 14 is good."
Hermes: "I'll take the Joe Kious for a friend."
Knife Seller: "Excellent choice."
 
They're both such great knives, you can't go wrong with either one. Those two knives are really the top of the line as far as Zytel/FRN handled folders go.
 
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