Navaja is out

Guess I am another that doesn't like this blade cuz of the noise. I love the zulu and the chockwe they are great reps with the modern feel. My issue is if the noise doesn't serve a perpose in the modern desighn why incorporate it. The example of the chockwe having holes in its handles was brought up earlier. While back in the day that might have served to let one strap it to a stick in the modern concept it can serve as that and weight reduction like skelotonizing. The navaja if it was going to have the sound should have had the locking mech that requred it
 
pwet said:
still don't get this. i would have appreciated a carraca (in france we say "cra cra") type lock, this would have been ethnicaly justified, and this would have served a purpose. now what i see is a modern knife that looks nothing like a navaja and that needs this noisy device to get some ethnic cred.

sorry, i'm a big spyderco fanboy, love the ethnic series but not this one. you have the right to appreciate. i just don't.
Click to expand...

I don't agree that it's a knife that "looks nothing like a navaja". I personally see in its lines that it's clearly inspired by navajas (ok it takes a bit more effort than say a Cold Steel Espada, which it's CLEARLY a navaja, but the Spyderco version has definetely a lot of navaja "dna" in it...it's just a way more modern interpretation than what Cold Steel has made.).
The carraca is just the cherry on top of the cake to me, but I am happy it's there. I am happy Spyderco opted for a nice, modern and safe lock rather than a 15th century ratcheting mechanism, as I want a knife that is safe first. Then who cares if the carraca is not generated by the knife's lock, who said that it has to be like that? The carraca sound was part of the navaja for centuries, so it is for the Spyderco version. The carraca sound became known to people as the sound of a knife being readied for business, the same goes for Spyderco's navaja as it's the same sound. Sound pretty correct from an ethnic point of view.
It's not like Spyderco included a sound chip that plays some Spanish folk song every time the knife is open and a mechanism that shoots out a mini disco ball at the same time, for God's sake.

Of course you are not obliged to like a knife, to each his own.
 
Last edited:
Damn_Animal said:
Guess I am another that doesn't like this blade cuz of the noise. I love the zulu and the chockwe they are great reps with the modern feel. My issue is if the noise doesn't serve a perpose in the modern desighn why incorporate it. The example of the chockwe having holes in its handles was brought up earlier. While back in the day that might have served to let one strap it to a stick in the modern concept it can serve as that and weight reduction like skelotonizing. The navaja if it was going to have the sound should have had the locking mech that requred it
Click to expand...

Old navajas -> gets opened -> makes a ratcheting noise -> warning to whoever that a knife is ready to be used
Spyderco navaja -> gets opened -> makes a ratcheting noise -> warning to whoever that a knife is ready to be used

How does this differ from the old one to the new one? Yeah, the old one had a lock that made that noise, the new one doesn't. How does that differ as a "purpose" (I personally would call it more an "added bonus", as I don't think that a lock with a ratcheting mechanism was originally used because of the sound it created...)? It doesn't.
 
No I don't like this, it is a pretty looking liner lock with a with a noise maker. The sound will not be recognized these days and would just as likely alert your attacker, possibly eliminating the element of surprise which could have served to give the person being attacked a better chance to make it home.

The Spyderco version is too small to be a navaja. Navajas are supposed to be big, make that huge, in relative terms when compared to your average folder. They had a ratchet lock that made ratcheting clicks when opened it was the technology back then. Navajas were the blade of choice to be illegally carried concealed at a time when swords were outlawed. The people that carried them had stealth in mind and probably would have liked one that did not make ratcheting noises better but that is what the technology was back then.

I remember reading that thieves, assassins, and bandits had as much of a preference for Navajas if not more so than regular people.

Unless the Spydero version is a historical reproduction of an original I see no reason for it to make that noise. A liner lock on a Navaja knife or any huge folder doesn't seem right to me either so that is the wrong lock times two as far as I am concerned. The Spyderco version is not huge so a liner lock on it may be all right if not for it's artificial clicker.

Cold Steel makes good quality large modern navajas (Espada series) with the type of lock it would need (triad) and the only click you hear is the one click when the super strong lock engages.

I like Spyderco knives but I don't think this artificial clicker fits into their function over form and looks philosophy. This is a nice folder that is on the small side of large but it does not remind me of a navaja. Does anyone know if the clicker can be dismantled ?

I would like to add that I do like this folder and would probably have bought one if not for New York City threatening to brand anyone who uses it for legitimate work an unemployed criminal for life. I can also picture a DA dazzling a jury with tales of dangerous demonic knives that make clicking noises when opening to put fear into your inocent victim (in NYC that victim would be your local paroled murderer who is stalking you preparatory to killing you. Of course you will not be able to reveal to the jury his past record of serial murders) before he is attacked. Whatever the case it would only add to the notion that this is designed to be no other than a weapon despite the fact it can be a nice handy work folder or safe queen. I do not like the clicker.
 
Last edited:
Hi Legion,

Thanx for the explanation and kind words.

For those that do not see it's "charm" as an EDC, my apologies. Can't please all of the people all of the time.,

sal
 
For me a knife that makes this much noise just isnt a good EDC folder. Knives already are hard to carry here on campus without one that lets everyone in the surrounding area know that ive pulled it out to slice my apple. Im a man of functional and practical over pretty. To each his own i guess. Realy like the blade shape and design hate the noise cuz makes it so i wont get one of these. Mabey release one without that ratchit thingy
 
The knife is supposed to be a modern interpretation of a classic design, sized to be a folding carry knife. It's not supposed to be a copy of an old design. I certainly could not carry a faithful copy of the old knife (5 inches or greater) although I understand a relatively short versions were made too.
 
Although some may make the Navaja their primary EDC, I don't see that as it's intended market. I suspect most who buy it will have a few other choices for that ;)
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Legion,

Thanx for the explanation and kind words.

For those that do not see it's "charm" as an EDC, my apologies. Can't please all of the people all of the time.,

sal
Click to expand...

Hi Sal,

my pleasure.

As far as I am concerned, I can't wait for my Navaja to be here (it should be tomorrow, if UPS does what they are supposed to). I also would like to express my personal gratitude to you and your company because making an ethnic line it's a gutsy move. Personally, it's my favorite Spyderco line and I am always happy knowing that another one is coming out. So keep the Navajas, Persians, Chokwes, etc. etc. coming as I am sure I am not the only one out there that looks forward to seeing more ethnic folders. Thanks for that, Sal.

Al
 
So many haters in this thread. :rolleyes: If the carraca were incorporated into a Military, I'd call that silly and pointless, but it's a knife from the ethnic series and makes perfect sense. Also, I doubt most people would consider the Spyderco Navaja to be an EDC knife.

My take is that we have a very interesting knife design with both a visual homage to the original historic navaja design as well as a distinctive aural homage. Not too many other products out there that incorporate vintage sound into the design.:D
 
Why is a person considered a "hater" if they express their opinion? Like Sal put it simply, "Can't please all of the people all of the time" and you should not even try to. I don't like EVERY knife that Spyderco has ever made, so I guess I must be a "hater". I do like most of them, so I must be a "fanboy"!

This is a knife forum and there are going to be many differing opinions and just because another person's opinion does not align with yours does not make it wrong. There are many different models by many different manufacturers to address the many different desires and opinions of the knife customer.

I don't like the clicking noise-- so what??
 
I anticipate because of the unusual clicker and it's ethnic design this knife will probably wind up being a costly collector's item somewhere down the line. I do like the shape and design of it and I would still buy one if my high and holy gracious masters in NYC (Mr DA Vance, the super cop who posted on blade forums not too long ago who wants to steal my rights away to make his job easier, and others like them) were to allow me to, on the other hand, I can easily sympathize with someone who doesn't want to alert all the sheeple on his campus that he has pulled out a knife to peel his fruit or cut his food.

I may be a nitpicker but not a hater.
 
Last edited:
Daniel said:
Why is a person considered a "hater" if they express their opinion? Like Sal put it simply, "Can't please all of the people all of the time" and you should not even try to. I don't like EVERY knife that Spyderco has ever made, so I guess I must be a "hater". I do like most of them, so I must be a "fanboy"!

This is a knife forum and there are going to be many differing opinions and just because another person's opinion does not align with yours does not make it wrong. There are many different models by many different manufacturers to address the many different desires and opinions of the knife customer.

I don't like the clicking noise-- so what??
Click to expand...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, posting it in such a way that deliberately antagonizes people isn't a good idea either. Saying that a person is a hater for expressing their opinion, that is classic strawman. It's like saying a Corvette sucks, because it chugs fuel or because it's made of fiberglass. If someone does not like the knife, just don't buy it. You don't like the clicking noise? No problem, you are not alone. I don't see it changing and if it is hard to grasp or understand, don't waste your time, grab a knife that you will like and enjoy carrying and using.
 
what you say would make for a wonderfull forum where everyone agrees, very interesting.

as long as the discussion stays polite it's what discussion forums are for i think. am i wrong ?
 
I do not know about you, guys, but I cannot wait to get mine and it looks like Navaja is going to be my weekend EDC, kicking C83 out of the pocket. Hopefully my dealer will get them today.
catamount123 said:
Although some may make the Navaja their primary EDC, I don't see that as it's intended market. I suspect most who buy it will have a few other choices for that ;)
Click to expand...

Praxis said:
Also, I doubt most people would consider the Spyderco Navaja to be an EDC knife.
Click to expand...

I always knew that I am special.:):D
 
RevDevil said:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, posting it in such a way that deliberately antagonizes people isn't a good idea either. If someone does not like the knife, just don't buy it. You don't like the clicking noise? No problem, you are not alone. I don't see it changing and if it is hard to grasp or understand, don't waste your time, grab a knife that you will like and enjoy carrying and using.
Click to expand...

RevDevil, excellent point. I'm all for people expressing their opinions, I just find the volume of complaints about the carraca sound silly. Don't like it, don't buy it.

bh49, I may be one of those special people who EDCs a Najava too. Looking forward to getting mine tomorrow if UPS delivers on time.:p
 
Last edited:
I didn't take any of the comments as "hating". But to me "Hate" is a very powerful word to be used only in the very extreme dislike.

On the "noise", it's not a loud noise. More like a soft "hello".

sal
 
Having just gotten one, I can confirm what Sal says. The noise is just not loud enough to be a concern; except maybe in a library or nursery ;)

Navaja.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top