Navigator / Calypso Questions

J

JamesA

Joined
Jun 2, 2001
Messages
696
Hey, guys. A couple of quick questions for you, if you've got a bit of time:

1) Upon learning that the Navigator is now being made with VG-10, it's shot up to the absolute top of my gottahaveit list. Now, the usual complaint: I wouldn't be able to handle it before I buy it. So my question: Would it work as a watchpocket knife? It's significantly longer than the cricket (my current WP sheeple knife), but I'm not sure if it's /too/ long. I know that it depends on the pocket, but in general -- anyone carry yours/try to carry yours that way?

2) I love my Calypso Jr Ltwt; the steel, the ergonomics, the steel, the FRN texturing, the steel, the gold bug on the clip, the flat grind, the steel... I'm contemplating getting another one for my other hand. /However/, there're two things I don't like, and I want to know if any of you could tell me if you've found a way to fix these problems.

First problem: the edges of the hole are quite sharp. I know it's left that way to give more purchase to opening it, but I occasionally end up with little smiley shaped cuts on my thumb when I open it or Spyderdrop it. I won't be too heartbroken if there's nothing I can do about this, but if there's an easy quickfix -- running a Sharpmaker stone around the edge or something equally easy -- then I wouldn't mind knowing about it.

Second problem: The swedge. It's pretty, it's gorgeous, but it makes putting thumb pressure on the spine unnecessarily painful. Something like whittling, especially on a hard wood (a broomstick, in this case) when you need the extra pressure and control that you get by pushing down on the blade -- it makes it needlessly uncomfortable. Any way I can flatten it out, or better yet, round it off?

Thanks for your help, folks, and I'm sorry if I'm missing anything obvious.
 
Re: #1) I frequently carry my Navigator (slotted Almite handle) in the "watchpocket"; it works quite well. Note that I don't wear jeans, if that's what you're using as a standard, but many of my pants have the little pocket just below the waist. The Navigator fits easily (entirely) within all of them I have tried.

I also have one pair of pants (shorts) with unusually wide belt loops, and the Navigator clips to those very well too.

As for #2, I haven't had the problems you reported, but it shouldn't be difficult to smooth out the edges a little using a file. Not sure you could fit the sharpmaker triangles into the hole...
 
Hi James. The inside of the hole can be softened with the ceramic stone. It might take a few minutes.

The buffing of the spine could probably be done with a dremel, but it would look best if it could be done by a knife maker. I don't know if Keith in Warrantee & Repair has the time to do it or what they would charge for the modification.

sal
 
I've used a small diamond rod. But be very carefull with this method.
or get some emery paper at the hardware store, cut a small piece off, and roll it into a "tube" shape. and work it into the hole. Either method creates a chamfer in the hole which allows me good purchase for either opening method. Again use caution with these methods it is very easy to scratch the blade if you dont apply the abbrasive at an angle.
 
This is the almite Navigator in VG-10? Is this true? Where do I get one? If this is real, this knife moves directly to the top of my "must have" list.

A Spyderco and good looks in the same package!!!!!!!!
 
There was another thread quite recently where Sal affirmed that the Navigator had been (would be) switched over to VG-10, but it appears that it isn't quite available yet. I don't think the issue of exactly when it would start appearing has been clarified yet.

It *is* a pretty nice development...
 
if you have a dremel, the hole can be smoothed out well... just run it on the first speed to avoid overheating and skipping out of the hole.

had to smooth out the edge of my dragonfly hole. the swedge created a sharp spot at the top of the hole, took about 5 minutes with the dremel to remove the sharp spot and smooth the hole.
 
Dremels are cool, dremels are great... just try to do your work under a cold water faucet or something like that. I had to use a dremel to modify my leatherman WAVE to accept thumb studs.

(Like many others, they tried borrowing Spyderco's idea of holes in the blades for one-handed opening, but unfortunately they aren't as smart as spyderco was in using a WIDE blade profile: the blades on the WAVE were narrow enough that the pressure required to grip the wee lil holes pushed part of my thumb over the other side of the blade, resulting in the loss of part of my thumb in the opening. Not a big part, but either way, I need the thumb studs.)

ANYWAY... The blades are tempered, so as mentioned before, overheating can be a problem. But doing the work under running water can make the work easier (keeps the little grindey stones wet) and better for the blade, since it won't let it overheat. That, and only grind a few seconds at a time. It takes longer, but is far less painful than seeing your beautiful knife turn funny colors from the death of the heat treatment.

Have fun!!! : )

Lothar
 
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