Navigator: SS, aluminum and almite?

BOK · Oct 17, 2003

What are the scales made of?

It's a very light knife and with the almite coating on it I assume it's aluminum. Not sure if almite sticks to SS.

Also what exactly is almite and how different is it in form and fucntion from scales that are just anodised?

dialex · Oct 17, 2003

The Navigator's handles are made out of aluminium and coated with a sort of powder that is fixed under high temperature (while anodizing is made by means of an electromagnetic field), thus resulting the Almite.
BTW, there was also made a Navigator with G-10 scales some time ago

BOK · Oct 18, 2003

Thanks for the info.

I'd atually much prefer it in G10 to tell you the truth.

Wasn't the G10 model called the Experimental?

Jazzman · Oct 18, 2003

If there is a question as to what a handle material is, try placing a small magnet on it away from a pin. If it's alum/ti it shouldn't stick like if it were stainless.
Matt

u812 · Oct 18, 2003

The very first batch were called the Experimental.Then they were called the G10 Navigator.

u812 · Oct 18, 2003

I would love to see a upsized Navigator,2 3/4 in blade with the width the same as the current one done in dark green G10 or CF.

The Deacon · Oct 19, 2003

It's funny, the first Spyderco I bought was a Herbst with Almite scales. One of the things I like about it is that the "powder coat" type finish it has is very non-slip. When I purchased a Navigator, I was expecting the same kind of finish. Got a very unpleasant surprise, it was as slippery as a greased pig. Washed it with detergent, washed it with alcohol, thinking maybe the previous owner had put some kind of lubricant on it that got on the scales - no change. Would be interesting to know what is done differently between those two knives. Is the base aluminum on the Herbst bead blasted or something? Is it a difference in the size of the particles used? A different application or finishing technique?

Roger Blake · Oct 19, 2003

Arguably they have made this knife in all the scale materials you mention but sometimes with a different name but essentially same shape. Navigator name used for G10, aluminum (in two verions, one slotted one not). Meerkat similar with zytel scales and steel liners. SS too but I forgot the name, Oh yea Pegusus or some such. My choices new verison slotted handle with VG-10 blade and Meerkat in 440C with thinner blade.