New guy has question about Spyderco Calypso

D

Dave505

Joined
Aug 9, 2001
Messages
2
I got a plain edge Spyderco Calypso Jr. Lightweight in the mail this week after months of reading your all's discussions and opinions, which I very much enjoy and respect. I like the knife very much and it's very comfortable in my hand. Not having the opportunity to see the piece firsthand before purchasing, I was a little anxious about what I was getting.

The question I have is about the fit of the blade while closed. There's some side-to-side movement in the blade. It moves from the center of the slot to one side. It doesn't wobble freely nor does it move without a slight nudge. Is this movement something to be expected? Is the off-center placement of the blade to be expected? Are the movement and off-center fit to be expected with the FRN handle as opposed to, say, a stainless steel handle?

I was expecting a firm fit with the blade centered in the slot. I'm wondering if maybe my expectations were unrealistic. The blade in my medium size Gerber LST fits firmly in the center when closed. My tiny Gerber LST fits firmly off-center. Of course, these knives cost a lot less than the Spyderco and the designs are different.

In any case, the Calypso functions perfectly and the blade fits rigidly when open.

I'd appreciate what you all have to say. Thank you.
 
Mine does the same thing, but it doesn't hinder the incredible performance. You bought , in my opinion, the finest cutter Spyderco makes.
 
Mine too. With a riveted FRN handle there usually is a small amount of side to side blade play.

Paul
 
Provided the blade is not rubbing up against the handle when you open it, I don't necessarily mind it resting slightly off-center either.

Joe
 
a little play when the knife is closed is fine. if it locks securely and there is no play when it is open, you're fine. dig it. :)
peace.
aleX.
 
I purchased my first jr. at a gun show and the blade was off center when closed. I had it with me at the blade show and showed it to the people at Spyderco adn they took theirs out of the case and it was off center too. I subsequently lost it and purchased another one over the net. This one centers perfectly. I would assume that there is some variance in each one and as long as the blade does not rub against the handle you are ok
 
Welcome to the forums, Dave505! Excellent first post! In case you didn't know, there is a Spyderco forum here, moderated by Spyderco President Sal Glesser. Many times forumites will ask questions such as yours in the forum about the brand of knife in discussion. But, it is fine to ask the question here. No need to re-ask it there. Spyderco operates their own forum on their website also. It too is monitored by Sal. Easily the best demonstration of customer service and interest in the world of knives, so far as I know it.

As Joe mentioned, if the blade is rubbing as you open your knife, then it would be appropriate to at least call the Spyderco warranty and repair office. I'd look for circular marks on the tang of the blade as time goes on, on the side where it might be rubbing. If you get identical marks on both sides, and it doesn't seem stiff when you open the knife, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Spyderco builds their knives with about the least clearance on the sides of the blade of any of the main manufacturers. This is especially true of the lockbacks which have no liners.

In the meantime, enjoy your Calypso.
 
My Calypso Jr Ltw displayed the same flaw. When I once asked Sal why it was so, he answered that VG-10 is a very difficult steel to heat treat correctly. Due to that fact, the first batch featured slightly warped blades. However, to every one of those knives there should be a notice enclosed informing of this matter!! Well, my knife didn´t :(
 
One thing I have noticed about ANY factory folder that does not have some kind of stainless or titanium liners, is that they all have a hint of blade play when open. Some more than others, but all of the ones I have seen have a little. Not a big deal, but I wish they would start making the full size Calypso with stainless liners inside the micarta.
 
I traded for a used Calypso and carried it for a while when the my regular edc was in the shop. GREAT KNIFE! I noticed the off-center blade when closed, but it didn't bother me at all. When open the knife was solid, and performed hard and was trustworthy.

I gave it to a friend, and he uses it very hard in his carpentry shop daily with no problems at all.

Welcome, by the way!
 
Hi & welcome, No worries about your knife ,mate. You now own the best everyday cutter on the planet.
Carry it awhile, use the dickins out of it then......try to give it up. If your like most of us you'll quickly feel
undressed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top