New Navigator?

L

leroys_45

Joined
Oct 26, 1999
Messages
626
I know it's probably a little while off, but Sal recently mentioned another variation of the Navigator someday. I'd just like to support the idea and say that the G-10 Navigator was really the nicest of the bunch. If you could put a flat grind on it, it'd be really nice, but even with the hollow grind in a good steel, it's a great knife.

I currently don't own one...the G-10 version went to a friend in Argentina and the VG-10 version was kidnapped by my sister. They're both very happy. Currently my Toad fills the niche, but I'll probably pick up another Navigator soon just to have one again.
 
Just picked up one of these knives at SMKW. About a week ago, it was listed as the "President's Special" and was reduced to only $19.99. Went back to the site to order two more yesterday, but the "President's Special" had already changed to something else. :grumpy: The Navigators are listed for $29.99 again. Still a great price though.

Anyway, mine is the Almite version in VG-10. I'm impressed actually. Not a big fan of the 2" blade in general, but the handle on this little sucker is much more ergonomic than most similarly sized knives. I AM a big fan of VG-10. The knife came a little stiff, but a couple of drops of Tuff-Glide and a few openings slicked it right up. Great little blade for $20!
 
Make it with VG-10 and a full flat grind. Better yet, just combine a VG-10 dragonfly blade with a Navigator pattern handle, and make the clip for tip-up carry!

Wouter
 
Originally posted by Mr Blonde
Make it with VG-10 and a full flat grind. Better yet, just combine a VG-10 dragonfly blade with a Navigator pattern handle, and make the clip for tip-up carry!

Wouter
Click to expand...

That sounds like a VERY good idea!!
 
Ok, Now that Leroys_45 started the thread, we might as well share thoughts and preferences from those that like the pattern. I personally think the Navigator pattern is quite functional for any sized hand, is user friendly and politically correct.

It looks like the new Chris Reeve style integral Linerlock stainless Cricket might be the right compination for the Cricket pattern. We've not yet found the ideal combination for the Navigator pattern, so knowledgable input is valuable.

Tip down makes a better money clip and rides lower in the pocket.
Tip up is what most are accustomed to.

Which & why?

Type of clip?

Handle material?

Aluminum - G-10 - Micarta - Carbon Fiber - Stainless steel - FRN - SS bolsers with bone,etc - Titan - ???

I think I'd like to keep it a lockback.

I have a carbon fiber sample with dual liners and 3mm thick CF. It feels too fat for me. Ok in the hand but thick in the pocket for a small knife. My next sample is a single liner and 2mm CF like the CF Delica........but expensive.

Whatchathink?

sal
 
I like the tip down carry. As you said, it rides lower in the pocket, and it makes opening the knife quicker for me.

I like the standard clip better. Maybe I'm just an old fogy, but I don't like the wire clip.

Titanium handles would thrill me. My second choice is micarta.

I liked the original Navigator so much, I gave a couple for birthday presents, and kept two for myself.
 
I have two G10 Navigators today.

If you release another knife with this pattern, I would like to see it tip down, since they are so unobtrusive in the pocket that way.

I like the silver three-screw clip, but could live with any other style that works. I have no experience with the wire clips yet.

I don't know what would be economically feasible, but given any choice of handle materials, I would choose Micarta for a lightweight version and stainless steel with Kraton inserts for a second version.

I also really like the idea of a flat ground blade.
 
Hmmm, I would love a carbon fiber Navigator with dual steel liners and S30V, but this might be a pie in the sky knife. I do have a few opinions that might be more realistic. VG-10 is a good blade steel but I think D-2 would be even better. Whatever handle material is chosen please avoid the slots in the handle since my keys tend to get caught in them. I don't use pocket clips since I feel they are evil, so I really don't care what clip style or position is used. Concerning handle material I must say that I love carbon fiber but micarta is a very close second since we are talking synthetic handle materials. Titanium is neat stuff but lets be honest, it doesn't look that neat and given a choice I'll take the good looks AND the excellent function of carbon fiber or micarta over titanium any day. I want to touch upon the comment concerning handle thickness. I understand that you don't want too thick of a handle for such a small knife, but don't make it too thin either! I want to be able to hold this knife and do some heavy cutting and too thin of a knife handle will cut into the hand. Just some thoughts. Thank you Sal for replying and opening up the thread to input on what may possibly become a limited run, or am I putting the cart ahead of the horse? :rolleyes:
 
I would like a Navigator built on the same construction as the old Wegner Mouse: VG-10. Tip up 3-screw polished clip, ambidextrous. Thick Almite scales with polished edges. SS backspacer.

Alternately, if everyone is going CF crazy, I'd rather the thicker 3mm CF with one liner rather than 2mm CF. Polished 3-screw clip, tip-up. SS backspacer.

I like the pattern and I think it benefits from a slight chunkiness, a la the Meerkat handle.
 
I'm sitting here holding my Navigator and trying to figure out exactly what I would change to make it better. I would certainly get rid of the slots. I would also without a doubt increase the thickness of the handle. I don't advocate making it as thick as the Benchmade 705, but there is room for a thicker knife. If cost is an issue, then by all means continue to employ VG-10 steel since it works wonderfully, and replace carbon fiber with either micarta or G-10. I still would love to see a flat grind,D-2 bladed, carbon fiber Navigator that is a little thicker in the handle.
 
Dear Mr. Glesser,
This question really hit the spot, as I consider the Navigator a very inspired design and I'm into small knives. I've been fantasizing for quite a long time about an improved verison of it.
IMO, there's no need for a bulky Navigator, because there's the Meerkat.
I'd go for a slim model, with FRN handles (comfortable, lightweight, resistant and affordable). Maybe with some indexing divots like the Meerkat, if possible. With a little hump or cusp above the lock pin (somehow similar to Bob Terzuola's Starmate). With a 3 screws clip (like the Calypso jr.'s, because it's linerless) but with tip up/down carry option.
I also consider the front lock very suitable, it's ambidextrous and has successfully passed the test of time. Not very sure about the Boye dent though. I'd make it different.
The blade could be in VG-10 or even S30V but I'd also add the reversed S shape option. If possible, I'd make a deeper finger choil or even better I'd modify the kicker (and the lock, of course) to make a quillon like the Military has. Also some texturing on the spine (a la Jester) would improve both gripping and the looks. Could be in hollow ground or even full flat ground, I guess it's not that important at this size. BUT, very important, it should write the "made on Earth" thing, it's a great feature :)
The pivot pin should be an adjustable one, like there is at the CF Delica (and many other models).
Thank you again for the question.
One more thing, if you still must do a thicker version due to popular demand, why not also fit there a LED microlight? I really long for those Hotaru / Fireflies and a genuine Spyderco would be awsome?
 
Well, I sure stirred up a hornet's nest here. Sorry if I'm pushing the issue too much Sal.

Here are my views on the subject. The Navigator has to stay a lockback and should stay fairly thin. I'd like to see the original style G-10 handles with either no liners or just one to keep it simple. I could also take it in Micarta, polished or beadblasted. As for the blade, I'd stick with VG-10. It's a great steel and isn't too expensive, let's keep this simple again. I'd personally like to see a full flat grind, but if it was hollow ground like before, I'm not really going to whine that much. I'd like to see the clip remain the same as always, the 3 screw design, tip-down positioning.

I say all of this after thinking about how I've really used my Navigators. Though they certainly can work hard, they don't tend to see the abuse and daily hard work that a larger knife does. If you really are cutting that much, you take something else with you. They seem to be a smaller, semi "gent's knife" that can really do the job if they have to. That's why I want to keep it thin and light. Though I never really complain about better steel, VG-10 would be more than sufficient in this application. It takes and holds a great edge, has good corrosion resistance, and costs quite a bit less than S30V or something similar. Also, that would keep production in Japan where they already have the tooling since all previous Navigators were either GIN-1 or VG-10. Once again, it would keep it simple.

I emphasize the simple here because I don't see this as being a "sprint run", I think Sal wants to reintroduce and keep it around at least a few years.
 
I have 2 of the G-10 Nav's & was sad to see them go. The plain edge version was my "flying" knife pre 9/11. They still get put into the EDC rotation quite a bit. With a handle that small, I personally like the extra purchase provided by the textured G-10. I have an Almite Worker & enjoy it, but would prefer the added security of a textured (read: Grippy) handle material. A flat-groud version w/ a premiun steel would be fun as well.
 
I think my ideal version would be:
-same G10 handles but drilled for tip up or tip down, maybe with a single clip-side nested steel liner, maybe dark blue or dark green G10
-VG10 flat ground blade, same profile as the original
-traction grooves on the back of the hump and the bottom of the choil for extra traction
 
I've tried out a lot of small knives, and the Navigator-pattern handle is my favorite. It just fits perfectly.

That said, the Meerkat fills the niche of "low-cost Navigator-patterned knife", so any new Navigator should try to be a very different knife.

I like the slimness of the aluminum Nav's. It carries very well, and the "hand-filling" design prevents the slimness from being uncomfortable. I also like the tip-down clip (again, carries better--and after using spydies with both carry styles, I see little real difference when drawing tip-up vs tip-down). This might be a good place for a Meerkat-style wire clip. Super stealth.

I'd like to see it in Micarta. Beautiful stuff, and much more interesting than SS, titanium, or FRN. (actually, I'd love to see black Micarta with polished SS bolsters, but that might raise the cost significantly). SS with bone would be neat-but-pricy, too. This and the Kiwi could start off a new line of Spyderco semi-traditionals! ;)

As for blade steel, VG-10 is fantastic stuff, and all a little knife like this will ever really need. A full-flat grind would be ideal. A flat saber grind would be great, too. The same old hollow saber grind would still be completely acceptable.

Lockback good.
 
VG-10, Micarta, no clip, leather pocket sleeve with embossed Spyder.
 
Well now we've hit one of my favorites. I love my Navigators/Meerkats! Great design, I like dragonfly but that handle just doesn't fit quite right. How about a flat ground VG-10 blade to start. I like the lockback but if it had to change I also really like the new frame lock on the SS cricket if it would work. I always have liked the g-10 navigator and the molded FRN on the meerkat but I would love to see a really nice linen micarta or something similar to help "dress" it up a bit. I think a somewhat "grippy" carbon fiber would be my second choice. Now I like the Salsa and it has its place and time for carry/use but please don't put a cobra hood on the Navigator. I think these would make a wonderful knife even better. Just my 2 cents worth.
Jyork:cool:
 
Please, Sal. No FRN for the new Navigator! Titanium, micarta, carbon fiber, G10, whatever. Just no FRN. Flat ground blade of VG10, S30V or D2, or even BG42 would be great.
 
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