Official word on Calypso & Jr?

My girlfriend has been nagging me lately about a micarta Claypso Jr (don't worry, I love to be nagged for new knives), but I have seen that these may be discontinued. Also, I wouldn't mind a full-sized Calypso for myself, but these seem rarer than hen's teeth from most distributors I've checked. Additionally, I understand a steel change is in the works, which is great news. What I want to know is:

1) Are micarta Calypso Jr's really going away in the near future?

2) Are full-sized Calypso's doing likewise?

3) If I wait, will I be able to get either of these knives in VG-10?

Thanks in advance.

-Corduroy
 
Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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Corduroy -

1) possible, haven't decided yet. final decision will be announced 1 JUL 99.

2) At this time, probably. Sales are not what we'd hoped. Although I do not think this is because of design or quality. Not sure why. We haven't done any promotion on the item?? We're just watching now. Too many SKU's to promote all of them.

3) The Calypso (sr) is VG10. The new Calypso jr liteweight will be VG10.

If you want a full sized Calypso, I would grab one where I could find it.
sal
 
Thanks for the reply. That's just what I needed to know. Guess I better find some way to finance a Calypso Sr; I'd hate to miss out on these! One of the prettiest non-collaboration Spydies ever, in my opinion. And already in VG-10? Now I've drooled on my keyboard, darn it. I knew coming onto these forums was going to do a number on my bank account
smile.gif


-Corduroy
 
Why is the Calypso sr. less popular?

You all know my position, that the Calypso Jr. is the best knife Spyderco ever designed. Actually, I'll move that up to the best designed knife Spyderco has, regardless of designer.

I don't have a Calypso Sr. though. Partially that's because the handle on that thing is sooooo loooooong. Also, I feel the Calypso blades in general are so thin-bladed they're best for scalpel-type cutting. The Calypso Jr. is plenty of knife for that. In a big 4" bladed knife, I want something tough that I can beat on, not a scalpel. Hence, I typically carry a Calypso Jr. and a BM Axis (which recently replaced an Endura in that role). In addition, the Calypso Jr. is so pretty and small it doesn't scare people, while the Calypso Sr. will scare people just based on its size.

So, my carry strategy is: small gentleman's scalpel plus big tough beater knife. I just can't find a use for a large gentleman's scalpel -- it's big enough to scare the squares, and too thin-bladed to do the big jobs I ask of my 4"-bladed knives.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
My theory on why Calypsos are not as popular as they should:

1. Name. "Endura" and "Delica" are both names that denote function. "Police" and "Military" denote the user niche. "Dragonfly" and "Cricket" denote size and shape. But "Calypso"? Calypso is a NYMPH that held Odysseus captive in her island! Knives and nymphs don't mix.

2. Micarta. Yes, it's beautiful and classy. But it's not the beauty of natural handle materials (a la stag, wood, etc.). Yes, it's durable, but not in the same class as G10, stainless, or aluminum. Yes, it's light but not as light as "Zytel." (And it smells.)
smile.gif


In short, Calypsos suffer from IDENTITY CRISIS!!! Change the name to something that denotes functionality, niche, or shape, also change the handles to G10, and we'll have a winner.

Having said all the above . . ., I beg you, Sal, pleeeeease don't discontinue Big Calypso. A nymph or not, I still love her and want her captive in my pocket (but can't afford to buy her yet, as I spent all my money on the BF Native).

Slowjocrow
 
Slowjocrow - If you miss your window, we'll save one for you. (plain or teeth?)
sal
 
One more point of confusion: does the Calypso Sr. come in plain, serrated, or both? I ask because the only one on Spyderco's page is serrated, while the Knifecenter page has one (a prototype?) that is plain, yet both knives bear the ID# "54BM," with no "P" or "S" to denote an edge type. Thanks.

-Corduroy
 
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