Opinions on Li'l Temperance, traditional shape blade.

The Tourist

The Tourist

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Dec 23, 2001
Messages
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I'm thinking of making this Li'l Temperance my next 'working' knife.

For one thing, it uses one of my favorite steels, S30V. I've had good luck with my Strider SnG.

The shape of the traditional blade (not that unturned snoot monstrosity) seems to be very usable. The gentle sweep of the belly should make it quite easy to touch up on the Edge-Pro.

Another is price. I did a cursory search, and I've found many at 124 bucks. I think I can do better if I shop further.

Can any of you give me a review with an eye to just 'a tough working knife for use in weekend blue jeans'?
 
Yep, it's exactly that.

The knife is very comfortable in use, no sharp edges at all, and retention isn't an issue as the fourth and fifth fingers will grip the butt of the knife tightly. Heft is very nice, as there are dual steel liners in the thick G-10 scales.

What's amazing about this is that it really feels like a larger knife. I had an MT SOCOM, which has a much *longer* handle, but the handle on the Lil' Temperance *feels* equally long, due to the ergonomics and distribution of the fingers. Truly a "little big knife". You get lots of leverage on the blade as well.

You'll like the lock, too, very easy to clean out, very secure, and it doesn't interfere with the index finger in terms of feel. Disengagement isn't an issue either.

Blade shape is right, very good slicer with a good point, although it may be a bit fragile for extreme use (i.e. prying, digging, although I doubt you'd do that with a blade this small).

The clip is very good, although the "rails" can be rough on the pockets at times (I polished mine a bit). Four phillips-head screws holding them in place, so easy to switch to tip-up/tip-down. The clip itself is nested into the G-10, so it's very secure (along with the four screws).

Overall, it's a very well thought out design, very well constructed. It's just about the ultimate EDC for me, in terms of it being fairly small, yet handling all the "big knife" tasks I've come across so far.

I have my extra up for sale on KF, if you're interested. It's a great knife, even at full-price, though.
 
The Lil' Temperence is a great knife. The G-10 handles are nice and thick. Combined with a nested compression lock, I don't know many more production folders that could stand more abuse. The Leaf blade is very utilitarian and the flat grind really proves it's worth. My only gripe was the wide clip. It tends to gnash up your pocket pretty quickly. However, mine was VERY tight and probably could have been remedied. I also know that some people's knives have had problems with the blade smacking against the lanyard lug. I believe that Spyderco has rectified this problem.
Matt
 
Thanks for the prompt responses, guys. It appears that this is the type of knife I'm looking for.

I've got a good collection of 'nice stuff.' To be sure, I bought a lot of the stuff to use, but many became 'drawer queens.' I like my tough stuff, like the Strider folders, the Tomcat, the Companion and the mini-Alpha Hunter.

They are not junk, but they have a quality about them that inspires use without having to worry about falling apart or breaking your heart if the thing gets a ding. Further, in Wisconsin, it's going to get wet from humidity or snow.
 
I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting the leaf-blade version, but don't write off the trailing point either. I was very dubious when I first saw it. That thing is just plain strange looking! Eventually I started looking at what it actually gives you and decided that I liked the results.

The trailing point Lil Temperance combines a blade with lots of belly and a tip that's narrow enough for serious penetration. Whether you're using it for self-defense, or just cutting up boxes, those properties are good things to have. I finally ended up with one and have been pleased with the results.

Both versions of the Lil Temperance are great hard-use knives. The thing is built like a tank, over-engineered in every aspect. It is not small in the pocket, but the 3" blade keeps it legal most anywhere and it will do the work of a much larger knife.

--Bob Q
 
Bquinlan,

I'm sure that both versions of the Li'L Temperance are equally strong and could get heavy duty chores done. I just don't know about this 'upturned' tip.

First, the thing that makes 'back cuts' possible for all of that important knife fighting I'm going to be doing, is the very thing that's going to catch on things. I don't skin game, I might cape for a fantastic animal (unlikely), but even if I did, drawing the knife back with a clip is going to get caught somewhere.

Second, is my prejudice. As Americans, we love Bowie knives. As a boy, I loved the Jim Bowie TV show because of the knife. And who can blame anyone? That mirror finish, the graceful clip point design, the rich lacquer finish of the black coffin handle. As a boy I thought there were two kinds of knives; either they were Bowie knives or putty knives.

The fact is that we have to use the stuff we buy. If I need that big a cutting edge in a real camp setting, I really need an axe. I have strong Striders, and if I really need a fatal back cut, then what is called for is a great handgun.

To that, I need the leaf-blade design.
 
Ichabod,

I thought that your SnG was your all-purpose go-to knife. That, and the reasons behind it, have inspired me to seek out such cutlery.

There are three things I can think of regarding the Li'l Temperance as compared to an SnG:

Lighter, despite the dual liners. I handled an upswept model recently and it felt barely heavier than a Delica.

Thinner blade than an SnG, so as two fully-flat ground blades go, it should slice through the same materials with less effort.

No choil. Makes me antsy, but, then, with a nested compression lock, that fear is likely irrational.

Nested compression locks feel a little safer than integral compression locks as your thumb would have to be placed more errantly to unintentionally disengage the lock. I have an ATR and an aluminum-handled Salsa and the Salsa's nest lock feels more secure (despite the ATR's lock being much thicker).

Hope that helps. Surprized, though, with all of the praise you've given to your SnG, that you'd be seeking another EDC.
 
Thombrogan,

I have a few knives in EDC rotation. Perhaps 'quite a few.' I do love them.

Certainly, I place my Striders at the top. If I'm grubbing around in crappy blue jeans, cruising the town in the F-150 doing chores and hanging out with old friends, then my Strider AR goes along.

If I'm working (still in blue jeans) doing general tasks, my SnG is with me 75% of the time.

Light field duty, I have my Buck mini-Alpha Hunter.

I getting a new Harley in spring. I have a brand new titanium plated Buck 110 and a black sheath for those 'road trips.'

When it was sloppy two weeks ago, I carried an All Weather Companion. It's a nice knife, does the job. Kind of a ho-hum basic knife. Worth every penny I paid, but the SnG displaces it easily.

I also have a SuperKnife when I'll be cutting a lot of cardboard, like when I have to flatten a lot of soda cartons for trash day.

So, Thom, as you can see, my rotation schedule takes many knives into consideration. But if you were a betting man, there's more than a 50/50 chance the SnG will be with me. It's getting to be my signature knife.
 
The Lil' Temperance is one of my top choices for a hard use knife of those I've carried. I don't own one, but carried one for a week on a pass-around. It's bulky but solid and has the most comfortable grip of any folder I've used. You're also right about easy touch-ups on the Edge Pro. The flat grind and the blade shape make it easy as can be. I say go for it.
 
Ichabod,

If you buy the L'il Temperance and I become a betting man, my odds will be reduced. On the plus side, I believe that you'll be very happy with your purchase.
 
Thom,

Perhaps this makes more sense.

When I was a hard-core biker, I had one knife (a Buck 110) and I chased lots of women.

I now have one woman, and chase lots of knives.

One would assume that having that much hardware is a daunting and dangerous task. To some level, that is correct.

Not as dangerous as if that 'one woman' found me chasing lots of other women.

A full spectrum of the world's greatest knives would be about the least of my worries.

edit: Roadrunner, thanks for the info on the Li'l Temperance's flat grind. Wow, a few licks on the Edge-Pro and the thing might be too sharp to carry. I think after some Christmas bills die down I'm going to try and find one, or at least hold one. We have no B&M stores around here at all. Perhaps in Milwaukee.
 
I was just talking about being a betting man. It was a bad joke. Sorry.

Anyways, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
 
Thom,

No worries, just my sense of humor. Best wishes to your family, as well.

Feel free to contact me at the hotmail and I'll give you a better e-mail address. I might have some info on Striders that you hadn't heard. They are wonderful knives, start salting away your egg money!

That comment about the V-grind on this S30V does have me VERY interested in the Li'l Temperance. Oh, who am I kidding! I love them all!
 
Just a little counterpoint. I'd suggest handling the knife before buying. It has a big handle and small blade. For that size handle there are a lot of other knives that give you a longer blade. The wide blade shape is good for some things, but not so good for others that need a sharper point. I had real difficulty with the lock and closing one hand. Long story short, I liked the knife in the pictures, but once I had it in my hand and played with it, I put it down and no longer wanted it.
 
Brownshoe,

That was actually the thing I liked about the little knife. My EDC during 1999 was a combo clip-point black-blade Microtech mini-USSOCOM with a purple handle. I'm sorry I sold it.

Right now I'm using a SuperKnife for those jobs. (Yeah, it has a purple handle!)

I think the blade shape of the leaf-model is perfect for tasks and it should come off of the Edge-Pro quite spooky. And I like S30V.

The bigger handle just give me a proper length to grasp.

But like Thom implies, I carry an SnG now, so the little guy had better be able to perform. As I get more and more reports, I don't think that is a problem.
 
Originally posted by The Tourist
Feel free to contact me at the hotmail and I'll give you a better e-mail address.
Click to expand...

Email sent.

Can't wait to hear what a L'il Temperance does with a feathery edge. Looking on the ground for fingertips just thinking of it.
 
Excellent little knife. I am really impressed. The blade shape is fantastic, the feel of the knife, I find no negatives. Whooops, forgot.....I'm a lefty and it's basically a righty design, otherwise, fantastic little blade.
 
Have both Lil Temperences but find I reach for the
trailing point more often. Not mentioned in previous
posts is that it fits perfectly in the watch pocket
of jeans. A great way to carry it.:)
 
Originally posted by Rger No. 1
Have both Lil Temperences but find I reach for the
trailing point more often. Not mentioned in previous
posts is that it fits perfectly in the watch pocket
of jeans. A great way to carry it.:)
Click to expand...

Wow. I was under the impression that the Lil'Temp was too beefy to fit in a jeans watch pocket.
 
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