I recently purchased a sort of set of knives. I got the Spyderco Calypso and the Calypso Jr. both in black linen Micarta and plain edge. The Calypso comes with a VG-10 blade while the Jr. came with a AUS-8 blade. Both these knives are discontinued versions right now.
I have not done any edge holding ability tests, just been cutting things around the house. Both knives came razor sharp and were excellent slicers right off the bat.
I got the Micarta handles because I think the black plastic that Spyderco uses is ugly as sin and feels cheap. This Micarta is wonderful, it is good looking and light as most plastics without having that cheap plastic feel. You have to feel it to know what I mean. These are my first Micarta knives so I guess I am comming late to the party. Many of you already know about the differences between Micarta and plastic, I really didn't until recently. These are also my first Spydercos. I stayed away from the brand because I thought they were cheap. The plastic handles and serrated blades scream cheap junk to me. They looked cheap and felt cheap. The all steel ones are a different story but when I thought of Spyderco, I always thought of black plastic handles and serrated edges.
Let me just keep this short and simple.
The things I like about these knives:
1. Light weight
2. Flat ground blades (this is the main reason why I got them)
3. Not too much upsweep on the tips
4. Point down carry
5. Flat and smooth
6. Well finished and good tight fit
7. Smooth action.
8. Good looks
9. Thin blades, better than thick blades unless you plan on using your knive as a crowbar, which I don't
Now the bad:
1. This back lock nonsense is out dated and stupid. I tried to get used to it but it is just not as good as many other locks. It is hard to close this type of lock with one hand it should'nt be. If Spyderco had made this a liner lock or something, this knife would have been almost perfect. Everytime I go to close one of these knives, I go to put my finger where the liner lock should be. Part of it is me but I can tell that is takes me effort to close one fo these back locks than it does to close a good liner.
2. The thumb hole instead of a thumb stud. Not a big deal but I slightly prefer the stud. I can get used to the hole though.
In general, I think the quality on both of these knives is outstanding. I used to think that Benchamde was the standard to what other knives were to be judged but both of these Spyderco are better engineered than any Benchmade I have ever seen. I am cooling off on benchmades now that I see there are knives out there that are better made and better designed. My next knife is going to be an Al Mat Shrike. From what I have seen of this knife, it too is better than a Benchmade.
I have not done any edge holding ability tests, just been cutting things around the house. Both knives came razor sharp and were excellent slicers right off the bat.
I got the Micarta handles because I think the black plastic that Spyderco uses is ugly as sin and feels cheap. This Micarta is wonderful, it is good looking and light as most plastics without having that cheap plastic feel. You have to feel it to know what I mean. These are my first Micarta knives so I guess I am comming late to the party. Many of you already know about the differences between Micarta and plastic, I really didn't until recently. These are also my first Spydercos. I stayed away from the brand because I thought they were cheap. The plastic handles and serrated blades scream cheap junk to me. They looked cheap and felt cheap. The all steel ones are a different story but when I thought of Spyderco, I always thought of black plastic handles and serrated edges.
Let me just keep this short and simple.
The things I like about these knives:
1. Light weight
2. Flat ground blades (this is the main reason why I got them)
3. Not too much upsweep on the tips
4. Point down carry
5. Flat and smooth
6. Well finished and good tight fit
7. Smooth action.
8. Good looks
9. Thin blades, better than thick blades unless you plan on using your knive as a crowbar, which I don't
Now the bad:
1. This back lock nonsense is out dated and stupid. I tried to get used to it but it is just not as good as many other locks. It is hard to close this type of lock with one hand it should'nt be. If Spyderco had made this a liner lock or something, this knife would have been almost perfect. Everytime I go to close one of these knives, I go to put my finger where the liner lock should be. Part of it is me but I can tell that is takes me effort to close one fo these back locks than it does to close a good liner.
2. The thumb hole instead of a thumb stud. Not a big deal but I slightly prefer the stud. I can get used to the hole though.
In general, I think the quality on both of these knives is outstanding. I used to think that Benchamde was the standard to what other knives were to be judged but both of these Spyderco are better engineered than any Benchmade I have ever seen. I am cooling off on benchmades now that I see there are knives out there that are better made and better designed. My next knife is going to be an Al Mat Shrike. From what I have seen of this knife, it too is better than a Benchmade.
