Sal - insight on the design of the Cricket?

C

Costas

Joined
Feb 22, 1999
Messages
485
I bought the lightweight Cricket (plain edge) some time ago, just to add to my collection and use for airline travel and very light summer clothing use.

I wasn't really anxious to get it, I wasn't any more impressed when I got it, BUT now I find I have grown to love the little knife and carry it more than I expected.

The question for Sal:
what was the first idea, the concept, the design criteria for this (unique in design) knife? How did you decide on the curved blade shape, and what did you have in mind when you included it in your line at the same time as e.g. the similar-sized Co-Pilot?

Costas
 
Costas - we were trying to create a small highly functional model that had the "oval" shape in the closed position. Kind of an excercise is "see if we can make one with no corners to jab & poke".

The "bent tip" blade design proves useful in a small design because the tip can be used effectively and comfortably while holding the knife handle. Tips are ofeten unwieldy for delicate work because they are far from the handle or pointing in the wrong direction.

The CoPilot is an old design, though it is still in demand. We wanted a more modern design that (forgive me) was a little prettier than the "regular" models. It is "cute" and non menacing. We actually have samples in 8 colors, but there was little interst in colors at the SHOT Show. We are making a pink version that should be out this summer.

The original design sported a "Yin Yang" symbol filling the oval and the "hole" provided an intersting addition to the overall look. Santa Fe Stoneworks still makes the Yin Yang version with Pearl and Jet. (They know how to make things pretty).
sal
 
Sal:

We actually have samples in 8 colors, but there was little interst in colors at the SHOT Show.
Click to expand...

Somehow, I wouldn't expect the SHOT show to be the place where interest in colors would be highest.
wink.gif
But one of our dealer members was recently commenting in another thread about how many knives he has been selling to women lately and how many of those women have been expressing interest in something other than "tactical black."

My wife would probably either just put it in a drawer or lose it. (I've tried to get her to carry at least a SAK before, so I know.
frown.gif
) But my sister would probably love a pink cricket and I my sister-in-law (brother's wife) would certainly love a purple (plain-edge) cricket. (I would not consider giving a serrated one to someone who flies as often as she does, considering how many people have had problems with serrations on planes.) If you meant that the colors were for co-pilots, I could say the same for them, except that they seem to be serrated only, which rather defeats the point of them as a knife for taking on planes.


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu

 
Plain edge Crickets are available and Plain edge CoPilots are on the way. We'll see what happens with the pink crickets before making more colors.
sal
 
Pink Crickets?!? Did you mean pink Delicas or did I miss that this is an actual plan?

That's terrific!


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu

 
Pink Crickets? Pink Delicas? Very nice! I wonder if someone is rescaling Militarys or Starmates???
 
"Rescaling" is what got me started in knifemaking. It's fun, easy, and makes your piece "almost custom."

That said, I'm not touching the Military or the Starmate because that partial liner would require some tricky freehand milling work (and I only have a drill press at the moment). I suppose if someone planned to do a bunch they might make a jig for it, but for me the effort would be better spent just making the whole knife. That's always the trick to modifications, deciding at what point making the whole knife would be easier.

Maybe there's someone out there doing the Military and Starmate, but I'd definitely give it a "don't try this at home" rating unless you are darn handy with a milling machine.

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
 
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