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Spyderco Cat?
- Thread starter frgtn340
- Start date
- Joined
- May 7, 2008
- Messages
- 24
Looking good!
I prefer to see the grind lines in a blade. It adds character, sort of like wood grain, and prevents you from seeing every scratch.
For high-end safe queens, (none of which I can afford!) a beautifully polished blade is awesome. Also high-polished blades have more rust resistance, due to their being less microscopic pits on the surface to trap moisture and dirt.
For high-end safe queens, (none of which I can afford!) a beautifully polished blade is awesome. Also high-polished blades have more rust resistance, due to their being less microscopic pits on the surface to trap moisture and dirt.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2009
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- 1,421
I did leave the visible part of the blade alone, since this knife is a user. Also, heat treated s30v is hard to polish.
I really would hate to lose the Spydie logo. I did smooth out the area around the pivot to improve the opening.
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 257
Here's my Cat with some polishing up: (along with my stock Chicago for comparison)
I'm sure it's personal preference, but I really like the polished look better.
Nice job! That does look really nice, particularly the scales.
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 257
Upon further reflection, after more carefully examining and playing with the knives, I actually do really like the Chicago. As it happens my particular Chicago seems slightly better finished than my particular Cat, and its tiny size makes it somewhat more practical for my particular uses (I am a lawyer and don't have a regular need for a heavy-duty folder - I have several but mostly just fondle them). It's a very nice knife in the hand considering its very small size.
And I thought I was the only one who bought these babies just to fondle.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
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- 58
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
- Messages
- 274
I edc the sage as my utility blade (icarry 2 knives...1 for utility tasks and one for tactical defense) i like it a lot but when wearing wool dress pants a bit 2 heavy in the pocket. I may give the cat a whirl. I already have a dragonfly which seems to be about the same size as the chicago? (correct me if im wrong). But i think i can carry something alittle bigger and it still be comfortable, hence the cat.
I'm glad there are others that agree the Sage is a bit heavy for EDC. I like the Sage, but I think the Cat may meet my needs a bit better.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
- Messages
- 471
I'm another Sage 1 owner. I love the knife, but I too would like something a tad smaller and lighter in the rotation for some of my EDC needs. My consideration has been flip flopping back and forth between the Cat and the Dragonfly. The molded in clip on the FRN Dragonfly really puts me off. The CF Dragonfly is too costly. That leaves the SS Dragonfly vs. the Cat for me. Hmmmmm?
TaTaToothy... nice result with your polishing. Did you disassemble the knive?
Just curious... are these knives easy to disassemble and reassemble?
TaTaToothy... nice result with your polishing. Did you disassemble the knive?
Just curious... are these knives easy to disassemble and reassemble?
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I got the Sage CF after the Cat and Chicago and there is definitely a strong family resemblance.
As others have pointed out, the Sage is more refined, but these three are more alike than not. If you like one, you'll probably like the others.
The Sage is very similar in size and function to the Persistence. But again, the Sage is nicer and more refined with better materials (as it should be at the higher price.)
I like all four blades and highly recommend each.
Both Sage and Persistence are a bit large and heavy for EDCing to my workplace. For now, they will see more ..er, fondling duty, as I suggested in an earlier post.
As for EDCing, I'm much more comfortable with Cat or Chicago.
Perhaps some kind person with camera skills can post comparative photos of all four blades.
As others have pointed out, the Sage is more refined, but these three are more alike than not. If you like one, you'll probably like the others.
The Sage is very similar in size and function to the Persistence. But again, the Sage is nicer and more refined with better materials (as it should be at the higher price.)
I like all four blades and highly recommend each.
Both Sage and Persistence are a bit large and heavy for EDCing to my workplace. For now, they will see more ..er, fondling duty, as I suggested in an earlier post.
As for EDCing, I'm much more comfortable with Cat or Chicago.
Perhaps some kind person with camera skills can post comparative photos of all four blades.
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
- Messages
- 274
I know what you mean about the molded clip on the FRN model (which is the one I have) it sucks! lol I just dump the whole blade in my pocket and Im done with it. I will probably toll w/ the cat....the chicago is a tad bit to small.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,421
I think the first question to for me. Yes, I disassembled the knife to do the polishing. Like all linerlock folders, it's very easy to take apart and put back together. There's a good amount of gunk left over from the factory so it's a good chance to really clean it out. The only things to be careful about are to heat the screws to loosen the threadlock compound (or risk stripping the screws) and to make sure you tighten the screws while making sure the blade is centered.
Good materials, good design not so great f&f. Mine came dull and had this orange/rust color machining marks on the tang, I wiped it off(now there are just black marks) and the lockbar started to engage further which I don't like. It could see the lockbar hitting the other liner over time, the jimping is pretty uneven and all scratched and dinged up. They should have the people that made the Sage knives take a crack at the Cat and do it some justice.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
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- 660
The Cat is a fantastic little edc with a really firm lock up.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2010
- Messages
- 471
Ah! Thanks for that. Important advice!
I've never done this before.. can you recommend the best way to heat the screws without damaging the scales? And, what loctite would you recommend using for reassembly?
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,421
I have a Bernzomatic Micro Torch and the fine point tip is great for heating small screws. I press the tip onto the screw head for 10 to 15 seconds. You could also carefully use a regular soldering iron and you only need enough heat to break the thread compound bond. If it doesn't work the first time, just apply a little more heat. The fine tip is small enough to press into the recess of the screw head.
A poor man's method would be to use a large paper clip and a lighter. Just don't burn yourself.
When you're ready to reassemble the knife, apply some 242 blue loc-tite on the threads. I use denatured alcohol to clean the threads before applying a small drop of loc-tite with a toothpick. Try and avoid using too much on the pivot screws since it can overflow onto the pivot area and gunk up the pivot and the bushings. Since you're applying loc-tite, there's no reason to over-tighten the screws. Let everything cure for 12 hours.
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