Well, heres my thoughts on the Spyderco Temperance that I received as part of the passaround.
The blade features a nice flat grind of VG-10, one of my favorites. As soon as I unsheathed it, I was immediately reminded of the C54 Calypso. The blade shape is basically the same, though this is wider and has a bit more belly to it. It came to me somewhat sharp, but in short order it was literally shaving sharp. I mean literally as I later shaved about ½ of my face with it. Its something that amazes me. VG-10 sharpens so easily to an extremely fine edge, yet it holds it for a LONG time. The edge has a continuous curve that slices very well. Not much else to say here, it just works.
The handle is a very nice polymer molding on which the mold lines are very faint. It is very hard and a little slick, but the shape helps to keep it in the hand. Here is one of two things to improve in my mind. The butt of the knife features a nice, wide and very comfortable thumb shelf that is used to cap the butt with the thumb in reverse grip. I dont generally do that, so I found the butt to be too wide and to get in the way during shifts between front and reverse grip. I would prefer a slightly narrower butt section or maybe even cutting off the handle just forward of the lanyard loop. This way it would be a lot smaller and easier to conceal and the thumb would cap the butt in a more natural fashion. However, these are personal preferences and not a knock on the design. Id also like to see the texturing that is molded into the handle done a little more aggressive.
The sheath is a nice sandwich style kydex job with a Tek-lok for attachment. This was my first time to really handle or use a Tek-lok and Im quite impressed with the system. I can recommend it for anyone who wears a knife, gun, or whatever else on their belt and doesnt have to conceal said item. For concealment, it positions the knife away from the body a bit too much for me. I wore it for 2 days using the Tek-lok and couldnt conceal it well under a T-shirt. Today, I attached an adjustable belt loop and carried it IWB. Thats normally how I carry a knife like this and it worked much better for me personally. It concealed easily under a T-shirt and was very comfortable. Now for my other slight gripe against the system. While the sheath is good, it could be better. I understand that its not easy to mass produce a really good kydex sheath, so I dont think they did bad. I would rather see a slight change. While the blade is held secure enough that I couldnt shake the knife out, it comes out a little easier than Id like. I like to be able to sleep with a knife like this. That requires a sheath that holds securely. What Ive found to work best for this level of security while allowing a fairly easy draw is for the kydex to be molded into the finger groove on the knife. However, this sheath engages the sides of the handle and leaves the finger groove completely uncovered. This is great for a good hold before you draw as nothing prevents a full grip. But to do that, security in the sheath is compromised. Once again, I dont mean to say that its a bad sheath, its excellent. I can see why it was made that way. I just prefer mine in a different style. To each his own.
Overall, it impressed me enough to make me want to buy one immediately. No knife has ever done that before. I took it out of the package and within 1 minute decided that I am going to buy one. No knife has ever pulled that off before. I generally look a knife over about 10 times before I decide I like it enough to buy. This was instant love.
When I get mine, Ill make my own sheath for it and slim the butt or cut it off. That way itll make a great companion to its little brother, my Lil Temperance folder and my Gunting. Those two modifications will make it perfect for me. I can easily recommend it. Whether you look for a knife for utility, self defense, hunting or what ever else, this should serve you well.
The blade features a nice flat grind of VG-10, one of my favorites. As soon as I unsheathed it, I was immediately reminded of the C54 Calypso. The blade shape is basically the same, though this is wider and has a bit more belly to it. It came to me somewhat sharp, but in short order it was literally shaving sharp. I mean literally as I later shaved about ½ of my face with it. Its something that amazes me. VG-10 sharpens so easily to an extremely fine edge, yet it holds it for a LONG time. The edge has a continuous curve that slices very well. Not much else to say here, it just works.
The handle is a very nice polymer molding on which the mold lines are very faint. It is very hard and a little slick, but the shape helps to keep it in the hand. Here is one of two things to improve in my mind. The butt of the knife features a nice, wide and very comfortable thumb shelf that is used to cap the butt with the thumb in reverse grip. I dont generally do that, so I found the butt to be too wide and to get in the way during shifts between front and reverse grip. I would prefer a slightly narrower butt section or maybe even cutting off the handle just forward of the lanyard loop. This way it would be a lot smaller and easier to conceal and the thumb would cap the butt in a more natural fashion. However, these are personal preferences and not a knock on the design. Id also like to see the texturing that is molded into the handle done a little more aggressive.
The sheath is a nice sandwich style kydex job with a Tek-lok for attachment. This was my first time to really handle or use a Tek-lok and Im quite impressed with the system. I can recommend it for anyone who wears a knife, gun, or whatever else on their belt and doesnt have to conceal said item. For concealment, it positions the knife away from the body a bit too much for me. I wore it for 2 days using the Tek-lok and couldnt conceal it well under a T-shirt. Today, I attached an adjustable belt loop and carried it IWB. Thats normally how I carry a knife like this and it worked much better for me personally. It concealed easily under a T-shirt and was very comfortable. Now for my other slight gripe against the system. While the sheath is good, it could be better. I understand that its not easy to mass produce a really good kydex sheath, so I dont think they did bad. I would rather see a slight change. While the blade is held secure enough that I couldnt shake the knife out, it comes out a little easier than Id like. I like to be able to sleep with a knife like this. That requires a sheath that holds securely. What Ive found to work best for this level of security while allowing a fairly easy draw is for the kydex to be molded into the finger groove on the knife. However, this sheath engages the sides of the handle and leaves the finger groove completely uncovered. This is great for a good hold before you draw as nothing prevents a full grip. But to do that, security in the sheath is compromised. Once again, I dont mean to say that its a bad sheath, its excellent. I can see why it was made that way. I just prefer mine in a different style. To each his own.
Overall, it impressed me enough to make me want to buy one immediately. No knife has ever done that before. I took it out of the package and within 1 minute decided that I am going to buy one. No knife has ever pulled that off before. I generally look a knife over about 10 times before I decide I like it enough to buy. This was instant love.
When I get mine, Ill make my own sheath for it and slim the butt or cut it off. That way itll make a great companion to its little brother, my Lil Temperance folder and my Gunting. Those two modifications will make it perfect for me. I can easily recommend it. Whether you look for a knife for utility, self defense, hunting or what ever else, this should serve you well.
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