SS Native, SS Rookie, SS Calypso Jr.

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
10,762
Okay, who has one of these steel handled knives:
SS Native
SS Rookie
SS Calypso Jr.

And how do you like them, how do they perform?

Thanks,
allen.
 
Hi AllenC!

I have an SS Calypso Jr. I bought it new in March 2001. It's been my EDC up until last week (I now rotate between the Calypso and a small CGG Sebenza).

Everyone who's seen the Calypso has had the same comment: "wow, that's the best looking knife I've ever seen!" Granted, most of my friends are not knife enthusiasts, but everyone loves the look. In fact, much to my chagrin, most people who've seen my Native American Sebbie and the Calypso prefer the Calypso :grumpy:

While I've carried the knife everyday, I haven't abused it. I've used it hard a few times, and the knife has always pulled through. AUS-8 is ridiculously easy to sharpen, and always comes back hair-popping sharp!

The ergos are simply amazing. The description about the knife was "feels like an extension of the hand". It really does... The grip is natural and relaxed. the low point makes it easy to do detailled work, and the choked up grip also helps in that respect.

My only two gripes: The SS is slick. I'm not sure I'd want to use the knife in a wet situation. Dry, it's not a problem, but I'm always careful of my grip using that knife. The second gripe is that after 3 years, there is a teeny weeny bit of side play when locked. You really have to wiggle it from the very tip to notice it, but it is there. It's nothing to worry about, but spending too much time on BF has made me adverse to any kind of blade play ;)

All in all, it's an excellent knife, and will probably remain in my rotation for many years to come.
 
I've EDC'd a SS Calypso jr. for about the past six months, and I love it. It feels really good in the hand and looks classy as hell. It's still as sharp as the day I got it, even after going through a ton of cardboard and paper. The action is really slick, with little to no blade play. It's light, but the the stainless handles make it feel substantial. I like a knife that announces it's prescence in your hand, but doesn't feel like a brick in your pocket. The Calypso jr. fits the bill perfectly. My only wish would be for a slightly better blade steel, but I've had no problems with the AUS-8 so far. I love the grind along the spine; that made the biggest impression on me when I first got the knife. I'll admit the SS feels a bit too slick in a sweaty or greasy hand.

Overall, it's my personal favorite among my Spydercos. It'll probably have some competition once my Rookie gets here, though. . .
 
I used to have an SS Rookie and I can say without any reservation that it was one of the 5 most ergonomically pleasing folders I've ever held.
 
I have all three, Allen. All are typical Spyderco quality pieces and all feel good in my hand. That said, the only one that sees any amount of carry time is the Rookie. I prefer the FRN and micarta versions of the Calypso Jr. to the SS one for carry, because of the weight and the full flat ground blades, and the FRN best of all as it feels the most secure in my hand and can be set up for left hand carry. The SS Native also looses out to my FRN handled ones. While I do prefer the finer thumb grooves on the SS Native to those on the FRN version, the FRN Native in S30V is way lighter in weight, feels more secure in the hand, and has a much slicker action. The SS Rookie, on the other hand, is the only Rookie I currently own, thought I'm on the lookout for a PE one in G10, so it does not have a lighter, less slippery cousin to compete with for pocket time.
 
Thanks for the replies.
I have a Micarta calypso Jr. but I'd really like to see the SS version.

Allen.
 
I've ranted before, but the FRN Calypso Jr. is my EDC of choice. It is really hard to beat. I know you're after SS, but the FRN has VG10 super steel and the reverse scale FRN design to make the handle hard to let go of... The knife is super light to boot. Brilliant knife design with a flat grind to boot. I have the others you mentioned in SS as well, but ....... you know what's in my pocket .... grinning. :D

Razz
 
Okay, I just got my Rookie today, and I'm fairly impressed. It's slimmer and lighter than my Calypso; both the blade and scales are slightly thinner. The action is a lot tighter, to the point that I can't wrist-flick it open. This suits me fine, I'd rather have it a little tight now than too loose in a year. Of course it has the famous Spyderco edge, hair popping sharp right out of the box. My only problem is that the clip is attached farther down than I prefer. With the Calypso, the curved part of the clip falls right in the middle of the handle and makes a great little spot to place my index finger. On the Rookie, the curve is farther down in about the bottom third of the handle and not quite as comfortable. However, I pretty sure that one of the smaller clips would feel better for me, like from a Pegasus, Co-pilot, or Cricket. I'm thinking about using the clip off my Pegasus, but it's scratched all to hell.

There's absolutely no blade play, the thing is rock solid when locked. The ergonomics are great; not as good as the Calypso's, but better than any other mid sized folder I've held. It's an all around great knife. Oh, the joys of a new Spyderco. . .
 
Thank you Deacon.

The picture really did help.

I know where a plain-edge SS Native is and I'll pick it up payday (if he has'nt sold it already).

Thanks again,
Allen.
 
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