The Temperance Jr (both of 'em!)

Joined
Jul 7, 2000
Messages
1,556
The Temperance Jr:

Blade: 3" CPM-440V
G-10 Scales
Tip-up or Tip-down carry
OAL: 7.25"

TemperanceSet.jpg

MBClineup.jpg


I have been waiting to get my hands on a Leaf Point Temperance Jr. for months now. I had a pre-order in with Michael Dye at New Graham Pharmacy and I have been patiently waiting for these to see mass production. Well a couple days ago Mike e-mailed me and told me that he had a collector’s set that Spyderco had sent him. I was the first one to pre-order the Temperance Jr. so he gave me the first opportunity at these. He wanted to sell them as a set only. This meant more money but being the impatient knife knut I am I quickly said, "I’ll take ‘em!" Well I received them today and I can say that the money was well spent.

The Leaf Point is numbered 015 and the Trailing (Rhino) Point is numbered 015V. I was amazed to open the boxes and see how low of a number I got. I guess the collector who owns #15 decided to pass on these? I feel bad carrying and using these since they are such a cool set with a great number but I don’t ever plan on selling them so what do I care about their value? I bought them to use and that’s what I’ll do.

Well I have only had these for a couple hours but I love them so much I just have to share my feelings with the rest of you.

Blades - 10/10

The blades are CPM-440V which I have come to really like due to my use of my two Natives and my Gunting. The Temperance Jrs. each sport oversized opening holes. These are my first Spydies to have an oversized (Military sized) opening hole and I just love it. Grind lines are fantastic as always and they came sharper than any out of the box I’ve ever handled. Every time I think that Spyderco has perfected the "out of the box" edge, they do one better with their next knife. Spyderco, however, owes me a new pillow case. That damn Leaf Point slipped out of my hand and left an effortless slit on my backdrop after I took my pics. The full flat grind is quite sexy. I’m not sure at this point which blade style I like better.

Fit and Finish - 9/10

As mentioned above, the grind lines on the blade are beautiful. The handle scales are sculpted amazingly well and the clips fit perfectly whether tip-down or up. The scales are polished on the non-clip side in the ‘cut out’ section but the rest of the handle’s surface is grippy. The edges are all smoothed and rounded. The only fault is that on the polished part of the scale you can see marks from whatever machinery was used to create the recessed grip area and smooth it down. I really don’t care about this but I know there are perfectionists out there. These marks are not detectable to touch but they are visible when light hits them at certain angles.

Squabbling about the appearance of these knives is a moot point though: they are part of the Martial Bladecraft Line and are meant to be user knives.

Function - 10/10

These babies are stout little tanks: they have beefy blades and scales. These are hardcore, no BS, high performance knives. You will know this the second you pick one up. They open smooth as silk, possibly some of the smoothest folders I own. The edge is amazing and the geometry makes for great cutters. The clip, while a bit tight for my tastes, is more secure than any I’ve ever used. I’m in the process of breaking in the clips right now (stuffed some folded up paper into them).

Ergonomics - 10/10

This is where this knife really shines. This baby locks into your hand and you know that it isn’t going anywhere. There are no sharp edge to bite your hand and when in a saber grip your thumb has a perfect rest. I really can’t even describe how perfectly this knife fits my hand. You should really handle one of these to see how great the ergonomics are. Even in a reverse grip the knife is secure and the clip actually aids in your grip.

I just love this knife. It is worth the hype and it was worth the wait. Now I just have to decide which one to carry... hmmmmm... how ‘bout both?
 
Thanks for the review TOTC. I want the trailing point. If you do decide to sell, especially the trailing point, give me a holler.
 
bensano,
The Temperance Jrs are not set up for left-handed carry. As to the ergonomics, however, they still shine in either hand in forward or reverse grip. Still, if I were you I'd find out is Spyderco has any plans to make a leftie model.

neetones,
I paid $150 each for them because they are a matched collecter's set. I bought them from Michael Dye at NewGragam.com and I think he's going to sell the regular pieces for $120 but don't quote me on that.

Dirk,
I really don't forsee selling these but if I ever want to I'll drop you a line. Even though I originally wanted the leaf point, I now like the trailing point more and give it more carry time.
 
TOTC,

Thank you for the great review. I really like the leaf point. Could you tell me what the closed length is? Secondly, do you have any idea of the weight? What a great set you have.
 
Sooooo.
You're the guy that beat me out of the set.

COOL. I was hoping they went to a good home.

No!!!! I was really hoping that I could get my gread....er, hot.....er, mits on the set.

Oh well. Guess I'll just have to wait a while for mine.
 
SAK,
Closed length is between 4 and 4.5 inches depending on whether you want to measure the spine or the opening.
I don't have a scale to weigh them but I'd say they are slightly less than six ounces. I say this because the Gunting is 6oz. on the Spyderco website and the temperances are slightly lighter.

pyrguy,
Are you collector #15 or were you trying to get these from Mike? Sorry dude, but don't worry: the wait will be worth it.
 
TOTC
I've got an order in with Mike. You beat me on the Jr. order by a day or two.

I lucked out and got a numbered trailing point. It's hard waiting on the production knife. But I just pull out my Ocelot and the blues go away.
 
The Lil' Temperance offers two nested liners, but it has a thicker blade (4mm, like the Military). But I don't think I'd call it a lite weight at 126 gm 4.44 oz.

sal
 
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