What happened to the Cat and the Chicago?

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bitter1

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Mar 3, 2008
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This is a question that I have been meaning to ask for some time but have never remembered to ask. I had heard that they where a failure and where only out a short time before being discontinued. So what happened to them?
 
The very high standards required by Sal & Co. were not met and Spyderco decided to pull the plug on them. Shame on the manufacturer! They may come back again (reincarnated) is the rumor...
 
Yeah they had some major quality control issues. I believe sal said that the chapparal(spelling?) is how he is going to bring it back. Basically a mini sage.
 
I guess it's summertime cuz I just saw a Cat and a Chicago on line. 440C and G10 IIRC.
 
I saw them also, but 440C? And for around $40 for that size knife why not give VG-10?
 
Slider817 said:
I saw them also, but 440C? And for around $40 for that size knife why not give VG-10?
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440C with a proper heat treat is a fine steel for a knife of this size. I'm sure it's comparable, if not slightly better, than 8cr13mov.

A knife with those features (G10 scales, full liners, wire clip, full flat grind and flat screws), plus VG10, would probably result in a higher price if made in Japan. Just look at the price of a G10 Dragonfly. I think Sal and Crew wanted to make a small, discrete, affordable folder with some nice features for consumers on a tighter budget. I think this fits the bill nicely. I may pick up a Cat for some family members.
 
Where are the new versions of the Cat/Chicago made now?

I was just looking at those two models. Seems like the first interration was made from S30V/CF and still cheap - higher QC would raise the price, but lowering the cost of materials to VG10 and G10 seems like it might off-set the cost some.

I'd rather see VG10 than 440C, but would gladly take 440C over 8CR13MOV or AUS8, so I guess I may have to pick up a Cat.
 
These are cool! If these would have come out before the Dfly 2, I'd probably have gotten one! But now, For the same size class and probably around the same price, considering the ergos and the steel (440C is awesome, but I like VG10 better), I think I'll be sticking with the Dfly 2
 
I've got to say that I've hesitated on pulling the trigger for a Cat due to the 440c blade and lack of jimping. Do I really get that much over a Byrd Robin or Crow? I realize that they are all different knives, but is 440c that much better than the 8cr13MoV steel (with regards to edge retention)?

Also, the original Cat/Chicago were made by a different Taiwan manufacturer than that of the Sage/Gayle-Bradley/PPT right? Has Spyderco started using the same Taiwan manufacturer as the Sage/etc. or have they stayed with the original manufacturer and just somehow tightened QC?

Really wish the Cat had better steel and jimping - I can't imagine those two things would increase the cost more than $10 - and the knife would still be a value at $50 with say VG10, S30V, or even 154cm. I don't mind the switch to G10 at all, but Peel-ply carbon fiber would be an even better upgrade in my opinion.

I was just looking at an Urban or possibly a Dragonfly or Leafstorm and now I've got to consider the Cat in the mix as well, but so far its not just super-impressive over other Spyderco offerings in the same size.

I don't know - anyone used one of the newer Cats for a while now and have anything to report about Edge-retention?
 
Don't know if it's the same maker who did the original ones or not, but there are some pictures posted on the Spyderco Forum and the blade doesn't say Taichung, so I doubt it's the same maker that's doing the Sage and the others you mentioned. Person who posted the photos seems happy with it, so I'm guessing that using a less expensive steel and scale material allows the maker to provide better fit and finish while keeping the price about the same as the originals. You can always wait for the Chaparral, S30V, textured CF, and made it Taichung. Just don't expect to get one for $50 or anywhere close to it.
 
The Deacon said:
Don't know if it's the same maker who did the original ones or not, but there are some pictures posted on the Spyderco Forum and the blade doesn't say Taichung, so I doubt it's the same maker that's doing the Sage and the others you mentioned. Person who posted the photos seems happy with it, so I'm guessing that using a less expensive steel and scale material allows the maker to provide better fit and finish while keeping the price about the same as the originals. You can always wait for the Chaparral, S30V, textured CF, and made it Taichung. Just don't expect to get one for $50 or anywhere close to it.
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I almost forgot about the Chaparral, I think I will wait for that one. It looks amazing.
 
Ordered myself a Cat last night off of Cutleryshoppe.

I'm still a little concerned about the choice of steel used, but I certainly don't expect or think it will be bad coming from Spyderco. I think it's just the group think of 440c that is getting to me. :)
 
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