Who else loves their Caribbean?

M

Mark Spark

Joined
Jun 1, 2020
Messages
158
I think the Caribbean is the best knife Spyderco makes. For those who don’t have one, here’s why:
#1 The grooved G10 handle is smooth to the touch and won’t wear pockets but grips like crazy if you squeeze it a little. I think it’s the only knife in the world with this pattern and characteristic.
#2 It’s completely rustproof. You can wear it while running or bicycling or working and sweat all over it. You can wash it with soap and water in the kitchen sink.
#3 it’s light for its strength and size. 4.1 oz, 3.65” blade - 0.2” more than a PM2 but same length handle.
#4 You can think of it as a PM2 but with no finger choil and better chamfering, slightly deeper handle and slightly more finger room. Leading to higher comfort at max force. Same compression lock and same pivot size.
#5 Only 0.018-0.021” BTE at 15 dps on mine. This is thinner than any other Spyderco I have. The cutting performance this gives you on wood, plastic or thick cardboard has to be seen to believe. Outcuts all medium and large Spyderco folders, I swear it. Makes reprofiling or sharpening a breeze.
#6 Serrated leaf blade version, especially, is better for self defense than many “tactical knives” based on length, strength and retention in hand.
There’s much more but I think that gets the idea across.
So why isn’t it more popular? Hard to believe, but I guess it might be the color. I like the color, it reminds me of a tropical fish. But maybe most people want black.
Someone should do an exclusive with all black handle to try this theory. I’d like to see it with an S110V blade. S110V is nearly as high in corrosion resistance as LC200N, but has much higher edge retention. If the innards were kept the same I bet there’d be no practical difference in corrosion immunity.
Anyway, I appreciate the Caribbean.
 
It is definitely a model that’s been on my radar since it’s inception.

There is a lot of features that make it a winner.
 
I had one and could never really warm to it, the handle is very chunky and the detent was really soft which made it hard to open easily.

They have already discontinued at least one of the 4 versions and cancelled the larger variant so it’s fair to say that it’s not a strong seller.
 
Weak detent makes it not suitable for the environment it’s designed for imo. If im using the knife for water activity, i’d like the knife to stay closed when not in use, and not slip out of hand when closing it. It’s much easier to slip with compression lock than with back lock.
This is why Lance(the designer of the Siren) mentioned that he used backlock for his design because it’s easier to get a full hand grip when closing the knife.
 
You mentioned many great points on the Caribbean, and I love mine too !
In fact, I liked it so much I bought a plain edge and a toothy version also, LOL !
 
John_0917 said:
I had one and could never really warm to it, the handle is very chunky and the detent was really soft which made it hard to open.
Click to expand...

I agree on the detent part, Easy fix slightly enlarging the hole to let the ball in a tad more! I think it's definitely up there as one of the best Spyderco knives!

Of course I like/love most of them! :cool:
 
insta9ves said:
Weak detent makes it not suitable for the environment it’s designed for imo. If im using the knife for water activity, i’d like the knife to stay closed when not in use, and not slip out of hand when closing it. It’s much easier to slip with compression lock than with back lock.
This is why Lance(the designer of the Siren) mentioned that he used backlock for his design because it’s easier to get a full hand grip when closing the knife.
Click to expand...

All Spyderco liner lock and compression locks have too weak a decent in my opinion. That’s why I always do the hole enlargement mod. You shouldn’t let that issue ruin the knife for you. But preferences are personal so I hear you.
 
I prefer a light detent on my compression lock knives but if using in a water environment where I would likely carry in waist band I prefer a back lock. I would like to try a serrated Caribbean but I’m not crazy about the color. The grip texture is different and I’d like to try it but that yellow just doesn’t do it for me. A black and blue, black and gray or black and green would look cool.
 
Yes! I think it is near perfect! As mentioned above, a mini Carribean in black would be great. Maybe my perfect edc!
 
ReignChaser said:
Which one was discontinued and where did you find out this information?
Click to expand...
I believe it was the PE sheepsfoot; Sal also said in another thread (possibly on their forum) that the XL was cancelled because of poor sales of this first version.
 
What the hell! All these posts and no pictures!:D
Alas I don't own one yet, coming this year I hope.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 353
DA170 said:
Slip joints and Framelocks?
Click to expand...

Favorite locks is an interesting topic. Mine is ball-bearing, then compression, then liner lock tied with axis lock, and lastly frame lock. The power lock would be my number two, but I only have it in the Chinook 4. Since the Chin4 has major design issues I don’t count it.
 
I think that the problem with the Caribbean is that there are other models that offer the same blade shape, same (or almost) blade to handle length ratio, less weight, etc within the Spyderco line for less money than the Caribbean.

Unless you NEED (and I use capital letters intentionally) the uber-corrosion resistance, it doesn't make much sense to pay for it. Being arround saltwater is the only place where I think you might need these properties. And even then, the Salt series has you covered (for less money).

And let's be fair, the good old VG10 is VERY corrosion resistant as well. I have been using my Delica Wave in VG10 as a beach knife for a long time and as long as you rinse it every once in a while it is ok. You may get one or two spots of surface stains but that's all.

I would love to buy one, but for me, right now, it is hard to justify the 207€ they ask for one in my side of the pond. That is fancier knife territory for my budget (ZT for instance). Spyderco is more utilitarian (again, for me).

Mikel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top