Just got a Micarta Calypso Jr. plainedge...Hee-hee!

[Jeff/1911]

Well, I went and bought the Jr. too. What can I say; I thought "They belong together". Man, is this ever a beautiful knife. The edge is EXTREMELY sharp, much like a razor.



Something I thought was funny though, is that it does not have a Gold Spyder on the clip! It has the black engraved kind of the type on my Rookie clip. And I thought that all Calypso's had the gold Spyder...



Does anyone know if there were some of these models manufactured without a gold Spyder? I was wondering if the clip might have been switched with the one from another knife.



Thanks, Jeff/1911.

[Paul D.]

Jeff/1911,
I'm glad you like the Calypso and the Calypso Jr. Two of my favorites. My Calypso Jr. does not have the gold bug, but a all black clip like the one you describe. Mine was a fairly early one, as the box only gave the "Experimental" model number. Did yours come with a box? If so, does it say Calypso Jr. or Experimental?

People knock AUS-8 but I find it to be a decent steel. Mine has held up well. Cliff Stamp jabbed his Calypso Jr. through a car hood a few times to see how well it would hold up. It did pretty well. Not too long ago he posted a pic of that Calypso Jr. over at BladeForums and he has used the crap out of that knife. I wish I could remember exactly where those pics are.

BTW my micarta Calypso Jr. "walks and talks" better than just about any lock back I've ever seen. When it is opened the lock engages with a loud and authoritative "snick" that I really like. :-)

Paul

[Jeff/1911]

Paul D.

Sure enough, I now notice that my box say "experimental" on it too as well as "6/97". I guess that's the reason.

My Calypso is the same when it opens, a very authoritative "snick". I sure like it. Very impressive credentials about Cliff Stamp's "testing" of the AUS-8 steel. This knife I have sure has a fine edge on it. Man, is it sharp!

I do wish it had a gold bug though. Say, do you suppose I could buy a clip from Spyderco with the gold Spyder on it? They come on the new Calypso Jr. lightweights...I wonder if the same one would fit?

Obviously this is not important, but I would kind of like it to match my large Calypso which has the gold Spyder laden clip.

Uh, Sal....?

Jeff/1911.

[Tom Percy]

The "walk and talk" is one term that is not heard very often, but it adequately describes my Calypso's. Smooth and solid. Of all my Spydies, these are right on top of the list. That loud 'Snick' when they open, sounds like real Quality.

[Paul D.]

Jeff/1911,
I suppose you could switch, but it may not work too well. The Calypso Jr. LTWT clip has a small hold drilled in it near the top to help it clear the pivot pin. It would probably work on the micarta version, but I don't know if the one without the extra hole would work on the LTWT. Actually I like the all black look of my micarta Calypso Jr. It also marks it as one of the experimental models (preproduction of sorts) and not a production model.I don't know if that matters to you or not.

Here's a question for you though. Is the liner for the thong hole on your micarta Jr. bevelled? The later ones were bevelled but my experimental model was not. I took a drill bit of the appropriate size (can't remember the size) and slowly twisted back and forth in the stainless tube of the thong hole to bevel the edge. Just get a bit that is larger than the hole, so that the angles of the drill bit tip create the bevelled edge. If you have access to a variable speed drill press that will go really slow, you could probably do a better job with that. The press would have to be slowed down to less than 100rpm IMO, and the handle would have to be held securely in place.

Paul

[Jeff/1911]

Paul D.

I agree with you, I like the black clip too. I wouldn't want to change it now I don't think. Unless Spyderco decided to send me a clip, then it would be OK. You know, kind of a factory upgrade?

My lanyard hole insert is not bevelled either. At least it does not look like it. It's not raised above flush level...

What was the reason that you desired it bevelled? For appearance or function, or both?

Jeff/1911.

[Paul D.]

A little bit of both. I mainly wanted to knock the sharp edges off the tube that lined the hole, so that it would not abrade a lanyard. Just one of those picky little things.

Paul

[Jeff/1911]

Paul,

I don't think that you were being picky at all...merely paying attention to detail. These fine knives deserve nothing less. I'm going to do the same thing to mine, thanks for the technique suggestion.

I've really been admiring my Calypso Jr. over the past couple of days, and carrying it IWB with a pair of shorts while I go about my daily chores. I completely forget it's there until I need it. I am more impressed than ever with the utility of this design. I can certainly see now why the lightweight VG-10 version has become so well thought of amongst "those who know". For me, the combination of a great blade design and the luxury and beauty of it's Micarta handle make this knife a difficult combination to beat.

The only problem I'm having these days is deciding whether to carry the Calypso Jr. or the full sized one.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.

[Tightwad]

Jeff/1911, Hi, owning all three versions of the calypso I've found that the smaller one is much more
useful in everyday chores. I also alarm no one. This knife cut's like it's huge, but with grat control.
The larger calypso is impressive in what it can do also. the problem I find is that it's TOO impressive
for most people and too large for most jobs. I use mine as a dress carry. If I need a large knife for
self defense (NOT against people) from dogs etc. I have one. Since I always carry a large work knife/
small knife combo. The large calypso and SAK are what I use for dress. I may sound like to many
knives ,but , I'm alive today because of it. 'nam taught me alot on that subject. Enjoy.