Cricket Scale Material

[scolby]

After finally getting a Tufram Cricket, I have to say that I wish it had a different scale material. I am one of those that simple does not like FRN, and I never will, regardless of how illogical that is. I will accept it on a model like the Remote Release because it is the only material that makes sense.



Has Spyderco ever considered a Stainless Scale Cricket?



If they did, would anyone prefer this approach over lets say, Almite?



After owning many Spydies, I still think that the stainless scales are the second most definitive feature after the Spyderhole.







"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[fisherman]

I was thinking about a wood handle. Rosewood with steel bolsters and liners.
<just a thought>
fisherman

[vampyrewolf]

I would prefer Almite, green or blue... but I would still use a SS one too. Plan to buy a plainegde to compliment the serrated anyways... anything but FRN for the small guys...

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[The Stare]

If the Mouse is Almite, it is the only Almite knife I've handled. I have 4 or 5 CRKT knives with anodized aluminum handles, plus the Outdoor Edge Magna in anodized aluminum.

I hear a lot about scratches of Almite. My CRKT M16-14, which I carried for the bulk of an 18-month period, almost always with loose change, sometimes fingernail clippers, pens, etc in the same pocket, looks essentially new. The only marks on the handle are where the 2 thumbstuds, which act as stops for the blade, rather than a stop pin, encounter the handle. These marks are not particularly noticeable. One has to look for them.

The anodized aluminum is smooth, but not really slick. My experience with SS and the Mouse, is that the grips are slippery. I might buy one or more of the smaller Spdyies with SS/Almite handles, but wouldn't want a full-size knife in either. (Well, except for the Lum Chinese -- it is so cool, believe I could put up with a lot to own one.)

I'm the opposite of scolby. I like almost all the FRN handles I have, which is quite a few. I believe the ability to hold onto a knife easily is critical to the value of a knife. Hence, only 2SS knives in my collection. One is an inexpensive knife designed for landscape/orchard work. The other is an even cheaper knockoff.

FWIW, I just traded for a Kershaw Avalanche. It has G-10 handles. They provide one of the best grips I have ever seen from any material. Only thing comparable that I own is the Calypso Jr ltwt. That too grips you. Convinced me that most G-10 is far smoother than it needs to be.

I'd be perfectly content if every Spyderco had an FRN handle, with the same design used in the Calypso FRN.

Stare

[br44]

If you guys want to see some crickets with different handle materials go to Bladeart and look under Frank Recuperio. He is doing some fine work on those little Spydies.

[sam the man..]

Somewhere out there, lurks some CF crickets.. The coloured almite crickets sounds fine as a sprint run... Nice nippy lil blades. I just got my aluminium Tufram coated cricket and that really ROCKS! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> If you dudes are given only one colour, what'll be your final choice? Prussian Blue almite would be mine.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[ftkinney]

samo--i could go for prussian blue or a maybe ultramarine. but i do like the ss handls that would be sweet.

FTK

[scolby]

br44, thanks for the suggestion. Frank's work is stunning.

Unfortunately, I haven't any Kruggerands to trade for those pieces.

"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[br44]

And to think some of those crickets use to be mine.

[sam the man..]

well, based on my observation, customising production knives seemed to be a trend these days.. There are some really nice spydies from Santa Fe Stoneworks.. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> They are really cool!! Imagine a jewelled cricket, with solid gold liners and handles.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> *hee-hee!*
Yeah, I think a prussian-blue almite cricket seems nice as a sprint-run item.. There's also a possibility of having a real-tree camo coated G-10 cricket or blue-coloured FRN cricket.. Ummmm.. Whatabout a white FRN cricket? This albino beauty will compliment the Black FRN cricket.. Yin and Yang! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Man, poppa Spyder is gonna get mad at me! *muhahahaha!*

Sam

have spydies will travel

[Dave Fulton]

So, what handle materials are/were the Cricket available in and can they still be had NIB?

I would like something a little nicer than FRN, but the customized crickets at Blade Art and Santa Fe Stoneworks are too ornate.

FYI, what I'm thinking of is a nicer Cricket as a money clip ... SS handles with an engraved inscription for example. I have an anniversary coming up and my wife asked for suggestions. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

TIA.

Dave.

[sam the man..]

Hi Dave! Welcome aboard! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Ummm.. I guess you can still find those Tufram-coated aluminium crickets out there though they are now extremely rare..
Most NIB crickets ~ IMO, are the FRN ones!! Its lightweight and great for daily carry! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
SS cricket? Whoah! Sounds like fun!! Maybe some Ti-Cricket too huh? <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[Dave Fulton]

So what are the differences between Almite and Tufram?

I think I saw something about an Almite Cricket, is that correct?

What would one expect to reasonably pay for a Tufram Cricket or an Almite Cricket (if it exists) ... NIB?

FYI, I'll get a Co-Pilot if I can't find one of the nicer Crickets because I like the Co-Pilot, but I just think that the Cricket would make a better looking money clip.

Thanks!

Dave

[scolby]

Dave, I don't know exactly when, but Spyderco stopped using Tufram some years back due to QC issues. Tufram is a charcoal grey coating with a sand-papery texture. Allows for good grip. IMO, it is very limited since you get just one appearance.

Almite started use more recently and is also a coating. Slick to the feel and has what I would call a satin gloss finish. Any color that can be dreamed up. Both are intended to reduce scratching in aluminum.

I assume it is less expensive than a hard anodize, but I don't know that for certain.

There has been talk before about a small run of a Cricket other than FRN, but no word in a long time.


"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[sam the man..]

Ummmm.. I think scolby did a good job on filling you in.. A mint-condition Tufram coated alu-cricket can set you off at least by US$80...

Sam

have spydies will travel

[vampyrewolf]

My Tufram Serrated cricket that I bought back in march only set me back $105 after taxes... don't know what that is in US funds, but that was out of the dealer's case... I didn't have to wear the detent in!

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[bladebroker]

Here is an image of a CF Cricket that was worked by two wonderful craftsman. Frank Recupero (file work) and Matt Moskalick (jewling).

Hope you enjoy the photo.

http://www.ehomebook.com/users/bladebroker/images/CFJCricket2.jpg

Terry


ps: I would have posted it here for you to see but its larger than 400 X 400 and its worth the trouble to link to it.


Edited by - bladebroker on 8/15/2001 2:07:27 PM