If you could only have one Native or Calypso Jr.?

[Michael]

If you could only have one of these two Spydies which would it be, the Native or Calypso Jr. and why?



Michael

[RDaneel]

Hard choice, but I guess that's why you asked.

I'd have to go with the Calypso, Jr. In the lightweight version it is almost unnoticeable clipped to your pocket. Lightweight does not refer to the performance. The VG-10 steel together with the flat grind make for a really stay sharp blade.

The Native is also a great knife. I like the steel, the ergonomics, etc. I only have one recurring problem with it. Occasionally, when pulling it out quickly, the notches on the back of the blade catch on the side of my pocket and start opening the blade. I've come very close to cutting myself because of this.

[mundele]

I do not have a Native, but I have a Calypso Jr. Micarta version and a Calypso Jr. Lightweight. This is a really great knife. It has quickly become my favorite Spyderco and daily carry...

--Matt

[Clay Kesting]

Michael,

There is really only one easy answer to your question, buy both <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. You will eventually anyway once the Spydie bug bites <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. Seriously it is a difficult choice given that they are both such ergonomic knives with outstanding blade steels. I think it comes down to your intended use. IMNSHO the Native is more suitable for heavy use, it feels like it is locked into your hand due to the deep choil and larger handle. In fact it feels like a much bigger knife. OTOH I think the flat grind of the Calypso makes it more suitable for everyday tasks and I find I'm carrying it to work more and more often. Also the Calypso is tip-down so it is more discreet to carry, although I prefer the tip-up carry of the Native if I'm going to be using my knife a lot. Hope this has done more than muddy the waters <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Clay

The antipodean troublemaker

Edited by - Clay Kesting on 10/8/00 6:15:22 PM

[Paul Work]

I agree with Clay. Natve for heavier use, Calypso is probably better for everyday. Buy both.

Paul

[Ken Lau]

I have both and although the Native has a more comfortable handle, I find myself carrying the Calypso Jr Ltwt so much more. Its lighter and less bulky. I prefer the VG10 blade on the Calypso as well. I can cut cardboard so much easier with it than with the Native. Oh, nearly forgot to mention that although the Calypso Jr is a lightweight, it still has tip down carry. Nice!
Get both and decide.... :-)

Edited by - Ken Lau on 10/9/00 4:02:52 AM

[ET]

Could you have asked a harder question? The Calypso is the king of lightweights. You just do not feel the weight of this knife when you have it clipped on you. The VG-10 blade is incredible. Out of all my knives, this one really cuts well for some reason. I don't know if it's the blade shape or the steel or what but it's just top notch. The handle's fishscale pattern is the only thing that bugs me. It looks really weird on a handle. It works but just looks funny.

I much prefer the spyderweb design on the Native. It feels much more comfortable along with its thicker handle. I would call the Native the king of ergonomics. When you wrap your hands around it, it just falls into place perfectly.

My Calypso is a plainedge and I like to use it for more intricate work inside the house. My serrated Native is the workhorse though. I push it hard and it delivers every time.

Like I said before, hard question to answer. You'll probably get one, wait a few months and then get the other. That's the way it always is with Spydies.

[sam the man..]

Can't make choices! Bust your wallet and get both spydies! *har-har-har!* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies
will travel...

[whosyour]

I recently found myself in the same dillema.This is a hard question,but I fully agree with the advice you've been given,if your looking for a practical everyday the calypso jr. is right for you but I went for the serrated native,and let me tell you it feels like it was the claw GOD forgot.It's comfortable as any I've had and can do the job and do it every time.But like they said you'll eventually buy both anyway and they are really cost effective when you consider what they have as far as steel and performance.Enjoy

Matthew 10:34 (and it will be made by spyderco)

[Tommi]

Calypso jr.

I have two BF blue natives. Those are THE natives to have BUT calypso jr (ltwt or micarta) is my choise for every task if these are the only possibilities. Reason is that while native is as goos as calypso in shallow cuts calypso is much better when cuts get deeper. Calypsos Whittling performance is a lot more in my standard knifes, puukkos, level. I'm not willing to give away performance when I'm whittling wood or plastic...

"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis

[Brian Lavin]

Hmmm, gotta go with the Calypso Jr, for all the reasons above.
BTW, the &quot;antipodean troublemaker&quot; has come up with a great t-shirt idea;
some sort of saying based on the &quot; I was bitten by the Spyderco bug&quot; or some variation of this theme, (sorry, not a marketing guy)
What do you guys think?

[V-1]

&quot;Bitten By The Bug&quot;
-Spyderco-

I agree w/ the majority of opinions so far. The Calypso Jr., Lgwt or Micarta, is a pleasure to use. The blade design and flat grind cut like crazy!

[Michael]

Thanks for all your comments...Calypso Jr. it will be and next will be the Native.

[Flood]

I digress. The Native is IMNSHO bar-none a better overall knife.

The Native was my first Spyderco knife. I also own the Calypso Jr. Lightweight and the BF Native. For all-around utility, it's hard to beat the Native. It has many features that the Calypso Jr. lacks. First, it has more grabbing options for the handle. You can grab it normally, or use the deep finger coil for better cutting control. It is a great stabbing tool, which is reinforced by the hollow ground and spear-point shape. The flat grind of the Calypso Jr., however, is designed for precision-cutting tasks, and I would hesitate to use it in a more aggressive environment. It's steel might be a better cutter overall, but one can hardly argue that CPM-440V is much worse at this task. It is considered a superior steel overall.

I tend to use my Calypso Jr. only for precision cutting chores. My Native, however, I prefer to carry everywhere and throw everything at it, and it never lets me down. No to mention, it can be used for both utility and tactical purposes, while the Calypso Jr. falls far behind in this last area.

-Flood

[jyork]

Well just my 2 cents worth but I prefer the Calypso Jr. for everyday carry. The main reason is because its tip down carry and I find that easier to use. I own the Native and love it, it is a great knife. I really like the handle pattern and the blade is awesome, but I prefer tip down carry.

Jey

[Ken Lau]

Does anyone know why the Calypso Jr Ltwt was designed to be tip down carry? I think its the only lightweight that is tip down.

[Clay Kesting]

Ken, I think I recall Sal saying that the Calypso Jr was designed tip-down so that ELU's would have that option in a lightweight.

Clay

The antipodean troublemaker

[sal]

Hey RDaneel. Thanx for the input on the back of the spine. I'll check into that.

Yes, we needed a tip down L/R FRN model.

sal

[ofelas]

&quot;ELU&quot;?

[Alan2112]

Welcome aboard, Michael! The Calypso Jr., because they don't make them anymore, and it's probably the best med. knife there is, at least for me. I admit that I rarely carry our macarta model, for fear of looseing it! RKBA!

[dynaryder]

ELU-end line user;ie,customer.

[4 s ter]

The tip-up carry is one of the reasons I prefer the Native. I also prefer the ergonomics of the handle. However, for someone who prefers tip-down carry the Calypso Jr. should be a good choice.

David

"Not all who wander are lost"

[dialex]

For me it's an easy one. I have a Native and a Calypso jr. and I preffer the last one. The Native is great, 440V steel, tip up carry, smooth action (the smoothest NIB FRN I ever encountered), and that thick texturing on the spine, but my hand just doesn't fit <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. OTOH, the Calypso jr. is smaller, has a VG-10 full flat ground <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> blade and rides low in the pocket. Not to mention it's beautiful. Did I mention it's beautiful? <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

[danzomekahiro]

An older S30V Native PE. Simply the best blade for its money anywhere. If anybody thinks I am wrong then I challenge you to joust at the Robin Hood Festival, July 2004, at the village of Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, England. You can stay at my place.

[danzomekahiro]

As long as you can clean your own litter tray and keep up with the rounds of 'Old Speckled Hen'

Dan

[chinook]

I think both choices are a bit short when it comes to joisting. Think I'll bring a Large Calypso with its 4 inch blade.

Butt I'll bring the Jr for the bangers.

[danzomekahiro]

Hi Chinook

Even old fat 36 year olds like me can get to joust. But if you are over here with your little lad and family then contact me.

Dan

[steve andrews]

Sal,
All this Calypso Jr talk is making me envious! When can we expect the new limited run?

[ofelas]

I carry a Native S30V for urban EDC &amp; the other half carries an FRN calypso Jr...both excellent units, cant't go wrong with either if they feel right in your hand.

[Stevie Ray]

Hmmmmm.... I've got 9 Natives of various configurations and 3 Calypsos. The FRN Calypso Jr or a FRN Dragonfly go with me to work, but I prefer a Native when I am not constrained by the weight of the knife. The Dragonfly ends up being the work carry of choice with dress clothes although I do swap in a Calypso Jr from time to time, but the Native is my favorite of the two when I get a choice. I've got to work at keeping Natives around cause some of my buddies keep trying to take em from me for chump change ... Two have succeeded ..(grinning)
SR

[Blades]

Michael,
Are you still around Michael?? Someone bumbed an old thread up, anyways...
Welcome to the Spydie forum!!! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
I would pick the Calypso Jr. Why?? Because I don't like the Native. It doesn't &quot;work&quot; for me. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



Blades

Edited by - Blades on 9/9/2003 6:28:07 PM

[sc_rebel1957]

The Calypso, ahhh I miss mine! still looking for a LTW in PE.
I agree it's a classic <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> and the commments about it being almost weightless are correct.
The Native, it fits better than any knife I own in my hand and it's short but wide blade will do the work of a much heavier knife.
If I HAD to choose 1, Native G-10 in CPM440V, IMHO way out classes the FRN models for use and looks. Ron

http://www.geocities.com/joyce43_c/RONSKNIFESHOP