The Meerkat

[araneae]

I am just curious about the Meerkat. How exactly does the phantom lock work? From what I've gathered the scales are "scissored" in opposite directions unlocking the blade. Can the knife be closed one handed, or does it require both? I am thinking about looking for an S curve in the near future. Which version was made in Golden? What steels were used, 440v?
Thanks for any details you can provide.

[The CoPilot]

Sorry for the poor quality image. It's the best I've got right now:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/viewsoflincoln/542d_1.jpg

[tonydahose]

it can be closed one handed if you trigger the lock open and push the spine of the blade against your leg or something else. mine wont just fall closed when you trigger the lock. i have an aus6 made in seki

[rescueseven]

mine wont just fall closed when you trigger the lock. i have an aus6 made in seki

I've had 4 or 5 of them and as I recall all of them would fall open or closed with gravity once unlocked. Great fun to do slight of hand magic with, "what do you mean you can't close the blade, look all I have to do is blow on the spine of the blade and it falls closed" :eek: . All but one of my Kat's have been gifted, but the one still have is very loose.

Ian

[tonydahose]

it just wont... i tried it before posting. it is still NIB so maybe after they break in they drop easier

[T-Rex]

With thumb on one side and middle/ring finger on the second, I can activate the lock and push the blade closed with my index finger. Great little knife, built solid. All three that I've purchased are AUS-6, Seki, Japan. The Reverse-S SE will shut with a slight jiggle, I'm sure after using it more it will be much easier.

[yablanowitz]

All three of mine will close easily with one hand. All of mine are also AUS6 Seki built. I've been keeping an eye out for one of the 440C Golden built pieces, but they always go higher than I care to pay. I think the 440C would hold an edge well enough to keep a MeerKat in my pocket. The AUS6 just doesn't quite make the grade for me.

[Peter1960]

... How exactly does the phantom lock work?
In addition to the instruction CoPilote sent you: lock function is good, all Meerkats I have had in my hands had more or less lateral blade play.

... Can the knife be closed one handed, or does it require both?
You can close a new Meerkat one handed - thumb and middle finger for the lock and index finger on the blade. After a while of opening/closing the blade opens and close only with gravity, that's right.

... Which version was made in Golden? What steels were used, 440v?...
All Meercats with 440C blade steel were produced in Golden. There are some small differences in the handle surface too between Golden and Seki production.

First picture (with the red berries) shows a Seki made and second a Golden made :)
Let me know if you need more pics ;)

[bh49]

Let me know if you need more pics ;)

I am not araneae, but more pictures will be appreciated. :)

[Peter1960]

Utmost always at your service ... :)

[Peter1960]

... the second part :)

[araneae]

Thanks for the replies and the great pics Peter.

[bh49]

Thank you for pictures.
Now i need to buy Meerkat along with berries and damascus tile :D

[GarageBoy]

They need to sprint run this, or bring it back with the reverse S

[Spidernoir]

They need to sprint run this, or bring it back with the reverse S


Yes and yes. This is one knife Spyderco definately needs to do a sprint run of. I have three reverse S PE models. I've worn out one of them. Would love to get a SE version (or several.)

:spyder: :)

[GronK]

I picked up an early production "Golden" in 440C with CC# on the blade a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it as a novelty at first, but have come to really appreciate how ergonomic it is, by far the best of the small Spydercos IMHO. With the value going up like it is I guess I need to store it and find an AUS-6 Seki version to EDC.