Starmate vs. Chinese Folder

[SpyderNut]

OK, here's the deal: I have a few $$$ to spend-I mean invest- on a new knife and I think I have it narrowed down to the Starmate or the Bob Lum Chinese Folder. I know I'll probably end up with both someday, [*sighing blissfully*] but I just have to know which one to get now. I am looking at getting a larger EDC, so any input on knives like the Military, Police, JD Smith, LG Calypso, etc. would be most appreciated. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



Thanks guys! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



~Spydernut



&quot;When in doubt, buy it.&quot; -[I'll eat my words this time <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>]

[Hoosierdaddy]

SpyderNut,

I just got my Lum Chinese (Blue) from NewGraham, it's is very nice. It's not very large... kind of Native-ish in size! The Blues are supposed to be kind of rare. I don't own a Starmate so I can't offer any insight! The Lum is my first VG-10 blade... it sure is purty. I like it a lot but is to new to give thorough evaluation!
I'd get one anyway... I think they only come P/E in Blue.

[chinook]

Now there's a strange pair. &gt;&lt;g&gt;

About as different as you can get. They demonstrate Spyderco's diversity, and the designers' different philosophies in knives.

The Lum is first and foremost beautiful, slim and curvy yet elegantly simple in its blade. A centuries old design updated in modern materials and lock design.

The Starmate with its straight G10 handle and heavy blade looks and feels more angular and robust. It seems made for thrusting. The only concession to appearance being its decorative swedge grind.

Impossible to compare the two.

Disguised as a responsible adult.

[Clay Kesting]

I have to agree with Chinook (as much as it hurts <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>), those two knives are about as different as chalk and cheese. It's a case of horses for courses, I really like the Starmate but I've never bought one because I have no use for it. OTOH the Chinese Folder is my favourite EDC.

Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[Blades]

Is the Starmate being retired?? If it is, get it first, then the Chinese folder. Of course by thursday I'll have 2 Chinese folders and only one Starmate. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


Blades

[golem]

hi! Chinook,
I really love the picture of Lum chinese you attatched, do you got a large version? If you do, could you please send me one or put it somewhere online?

[chinook]

no problem,

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ddc_jr/vwp?.dir=/toys&amp;.dnm=Chinese.jpg&amp;.src=ph&amp;.view=t&amp;.hires=t

And the clipside;

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ddc_jr/vwp?.dir=/toys&amp;.dnm=Chinese2.jpg&amp;.src=ph&amp;.view=t&amp;.hires=t

[Hoosierdaddy]

Since we're kind of on the subject of Lum Chinese... one of the gun stores I frequent has a Green Lum #285 or #283 for 139.00 It is S/E. My question is are these #ed to 500? also my Blue Lum, on the spine of the blade where it meets the handle, the blade does not sit flush with the handle when the blade is open. You can run your finger across it and it will catch, when I try to make it paralell it is sunk down maybe a millimeter. Is this normal or should I send it to Spyderco?

Edited by - Hoosierdaddy on 1/6/2002 6:57:32 PM

[sam the man..]

The Chinese Folder is one sweet knife! Love the blade geometry and its cutting power! And its now available in blue! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[golem]

Wow! Those pics are sweeeeet!
I am now seriously considering getting one.
Thanks Chinook! Thanks!

[chinook]

Hoosierdaddy...
My green one is #539, doesn't show up in the scan. I think the first 1000 are serialized with the first 200 to the collector's club.

The mating on mine is flush. I would call Spyderco if it bugs you. I have a blue one enroute. I'll check it out.

Golem...
You might cuss me later if you catch Spydie fever from those pix. &gt;&lt;g&gt;

Disguised as a responsible adult.

[golem]

Chinook, don't worry about it. I've been in fever since I got my first police <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
And please remeber to put up some pics of your blue lum chinese... I need to compare before I place my next order... Remember! Don't take the photos of the blue one too beautiful! I don't want my wallet emptied by two lum Chinese...

[Clay Kesting]

Hoosierdaddy,

My blue Chinese Folder is the same as yours whereas the blade on my green one is flush with the scales. I think it may have something to do with the way the eccentric pivot is adjusted. On my blue one (as well as others on BF) the liner only just engages the tang whereas on the green one it goes about 1/3 of the way across. The gap annoyed me when I first got the knife but I find I don't notice it when I'm actually <b>using </b> it (as distinct from fondling it) <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[Hoosierdaddy]

Chinook &amp; Clay,

Thanks for the input! I was wondering about the pivot, if it was possible to adjust... Hec I'm eccentric and I've &quot;adjusted&quot; myself out of several hundreds of dollars since I've been on this forum <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Clay,
I feel you're especially to blame for me buying the Blue Lum... You ought to be ashamed of yourself <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Thanks... I think?
I suppose I call S.F.O. and find out details!