Mouse v Navigator Road Test

[The Cool]

Mouse v G10 Navigator



Hi



As there's been quite a few threads on these 2 knives on this forum, I thought I'd post a few of my observations. I'd used both for several months now. Both these knives are roughly the same size, with the Nav being a tiny bit longer. The big difference for me was the prices, with the Mouse costing twice the price when I bought them.



Caveat - I'm a total knife neophyte, so take this review with a pinch of salt <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



Aesthetics: This is really a subjective issue, but for me at least the Mouse is the better looking of the two. This is mainly due to the colour and materials. It just looks more expensive, although the Almite Nav maybe close the gap somewhat.

However, on closer inspection the Navigator is just a brilliant design. It's line's flow into each other perfectly, opened or closed. Especially closed, the lines flow much better than the Mouse. Close call, but first blood to the Mouse.



Ergonomics: Mouse - The mouse fits beautifully in the hand, and it's weight gives the impression of handling a much bigger knife. It's a lot thicker and heavier than the Navigator. You get a three finger grip and your thumb rests on the grooved hump above the hole. Although slightly obscured, the oversize Spydie hole makes opening a cinch, but it's difficult to 'Spydie-drop' open. It's also very comfortable in reverse-grip. The clip is right/left adjustable &amp; tip up carry.

Navigator - This is where the Nav rules. You get a full 4 finger grip on it. The tiny bit extra in length holds the pinkie and gives a secure feeling, particularly when cutting using a drawing-back motion. Your thumb rests on the ramp above the hole which adds to the cutting power. I think it's particularly telling that Spyderco's new designs (Lil' Temperance and Salsa) echo the Nav's handle design. The hole is the same size as the mouse. For me the Nav is slightly quicker to open and you can Spydie-drop it open. The G10 handle is also a lot grippier than the Mouse's almite. The clip is located for right-handers, tip down carry.

Both excell here, but the Navigator wins in ergonomics.



Strength/Toughness: I've not really tested these other than in regular use, but looking at them I'd say the Mouse was stronger. It has a thicker blade, dual steel liners. Chunkier all round. The Nav has no liners, just G10 scales. Lock-up is solid on both, both 'bow out' slightly when you push down hard, but the Mouse bows out less. If you were to use the knives for prying, then I reckon the mouse would be better. The thicker blade and liners would give me more confidence in torquing movements.



Performance: The Mouse has a blade in VG10, whilst the Nav's blade is in GIN1. To be honest I can't tell you which steel is better <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I remember reading about Tim Wegner field dressing deer with the mouse, so it's gotta be pretty amazing!

However on my own tests on lowly DHL boxes, stacks of newspaper, pruning jobs etc, I was surprised to find that on boxes and paper the Navigator out-cuts the Mouse! Maybe it's the thinner blade? It just slices DHL boxes like butter, just press on the blade hump and you'll cut through pretty much anything. The blade shape makes detailed cuts on paper easier with the Navigator. I imagine the Mouse is a lot better at hunting applications for which it was designed.



Which to Choose? : Hmmm logic dictates the Navigator. It performs just as well and at half the price I wouldn't be too heartbroken if I lost it. If price is an issue then grab a Navigator, it's a superb knife. But, although my head says Navigator, my heart belongs to the Mouse. Hey you can't lose with these two. Props to Spyderco &amp; Wegner!

[The Cool]

Oops I meant, the Navigator's design is similar to the newer MEERCAT and Salsa. Particularly the Meercat.

I guess the Lil' Temperence is a Lil' different <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[Lsaulog]

Nice review, Cool. And, Welcome to the Forum.

I appreciate your input on both the Mouse &amp; Navigator. I am a new Mouse owner and am still acclimating myself to using it. I tend to &quot;baby&quot; my Spydies, especially the new ones!

I had been toying with the idea of purchasing a Navigator in G10 or Almite. I went with the Mouse instead. I just may have to pick up a Navigator before I get that Wegner I've been looking at! Oh well, the spydie-disease continues it's rampage. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

"Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst. You'll never be disappointed."

[Kahz]

Lsaulog,

I expect a full review of the Mouse from you. Single spaced, at least 10 pages long, and with at least 8 different research sources, NONE from the Internet. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz, Mouse's #1 Fan, but respects Navigator's Fans <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[yog]

Nice review there Mr. Cool.
Also glad to see another Brit here.

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[The Cool]

Thanks for the warm welcome Spyder People!

Good to be here. I hope I didn't do the 2 knives any injustice. Both are great.

[The Cool]

Just thought I'd add a bit more...

The almite scales on the Mouse mark easily. It's not scratches as such, but faint lines. It also gets grubby. None of this bothers me in the slightest.

The G10 Navigator's just didn't appear to be as well made - the lanyard holes are a bit rough round the edges. Again not much to worry about.

I think the Mouse exudes more class (and so it should for the money). It's colour &amp; weight re-enforce this. It's also exquisitely made. Just check out the way the scales and the liners go together. However some of the reverence I think is because of the higher price. As the Japanese designer, Issey Miyake said &quot;Price is part of the design&quot;. Paying a higher price makes you defend your purchase more.

[Jeff/1911]

The Cool. Yes, Welcome...

What an excellent review! I really appreciate your doing this, as I plan to buy a Mouse after hearing from many other happy forumites about it's greatness. I have been thinking however, that perhaps I'd look at the Navigator first because as I mentioned a few days ago in your Navigator thread I can get one locally, although it appears to be an Almite Navigator, not G-10. This would end up as an even more closely comparable two wouldn't it? The Navigator sounds great, particularly if the grip allows an extra finger.

Thanks again for your effort.

Jeff/1911.

Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 1/18/2002 8:08:21 AM

[The Cool]

Hi Jeff

Yes, I think the Almite Nav would be a lot closer to the Mouse than the G10 version.

I've been thinking, a lot of the reasons why I like the Navigator would apply even more so to the Meercat, as it's even cheaper.

I think you'll love the Almite Nav. I'd love to read your thoughts about it if you do get one.

[Lsaulog]

Hi Kahz! *waving frantically*

Yes ma'am. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I know I am overdue for a full review of the Mouse. I had a 25 page single spaced thesis with 12 different research sources, none from the Internet.

BUT, you see, this stray dog came along and snatched it from my hands and ate it. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

So, I'll need to re-create it from memory since I no longer have my research notes and my computer was infected with this new virus. When I tried to open my thesis, all I get are the words &quot;Spyderco, Spyderco, Spyderco&quot; all over the pages.

Oh well. I'll post it soon. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Now, where did I put my mind...

"Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst. You'll never be disappointed."

[Jeff/1911]

Larry, You're a funny guy.

The Cool, I will most certainly write something once I get a Navigator, if I do. Just waiting on some more &quot;knife money&quot; to come in.

Jeff/1911.

Edited by - Jeff/1911 on 1/18/2002 3:25:50 PM

[Kahz]

Lsaulog,

And you REALLY expect me to believe that story???? <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The fact that I was abducted by aliens does not make me any more more gullible than my flying pig. Geez...

I will be awaiting that review...

<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

[The Cool]

I forgot, the Nav is now in VG10 as well <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

so...The Tale of The Tape

Steel - Both VG10
Handles - Both Almite, + Mouse has steel liners
Lock - both lock back, Mouse has adjustable pivot
Blade length - Both around 2&quot;
Clip - Mouse tip up, Nav tip down

Price - Mouse approx $90, Navigator approx $50

You could get a Nav + Meercat for the same price as a Mouse.

..or get all three <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[Jeff/1911]

Tim Wegner is currently selling the Mouse for $74 sumthin' online.

Jeff.

[The Cool]

Dam, trust me to buy at the highest price LOL.

I guess that makes decisions even more difficult - unless, of course you are buying them both <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

At that price I would get the Mouse.

[The Cool]

I've just realised 74 bucks puts you bang in the middle of Salsa country.

Almite handles, compression lock, cobra hood, same ergonomics as the Nav for $66....

[nomaded]

Got my green Salsa earlier this week. A very nice knife, but bigger than both the Meerkat and Mouse (and also the Navigator, I assume, since I don't actually own one). I got mine for around $58. It's a great price point for a medium-sized folder. A wee bit smaller than the Lum Chinese Folder and a wee bit bigger than the Calypso Jr.

[The Cool]

Wow that's a great price. How does the Salsa compare to the Calypso Jr?

[nomaded]

I can only compare it with a micarta Calypso Jr.

Closed, they're both about the same size, but my Caly Jr is right-handed, tip-down only. The Salsa is left/right tip-up. My personal preference is tip-up. The Caly Jr is much slimmer, closed, whereas the Salsa is kinda chunky.

When opened, they're drastically dissimilar, IMO. The Caly Jr has a slim spear-point blade; it reminds me a lot of the Dragonfly's blade. The edge is rather flat, in profile; not a really large belly. I can see this being very useful for cutting steaks or chopping veggies. The Salsa has a spear-point blade, but with a large amount of belly, giving it a more chunky look. I think this blade would work out better for a larger range of utilitarian tasks, like opening boxes or envelopes, all sorts of packages, slicing cloth, or opening a melon.

Both knives fit very comfortably in ones hand, though, I think, the Salsa is a bit more uncomfortable with a very tight grip because the flesh along the bottom of the fingers has a tendancy to slide in between the scales. Both knives feature what I wish more folders had, a good, comfortable cut-out (not sure of the correct term here) for the index finger, right where the blade and scales meet.

I find the Caly Jr. to be a great traditional Spyderco folder. It has nice ergonomics, pretty good steel, and very sharp and pointy.

The Salsa is an excellent knife with lots of advanced features - great additions. I love the Cobra-hood - it gives a great rest area for the thumb, while open, and great purchase for the thumb to flick the blade open. The compression-lock is faboo. It combines the great lock positioning of the lock-back for one handed closing, with easy flick opening of the liner-lock. The wire-clip is great too. I think Sal perfectly described the reasons behind this wire-clip, in a different thread - less prone to furniture scratches, flexible yet not quite as prone to metal fatigue, and it just doesn't look like a knife clip. My Salsa is green and it's a nice color - not quite as nice as the green on the Lum Chinese Folder tho. But one thing I do like is that all of each scale is green, not just the outside-facing surfaces. Also, it looks like it comes with an adjustable pivot point.

In closing, I think the Salsa is a great knife if you're looking for something that's medium in size, pretty affordable, has metal scales, and feels like a bigger knife than it actually is. The micarta Calypso Jr., while not as flashy as the Salsa, is pretty low-profile. quite affordable, definitely a big little knife, and has no real faults.

Bottom line:

Salsa - flashy and techie.

Calypso Jr. - low-profile and traditional.

[The Cool]

Thanks nomaded, that was a great review. I can picture both knives pretty well now.

Arghh which one to buy though? LOL

What's your EDC?

[nomaded]

Since I picked up a few new knives lately, I've been going thru the rounds with each of them. These past couple days, I've been carrying the trailing-point Lil' Temperance. At first, I wasn't too keen on the blade geometry; thinking it wouldn't work out so well as an EDC. But the more I play with it, the more I like it. It has a good feel in the hand.

Before that, I was carrying the Salsa for several days. I like this knife. It feels in good in the hand. Also, I feel the blade geometry is pretty &quot;sheeple&quot; friendly.

But my all time fave, and usual EDC is my green Lum Chinese Folder. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this leaf blade and the handle that just so very appealing to me. The first time I saw it, I knew I just had to have it. I can't truly articulate into words how or why this knife is so appealing to me. Every time I rotate my EDC back to this knife, it feels like an old friend, that it's just right.

There are so many Spydercos to choose from, so many designs, all very good, but to me, the Lum Chinese Folder is the ultimate.

[The Cool]

I'd LOVE a Lum Chinese folder. It's a bit too big for me to carry as an EDC.

I think you may have sold me on the Calypso Jr &amp; Salsa.

You &amp; Kahz should start a knife selloing co.

[The Cool]

How does the Lum Chinese compare to the Calypso Jr? Same steel blade, both flat ground right?

[Kahz]

Wow! Very nice reviews guys! I can't wait to have my own experience with the Salsa and the Lil'Temperance. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

[Sword and Shield]

Kahz- You've offically sold me on the Mouse! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I took one look and something told me &quot;Buy it! Buy it NOW!&quot; <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> So, once a few immediate expenses are covered, Blade-Tech will claim a $75 hunk of my savings.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[revolvergeek]

I picked up a Mouse about a week ago and LOVE it! Very solid little knife with a blade that just cuts and cuts. I hope that Blade Tech keeps them on sale for another month or two so I can have time to rebuild my finances and pick up a spare.

I hate to admit this but I have no solid idea exactly how big the Salsa is. For some reason I thought it was kinda small, but from reading the discussion on here I am beginning to think that it is not quite as small as I thought. Could somebody maybe scan a Salsa with a Delica or Mouse or something so I can get a better idea??? Pretty please :-D

&lt;edited for bad typing/spelling&gt;

Edited by - revolvergeek on 1/24/2002 5:18:19 PM

[nomaded]

Ask and you shall receive...

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/baynomad/lst?.dir=/Spydercos&amp;.src=ph&amp;.last=1

It's not a great picture, but it's ok.

[Jeff/1911]

nomaded,

It says &quot;restricted&quot;. What kind of pictures are you posting, anyway? Can I see? Grin.

Jeff/1911.

[revolvergeek]

Drat, it won't let me in either... Thanks for the effort Nomad. Got anywhere else that you could post it?

[nomaded]

D'oh! I did it again. The last time I tossed some pics up on yahoo, I forgot to make the album public, which is why that restricted label shows up.

It should be working now. Sorry about that.

[Jeff/1911]

Thanks Nomaded,

That's a great picture, as usual. The Salsa is larger than I had thought it was...

Man, do I love that blue Lum Chinese.

Jeff.

[revolvergeek]

Ditto what Jeff said! Great picture., The Salsa is a LOT more stout than I tought it was. For some reason I was seeing it in my mind as a much smaller, more Mouse-sized knife.

That looks like a very stout, most interesting little knife.

Edited by - revolvergeek on 1/26/2002 9:38:37 AM

[nomaded]

The Salsa is a _great_ medium folder. It's pretty light because of the aluminum scales, but because of the finger choils, you end up with a great grip.

I haven't really had it long enough to determine how sheeple friendly it is, but my gut feeling is that the Salsa will definitely be one of the more sheeple friendly Spydercos. Mostly because the blade doesn't look very big, nor does it have an extreme point on it. The colorfulness of the scales will also help. The green is a great color for it. The blue is pretty nice too. The tan is kinda strange, tho. Looking at the pictures in the catalog, it looks like it's almost khaki colored, but I saw one in person today and it's more of a dark grey, or a light charcoal color.

The price that you can find it at most online retailers is a great price point. I think the retail price is a bit on the high side, but when compared to the retail prices of other spydercos, it's again a great price for what you get.

[Keith]

Just recently got my Mouse in, have tried it out briefly as an EDC. It's a great knife! However, Sal must have had me in mind when he designed the Navigator, it just fits me better than the Mouse.

Aesthetics, I prefer the blade profile on the Navigator, but, while they both look great, the Mouse has a slight edge in aesthetics, IMHO, over my slotted Almite PE Navigator.

Ergonomics, the Mouse is very well designed, but as I said Sal must have designed the Navigator for me ... for a knife this size it's a masterpiece of design, thanx, Sal! (I like his Copilot design, but can definitely see Sal's point that the Navigator is his more &quot;refined&quot; design, that his &quot;skills as a designer were more experienced when the Navigator was designed&quot<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Strength/Toughness, I prefer the dual steel liners on the Mouse, but both are strong enough for what I'm looking for in a knife this size.

Performance, both VG10 steel, I'm very happy. I do prefer the Navigator's blade profile, and it fits my hand so well ...

Fortunately, I can afford both knives, but prefer the Navigator. A personal choice, for sure, since the Mouse is great, just doesn't beat out the Navigator as my personal EDC. Kudos to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> for two great designs!

[The Cool]

Thread resurrection for Rookie <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>