"BIG" Little knives

[sal]

I thought to share with you some of the design philosophy behind a few of the newer models.



IMO, folding knives for daily carry will, in general, become smaller. Public opinion and fears, new laws, etc. Knives in the 2" to 3" blade length will become more the "norm". I said this several years ago, and I am now just beginning to see the trend move.



Most smaller knives (those in the 2" - 3" range) are more gents folders designed to cut string. Think of your average Swiss army knife or even small locking folders, the blades are thin, handles small with little purchase, hardly something you would try to cut a seat belt with or even thick cardboard.



In an effort to serve the small knife needs with a big knife performer, Spyderco created a few new designs. Each is designed specifically to be a "hand full" with big knife muscle, strong locks, superior purchase and wide, but short blades.



JESTER - Designed to be a 2" keychain or "loose change" pocket knife. Though it doesn't have as much purchase as the others in the group, there are enough dents and extensions to get a pretty good grip for such a small knife.



the NAVIGATOR pattern, also used for the MEERKAT and the PRIDE. A 2" knife with a wide, strong blade and enough "grip" to be a very useful cutting tool.



The SALSA is a 2.5" knife with a "big" knife attitude,



The LIL' TEMPERANCE is the last in the group (at this time). a 3" knife with MBC rated lock and a large wide flat blade capable of major cutting.



This is a departure in many respects and we're watching closely to see reactions to this new concept.



Just some thoughts to share.



sal

[Jeff/1911]

Sal,

Thanks for the insight into the design philosophy of these exciting new products.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.

[yog]

I'm sorry to see it, but I can also see that you are right. I have also noticed a trend in Spyderco designs in recient years to move away from the more agressive looking sharp angled wedge shape and begin to adopt the more rounded leaf shape.
Although I am a big fan of the classic wedge shape with hollow grind, more for the looks, I am becoming a bigger fan of the leaf shape with the flat grind for it's cutting power and stregnth. I can't wait to try the Lil' Temperance for just this reason.

How much of a gamble is this change in stratagy Sal ? Personally I thought you hit the nail right on the head with the Calypso Jnr Lwt, but it appears that a lot of people didn't get it (their loss).

At least Spyderco have already proved their ability to pack a lot of cutting power into a small blade with designs like the Navigator, Mouse and Ladybug.
Come to think of it, the Native isn't that big, but it has about the best cutting ability I have seen in a folding knife.

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[Kahz]

Sal,

Great post! Thanks for this information. Yog, I agree with you, I am a flat grind convert and a leaf blade lover. I can see how they look less &quot;agressive&quot; without losing cutting power. The Mouse keeps me very happy with its small size and big strength. I can't say enough about my Calypso Jr. Lwt., plus, the flat grind makes for smooth cutting action. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I did notice that the Remote Release is not in the new catalog. Sal, did you decide to discontinue this model finally? Why? I still love this knife. I have not used it lately since I haven't gone hiking much with this chilly weather, but I play with it quite often and I still find it to be the perfect backpacker knife. However, the Snap-It is still in the catalog. Any information about this?

Kahz

[bildrac]

Sal,

I enjoy cutlery in general, big and little, fixed blade and folder; but since I work in the &quot;corporate world,&quot; I own a Spyderco Viele, and a number of other &quot;gentleman's folders&quot; for carry in the office and just general carry in the &quot;city.&quot; My only complaint about these gentleman folders is that the handles are generally just too anemic for those occasional &quot;tougher&quot; jobs, let alone for use in a defensive posture. It's not to appease any social or political reasons; I just prefer smaller blades in general. I like this current trend, big handled folders with smaller wider blades and extra strong locks, a la Gunting, lil Temperance, and ATR. Keep 'em coming and I'll keep on buyin' 'em (of course I'll still keep purchasing your newer larger fixed blades for the pure enjoyment of using them in the field, I'm really looking forward to the Perrin Street Bowie <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>).

Laurence

[Blades]

Are the 4&quot; blades on the way out, or just being reduced in models?? Just wondering.


Blades

[bell]

Thank You Sal. I agree with posters that the Calypso Jr. is still the utlimate expression of your &quot;new&quot; desgin philosophy. A classic folder.

[jaxon]

yog,

I think an awful lot of people got it with the Calypso Jr. LTW. I did. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I agree with you that anybody that didn't get it, their loss.

Sal,

A really great design!!! The Calypso Jr.

Jaxon

[sam the man..]

Thanks for the input Poppa Spyder! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> The Salsa is AWESOME! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[The Cool]

I love the Navigator pattern. It's great to see that evolving.

Spyderco's are the most innovative knife company out there bar none.

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

[Carlos]

You have a firm supporter here for more &quot;big little knives.&quot;

I'm hoping my Salsa will come soon. Mercifully I haven't been apprehended in public with my large and menacing 3&quot; Chinese folder. :-P

Hey, what's this? A 2.5&quot; small Lum Chinese prototype? How did that get here? <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[ruxton]

smaller knives are good for me as i live in england with its stupidly vague knife laws, would be nice to still see the odd superaggressive civilian type knife released every once in a while to make up for the flurry of ickle ones
MAT

[Kahz]

A pigmy Folder?? Carlos, you tease! Tell us more about that!

Kahz

[Carlos]

Hi Kahz,

I guess you weren't around then. Here is the complete pic of all of Chinese folder prototypes made by Bob Lum for Spyderco some years ago. He submitted three sizes:

3.75&quot;
3.15&quot;
2.5&quot;

The mid-size one it of course the one in production today. Sal's talk of &quot;big little knives&quot; brought the small Chinese folder to mind.

[Kahz]

Carlos,

Thanks. I drooled all over the keyboard. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The Folder is still top on my list, that is such a good-looking knife.

Kahz

[bell]

The little Lum is a winner! Less is more!

[gadfly]

Sal,

I got the Lil Temperance Leaf at the NY Custom Knife show and have loved it ever since.

I didn't like the blade shape of the Lum Chinese Folder initially. Since I was intrigued by the superior compression lock, I picked up the Temperance.

I came around to the leaf blade, and then went out and bought the Lum Chinese Folder, which has become an additional EDC.

















































































One way or the other, you pay for your tools!

[kraziekurtis]

Is that little Lum Chinese really coming out? O_O <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>