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FRN Native or Calypso Jr.?

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 12:00 am
by The Stare
Hi all. Am planning to order one or the other in the next few days. Both have many avid supporters, but I'm not sure that I've separated fact from opinion.



Am planning to use as backup defensive piece, but primarily as the knife I'll bring out when something "normal" needs to be done with the knife. Am not to concerned about size. Most of my current knives would make both seem on small size. In fact, at present am carrying Goddard in lightweight in same pocket in which new knife most likely will reside.



Would appreciate advice as to which is most versatile, better cutter, etc. Ergonomics also important to me, but, of course, every hand is different, so "feeling good" in hand may not actually translate for me.



Thanks in advance,





Stare

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 8:35 am
by sks
Both are great, but I LOVE the flat ground VG-10 of the Calypso Jr. Ltwt.

Steve

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 9:13 am
by jyork
Hey Stare-
I think this is a highly contested and personally debated question. Personally I carry a Calypso Jr ltwt rather than a Native. My reasons are first tip down vs. tip up, I prefer tip down carry in my dress pants. Second blade style, I like the flat grind of the calypso jr. I find it easier to use on a daily basis to cut things that I need to cut, the native has a wider blade and makes wider cuts thru things. And personally I don't like the looks of the top swedge grind on the native, I think it would look better without. Again these are just my 2 cents worth, but I think the Calypso Jr is a better daily carry. And I also agree about the steel. You can't beat VG-10, waiting for more in this great steel. Thanks for listening.

Jey

Edited by - jyork on 5/15/2001 9:15:00 AM

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 9:14 am
by Tightwad
I can't resist.....CALYPSO. Whew! lost control for a minute. I've had both and found nothing wrong
with either one. The native with its hollow ground blade and no hump present a lot of "eye candy" in
a knife. The two that I sold to friends serve them well.but they're not knife nuts. The calypso I bought
on a whim and turned out to be the best everyday cutting tool I've ever owned. It has some of the best
overall ergonomics in a knife I've ever found. I've found that by adjusting my grip/hold the knife
functions as many blade types would. If I want a sheepfoot or a clip or a spear or a skinner I've got
one. Just by moving my grip a bit. And that flatground vg-10 blade!!!! Wow! High performance to
the max!! For all that you get with this knife it's a bargain.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 10:36 am
by mundele
Calypso Jr. without question.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 11:16 am
by Paul Work
Both are good. If possible, handle both to see which one feels best to you. I think that a cross between the two would make one awesome knife.

Paul

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 4:52 pm
by The Stare
I'm grateful for the posts thus far. Certainly the Calypso Jr is way out in front now. I would be pleased if anyone else had comments to make.

Thank you,


Stare

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 5:40 pm
by vampyrewolf
Many people prefer the Calypso as EDC, for it's food uses. If I was only doing light work, I would get a Calypso. However, my knives don't see light work.
I have a habit of abusing my knives. If they hold up to a weekend of camping they are good knives. I would be getting a Native myself. Probably a 60/40. They seem like great little knives, and would be tough little buggers.

I haven't handled a calypso myself, but I was looking at gaining a Native II for my collection.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2001 11:53 pm
by Clay Kesting
Stare,

Normally I would recommend the Calypso Jr. for utility as I have a real thing for flat ground blades (as I'm sure you've already noticed <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>). However you mentioned that it would also be a back-up defensive piece and for that I think the Native is more suitable. You might be interested in Fred Perrin's review of the Native http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/ ... iverev.htm. It's main advantage over the Calypso for defence IMO is the very secure grip. The deep choil and finger grooves really lock the knife into the hand and the lack of a "hump" allows the thumb to extend right along the spine in sabre grip. Also it's tip-up which I prefer for a secure draw in an emegency as the knife doesn't have to be turned in the hand. Just my AUS$0.38.

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2001 9:18 am
by kihata
The Calypso Jr is an AWESOME knife! Just picked up the FRN version and I'm very pleased. Very smooth coming out of the pocket and when opening and closing! Take a look at it before you buy, but I'm sure you'll be pleased..

"It's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it!"