Spyderco Forums

I just got and have been testing a plain-edge aluminum cricket. This is Spyder knife #13 for me, and maybe a bit unlucky for me. To start with the compliments first, the blade itself is great. The overall shape of the knife is great as it eliminates all corners while sitting in your pocket for those who prefer to not use the clip.



However, I find the action on the close to be rough and herky-jerkey. I have never felt this on a Spydie before. Is this typical of the aluminum Cricket? Second, the aluminum slabs have no relief or chamfer on the edge, so it is a bit sharp to the hands.



Finally, I think someone in a previous thread referred to the finish as "anodized". I hate to disagree, but this is definitely a coating (I don't know if it is almite since it has a matte texture unlike any of the other almite I have handled.). But anodized it is not. Anyone at Spyderco know what coating was used on this run? Thanks for any input.

The coating is TufRam. It is almost scratch proof... but, I stripped my Cricket to bare aluminum and rounded the edges. Took it apart, smoothed all components, reassembled and had the best alum. cricket ever.

You can really adjust the action on it with an eighth of a turn on the pivot screw.

RLR

I agree, if your Cricket is feeling "rough and herky-jerkey" strip it down and clean all the pieces, it is really easy to do. I had one that was the same way, and now it is smooth as silk. I found all kinds of things in there when it was opened up, tape, bits of metal, and other small sand like particles. I don't know what the previous owner did with it (take it to the beach?), but now it works great. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


Ben

Edited by - bengaiser on 7/6/2001 3:23:10 PM

A drop or two of Miltec can do wonders. Smoothed out a couple of my knives! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Give TufGlide a chance.

Stare

I wonder if there may have been more than one version of the aluminium Cricket produced. The "Spyderco Story" says that the scales are anodised black and the blade steel is GIN-1. However mine has a blade of ATS-55 and the scales are grey rather than black and do appear to be coated rather than anodised. Sal or Joyce, can you help?

Clay

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

I agree with RLR. I've had lots of crickets and only a few were smooth to begin with. A dremel works great to smooth the action up. I used a cricket for years on my keychain, but just switched to a harpy. One of the most unique things you can do with your cricket is use it like a chalkboard and lightly scratch names or phone numbers into the scales. This doesn't harm the finish and can easily be rubbed out, returning the scales to new.