The Navigator

[Shang Chi]

I'm very enthused about my new knife and I just thought I'd rave about it here. Hope you all don't mind.



After years of carrying an Endura SS PE as my EDC knife, I was faced with the fact that it's just too big and threatening for the "sheeple" I often find myself around. I originally opted for the now discontinued Rookie with the SE, but after carrying one for a while, I was dissatisfied with the serrated edge and I gave the knife to a girl-friend for her general use and protection. I have nothing against the Spyder edge; I just don't find myself cutting the types of materials that it was designed for. I much prefer a SE, and that's probably why Spyderco makes them.



Anyway, I finally received my Navigator the other day and I'm thrilled with my choice, to say the least.



The first thing I noticed is how small the knife is. Too small, it seemed, at first glace. But when I griped the knife with my thumb properly behind the hump of the blade, my fingers automatically found their placement on the handle, and it actually felt like a bigger knife in my hand. Congratulations to Spyderco for an excellent handle design. I've *never* held such a small knife that filled my hand so well. It gives me amazing security when using the knife, the grip is so positive. The slots milled into the aluminum handle are a great idea and very functional as well as good looking. Everyone I've showed the knife to has remarked about its good looks, and even the most mild-mannered person in my office doesn't think it looks threatening.



The blade is just right for my purposes, and it's the sharpest knife I've ever taken out of the box. All my knives will fling hair, since I obcess over keeping them razor sharp, but this knife shaves without any effort at all. I didn't feel any resistance to its edge whatsoever. It's the first knife I've owned with an aluminum handle, and it's the first knife I've owned with VG-10 steel. I'm curious to see how the VG-10 steel will hold up, as compared to the CMP 440V.



If anyone is considering a small non-threatening-to-the-sheeple knife, that looks good, and is a pleasure to hold and use, and seems like it could do some serious damage in the hands of a determined and skilled defender, I encourage you to take a good look at the Navigator.



It's my EDC knife until something better comes along, and I don't think that will happen for some time to come.

[Alan2112]

I have the same in <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>edge, it's my one true EDC. I was slow to warm up to VG-10, but I now place that steel for me anyway, ahead of 440C, and barely behind ATS-34. I've sharpened it once since my original put it through the mill test, and it hasn't needed sharpened since, and it's still hair popen sharp! By the way nice little review. RKBA!

[Jeff/1911]

Shang Chi,

Thank you for the excellent review of the Navigator. I've admired this model for a long time myself. Glad to hear you are enjoying yours so much.

Cheers, Jeff.

[dialex]

Congratulations on your new knife. There was also made a CF version <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
P.S. You should try the Meerkat once <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(visit my webpage)</font></a>

[The Cool]

I'm also a big fan of the Nav <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[cmassicotte]

Dialex - Very nice Website.
Nice beard - though I guess that is not your most current facial hair style <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

BTW - I sure am glad I am NOT a cat <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

[Jazzman]

The Navigator is a very nice little knife. I really like how flat the knife is and the cut-outs in the handle really do help you to get a nice grip. However, once I got a Mouse, the Navigator just didn't feel stout enough for me.
Matt

[CalypsoKid]

The slots on the Nav cause it to *really* grip your pants when it is clipped in. Which could be a blessing or a curse: Tough to pull out, but it won't fall out either. I like the way it fits my hand much better than the Mouse. I bought 4 Navs to give as Xmas presents (one for me) and I am not using mine until Xmas day. But I do take it out and give it a look-see once in a while <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

~C

[voxnaes]

OK!...ok...I just mailed Linda for one!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Now I just have to find a way to tell my wife why we don´t get the dent in the car fixed this month!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Vox.


Repeat the mantra - "Spydie is good, Round is all - Life is Round, Life is Good, Spydie is Life is Round is LIfe. Round and Round, and Round forever." (Chuck.)