Navigator v. Meerkat

[Eremitike]

Hi gang!



I'm thinking about picking up either a Navigator or a Meerkat. They appear to me to be about the same, except for the different handle material and of course, the locks. What do you all think about the pros and cons of each knife, and what do you think of the "Phantom lock" specifically?



I have attached a photo I took of some real Meerkats at the San Diego zoo...just in case you wondered what they look like.



Eremitike


<a href="/forums/attachmentarchive/6982-7-realmeerkats.JPG" target="_new">View Attachment...</a>

[cmassicotte]

Erimitke -- I don't know anythng about the Merkat - but I do have and use the Navigator. It is one of my EDC knives The Navigator's blade is just a tad longer than the Merkat and the blade is VG-10 - which I do like a lot. The Merkat does have another blade style choice however - if you like the reverse S blade, you might go for it. I just wish the Navigator had that as a blade choice.
I did consider the Merkat when I was looking at the Navigator, but went with the Navigator because of the better steel - and because it was going cheap at SMKW (eknifeworks.com). It still is, actually, $29.99 for the Navigator vs $41.99 for the Merkat(in any of its flavors)
I got great service btw - very quick turn around - I have bought from them several times.

Hope this helps
Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

Edited by - cmassicotte on 1/2/2003 2:27:12 PM

[yog]

I don't have a Almite Navigator, but I do have a G-10 Navigator and the standard drop point Meerkat.
The only thing I'll say on the subject of handle materials is that I'm not a great fan of FRN, but I would have to say the handle on the Meerkat is the best FRN handle I have ever seen, it's nicely contoured, basically smooth, but textured where it needs to be and the solid steel spacer gives it some much needed weight that I find lacking on most other FRN handles.

As well as the handle, a plus for the Meerkat is the new generation wire clip that Spyderco are releasing. It holds firmer than the normal bent plate type clip, it doesn't slide around as much, it doesn't snag as much and the knife sits a lot lower in the pocket.

On the down side I'm not a great fan of the phantom lock, despite this being one of the reasons I bought the knife in the first place. I find the phantom to be a lot harder to close one handed, and all but impossible unless you move thumb and all fingers down to the butt end of the knife. Also because of the nature of the lock there is some very slight movement in the scales when you are gripping the knife hard - now this doesn't compromise the locks stregnth one whit, but I personally find it a little disconcerting.

Personally with the later models having a VG-10 blade I would go with the Navigator.

BTW - if anyone from Spyderco R&D is listening.
I think if you were to produce a "Super Navigator" you would be onto a winner. Keep the exact same feel as the Meerkat (including the steel spacer, but minus the slight wiggle), convert it to a traditional lockback and put in the VG-10 blade.
Heck I would buy one, and I would bully everyone I knew to buy one as well <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Walk softly, carry a big stick.

[dialex]

I have a Meerkat and I'm quite pleased of it. I'd pick the Meerkat over the Navigator (the Almite handles version), though the Navigator has better blade steel.
OTOH, I'd preffer in a heartbeat a G-10 Navigator with a reversed "S" VG-10 blade and with a compression lock - now would that be a "super Navigator" or what?
<marquee loop=infinite ><a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my webpage)</font></a></marquee>

[cmassicotte]

Yes, Alex, It would be -- and I want one!!!

Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

[The Cool]

My thoughts are the same as Yog's.

Both good, but the Nav is better (especially if you can find one for $29.99 )

[john]

Hi,
You maybe interested in looking at this.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... did=236560

[AllenETreat]

Ermetike -

LOVE THAT PIC! I'm sorry to report <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

beat you to it in the form of an ad

I saw in BLADE magazine w/ two Meerkats

holding THE Meerkat! Oh, my "take" on

topic matter : The MeerKat might be

good if you wanted the "reverse "S""

and a unique locking mechanism, but for

general "no nonsense" & overall good

EDC go for a Navigator!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> At $29.99

from SMKW/eknifeworks.com the price

just can't be beat! Do I own a

Navigator? NOT AS YET! But I have a PE

440C Meerkat & AUS-6 "reverse "S""

Meerkat. Both "drawer music"!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>







-AET<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[john]

I also find that the handle on the Meerkat is more comfortable then the handle on my Navigator.
The blade steel on my Meerkat is 440C and the Navigator VG-10, but the differance in the comfort of the handle more then makes up for any differance in the types of steels.
The "Phantom lock" is great also. Not only can you close it with one hand but you can work the lock to "flick" it open also.

Just my 2 cents <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[bquinlan]

When I called SMKW about the Navigator they told me it was the older one with the GIN-1 blade. It sounds like some of you got the VG-10 version from them. Can anyone confirm which one they are actually shipping?

--Bob Q

http://www.october.com/knives/

[Bruceter]

One of the things that I like about the Meerkat better than the Navigator is that
it rides lower in the pocket. Otherwise I think that either one would be a good choice.
As for the lock, I like the "cool" factor of the Meerkat. But they are both basicaly a lockback.

Bruceter
Bruceter

[vampyrewolf]

I have my meerkat in my rear left pocket, and find it easy to use leftie.

I have mine worked in enough that I can easily flip open and closed just by operating the lock. Just keep fingers out the way.

I'll be buying an almite Nav PE sometime(if <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> doesn't discon them before I buy one)... but my 'kat works for now

My Word, My Honour, is my Life.

[vampyrewolf]

EDIT: should start paying attention...

Edited by - vampyrewolf on 1/5/2003 5:08:56 PM

[JBE]

Meerkat makes a great little EDC. I esp like the low profile wire clip and the reverse-S blade configuration (only wish it was some other steel the AUS-6). I would really love to get my hands on one of the 440C drop points but I heard they are no longer being produced.

[Easyrider]

I'm sorry but I think the Meercat is a very poor replacement for the Navigator. I think the lockbak is better than the Phantom lock. I hate the FRN handle on the Meercat, and I really like the VG-10 steel that comes on the Navigator. To each his own, but give me a Navigator over a Meercat any day!

[john]

My Meerkat is 440C and my Navigator is VG-10.
The VG-10 is better IMO.
I like the blade shape and handle on the Meerkat better then on the Navigator.

Both are great knives and not high priced.
Do what I did and get them both. Thats the only way you will be happy <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


Pahl
Spydie.com

[J Smith]

Navigator-better and cheaper if you get it from eknifeworks.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff