Under-rated Spydercos

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
fredswartz
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Under-rated Spydercos

#1

Post by fredswartz »

It seems like when Spyderco comes out with a new model it either takes off immediately or else developes a cult following later. The Wegner Jr. is hard to find now although they were easy to get a year ago. The Delica is a perennial favorite. The full sized Calypso is almost forgotten. The Impala seems to be the the next in succession from the full sized Wegner but you never hear it mentioned anymore. What makes a particular Spyderco "catch on" either immediately or a year or 2 later?



Edited by - fredswartz on 11/9/2003 4:35:56 PM
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swede
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#2

Post by swede »

You're asking some good questions lately. I never could figure this out either.

You're right, the Impala came out weak (not much discussion) but I think it's got a great blade shape. Another "under-rated" Spydie is the Terzoula Starmate. Beautiful blade geometry (like all Bob T's) and good feel. Tip-down carry has never made it with me, and I personally think it's a slight liability, but there's nothing else about the Starmate I don't love. I guess they are hard to find these days, and nobody talks about them much.

I think the full-sized Calypso is awkward, to handle and to carry. A little too much handle for me, and kind of slippery. But the Calypso Jr. has a better proportion, and has almost cult-like followers.

Then there's my personal fav in small knives, the Navigator. This is the one I carry most. It just fits...both my hand and my Levis. But the Pegasus, which came out at the same time and I think was only available in SS, just faded away. Go figure.

Dave
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Stevie Ray
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#3

Post by Stevie Ray »

It's got to be the JD Smith .. Take your pick SE or PE. It's a beautiful knife. Micarta scales with a fit and finish to rival lots of limited custom stuff. Lots of us ramble on about Millies (I've got 3, so take this in context), but for a finished fancy production blade the JD Smith is in a different league.

Can you tell I like this knife ... :--)

I saw a brand new SE go for 30 bucks last week. What a crime. I've already got several of these knives already or I would have bid on it. Chuckling ... I paid more.
SR
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swede
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#4

Post by swede »

I know what you mean, Stevie Ray. I like the JD Smith as well. These seem more popular, since there seems to always be one on ebay, at a low price. After hearing what you say, I may pick one up myself.

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CKE
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#5

Post by CKE »

"Spyderco Sleepers" seems to be a good name. There are a lot of Spydies that take a while to catch on. I have handled about half a dozen and thought forget it. Days, weeks, months even hours later it calls to me and bam I am back there buying it. Shabaria, Military(I know, I know),Endura just to name a few. One problem I have now is thinking when will the be discontinued, I better buy it now. Leads to much impulse buying. Good for Spyderco bad for wallet. Good thread, Tkae Care!

"everything else is just a jeep"
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Stevie Ray
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#6

Post by Stevie Ray »

I do wonder sometimes.. How bout the "Lil" Temperance? Nobody talks about them, but what a cool blade ... You never hear about them anymore, but .........
SR
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Stevie Ray
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#7

Post by Stevie Ray »

Here's another for the thread. What about the Titanium Sakai Clutchlocks. What a knife ... Mother of Pearl, Buffalo Bone, etc. It may never catch on, but it is also a nicely done knife (I think the blade is AUS-8). The finish on these guys is really tight.

Somebody mentions titanium related to most other knive deals and people get crazy .. They're giving these away on Ebay.
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dialex
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#8

Post by dialex »

I can understand why the Wegner or the Starmate are discontinued. They use the linerlock which is obsolete in Spyderco's philosophy now that the compression lock has been developed. Also the Shabaria, which is a beautiful knife IMO, has a rather strange shape, which may not be that appealing to certain ELUs.
But what I can't understand is why the Calypso (both full size and jr.) are so underrated. The Calypso jr. has became one of my very favorites, it even managed to pair the Delica as EDC <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I think the Calypso line still has a great potential. I dare to say that a FRN full size Calypso would be a serious threat to the Endura, just like the jr. is to the Delica.

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#9

Post by DAYWALKER »

Like they say, "You don't know what ya got until it's gone..."

I liked the Q. It was always an eye catcher, yet functional. I know the Co-pilot is still being made, but I never hear about it. There have been times when my Snap-It HAD to be carried for certain reasons and it worked well as a neck carry knife where deployment speed was not an issue. I agree with Dialex on the Calypso's...Great geometry and oooh...that flat grind!

God will put you over...if you let Him!
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#10

Post by dynaryder »

Lots of interesting stuff fell off. The JD Smiths,Calypsos,and Terzuolas were all great user pieces,while the Q's,Remote Releases,and Snap-its were just funky cool. Kinda neat though,the way the lineup keeps changing. There's just something cool about saying,'yep,they don't make these any more'.

Daywalker: no more Co-pilots. Dropped like,two years ago,IIRC.
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#11

Post by Zeppelin »

I didn't know the copilot was still being made. It's not on the Spyderco website. I wouldn't mind having one if they're still around. I know the navigators don't show either, but I understand they're still in production.

Being as I've had 2 Delicas, and that's all in way of Spydercos, I can't say which one is underrated, but if they're all of the same quality and superior design as the Delica II SE in my pocket right now, I don't think there's a bad one in the lot.
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#12

Post by Jazzman »

I believe that the Co-Pilot is a goner. The biggest sleeper hit that I have found is the lightweight Calypso Jr. I remember when they came out not hearing much about them. Then...BOOM! The rest is history.
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#13

Post by lokelani »

I'll echo the appreciation of the Starmate and the Q and raise you the Almite Michael Walker, Flat Iron Folder and the Liner Lock itself <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
DayWalker~ Did you get any of the Hawaiian "Q's?"
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#14

Post by Ted »

>Flat Iron Folder and the Liner Lock itself

Lokelani, I know the Flat Iron Folder, but with the 'Liner Lock', do you mean that in generally, or is that also an unknown model?

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#15

Post by toothed »

Tim Wegner (I like it better than the Military), JD Smith (I only gave it up as an EDC to make room for a Sebenza), Zowada (I like it better than the Native), and Shabaria (I just plain flat-out like this one) are all under-rated, imo. I can't figure out why Spyderco didn't sell a kazillion of them.

With the exception of the Wegner from the above list, it's possible that these limited production collaborations were bought by fans and stored away rather than used everyday and, as a result, the knives did not get enough exposure to influence additional buyers. Could it be that their unique beauty--instead of creating wide market demand--became a contributing reason for their downfall?

Edit: Err, I guess I need to more closely define "downfall" above. What I mean to describe is continued production and sales year after year after year. But then again, maybe the intent for collaborations are limited production short runs.

Edited by - toothed on 11/17/2003 2:22:31 PM
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#16

Post by lokelani »

No, no model (that I know of) named "Liner Lock." I was speaking of the mechanism itself. I, personnaly, find it easier to use than the top lock or compression lock.
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