Spyderco Calypso Jr. Review (Grey FRN)
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Fisher of Men
I would like to clarify a few things.
First thanks for all of your replies. :D
I think I will be giving this thing a 5 star rating out of a max of 5.
You guys are right. The FRN is light, but just after one day of use I love it. I've had to cut some boxes today that had boat loads of tape on them. Spyderco goes right through and makes a nice straight cut. Wipes off clean. I have never had my 880BT Benchmade cut anything this fast and precise. I also love the matte grey clip with the black Spyder on it. I can even Spyder-drop this thing and it has FRN handles. I really like it. I get a weird good feeling when I carry and use a Spyderco knife. I don't get any feeling like that when I carry other knives. I really can't explain it. I'm not being goofy either. It's just a weird thing.
I'm going to get a lot of use out of this Calypso Jr. My wife likes hers too.
Thanks Spyderco! :spyder:
First thanks for all of your replies. :D
I think I will be giving this thing a 5 star rating out of a max of 5.
You guys are right. The FRN is light, but just after one day of use I love it. I've had to cut some boxes today that had boat loads of tape on them. Spyderco goes right through and makes a nice straight cut. Wipes off clean. I have never had my 880BT Benchmade cut anything this fast and precise. I also love the matte grey clip with the black Spyder on it. I can even Spyder-drop this thing and it has FRN handles. I really like it. I get a weird good feeling when I carry and use a Spyderco knife. I don't get any feeling like that when I carry other knives. I really can't explain it. I'm not being goofy either. It's just a weird thing.
I'm going to get a lot of use out of this Calypso Jr. My wife likes hers too.
Thanks Spyderco! :spyder:
I simply love the Caly Jr.!
Yes, I agree, there are nicer handle materials out there, and yes it feels a bit cheap. On the other hand it gives Spyderco the ablilty to offer a premium steel for very little money in a very nice package. And really, if you compare the numbers, even though SS handles and G-10 with liners ARE stronger, have less flex etc. the FRN handles do hold there own. The Caly Jr. is NOT a weak knife, even if it may feel unsubstantial because of its small weight. And lastly the small weight can definitely be a plus aswell.
Yes, I agree, there are nicer handle materials out there, and yes it feels a bit cheap. On the other hand it gives Spyderco the ablilty to offer a premium steel for very little money in a very nice package. And really, if you compare the numbers, even though SS handles and G-10 with liners ARE stronger, have less flex etc. the FRN handles do hold there own. The Caly Jr. is NOT a weak knife, even if it may feel unsubstantial because of its small weight. And lastly the small weight can definitely be a plus aswell.
I just tried to do this with my caly and I get no play at all. Its rock solid when its open. I've in fact never gotten any blade play from any spyderco (though I do get it from liner locks from other companies... makes me skeptical of liner locks in general). I think its established that a bit of blade play is acceptable as long as it doesn't compromise the safety or use of the knife.Fisher of Men wrote:Now this is probably not what matters so please tell me if my impression is wrong.
I can take my Calpyso Jr and hold it horizontally with the spine of the blade facing me. If I grab the blade and the handle and try to bend it up and down I can get a little bit of play. There is no way that happens with the Mini-Grip. And just so you know I'm not doing it hard (as in abusive). That's part of the reason that I said "cheap". If this is not a valid point then please let me know and I will disregard this. Remember I'm new to knives. :)
To the pessimist the glass is half empty, to the optimist the glass is half full, to the engineer its twice as big as it needs to be.
It is a valid point mate. The mini-grip has an axis lock which, like frame locks, liner locks, compression locks and ball bearing locks - all wedge something against the tang - so all of these locks should have almost zero blade play.Fisher of Men wrote:Now this is probably not what matters so please tell me if my impression is wrong.
I can take my Calpyso Jr and hold it horizontally with the spine of the blade facing me. If I grab the blade and the handle and try to bend it up and down I can get a little bit of play. There is no way that happens with the Mini-Grip. And just so you know I'm not doing it hard (as in abusive). That's part of the reason that I said "cheap". If this is not a valid point then please let me know and I will disregard this. Remember I'm new to knives. :)
The Caly jr has a backlock - the oldest locking system. A bit of blade play in a back lock is almost inevitable but has very little bearing on it's function or strength - lockbacks are probably still the strongest lock there is. Think of a tiny bit of blade play in a back lock as part of it's charm - just like a Harley losing a little bit of oil :)
You know those things that you -are- gonna do but time passes and it snows and the van konks out, and ________________(fill in) ?
I went on a frenzied web search last night trying to find a Calypso Jr. to order after reading this thread. NG sold out, :spyder: sold out, several others- sold out. Finally found WOK and, unless they just havn't updated thier site, they have one. Ordered for $49.xx with shipping.....Whew, close.
How do you join the :spyder: collectors club anyway? :D
---Tom
I went on a frenzied web search last night trying to find a Calypso Jr. to order after reading this thread. NG sold out, :spyder: sold out, several others- sold out. Finally found WOK and, unless they just havn't updated thier site, they have one. Ordered for $49.xx with shipping.....Whew, close.
How do you join the :spyder: collectors club anyway? :D
---Tom
Aloha FoM!
Nice review, sorry I was late on this one! But at the rate Mr. crahen keeps threading, it's hard to keep up! :p (Kidding Mr. Crahen!!!)
Anyway, the Caly' Jr. has been my home EDC for awhile now. As you said, small and light. The original Micarta version, I gave to my father in a PE, and it has been his "one and only" for years now. He is not the most knife educated, so i was not expecting this knife to live too long. Amazingly, it is still going strong.
If it wasn't for my recent Dodo purchase, it'd be in my pocket right now
!
God bless and great choice!!!
Nice review, sorry I was late on this one! But at the rate Mr. crahen keeps threading, it's hard to keep up! :p (Kidding Mr. Crahen!!!)
Anyway, the Caly' Jr. has been my home EDC for awhile now. As you said, small and light. The original Micarta version, I gave to my father in a PE, and it has been his "one and only" for years now. He is not the most knife educated, so i was not expecting this knife to live too long. Amazingly, it is still going strong.
If it wasn't for my recent Dodo purchase, it'd be in my pocket right now
!God bless and great choice!!!
Proverbs 16:3...Commit YOUR works to the LORD, and YOUR plans WILL succeed!
"Where's the best little big knife not designed by Sal or Eric?" ~ thombrogan, WSM
Avatar by my KnifeBrother, DiAlex...C102 Adventura designer, 2005 Spyderco Forum Knife!
"Where's the best little big knife not designed by Sal or Eric?" ~ thombrogan, WSM
Avatar by my KnifeBrother, DiAlex...C102 Adventura designer, 2005 Spyderco Forum Knife!
[quote="DAYWALKER"]Aloha FoM!
Nice review, sorry I was late on this one! But at the rate Mr. crahen keeps threading, it's hard to keep up! :p (Kidding Mr. Crahen!!!)
Anyway, the Caly' Jr. has been my home EDC for awhile now. As you said, small and light. The original Micarta version, I gave to my father in a PE, and it has been his "one and only" for years now. He is not the most knife educated, so i was not expecting this knife to live too long. Amazingly, it is still going strong.
If it wasn't for my recent Dodo purchase, it'd be in my pocket right now ]
Someone has to keep you guys on your toes :D
Nice review, sorry I was late on this one! But at the rate Mr. crahen keeps threading, it's hard to keep up! :p (Kidding Mr. Crahen!!!)
Anyway, the Caly' Jr. has been my home EDC for awhile now. As you said, small and light. The original Micarta version, I gave to my father in a PE, and it has been his "one and only" for years now. He is not the most knife educated, so i was not expecting this knife to live too long. Amazingly, it is still going strong.
If it wasn't for my recent Dodo purchase, it'd be in my pocket right now ]
Someone has to keep you guys on your toes
:DThose in the know use Spyderco.
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Fisher of Men
More news :)
I like this knife soooo much that not only do my wife and I both have one, but I think I may get another one just to put on the shelf.
Say, does anyone know if they are going to stay discontinued? Do they ever bring knives back for Sprint Runs or anything like that?
I wish they'd bring the Calypso Jr. back. I only just met it when it was being phased out
Long live :spyder:
Cheers,
Fisher of Men
I like this knife soooo much that not only do my wife and I both have one, but I think I may get another one just to put on the shelf.
Say, does anyone know if they are going to stay discontinued? Do they ever bring knives back for Sprint Runs or anything like that?
I wish they'd bring the Calypso Jr. back. I only just met it when it was being phased out
Long live :spyder:
Cheers,
Fisher of Men
The Calypso Jr. is coming back in a sprint run with ZDP-189 :D :D :D :DFisher of Men wrote:More news :)
I like this knife soooo much that not only do my wife and I both have one, but I think I may get another one just to put on the shelf.
Say, does anyone know if they are going to stay discontinued? Do they ever bring knives back for Sprint Runs or anything like that?
I wish they'd bring the Calypso Jr. back. I only just met it when it was being phased out
Long live :spyder:
Cheers,
Fisher of Men
In May or June?
Those in the know use Spyderco.