Harpy / Merlin confusion

[Tracer]

A while ago I posted about the Harpy I was to receive for my B'day.

My brilliant GF bought it for me and I didn't handle it before hand. The barcode on the box says C08 which tells me its a Harpy (That and it says Harpy right next to that)
Perhaps I'm just working too hard, but last night I got to hold it for the first time, it has a "plastic" handle with clipit and merlin written in it, the blade has Spyderco ATS-55 on one side and "SEKI-CITY" Japan on the other.

Please enlighten me, which fricken knife do I have? Very newbie question I'm sure, but please someone just put me out of my misery.

On a brighter note, the knife is surperb, couldn't stop playing with it last night. Still trying to wipe the grin off my face, my co-workers are getting suspicious. (Just so there's no mis understanding, I don't have it with me at work)

Thanks alot and enjoy the weekend,

Tracer

[Th232]

I'm pretty sure the SS handled version is the Harpy, while the FRN version which you have is the Merlin.

[The Deacon]

What you have is normally referred to as a Merlin, although when it was first introduced by Spyderco it was just called the FRN version of the Harpy and shared the C08 model number with it. Some folks would call it a Merlin-Harpy. Does it have the molded FRN clip or the metal "barrel bolt" style (like the current Tasman Salts)?

What EXACTLY does the label on the box say? Not the barcode, the rest of it. If it says C08SBK, then it is the correct box for your knife. If it just say C08S, then sometime in the five or more years since the knife was made, it got put in the wrong box.

On the forums, it's probably best to refer to it as a Merlin, since that name is "accepted" by everyone as applying to any FRN version of the Harpy prior to the Tasman Salt.

[Tracer]

Thanks for the head-up Deacon, will be refering to it as a Merlin from here on out.

If memory serves the box says C08SBK, it does have the same bolt etc as the Tasman Salt. (clip is not molded)

Thanks for clearing that up for me, much appreciated.

Tracer

[zenheretic]

We want pictures!

[Zenith]

Hi Tracer

Would love to see some pictures of your Merlin

[fellyjr]

I'll third the motion for pictures. Because Spyderville LOVES pictures!! :cool: :D

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: This thread is worthless without pics! :spyder:

[white cloud]

i love my merlin. i wish that i had another.

[Tracer]

Hi Guys,

I can't promise pics right now, have my head buried so far in the text books that I just haven't had time to check the forums. It sucks to work and study at the same time, this is the first time I've been online in a week or so, I was having withdrawl symptoms.

As soon as I can get my camera working there will be some pics available, I'll post them in this thread.

I finish on 13th November with Industrial Forensic Psychology, sounds worse than it is, I think.

Take care
Tracer

[JD Spydo]

He has a Merlin. I'm sure of it. The Merlin long ago at one time had the number C-21 but for as long as I can remember it has shared # C-08 with the Harpy. Just like Spyderco uses the same catalog number for the Civilian and Matriarch C-12.

All the Merlin is for all intent and purposes is an FRN Harpy. Most Merlin blades I've miked are just a bit thinner than the Real McCoy Harpy. But other than that there's not much difference in them.

I think the only Merlins that had the number C-21 were the GIN-1 versions.

I'm ready for a Harpy with a new handle material. LIke Peel Ply CF would be nice., NOW's THE TIME>> ain't it? :cool: