Opinion on Bob Lum Chinese folder.....

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
mundele
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#41

Post by mundele »

Hey Guys...

Well, I'll probably be excommunicated or kicked off the forums or something equally bad for saying this, but the Lum Chinese isnt my favorite spydie. First, I love the blade and the blade steel, but I can't quite get over the way it feels in the hand. It just doesnt fit me like my Mil or Calypso Jr. does. Both of those knives feel like they're supposed to be in your hand. Like they hold you instead of you holding them. The lum just doesnt have that... um... flow (in the hand, that is. It does have that flow if you look at the lines of it when it's open). It is a beautiful and elegant knife though (and that can't be said about the military.)

The other thing that bothers me is how the top of it sticks up above the edge of my pocket when I carry it tip-down.

So maybe I'm nitpicky. Maybe I just haven't carried it enough. I don't know. Anyone else out there in SpydieLand agree with me???

--Matt
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Carlos
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#42

Post by Carlos »

I'm not sure, but I think these may be 30 or 40 years old.
Jeff/1911
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#43

Post by Jeff/1911 »

Matt,

Like you, I have some reservations about the "feel" of the Lum Chinese in my hand. I notice the clip quite a bit against my palm while grasping the knife, and the handles slim curve would (will?) take some getting used to...at least for me.

I adore the graceful beauty of this knife, particularly the blue one in pictures I've seen. The one I handled was green, and the quality was top notch. I think that I shall not be able to resist forever the urge to buy one, but it still is not perfectly comfortable for me in the hand.

I wonder if this is due to the mounting position of the clip on the one I handled...and I can't recall whether it was setup for tip-up or tip-down carry at the time. Any Lum Chinese owners care to comment on this?

Jeff/1911.
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SpyderNut
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#44

Post by SpyderNut »

Jeff,

Most of the Lum Chinese Folders I've seen come with the clip positioned for tip up carry. This type of carry would seem most comfortable to me.
Like you said, when I first saw the Folder I thouhght, "Man, that is one knife I will never buy."
However, once bitten by a Spydie Virus, you know what happens....

I haven't yet seen a Folder that was positioned for tip down carry, so I really can't comment on that method. Maybe the "Folder King" could better answer that one. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> [ Yes, Clay, I'm looking at you. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> ]

One heck of a knife, I will admit.

~Spydernut
Blades
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#45

Post by Blades »

Matt,
I think everyone is allowed to dislike a Spyderco or two. It's okay. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Myself, I do not like the Native. Don't know why, just don't. But I love my 2 Chinese folders. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


Blades
vlf_11
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#46

Post by vlf_11 »

the chinees folder is a great knife i have not had one but i have a friend that has one and he uses it great he had had it for a while now not sure how long but it is been a while. that is a great knife just had to say that, ooooh nice!
mundele
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#47

Post by mundele »

I'm allowed to dislike one spydie. Uh-oh. That's not good. I really dont like the Native. It's at the bottom of my list. The blade shape just doesn't do it for me. I'm sure to be excommunicated now...

--Matt
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SpyderNut
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#48

Post by SpyderNut »

Hmmmm. Since some of you have bravely "stuck out your neck" on mentioning some Spydies that you don't care for, allow me to add to the list: [Afterward, you can throw the tomatos!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>]

I'll admit it, the Native is one Spydie that hasn't managed to 'turn me on' so to speak. I like the "web" disign in the handle and the S/S models look smooth, but the feel of that knife in my hand just doesn't seem to match. I remember holding it and thinking, "Man, this is one knife I will have to wait on."

~Ok, now you can tear me apart and feed my flesh to the birds and other little beasties.<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

To each his own! This is something I aways try to remember....<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


~Spydernut
The Cool
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#49

Post by The Cool »

Re: the leaf shape of the Chinese folders

I wonder if the leaf shape used by the Chinese was more for aesthetic/spiritual/superstious reasons rather than purely practical ones.

The reason I ask is:

1. Chinese are traditionally very superstious - spiritual meaning permutate all their art, furntiure, architecture.

2. The Leaf Shape - is it really all that practical? After all, in a Chinese kitchen you'll find many shaped knives and cleavers but rarely a leaf shaped blade. That makes me think it was designed for other reasons.
Also many other practical cultures developed more conventional 'practical' blade designs.

What do you all think?

This isn't a criticism of the Lum Folder, I desperately want one. I am just fascinated by the history of the design.
Hoosierdaddy
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#50

Post by Hoosierdaddy »

SpyderNut and Mundele,

You guys are both "OFF" my christmas list. The Native is a great knife (Sharp1-help me out here) the way it fits your hand is one of it's selling points! I have large hands and it fits me perfect. I think the blade size and shape is awesome. I don't know if you have a Native Mundele, I'm guessing you don't for the lack of enthusiasm. I'm not trying to convert you guys, only defending a great "little" knife.

Too get back on topic... the Lum Chinese is a bitchen knife <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
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SpyderNut
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#51

Post by SpyderNut »

**Wiping eyes**

Hoosierdaddy,

Oh pleaseeee don't take me off your Christmas list!<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I will be a good boy. I promise! I will recant all my babblings and begin to look out for a decently priced Native. I think I would like the stainless steel model over the LTW model.

I will be over here crying, man, until I am forgiven.....<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


~Spydernut<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Hoosierdaddy
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#52

Post by Hoosierdaddy »

SpyderNut,

Dry your eyes you wuss! You may be able to redeem yourself. This may help... check out the Natives here.

http://www.ndsproducts.com/spyderco.html

Buy five of them in every variation and I'll think about reinstating you!!!!! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
hy
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#53

Post by hy »

I'm Chinese and I must say that I've never seen the leaf shape before in any Chinese kichen, and I've been in hundreds, if not thousands. Most of the Chinese style cooking and chores that I've seen involve standard shaped blades and cleavers. Just an observation...<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
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SpyderNut
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#54

Post by SpyderNut »

Holy Cripes! That would be a TON of Natives!

Hoosierdaddy,

Redemption has a heavy price, no? I see now the seriousness of my crime......<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Would maybe one S/S model Native suffice for my pardon? I know that this is a far cry from the requirements you listed:
*Gasp* Five of EACH color. Yikes!<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
I can foresee that my wallet is going to be on a diet soon.....<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The "Wuss",

~Spydernut


Edited by - Spydernut on 1/27/2002 10:54:32 AM
Sword and Shield
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#55

Post by Sword and Shield »

I like the SS Native, except for the sharp corners on the grips. Mine is definitely going to have to meet some sandpaper in the near future!

I would have bought the FRN version, but the store didn't stock them.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.
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