If you could only have one of these two Spydies which would it be, the Native or Calypso Jr. and why?
Michael
If you could only have one Native or Calypso Jr.?
Hard choice, but I guess that's why you asked.
I'd have to go with the Calypso, Jr. In the lightweight version it is almost unnoticeable clipped to your pocket. Lightweight does not refer to the performance. The VG-10 steel together with the flat grind make for a really stay sharp blade.
The Native is also a great knife. I like the steel, the ergonomics, etc. I only have one recurring problem with it. Occasionally, when pulling it out quickly, the notches on the back of the blade catch on the side of my pocket and start opening the blade. I've come very close to cutting myself because of this.
I'd have to go with the Calypso, Jr. In the lightweight version it is almost unnoticeable clipped to your pocket. Lightweight does not refer to the performance. The VG-10 steel together with the flat grind make for a really stay sharp blade.
The Native is also a great knife. I like the steel, the ergonomics, etc. I only have one recurring problem with it. Occasionally, when pulling it out quickly, the notches on the back of the blade catch on the side of my pocket and start opening the blade. I've come very close to cutting myself because of this.
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Clay Kesting
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Michael,
There is really only one easy answer to your question, buy both <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. You will eventually anyway once the Spydie bug bites <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. Seriously it is a difficult choice given that they are both such ergonomic knives with outstanding blade steels. I think it comes down to your intended use. IMNSHO the Native is more suitable for heavy use, it feels like it is locked into your hand due to the deep choil and larger handle. In fact it feels like a much bigger knife. OTOH I think the flat grind of the Calypso makes it more suitable for everyday tasks and I find I'm carrying it to work more and more often. Also the Calypso is tip-down so it is more discreet to carry, although I prefer the tip-up carry of the Native if I'm going to be using my knife a lot. Hope this has done more than muddy the waters <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Clay
The antipodean troublemaker
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 10/8/00 6:15:22 PM
There is really only one easy answer to your question, buy both <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. You will eventually anyway once the Spydie bug bites <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. Seriously it is a difficult choice given that they are both such ergonomic knives with outstanding blade steels. I think it comes down to your intended use. IMNSHO the Native is more suitable for heavy use, it feels like it is locked into your hand due to the deep choil and larger handle. In fact it feels like a much bigger knife. OTOH I think the flat grind of the Calypso makes it more suitable for everyday tasks and I find I'm carrying it to work more and more often. Also the Calypso is tip-down so it is more discreet to carry, although I prefer the tip-up carry of the Native if I'm going to be using my knife a lot. Hope this has done more than muddy the waters <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Clay
The antipodean troublemaker
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 10/8/00 6:15:22 PM
I have both and although the Native has a more comfortable handle, I find myself carrying the Calypso Jr Ltwt so much more. Its lighter and less bulky. I prefer the VG10 blade on the Calypso as well. I can cut cardboard so much easier with it than with the Native. Oh, nearly forgot to mention that although the Calypso Jr is a lightweight, it still has tip down carry. Nice!
Get both and decide.... :-)
Edited by - Ken Lau on 10/9/00 4:02:52 AM
Get both and decide.... :-)
Edited by - Ken Lau on 10/9/00 4:02:52 AM
Could you have asked a harder question? The Calypso is the king of lightweights. You just do not feel the weight of this knife when you have it clipped on you. The VG-10 blade is incredible. Out of all my knives, this one really cuts well for some reason. I don't know if it's the blade shape or the steel or what but it's just top notch. The handle's fishscale pattern is the only thing that bugs me. It looks really weird on a handle. It works but just looks funny.
I much prefer the spyderweb design on the Native. It feels much more comfortable along with its thicker handle. I would call the Native the king of ergonomics. When you wrap your hands around it, it just falls into place perfectly.
My Calypso is a plainedge and I like to use it for more intricate work inside the house. My serrated Native is the workhorse though. I push it hard and it delivers every time.
Like I said before, hard question to answer. You'll probably get one, wait a few months and then get the other. That's the way it always is with Spydies.
I much prefer the spyderweb design on the Native. It feels much more comfortable along with its thicker handle. I would call the Native the king of ergonomics. When you wrap your hands around it, it just falls into place perfectly.
My Calypso is a plainedge and I like to use it for more intricate work inside the house. My serrated Native is the workhorse though. I push it hard and it delivers every time.
Like I said before, hard question to answer. You'll probably get one, wait a few months and then get the other. That's the way it always is with Spydies.
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sam the man..
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I recently found myself in the same dillema.This is a hard question,but I fully agree with the advice you've been given,if your looking for a practical everyday the calypso jr. is right for you but I went for the serrated native,and let me tell you it feels like it was the claw GOD forgot.It's comfortable as any I've had and can do the job and do it every time.But like they said you'll eventually buy both anyway and they are really cost effective when you consider what they have as far as steel and performance.Enjoy
Matthew 10:34 (and it will be made by spyderco)
Matthew 10:34 (and it will be made by spyderco)
Calypso jr.
I have two BF blue natives. Those are THE natives to have BUT calypso jr (ltwt or micarta) is my choise for every task if these are the only possibilities. Reason is that while native is as goos as calypso in shallow cuts calypso is much better when cuts get deeper. Calypsos Whittling performance is a lot more in my standard knifes, puukkos, level. I'm not willing to give away performance when I'm whittling wood or plastic...
"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
I have two BF blue natives. Those are THE natives to have BUT calypso jr (ltwt or micarta) is my choise for every task if these are the only possibilities. Reason is that while native is as goos as calypso in shallow cuts calypso is much better when cuts get deeper. Calypsos Whittling performance is a lot more in my standard knifes, puukkos, level. I'm not willing to give away performance when I'm whittling wood or plastic...
"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
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Brian Lavin
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- Location: San Diego, Ca. USA
I digress. The Native is IMNSHO bar-none a better overall knife.
The Native was my first Spyderco knife. I also own the Calypso Jr. Lightweight and the BF Native. For all-around utility, it's hard to beat the Native. It has many features that the Calypso Jr. lacks. First, it has more grabbing options for the handle. You can grab it normally, or use the deep finger coil for better cutting control. It is a great stabbing tool, which is reinforced by the hollow ground and spear-point shape. The flat grind of the Calypso Jr., however, is designed for precision-cutting tasks, and I would hesitate to use it in a more aggressive environment. It's steel might be a better cutter overall, but one can hardly argue that CPM-440V is much worse at this task. It is considered a superior steel overall.
I tend to use my Calypso Jr. only for precision cutting chores. My Native, however, I prefer to carry everywhere and throw everything at it, and it never lets me down. No to mention, it can be used for both utility and tactical purposes, while the Calypso Jr. falls far behind in this last area.
-Flood
The Native was my first Spyderco knife. I also own the Calypso Jr. Lightweight and the BF Native. For all-around utility, it's hard to beat the Native. It has many features that the Calypso Jr. lacks. First, it has more grabbing options for the handle. You can grab it normally, or use the deep finger coil for better cutting control. It is a great stabbing tool, which is reinforced by the hollow ground and spear-point shape. The flat grind of the Calypso Jr., however, is designed for precision-cutting tasks, and I would hesitate to use it in a more aggressive environment. It's steel might be a better cutter overall, but one can hardly argue that CPM-440V is much worse at this task. It is considered a superior steel overall.
I tend to use my Calypso Jr. only for precision cutting chores. My Native, however, I prefer to carry everywhere and throw everything at it, and it never lets me down. No to mention, it can be used for both utility and tactical purposes, while the Calypso Jr. falls far behind in this last area.
-Flood
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Clay Kesting
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