The Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight: A comprehensive review

[cabfrank]

Good shots of many options. A lot I haven't tried, but I am now going to.

[p_atrick]

This is an underrated knife. The feel in hand is so good. It is a bit “bulky” in the pocket, but I really enjoy its simplicity.

[cabfrank]

It's built like a tank.

[benben]

I bought one, a K390 without ever seeing or holding one before, didn’t know if it would be a catch and release or not? I absolutely love it!

It’s a brute, in a good way, very unique and very different from anything else in the lineup.

[Vamais]

I bought one, a K390 without ever seeing or holding one before, didn’t know if it would be a catch and release or not? I absolutely love it!

I actually made this to check out the design a year before I got around to getting the knife.



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=95703

[benben]

I bought one, a K390 without ever seeing or holding one before, didn’t know if it would be a catch and release or not? I absolutely love it!

I actually made this to check out the design a year before I got around to getting the knife.



viewtopic.php?f=2&t=95703

Wow, that looks pretty accurate!

[juggler]

I actually made this to check out the design a year before I got around to getting the knife.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one making cardboard knives, although I have to admit your version of the Lil' Temp looks nicer than the one I made. The cardboard clip, in particular, is a nice touch

And yes, the Lil' Temperance Lightweight is a very special and underrated knife. The K390 version may seem a bit pricey... until you've held one.

[Vamais]

I find that clips have large impacts on ergonomics. They add girth and contouring, and give purchase for fingertip grip, especially on this model. I fine-tune clip position (they can be pivoted side to side slightly before the screws are tightened) on almost all of my knives.

[Vamais]

Yesterday I noticed something interesting while comparing the LT3LW with my PM2, Manix 2 LW, and Native 5s. The Lil' Temperance is different in that I can comfortably hold it by the blade and use it that way (like for scraping or light/detailed work). The handle is still there, but it doesn't feel like it detracts from my ability to use the knife (the balance is fine). With the other aforementioned models, there is not enough tallness for me to hold the blade securely without my fingers getting uncomfortably close to the edge. The balance with these models also feels awkward when held this way, they being too handle heavy.

This is actually something I thought about when I disassembled the knife. I was holding the bare blade and realized that the blade by itself would still be a nicely functional cutting tool even without the handle (think of an unhafted obsidian knife). I don't know how much of this is from the 4mm stock thickness, or if it is all because of how tall the blade is.

[Red Leader]

Bringing this one back up to the top.

I have no idea why, but this model all of the sudden, and I mean in a flash, got on my radar. I was perusing the catalog, and bam, there it was. I've also been focusing more on K390 and with the overlap, perhaps it was inevitable. However, previously, I just wasn't interested.

I went to the SFO and held one, since many have said the ergos can be polarizing. I found it pretty good, and one of those special designs that easily will get better with more time as you find more subtleties to enjoy over time, that was pretty apparant.

However, looking at the grind, I notice a couple things that others here may have also commented on - 1) the grind gently curving up into the recasso flat, was a very nice touch, and is not only classy, but probably helps with strength as well. And 2) why does the grind not come all the way up to the handle, like the 1st and 2nd generations? To me, it seems like a great feature, especially when doing something like cutting cardboard, and the handle acting as a guide. Seems like this is a great little detail, now missing from the LT3LW. Why? Seems like it would be one of the biggest selling points of the handle forward design. I'm nearly convinced I'm going to pick one up, but just thought I'd ask. Thanks guys!

Also, earlier in the thread, Sal talked about a slightly bigger version. I love any addition into the more 'hard use' category, so I'm curious about any development into the LT line.

Thanks all!

[jwbnyc]

One of the things I appreciate about most of Sal’s handle-forward designs is that he leaves a spot on the kick where you can stop the blade with a finger when closing the knife. It’s not a bug. It’s a feature.

[Vamais]

One of the things I appreciate about most of Sal’s handle-forward designs is that he leaves a spot on the kick where you can stop the blade with a finger when closing the knife. It’s not a bug. It’s a feature.

Looking at mine, you appear to be correct. Extending the grind to the handle would remove half of that finger-catching area.

I do have a hypothesis that the radiused plunge being a small distance from the handle makes it easier for me to keep food juices from entering the pivot area (and water too, when I rinse those food juices off).

[jwbnyc]

It’s seems to be an evolving design element. The Jumper series use the forward handle to help get the hand up close to the edge when cutting with the heel of the blade, while still providing an even bigger landing spot for the finger, while closing, than the Temp3 does. The way Sal does it allows you to get right up on the blade while also providing some grip security and safety.

Many people look to handle-forward designs to maximize blade length, but the key for me is the relation between the hand and heel of the blade when cutting, not overall blade length. YMMV.

[jwbnyc]

Just want to take a moment to thank zuludelta for all the time and work he has put into this thread. Also to check to see if he minds us adulterating it with our posts.

[Vamais]

Yes, thank you @zuludelta. I think that this thread is what put the Lil' Temperance on my radar in the first place.

Just trying to keep up visibility so that enough people buy the model to keep it in production.

[Clay H]

I bought 3 because of this thread. Plain edge, serrated, and a K390 model.

[sal]

Hi Clay H,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Red Leader]

I bought 3 because of this thread. Plain edge, serrated, and a K390 model.

The more I look at it, the more I think I'm going to pick one up. K390 of course. I recently got a Leafjumper in K390, serrated edge. The thing is just a pocket chainsaw.

[Clay H]

National Knives had them for $153.

Thank you Sal!

[cabfrank]

Tempting. I'm very happy with the VG-10 SE though. This thread influenced my purchase also.