Spyderco Forums

Hi everyone! Well since I can't find a replacement for my lost Calypso Jr. with MICARTA handles, I thought I would treat myself to an upgrade. I think that I may purchase a Bob Lum Chinese. What is your guys opinions on this model?!?!

I have one thing to say, get out fo your chair and run to your nearest spyderco dealer to get this magnificent knife. I cant say enough about the Lum chinese folder.

While I agree that everything I've heard about the Lum Chinese is very positive. I can't help but wonder how slippery the handles are. A knife you can't for sure hang onto is a recipe for disaster, IMHO.

Unless you have an undying dislike/mistrust of FRN/Zytel, I recommend you not hesitate to buy the Calypso Jr. Ltwt. The grip pattern is the best I've seen. And it has VG-10 steel. The micarta might have the same steel, but I thought it had AUS8.

Joe Talmadge has repeatedly posted that no other knife rivals the Calypso Jr for cutting. Of course, believe the Chinese also has the same steel. And, obviously, you've had the Calypso jr so know its capabilities.

Maybe it is just envy speaking here. I love the look of the Chinese, and think the blade shape is great. I am just very reluctant to buy any knife with smooth metal handles.

If you choose the Chinese, I hope it satisfies you completely!



Stare

I don't have a Lum Chinese, but I do have a Native 2, Dragonfly 2, Toad, and Lum Tanto.
I have yet to have a problem with slippage. I believe that if the knife is sharp then you won't have that sort of problem.


Ehh, supposed to be Thorin... : )

I have noticed that while the stainess scales on my Endura II and Calypso Jr. II are smoother, I tend to be more careful with the way I grip them during use.
In a hunting or other rigorus activity I would probably use the FRN or G10.
But, I really like the look of the stainless for city use.
Can't wait to get the coin together for a Chinese folder, but I wish there were somewhere around here where I could see/feel one. However, so far I have not been disappointed by <b> any </b> of the Spyderco knives I ordered without this luxury.

Edited by - tom percy on 6/7/2001 4:49:24 PM

i love the chinese folder, the man to ask is clay is is the expert when it comes to this knife he sent me some images of a titaium handled one that are absoulity amazing. as far as slippage goes i've never had a problm with any metal handled knife. but i can see how they "look and feel" slippy untill you try one i used to think the same way.

FTK

Thanks for the reply guys. I do have to say that I've seen the Calypso Jr. lightweight, and I just don't like it as much as the micarta version I use to have. I'm definitely going to check out the Chinese though and I'll let you know how I made out.

Thanks again for the comments!

You made a good choice dude! The Lum Chinese Folder is a classy knife, cuts as good as it looks! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

How can I pass up a thread on my favourite knife <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. I don't find the Almite slippery certainly no more than the micarta of the Calypso Jr. However it's immaterial anyway because the exaggerated curve of the handle really locks the knife into your hand. The original (Chinese) versions of this design that I've seen had smooth handles and clearly relied on the shape for grip. Designs like this which have evolved over a period of time must be doing something right or they wouldn't last. Spyderco have done a magnificent job of turning Bob Lum's custom design into a production piece and I very much doubt that you'll be disappointed.

Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.

Hi MSaxatilus. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

sal