I just picked up an FRN Calypso Jr. plain edge today at my local Remington store. This knife has become my fav. Spyderco beating out my FRN Delica and SS Endura. It is almost the same size as the Delica, so I will compare the two.
First the blade. There is no contest who wins this one. The Calypso's VG-10 blade carves thru printer paper by just pushing down on it. I have to slice thru with the Delica's ATS-55 blade. The tip of the Calypso is as sharp as the edge which is not the case on the Delica. Flat ground is soooo much better then hollow ground. It would be nice if the Calypso had a 3 inch blade like the Delica.
Handle. Both are FRN but the Calypso is "sticker". The handle of the Calypso fits your hand however you hold it, but the Delica has a longer handle making it more stable. The Calypso feels lighter even though they are both the same weight. The walls of the handle are thicker on the Calypso then the Delica.
Overall build. The Calypso looses some points here, although it still has Spyderco's quality. There is alot of blade play when the Calypso is closed. The delica has a bit, but its 2 1/2 years old. The Spydie hole seems smaller on the Calypso. Maybe it is because the Delica's hole is raised above the blade. The Delica opens better. The Calypso's clip is better though, being a small three screw system instead of the Delicas one large Screw. It does not move around at all, while the Delica's moves back and forth slightly. Also the Calypso feels sturdier then the Delica.
I am soooo happy I bought this knife. With a few tiny changes this knife could be perfect. Thank you so much Spyderco.
New Calypso Jr.
Toolin.....Congrats. I think in a very short time you'll seldom be without that little
calypso. It has by far and away the best of Sal's efforts to design a perfect everyday
knife of his entire line. It is full of small things that you don't notice at first. The flat
grind , the Vg-10 steel, the "stickier" handle, the lockback, etc. If you want a 3" or longer
version look around for a Large Calypso ( now out of production). It ha 4" blade that
is all business for work. The large is a truly awsome knife. Set one of those
babies in your hand and then let it go.....if you can. But for now enjoy you calypso jr.
It's a great everyday knife. Enjoy.....
calypso. It has by far and away the best of Sal's efforts to design a perfect everyday
knife of his entire line. It is full of small things that you don't notice at first. The flat
grind , the Vg-10 steel, the "stickier" handle, the lockback, etc. If you want a 3" or longer
version look around for a Large Calypso ( now out of production). It ha 4" blade that
is all business for work. The large is a truly awsome knife. Set one of those
babies in your hand and then let it go.....if you can. But for now enjoy you calypso jr.
It's a great everyday knife. Enjoy.....
Toolin.....Congrats. I think in a very short time you'll seldom be without that little
calypso. It has by far and away the best of Sal's efforts to design a perfect everyday
knife of his entire line. It is full of small things that you don't notice at first. The flat
grind , the Vg-10 steel, the "stickier" handle, the lockback, etc. If you want a 3" or longer
version look around for a Large Calypso ( now out of production). It ha 4" blade that
is all business for work. The large is a truly awsome knife. Set one of those
babies in your hand and then let it go.....if you can. But for now enjoy you calypso jr.
It's a great everyday knife. Enjoy.....
calypso. It has by far and away the best of Sal's efforts to design a perfect everyday
knife of his entire line. It is full of small things that you don't notice at first. The flat
grind , the Vg-10 steel, the "stickier" handle, the lockback, etc. If you want a 3" or longer
version look around for a Large Calypso ( now out of production). It ha 4" blade that
is all business for work. The large is a truly awsome knife. Set one of those
babies in your hand and then let it go.....if you can. But for now enjoy you calypso jr.
It's a great everyday knife. Enjoy.....
Mark1955... Have you ever broken a FRN handle?? From my experiance they do develop
a bit of side to side play closed but then I use my knife opened. I've never seen nor heard of
an "inexpensive" Spyderco. The quality has always been there to use. No Worries ,mate .
FRN is good stuff for everyday use.
a bit of side to side play closed but then I use my knife opened. I've never seen nor heard of
an "inexpensive" Spyderco. The quality has always been there to use. No Worries ,mate .
FRN is good stuff for everyday use.
Mark1955, I have 4 FRN Spydercos, our Endura being the oldest, and most used. None of thses knives, have any play what so ever weather closed or opened. Our Endura has been run over by a C-130, and fell from the equivelant of two stoies, onto a concrete floor, best I can tell it's just like the day I pulled it out of the box(it's 4yrs. old). I hear stories all the time about these knives doing that, but I have yet to see one. RKBA!
Mark1955, I have 4 FRN Spydercos, our Endura being the oldest, and most used. None of thses knives, have any play what so ever weather closed or opened. Our Endura has been run over by a C-130, and fell from the equivelant of two stoies, onto a concrete floor, best I can tell it's just like the day I pulled it out of the box(it's 4yrs. old). I hear stories all the time about these knives doing that, but I have yet to see one. RKBA!
Mark1955, I have 4 FRN Spydercos, our Endura being the oldest, and most used. None of thses knives, have any play what so ever weather closed or opened. Our Endura has been run over by a C-130, and fell from the equivelant of two stoies, onto a concrete floor, best I can tell it's just like the day I pulled it out of the box(it's 4yrs. old). I hear stories all the time about these knives doing that, but I have yet to see one. RKBA!
Mark1955, I have 4 FRN Spydercos, our Endura being the oldest, and most used. None of thses knives, have any play what so ever weather closed or opened. Our Endura has been run over by a C-130, and fell from the equivelant of two stoies, onto a concrete floor, best I can tell it's just like the day I pulled it out of the box(it's 4yrs. old). I hear stories all the time about these knives doing that, but I have yet to see one. RKBA!
Mark1955 -- FWIW, I have a Gerber LST that is somewhere between 15 and 18 years old. Possibly older than that. I just can't remember well enough.
I carried that knife from the time I got it until approximately 2 years ago. It now is my chief fruit knife. I have to de-gunk it every once in awhile. When I clean it up well, it looks very like new. I can't remember if it has any noticeable marks on the Zytel or not.
The LST has no liners. They bend when you grip it hard. But, just as good as new after a minimum of 13 years carry, and 15 years of use. It will be interesting to see if carbon fiber delaminates in a similar time period, or G-10 keeps looking good. I think the G-10 will last okay, but it can get to looking kind of milky or gray pretty quickly.
I used to have a "thing" against "plastic" also. Have overcome it with experience. On the knives with thick FRN handles, I expect the handles will outlast the blades, pivots, etc.
Stare
I carried that knife from the time I got it until approximately 2 years ago. It now is my chief fruit knife. I have to de-gunk it every once in awhile. When I clean it up well, it looks very like new. I can't remember if it has any noticeable marks on the Zytel or not.
The LST has no liners. They bend when you grip it hard. But, just as good as new after a minimum of 13 years carry, and 15 years of use. It will be interesting to see if carbon fiber delaminates in a similar time period, or G-10 keeps looking good. I think the G-10 will last okay, but it can get to looking kind of milky or gray pretty quickly.
I used to have a "thing" against "plastic" also. Have overcome it with experience. On the knives with thick FRN handles, I expect the handles will outlast the blades, pivots, etc.
Stare