C69 Lil'Temperance - What makes this knife so popular?

[Jay_Ev]

I am curious to know what it is about this knife that causes it to be held in such high regard. I want one more than anything and every time I see a picture of one, I want it that much more. Those of you who have one, why do you like it so much? Is it the handles? Blade steel? I may never own one because they are so hard to find, but is there another Spydie which could be considered close or similar to the Lil Temp? Any tips on where I could acquire one would also be appreciated. Take care, all.

[ballistic]

is there another Spydie which could be considered close or similar to the Lil Temp?

I am speaking as a newbie, but to me the Salsa in a remote way is a "Mini/micro-Temp" . But seriously, no.. none similar in any meaningful way. I have a PE leaf Temp' and love it. I want to also aquire a rhino blade one as well to keep it company.

LIKES:
--the grip- yes
--blade steel- yes
--blade shape- yes
--flat grind- affirmative
--pocket ergos- no complaints here either.

This knife is perhaps in my top 3 favorites at this time.

Check ebay, they appear there not infrequently. Got mine there couple months back as LNIB for 85.00. although i would have paid double that, seems the average is about 160.00. Good luck.

[WORKER#9]

It is a knife that has to be used to be appreciated. It is just a really cool Lil Tank of a folder. I have a SE one I have literally abused for years and it is still going strong. All I can say is buy one and find out just how cool it is! :)

[JD Spydo]

First of all it is one of the most sturdy and solid feeling Spyderco knives ever made. Second it is one of a few of the Golden Colorado made Spyders that just stand out with great quality.

Third>> all of the Lil Temperance models are made with Crucible blade steel. the older ones were made with the extremely tough and ridgid 440V and the later ones were made with S-30V. Both blade steels are great for that type of a knife. It is an excellent design for work and hard use. The handles are so solid that they can take an immense amount of punishment.

The handle fits most hands so well that you can get an almost perfect grip on it. The knife would be great for working around almost any harsh environment. But all in all it is a "little bull" of a knife. You just simply have to check one out. It is one Spyder that if you got it for a decent price and for some reason you felt it wasn't your cup of tea>>> you would have no problem getting someone to buy it for what you paid for it. And you can't make that statement about every Spyderco model out there.

[Jay_Ev]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I constantly have my eyes peeled and am on the lookout for one.

[psimonl]

It is just the best one they have made. period.
That is why

Simon

[Stevie Ray]

It's a nice knife, but I let mine go. For whatever it's worth, I always felt like it was a bit bulky in my pocket. Although I kept it in the EDC rotation for awhile, I didn't end up reaching for it very often. Anyway .. my 2 cents.

[Agent Starling]

When people are talking about the Lil Temp are they always talking about the folder, like in this thread, or the fixed blade?

It seems like the fixed blade is harder to find on ebay than the folder, also, for some reason.

Agent Starling

[Murdoc]

The most similar recent Spydie would be the Manix(es) IMHO.

Not THAT similar though

Dennis

[thefly01]

I've had alot of Spyders but none have compared to the Lil T. I wish they would make this one again. I don't even care if it's changed just so I could have more backups. Also check bladeforums and knifeforums they pop up every so often.

[Lur Kingman]

I recently came into possession of my MeanGreen (PE S30V Leaf Point Lil' T) through a trade. I traded it for a Baby MANix PE. I have found that MeanGreen suits me better. I tend to like lighter knives, and seem to be a sucker for the Compression Lock. I also like the color green.

Anyway, there are some interesting things about this knife. First, and sort of unfortunately, it has to be handled to determine one's enjoyment of it. My dear friend just didn't like the way it fit his hand, so alas, it sat on the wall. For me, it fits great, so it gets pocket time. The Baby MANix also fit my hand well, but it was too heavy for my tastes, thus it didn't get the carry time a fine blade like that deserves.

It's not for everyone, but when it's for you, you WILL know it.

[4 s ter]

When people are talking about the Lil Temp are they always talking about the folder, like in this thread, or the fixed blade?

The Lil' Temperance is a folder. The fixed blade was named the Temperance.

[Agent Starling]

The Lil' Temperance is a folder. The fixed blade was named the Temperance.

thanks for the clarification 4 s ter. while I'm aware of the Temperance fixed blade, I was under the impression that the Lil Temp itself came as both a fixed blade and a folded version...LOL...now I know why I'm not finding any fixed blade Lil Temps on ebay!!! :D

Agent Starling

[ballistic]

Third>> all of the Lil Temperance models are made with Crucible blade steel. the older ones were made with the extremely tough and ridgid 440V and the later ones were made with S-30V.

Did not know that. I see mines 440V.
I pulled out my digital scale to find out how much the Lil T weighs, as it does seem fairly lite. Its only 128.5 grams.
For comparisons..

Chinook III - 166.5
SS A.T.R. - 148.0
Ti A.T.R. - 138.5

One more thing, of all my knives I find the Lil temp and my Caly3 CF open buttrty smooth more than any other..

ballistic

[JD Spydo]

Did not know that. I see mines 440V.
I pulled out my digital scale to find out how much the Lil T weighs, as it does seem fairly lite. Its only 128.5 grams.
For comparisons..

Chinook III - 166.5
SS A.T.R. - 148.0
Ti A.T.R. - 138.5

One more thing, of all my knives I find the Lil temp and my Caly3 CF open buttrty smooth more than any other..

ballistic

Brother you're gonna have a heck of fun time sharpening that one. The first time I ever sharpened a Crucible 440V blade I truly thought I was being punished for something :rolleyes: . Funny thing about it>> it was a Lil T was the first 440V blade I ever sharpened. I got one of the leaf 440V Lil Ts on Ebay a couple of years ago. It was the first Spyderco ever that I got that wasn't sharp and didn't appear to have ever been re-profiled :confused:

I worked on it for about 90 minutes before I got it in good shape. Let me tell you that high Vanadium 440V steel is truly a mean dog to sharpen. I have found even that ZDP-189 is a cake walk compared to 440V. But oddly enough 440V is one of my top 10 favorite blade steels.

And keep in mind folks that 440V in and of itself is already collectible. Because one of the head metallurgists at Crucible told me that they had no plans to produce any more of that steel. He told me that M-4 was pretty much going to take it's place. But make no mistake 440V is a great performer. It holds an edge even better than S-30V in my humble opinion.
Trust me you'll be cussing a lot the first time you ever sharpen that steel :D

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Best folding knife ever made, I traded mine to Lur Kingman because I knew he wanted one and would carry it more often than I did. A knife that good must be used and carried. :spyder:

[ballistic]

hmm,.. I'll look forward to it... I think??
I do a have a sharpmaker that I picked up, but have not yet attempted to use it, nor have I any experience whatsoever sharpening knives. Well, when iwas a kid I used to sharpen my Uncle Henry with a bastard file. Seemed to work pretty good actually.

[4077th]

The one and only complaint I've ever had with the Lil Temp was the clip. Yes I know it has MBC intentions but I'm not carrying it for MBC. It should have a standard clip available (even at additional cost). I would happily pay for a sensible clip. The way that MBC clip rides outside the pocket makes it look ridiculous, and also makes it into a snag magnet. The rest of the knife is smashing. Lovin' it.

But that clip... It's like strapping a dumpster lid on a Ferrari and calling it a hood. Makes sense for some folks (you know, keeps the rain out and all that), but people that like Ferraris don't see the humor in it. :o

[Mr Blonde]

It is in many ways a very new and radical design. It's possibly the first production tactical folder that pays attention to legal carry limits and sports NKP-friendly looks. It's also the first 'real' 'Golden made folder (IIRC the Gunting was the first, but a very specialized MBC tool) to offer the compression lock. The handle is a radical 3d design, and I could go on and on...

To me, the Li'l Temp is the best do-all folder Spyderco has produced to date, with a decidedly custom feel to it.

Wouter

[ballistic]

ummm, what does IIRC and MBC mean :o