New knife questions

[Xibalba]

Hi, all!

I've been trying to convince my wife that I need another new <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> for my upcoming b-day (the big 3-oh, none other!). I am in the market for something small, as I already own a SS <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>edge Delica and a LW PE Native. I want something that won't scare my co-workers or fellow grad students if I were to use it in front of them (I got a "holy s@#$!" out of a classmate when I opened a box in front of him with the Delica). I'm looking at Crickets and Salsas, maybe Ladybugs (Jester is a little too tiny for me), but I don't know which is the best for the price. I'll use it for everyday little jobs, and save my other <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>s for bigger tasks, like maybe when we go hiking/camping. Any words of wisdom from ye old experienced forumites?



P.S. Linda--maybe if no one buys me the knofe outright I'll take some b-day cash and order one from you...I'll be in touch <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



Thanks,

Xibalba



"'The best de-fense is a good o-ffense.' You know who said that? Mel, the cook from 'Alice'!" - Ed Gruberman

[boxer93]

Xibalba,
I carry the Ti Salsa daily at my work. The PE is not as threatening, but the blade is wide, and the lock is really slick. I also like the feel of the Ti, I've been very pleased with this knife. I also have larger hands and this also fits them well. The Aluminum would probably be similar.
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.

[AllenETreat]

Hey Xibalba:

The jester is actually larger than the ladybug! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> I'd recommend one of those jesters in PE or maybe a PE cricket. GlassHartt has them. E-mail her :
GlassHartt@aol.com and tell'er Al Treat (ATE)
sent ya'! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"...and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one..." Luke 22:36 <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[J Smith]

Merkat or a Navigator.

}{ Jeff }{ One does not greet death,One punches him in the throat repeatedly as he drags you away

[java]

Xibalba, my <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> seeker,

Why speak ye thusly of the Jester? 'Tis of nearly the same dimension as the Ladybug yet thou considereth it not for thy selection??? The difference is hardly noticeable with the Jester being 1 mm shorter. (Unless you consider the SFO Spec where the LOA is shown as 168 m (Now THAT’S a knife! A wee bit o’er the carry laws of most planets but, a knife none the less.) ) Blade length is the same, 49mm, for both knives but I have found the textured spine rest fits your index finger perfectly and gives you excellent control for intricate cutting tasks. It cuts like a big boy too. On top of that, what “Sheeple” would cower before a fuschia handled knife-let.

CoPilots can still be found for bargain rates, are great for EDCs, and have a small intimidation quotient. Check out the PE CoPilot for less than $30.00 at eknifeworks.com. Again, as per Chris, the PE is less threatening. I can’t speak for the Salsa as I haven’t handled one but the blade is longer, 63 mm vice 51 mm, and thicker, 3mm vice 2.5 mm. The Salsa also has a couple of new twists with the “Cobra hood” and nested compression lock.

Best of luck on your quest! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Stay safe! Stay sharp! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

ATE: I thought the same about the size but added the Spydie specs and came out with 112 mm for the Jester and 113 mm for the Ladybug. At any rate a CoPilot from SMKW and a Jester from Glasshart would be a smashing double and a "money-saver". Linda rocks!!



Edited by - java on 5/9/2002 10:36:23 AM

[glasshartt]

If you look it up in the PDR, the overall length for the Jester is listed as 4 13/32" or 112mm. The ladybug is listed as overall length 4 5/16 (10/32) or 168mm (109mm in the dealer book). The blade lengths are the same. I have handled both and, to me, the Jester "feels" much bigger than the Ladybug. I felt that the Ladybug was too small for me, but the Jester feels right. I think that the shape of the blade and the textured areas on the spine give it the bigger and better feel.

Linda

<img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O> Integrity is being good even if no-one else is watching <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O>

[nomaded]

I have a Ladybug and several Jesters. I find the Ladybug to be much tougher to open and close one-handed. I have no such problems with the Jester. I would definitely suggest the Jester over the Ladybug.

But to answer the original question - I would pick up one of the Salsas. The bright colors on the Al Salsas is quite non-threatening, and the extra wide blade makes it feel much bigger than the 2.5" length sounds.

[Xibalba]

Thanks to all for your continued advice!

Been looking at the models that you mentioned, and I still have a couple of questions...
Salsas look pretty, but I'm not sure about that wire clip. Is it sturdy? If I get another knife I want it to have a clip, so a jester or ladybug are right out, but will that Salsa clip hold up?

Also, I saw that SS Copilot on eknifeworks, and it looks sooo nice. Are they discontinued models? If I don't jump on the one there, are they hard to get? (Linda?) I don't know if I'll actually end up getting another one <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. Money is tight this summer, as I found out a mere three hours ago that our program lost its funding, and I may only have this job until June 30. That's social services for you <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>. I guess I'll just have to hope that my wife tells all our friends that I want knives for the birthday!

Thanks again,
Mike (aka Xibalba)


"'The best de-fense is a good o-ffense.' You know who said that? Mel, the cook from 'Alice'!" - Ed Gruberman

[J Smith]

If you want a co-pilot you better grab one while you can I am going up there tomarrow and may end up reduceing thier inventory by one more.

}{ Jeff }{ One does not greet death,One punches him in the throat repeatedly as he drags you away

[java]

Xibalba,

They had the CoPlots as of 1300 today. Just bought 2 more. Spyderco is discontinuing the CoPilot this year. If you'll note, the SE version sells for $20.00 more.

Glasshart,

SFO made a mistake in their addition (on the website) in several respects. Their Spec lists the Jester as:
Length Blade 1 15/16" 49mm
Length Closed 2 1/2" 63mm
Length Overall 4 13/32 112MM
Weight .6oz 16g

and the Ladybug as:
Length Blade 1 15/16" 49mm
Length Closed 2 1/2" 64mm
Length Overall 4 5/16" 168m
Weight .5oz 16g

Now 168 m is one HUGE knife defying all but the most extreme carry laws I've ever heard of. Adding the Closed and Blade Length dimensions we have have a 113 LOA for the Ladybug and 112 mm for the Jester theoretically showing the Ladybug 1 mm larger LOA. But this to does not jibe - the SAE measurements show the Ladybug's LOA as 4 13/32" and the Ladybug's as 4 5/16" - thus, the Jester is larger by 3/32". Therefore the Ladybug is a larger Metric knife (by many meters) and the Jester is a larger SAE knife. The humor was subtle and I apologize for the verbosity here. I was having some fun with SFO and hope no-one was offended.

Now will the larger and more versatile knife (The Jester) please stand up!!!!

Glasshart for <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> dealer of the year!
Get your Spydies all right here! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


Stay safe! Stay sharp! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


Edited by - Java on 5/9/2002 6:40:51 PM

[Sword and Shield]

I'm surprised no one has squeaked up yet on the Mouse! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> It's an excellent little knife, definitely at home in any environment.

Just trying to keep the Mouse posts up until Kahz's return! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[jaxon]

Mike,

If you covet a clip and a fairly small non-threatening all purpose knife, how about any of the Dragonfly family? I have the FRN PE and SS SE. They're really great little <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>s. I could'nt score a CF handled one but that would be even better if you could find one.

Jaxon

Weekend yet?

[dialex]

The Jester is quite handy, even more than the Ladybug, due to its modified shape and oversized hole. You could also consider a Meerkat<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Quite tiny and handy, and it has the clip!

[liko]

The Salsa's clip is very rugged indeed. I have the aluminum one, and it simply rocks. Don't let the AUS-8 steel put you off: This thing takes a KEEN edge, and holds it for quite a while under normal use (I use it for cutting tape, thick bag plastic, paper, and cardboard mostly; needs a touch-up on the white stones every week or so). The nested compression lock is plenty strong, and helps keep the overall sleekness of the design intact. I've gotten remarks of "it's cute!" from even sheeple when I pull it out and let them get a good look while I do something with it, so it should be fairly non-threatening as long as you use it with care.

[boxer93]

I second liko on the clip. It was very tight for me at first, but after 2 months it's fine for me now. I have no doubt it will hold up.
Chris

Be excellent to each other.

[demtek9]

The Toad is currently the smallest one with a clip. Kind of pricy, but the PE version is a sweet little knife.

JD

[tgreen]

If you can find one, a G-10 Rookie would be a good selection. While it is larger than most of the others mentioned, it's what I feel to be a good, compact size. I bought one at a sporting goods shop a couple of years ago for about $95.