Just got my Calypso - Wow!

Jeff/1911 · #1

Fellow Spydie enthusiasts,

I just picked up my Micarta Calypso in VG-10, plain edge. Oh man, is this a beautiful knife. I just finished cutting up an orange, and it was virtually effortless. It glides into and out of the pocket like it's lubricated...

Oh, and I'm now sold on tip down design. My thumb falls right into the round hole as my hand goes into the pocket. Sweeeeeeeeet.

Grinning form ear to ear; Jeff/1911.

Brian Lavin · #2

Knew you'd like it! One of the nicest knives that has ever been discontinued.

Knifeknut
Dedicated ELU

chinook · #3

I like to carry my plain edge micarta Calypso Jr in right front and my Spyderedge Calypso in left front pocket. I feel like I am ready for most every cutting edge situation.

A regrettable demise IMHO

(butt then I liked the Corvair)

Jeff/1911 · #4

Yes, I sure do like my Calypso. It seems like the level of quality maintained in manufacture of this knife is very high indeed. It just looks and feels "rich".

And you know, while I was buying this one I took a brief look at the Calypso Jr. Micarta plain edge that this fellow also has for sale... As I reminded myself that I had clearly decided to wait and buy a Calypso Jr. lightweight instead. Now that I'm home admiring the Calypso (Sr.) I think it's likely (inevitable?) that I will be back for the Jr. Micarta before the weeks out. AUS-8 steel was the reason I had made my mind up a week ago not to buy it too, which now seems silly. I have another knife in AUS-8 that is incredible, and the testimonial of others here who remind me that there is not a damned thing wrong with this steel. Just because VG-10 may be better in some respects doesn't mean that I should pass up the chance to buy this other discontinued knife while I can (for a really good price I might add) in the excellent AUS-8 steel.

Whew, glad I got that out of the way.
Besides, I can always still buy an FRN lightweight Jr. later, right?

Jeff/1911.

sam the man.. · #5

Dude,
The Micarta Calypsos, large and small -- Got class! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Cuts well as good as it looks and feels! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Ever wanted the SS Calypso II? Think it'll be a hard choice to get either the steely one, or the scaly one!! Anyway, congratulations on the good buy dude! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

Joe Talmadge · #6

Congrats on owning the best knife Spyderco has ever designed, and the one knife that has no good competition in the market (IMO) !!!

Go ahead and bring the edge bevels down to 15-degrees, and then come back and tell us how impressed you are. The micarta version is a gentleman's pocket scalpel.

Joe

Jeff/1911 · #7

Joe,

Thanks, I sure do think it's impressive. And I agree - I haven't seen anything to compare.

Can I use the Spyderco sharpmaker to do this (edge bevels to 15 degrees)?

I plan to buy one soon, at the moment all I have is a Lansky system.

Jeff.

Joe Talmadge · #8

The Sharpmaker 204 gives you a choice of 15- or 20-degree bevels. The standard advice is to use 15-degrees as a "back bevel", then put a 20-degree edge on top of that. And that's the technique I use on most of my knives. It's a good compromise of performance and edge durability. But the Calypso Jr. has such a fine edge anyway, I'm willing to forget durability concerns for scalpel-like performance. So I do the entire sharpening job at 15 degrees.

Joe

Tightwad · #9

Sal, Now there are more folk's with even more very good things to say about the large calypso. Hmmm.
Wonder if the might just be a market for FRN/VG-10 large calypso? While the micarta was sleek and
elegant it did run the price out of "everyman's" reach. This is one design that is just to good to be out
of production. Just make it more affordable and it should be able to join the police, endura ,rescue &
delica as "standard's" in your product line. I've NEVER heard a single complaint about the calypso line.
After all this is one of your favorite designs .....Right?

Jeff/1911 · #10

Joe,

Thanks for the explanation. You know, I've been sharpening my fixed blades at 25 degrees (with the Lansky)! No wonder they didn't seem that sharp...

15 degrees you say? I was using the guidelines that came with the Lansky system for "hunting knives". I guess they were promoting edge durability alright.

Jeff/1911.

Joe Talmadge · #11

Well, everyone has their own guidelines. And hunting knives do get down into joints and bones, so I can understand that they'd need durable edges. HOwever, I personally feel 25 degrees is absurd on a well-heat-treated blade. I keep my general use folders at 15-17 degrees, my knives that need much more durable edges at 20 degrees, with a couple strokes at a few degrees higher. I think maybe my axe has a 25 degree edge.

Internet knife fans tend to like their edges much lower (for better performance) than the general knife-buying public, and tend to demand the correct temper to support those thin edges.

Blades · #12

Joe knows!!!

If you don't have his sharpening FAQ you need to find it and print it out.

Blades

Jeff/1911 · #13

Thanks Joe (& Blades),

I have thought for awhile that the 25 degrees I was using was way too much.
I will look for your sharpening FAQ; I want to learn all I can.

Jeff/1911.

kihata · #14

Just picked up a Calypso Jr myself and have found the knife to be simply AWESOME!!! Very smooth action, both out of the pocket and when opening and closing. It's sure to become the most popular knife in my collection!!! Kudos to Spyderco!