Cricket Lightweight

[hereiamu1]

MagnaCut or 15V

[Jesla]

I have an aluminum scaled that I bought in 1994…. Whatever the coating that was used was has held up fantastically. I carried it unprotected in my “non-key” pocket for many many years. The faces have no penetrating scratches just expected loss on the very edges. The black clip has also survived though it’s coating is thin in places, it too has survived well.

It has never failed to get a reaction whenever someone saw it…. The gen-1 steel has done extremely well also, still looks new.

Now for the bad… the lock is horrible…. Always has been its heavy and causes excess friction both opening and closing, with multiple detents. It is the least left hand friendly liner lock I have ever had.

That said, I would be all in, especially the slip it… this is not a stabby knife so it doesn’t require a lock.

[Doc Dan]

We did a run of FRN Crickets many years ago. Had problems with twist and the Linerlock. If we ever did it again, we'd have to use 2 liners or change the lock.

sal

I'm always in for a back lock on a small knife

[Coastal]

I'd buy a Slipit version. I picked up one of the early black FRN Crickets in like-new condition for a very good price a few years ago, but seldom carry it. It's nicely made and incredibly light but, like all small knives, hard for me to manipulate. When they're this small I rarely operate them one-handed. I just treat them like a traditional folder, so they may as well be Slipits.

A knife this small begs to be carried clipless, loose in the pocket. The clip helps in opening, but not enough to matter to my clumsy fingers.

[jdw]

I have been asking for a revamped Cricket LW for quite a while but I didn’t think that it would happen. Including friends and family, it would be a multiple buy knife for me if Sal were to put his magic touch to any new version that’s also SE.

[Peter1960]

Now for the bad… the lock is horrible…. Always has been its heavy and causes excess friction both opening and closing, with multiple detents.

I can agree with you, because also with my copy it is an extremely stiff and scratchy linerlock. You don't read much about cricket in aluminum construction anymore, so I can't say whether this defect applies to the entire series or only affects both of us.

With the cricket lightweight, which I also have, it's exactly the other way around, a very smooth linerlock, it doesn't get any better.

[sal]

Well Ugaarguy,

See what you started.

Hey Peter,

We made quite a few variations while developing the concept. We kinda settled in on the current steel version which has been an odd, but fairly popular model for many years.

This thread has shown some unusual interest in the design. I'd like to take it further. Concepts include Slip-joint, Compression lock version, integral compression lock version, "Reverse S", Leaf, drop point.

sal

[Wartstein]

Well Ugaarguy,

See what you started.

Hey Peter,

We made quite a few variations while developing the concept. We kinda settled in on the current steel version which has been an odd, but fairly popular model for many years.

This thread has shown some unusual interest in the design. I'd like to take it further. Concepts include Slip-joint, Compression lock version, integral compression lock version, "Reverse S", Leaf, drop point.

sal

An "integral compression lock" is kind of a "frame lock" compression lock, right? (Like I think one ATR version featured - ?)

Sounds interesting...

EDIT: Did my research - there was also a Salsa with an integral comp.lock. Did not know that.

[ugaarguy]

Well Ugaarguy,

See what you started.

Hey Peter,

We made quite a few variations while developing the concept. We kinda settled in on the current steel version which has been an odd, but fairly popular model for many years.

This thread has shown some unusual interest in the design. I'd like to take it further. Concepts include Slip-joint, Compression lock version, integral compression lock version, "Reverse S", Leaf, drop point.

sal

Guilty as charged

Integral compression lock? You have my attention. Media blasted Ti to cut weight and give a little more grip than polished stainless would be welcome.

RE: A lightweight with a liner based comp lock. Wouldn't that present similar problems to the Walker liner lock? I watched the SHOT Show videos and I remember Eric saying that the Lil' Native lightweight was done as a back lock because as the knife gets smaller in size it's harder to overcome side locks wanting to push it apart.

[sal]

Hi Ugaarguy,

I'm open to all of the possibilities and suggestions. I don't think we can make them all, at least not at once, but I'd like to get a Slipit out and a locker. Not a lot of room for locks, but I think it can be done. There are also a number of blade shapes that can be explored.

The "River Rock" concept was the basis for the original design. But I think the concept is worthy of exploration. The modified design is 1/4" longer.

sal

[Notsurewhy]

I've never liked metal handled knives. They look pretty, but I find them cold, heavy and slippery. Even so, I've thought about picking up a cricket several times because the design is intriguing. That small reverse S looks like it would pack a lot of cutting power in a small package. I also like the round, river rock/worry stone look of the knife closed, but because of the shape I would want a grippier handle material.

If a new version comes in a non metallic handle I'd almost certainly buy one, though I'd prefer anything but a comp lock. I know everyone loves them, but I find them awkward to use on small knives. I'd get one anyway, but a back/liner/slipjoint would make it an instant purchase rather than adding it to the "buy eventually" list.

[Tristan_david2001]

I think the current configuration is actually quite perfect for the concept/overall design. Yeah you could do a leaf/drop point, but why? There’s already so many other great small more standard blade shape spydercos to fit that bill imo. Imo I say let the cricket model keep the reverse s blade shape identity. New steels, handle materials, lefty versions for the liner/framelock would a little more of interest to me personally speaking,

[RLR]

The original UK Penknife style with linerless G10 would be amazing. You could even thin out the G10 a tad, contour a bit…

Hi Ugaarguy,

I'm open to all of the possibilities and suggestions. I don't think we can make them all, at least not at once, but I'd like to get a Slipit out and a locker. Not a lot of room for locks, but I think it can be done. There are also a number of blade shapes that can be explored.

The "River Rock" concept was the basis for the original design. But I think the concept is worthy of exploration. The modified design is 1/4" longer.

sal

[MrGibson]

Hi Ugaarguy,

I'm open to all of the possibilities and suggestions. I don't think we can make them all, at least not at once, but I'd like to get a Slipit out and a locker. Not a lot of room for locks, but I think it can be done. There are also a number of blade shapes that can be explored.

The "River Rock" concept was the basis for the original design. But I think the concept is worthy of exploration. The modified design is 1/4" longer.

sal

I think Sal wants all my money. *opens wallet* Just say when.

[Jesla]

Personally I would rather have the current Cricket continue to languish, as to have the blade shape corrupted. It is unique and doesn’t deserve to be turned into just another smallish knife, of which there are literally 100s on the market….

[ZrowsN1s]

I'd be all over a Ti integral compression lock as long as it's plain edge.

[benben]

This thread made me dig this old girl out! I’ve never abused a knife like I have this one! A month or so back I was at a large gun shop in Charlotte, they had a new RIL Cricket in the case, I asked the salesman if I could see it….my old liner lock Cricket here would cut that new one in half, as far as build and robustness, there’s no comparison!

Now I understand this is a small fifth pocket little knife but mine here is a little tank! And still zero blade play, stout as ever.

[bohica1998]

I would love to see a new Cricket!

I think you should leave the blade shape as is. To me, that's part of what makes it a Cricket. As for the handle, I agree that it needs something "grippier" than SS, maybe G-10 or FRN or...?

[yablanowitz]

Now for the bad… the lock is horrible…. Always has been its heavy and causes excess friction both opening and closing, with multiple detents.

I can agree with you, because also with my copy it is an extremely stiff and scratchy linerlock. You don't read much about cricket in aluminum construction anymore, so I can't say whether this defect applies to the entire series or only affects both of us.

With the cricket lightweight, which I also have, it's exactly the other way around, a very smooth linerlock, it doesn't get any better.

I have 4 Crickets, an Almite GIN-1, Almite ATS-55, FRN ATS-55 and SS VG-10. My Almites are smooth operating although a little heavier than the other two.

[dsvirsky]

Now for the bad… the lock is horrible…. Always has been its heavy and causes excess friction both opening and closing, with multiple detents.

I can agree with you, because also with my copy it is an extremely stiff and scratchy linerlock. You don't read much about cricket in aluminum construction anymore, so I can't say whether this defect applies to the entire series or only affects both of us.

With the cricket lightweight, which I also have, it's exactly the other way around, a very smooth linerlock, it doesn't get any better.

I have 4 Crickets, an Almite GIN-1, Almite ATS-55, FRN ATS-55 and SS VG-10. My Almites are smooth operating although a little heavier than the other two.

My Almite Cricket is also operates smoothly.