Bring back the jester?
Bring back the jester?
I just got a (used, obviously) 20cv GITD jester. I’ve had it for less than a day, but I gotta say I like it a lot. I think better than my ladybug and manbug. The swooping swedge, or whatever that’s called, is really ergonomic.
I’d certainly buy it again. Maybe a k390 version. Really like the high edge retention steels on these little ones. They’d basically last forever without a sharpening. These are my “open a package” knives, not my “tear down a a garage full of cardboard” knives.
I’d certainly buy it again. Maybe a k390 version. Really like the high edge retention steels on these little ones. They’d basically last forever without a sharpening. These are my “open a package” knives, not my “tear down a a garage full of cardboard” knives.
-
- Member
- Posts: 6147
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Unfashionable West End of the Galaxy (SE USA)
Re: Bring back the jester?
Many have asked for a return of the Jester, but seemingly not enough to actually make it happen outside of that exclusive GITD version. I love my original burgundy micarta version and my GITD version so I would vote for a return.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
-
- Member
- Posts: 1815
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:08 am
- Location: Norway
Re: Bring back the jester?
I would try one out if it returned as a regular production item.
Hunting for exclusives and sprints is just not worth the effort atm.
Hunting for exclusives and sprints is just not worth the effort atm.
Re: Bring back the jester?
If it's brought back in regular production, I'd buy one.
In the collection : Lots of different steels, in lots of different (and same) Spydercos.
Robin. Finally made an IG : ramo_knives
MNOSD member 004* aka Mr. N5s
Robin. Finally made an IG : ramo_knives
MNOSD member 004* aka Mr. N5s
Re: Bring back the jester?
Why did it drop out of production? That remains a mystery to me. Did the Bugs have something to do with?
-Marc (pocketing an S30V Military2 today)
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
-
- Member
- Posts: 6147
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Unfashionable West End of the Galaxy (SE USA)
Re: Bring back the jester?
Lack of sales, like most everything else that gets dropped.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
Re: Bring back the jester?
Think the Jester softened the ground for the Bugs?
-Marc (pocketing an S30V Military2 today)
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
Re: Bring back the jester?
I wanted one for a long long time but all the ones that popped up were pristine collector examples so $$$$$. I did get one from the Knife Joker run and it's fully bumped the serrated/hawkbill Ladybug from my keychain.
I hope other dealers that do FRN runs take note and join in.
I hope other dealers that do FRN runs take note and join in.
- steelcity16
- Member
- Posts: 5353
- Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:34 am
Re: Bring back the jester?
I think they should bring it back into production, but in an interesting steel and color to give it some added interest. MagnaCut would be cool obviously, but even something like AEB-L or Z-Wear would give it something extra. Paired maybe with some Blue GITD FRN scales?
A Cru-carta version would also be amazing!
A Cru-carta version would also be amazing!
CRU-CARTA THE SEKI MODELS! AND BRING US THE DODO-FLY!
-
- Member
- Posts: 1815
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:08 am
- Location: Norway
Re: Bring back the jester?
I assume edge retention would have the broadest appeal in such a small blade. And for the economics of it all, considering the low quantity of steel required, it probably makes sense to use a steel already in circulation in Seki.
FRN in combination with k390 or ZDP-189 makes sense to me, but obviously based on a pile of guesswork
FRN in combination with k390 or ZDP-189 makes sense to me, but obviously based on a pile of guesswork
-
- Member
- Posts: 6147
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Unfashionable West End of the Galaxy (SE USA)
Re: Bring back the jester?
Probably K390 as ZDP-189 is on the way out.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
-
- Member
- Posts: 6147
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Unfashionable West End of the Galaxy (SE USA)
Re: Bring back the jester?
I can't say as I just have no answer. The Bugs added 3 SKUs (more now with the all black models) while Jester only dropped one SKU from the regular line up, so I don't think it was done to reduce active SKUs. My gut tells me it was just due to slow sales because so many did not understand the blade shape. That may still be a barrier in getting it back.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
Re: Bring back the jester?
I wonder if the added jimping adds to the cost?
I would be ok with the Ladybug Salt adopting the Jester spine, otherwise I very strongly prefer the FFG Ladybug variants. I'd be equally interested in a FFG LC200N Ladybug, particularly in SE.
I would be ok with the Ladybug Salt adopting the Jester spine, otherwise I very strongly prefer the FFG Ladybug variants. I'd be equally interested in a FFG LC200N Ladybug, particularly in SE.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
Re: Bring back the jester?
I didn’t understand the shape until I got one.JRinFL wrote: ↑Mon Dec 20, 2021 2:32 pmI can't say as I just have no answer. The Bugs added 3 SKUs (more now with the all black models) while Jester only dropped one SKU from the regular line up, so I don't think it was done to reduce active SKUs. My gut tells me it was just due to slow sales because so many did not understand the blade shape. That may still be a barrier in getting it back.
Re: Bring back the jester?
Not likely because the jimping is cut into the blade when the blade itself is cut out. Jimping is not done as a post process.
-Nick
- araneae
- Member
- Posts: 5492
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
- Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio
Re: Bring back the jester?
The Jester was gone way before the bugs came along. The Jester morphed into the Ladybug 3 more or less.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Re: Bring back the jester?
I regret selling my burgundy micarta version years ago. It was a really classy little knife.
I did snag one of the GITD ones recently, but I'd be interested in a sprint for a "gents" version with some kind of nice polished micarta or jigged bone or some other fancy scales option. That would be a really cool 5th pocket carry.
I did snag one of the GITD ones recently, but I'd be interested in a sprint for a "gents" version with some kind of nice polished micarta or jigged bone or some other fancy scales option. That would be a really cool 5th pocket carry.
Tim
Re: Bring back the jester?
I'll just come right out and be honest. I've never had any attraction to any of Spyderco's micro-sized folders. I've owned a few of them that I have acquired in trades and so forth but I've never used anything smaller than a Caly Jr. Because most of my cutting chores are best done with full sized blades. I even EDCed an M390 Military model for almost 5 years.
And right now I'm EDCing a 2011 Sprint Run, G-10 handled, C-60 Ayoob model. And it's got a blade over 3.5 inches long. I seriously doubt if I ever end up using a Ladybug, Manbug or any of the micro-sized Spyderco folders. But I will admit that I always found the Jester model to have a really elegant blade design. I would love an upscaled version of the Jester in a fixed blade at least 4 to 5 inches long. Because I really do like the design.
So I do like the Jester from that standpoint. But I doubt I'll ever buy or trade for another one. Heck I've never used a Hawkbill blade smaller than the Merlin or Harpy. My cutting chores need serious tools. The Micro-sized Spyders just don't do it for me.
And right now I'm EDCing a 2011 Sprint Run, G-10 handled, C-60 Ayoob model. And it's got a blade over 3.5 inches long. I seriously doubt if I ever end up using a Ladybug, Manbug or any of the micro-sized Spyderco folders. But I will admit that I always found the Jester model to have a really elegant blade design. I would love an upscaled version of the Jester in a fixed blade at least 4 to 5 inches long. Because I really do like the design.
So I do like the Jester from that standpoint. But I doubt I'll ever buy or trade for another one. Heck I've never used a Hawkbill blade smaller than the Merlin or Harpy. My cutting chores need serious tools. The Micro-sized Spyders just don't do it for me.
-
- Member
- Posts: 556
- Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2020 7:56 pm
Re: Bring back the jester?
Honestly I think 20cv is just about the perfect steel for a micro folder. Great edge retention and corrosion resistance is just a really good combo for a tiny knife you don't want to have to worry about much maintenance on.
Re: Bring back the jester?
Hi Sethwm,
Thanx for the thread. Gail carries a Jester or two most of the time. She has the Burgundy Micarta version, the FRN version and the GITD version. There seems to be some interest here, and we just did an exclusive run so it's probably worth the discussion. Though I must say than anything decided now wouldn't see reality as a production piece for 1-1/2 to 2 years.
The original concept for the "forefinger-dip" was to there to permit a very focused cut using the forefinger close to the tip of the knife. I also wanted to make sure that there was enough purchase to support the forefinger position. I used the concept on the Jester and the ATR as production pieces. Remember, this was a couple of decades ago. Reaction was mixed as I think I was trying to "sell" a concept as an added feature in a cutting tool. Back then, many more purchased their knives by look and function wasn't as high a value. Spyderco wasn't very popular then. With the advent of internet, forums, increased number of shows, etc., Knife buyers are far more savvy about more functional stuff like; steel, grinds, ergonomics, edge geometry, heat treat, etc. Topics that were sought by a much smaller group 20 years ago.
So if we were to go for a sprint run, I would have to understand what you wanted?
FRN or Exotic handle material?
Steel?
Salt or regular model?
Plain and serrated?
Even Blade shape is open?
How many to make?
Maybe some type of poll?
thoughts?
sal
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Enter not ye of narrow mind lest they understanding be open to suggestion"
Thanx for the thread. Gail carries a Jester or two most of the time. She has the Burgundy Micarta version, the FRN version and the GITD version. There seems to be some interest here, and we just did an exclusive run so it's probably worth the discussion. Though I must say than anything decided now wouldn't see reality as a production piece for 1-1/2 to 2 years.
The original concept for the "forefinger-dip" was to there to permit a very focused cut using the forefinger close to the tip of the knife. I also wanted to make sure that there was enough purchase to support the forefinger position. I used the concept on the Jester and the ATR as production pieces. Remember, this was a couple of decades ago. Reaction was mixed as I think I was trying to "sell" a concept as an added feature in a cutting tool. Back then, many more purchased their knives by look and function wasn't as high a value. Spyderco wasn't very popular then. With the advent of internet, forums, increased number of shows, etc., Knife buyers are far more savvy about more functional stuff like; steel, grinds, ergonomics, edge geometry, heat treat, etc. Topics that were sought by a much smaller group 20 years ago.
So if we were to go for a sprint run, I would have to understand what you wanted?
FRN or Exotic handle material?
Steel?
Salt or regular model?
Plain and serrated?
Even Blade shape is open?
How many to make?
Maybe some type of poll?
thoughts?
sal
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Enter not ye of narrow mind lest they understanding be open to suggestion"