The C52 Calypso Jr. is one of my all time favorites from Spyderco. It actually was the first Spyderco made knife with an FRN handle that I bought. Before owning and carrying this knife I always thought that FRN makes the knives looking cheap, that the material might not be as tough as stainless steel and whatnot. Well, I still prefer the more solid handle materials but I have to admit that most of my biased views were wrong.

The Calypso Jr. was basically made with four different handle materials thus being SS, Micarta, black FRN, grey FRN and burgundy FRN. The model was introduced in 1997 but was discontinued later. Fans asked for a comeback of this model and Spyderco answered with the mentioned grey sprint run. Another sprint run was done in 2005 with the burgundy FRN version and ZDP-189 blade. Spyderco is currently planning to issue another edition of this model featuring the new ZDP-189 steel. This version will have a black FRN handle again and probably will hit the market in winter 2006. The Calypso Jr. 3 is also in the works which will look like the UK-Pen Knife but with a lock. Most likely will get it’s own SKU because of the different appearance rather than beiing another C52.

The older models came in two edge types – P and S (Micarta, SS and black FRN) while the latest two models were only available with a plain edged blade. The older models still can be found but especially the plain edged ones are hard to get and the variants featuring a Micarta handle are also quite rare.

All models except the SS handled ones feature a full flat ground blade. Three different steels were used for all four models: AUS-8 for the Micarta and SS versions, VG-10 for the black and grey FRN versions and ZDP-189 for the burgundy version.

Maybe the biggest difference between the models besides the steel is the pocket clip. The FRN versions feature a clip with a hole in them where the pivot is located. These are in my opinion the weakest clips on any Spyderco made knives including the wire clips that I am not too fond of either.

I carried the black FRN model for a long time as EDC and not very long after I got it, the clip got caught by a doorframe. I’ve had this happening with other Spydies aswell and their clips just bent a bit so they were easy to repair. The clip of the Clips Jr. just snapped where the weakest point was – the hole. After trying to get an original clip as replacement with no success, I put on a simple solid clip that had a fitting hole pattern and never looked back. This construction might be the biggest downside of the FRN models.

So basically four kinds of clips can be found: glossy black with a golden bug and no hole on the Micarta handled knives, glossy black with bug and hole on the black FRN models, blasted grey with hole and black bug on the grey FRN knives and shiny SS without hole but embossed bug on the SS handled knives. Generally the mounting system of the clips on the FRN models is very well made. There are inset threads in the handle that allow the user to switch from right hand to left hand carry (tip down) and the inset threads make the whole construction more stout than just screwing everything into the plastic.

I’ve read from numerous people that the blades of their black FRN knives are a little bit off center – so is mine. I recall a thread on one of the forums that stated that this is quite common because some of the blades warped while being heat treated. This has merely a cosmetic effect on the knife but not a functional. Unlike the black ones I’ve never heard that there are similar problems with the current grey model.

Compared to other knives from Spyderco it is of about the size of the Delica but with totally different ergonomics. The Calypso Jr. features a choil which has become common for many new models so the handle becomes in fact a bit larger than it really is. This leads to a very secure and comfortable grip. The handle also has more round and flowing forms than the Delica so it gives you a very smooth and comfy feeling. Also the bi-directional fish scale texturing on the FRN handles is a big improvement over other designs. think that this texturing is one of the best after rough G-10.

The FRN models are also very lightweight and you tend to forget that you are actually carrying a knife. The shape of the blade is one of my top favorite ones made by Spyderco. The leaf shape provides a very fine tip and the full flat grind makes this knife a real slicer. Spyderco offers a variety of knives that feature similar blade shapes, but the Calypso Jr. was the second approach to this kind of blade shape. The first Spyderco knife with a leaf blade was the Dragonfly. Originally it was issued with a slightly different blade but it was changed into a full flat ground leaf blade like the one on the C52 in 1996.

The simple yet effective shape of the blade has many followers some even consider the C52 to be the “lightsaber of all Spydercos”. Due to the full flat grind it has great cutting abilities and VG-10 is also an excellent blade steel. I am eagerly waiting until the new version gets available to compare VG-10 to ZDP-189.

If you are looking for a light weight, easy to carry pocket knife that features great ergonomics and a classy look I would go for the grey FRN version. It still is available for very little money and if your hands are a tad too large for the Dragonfly you’ll be just right with the Calypso Jr. Maybe the biggest plus besides the ergonomics is that it won’t draw too much attention on it like larger knives tend to do. The Manix for instance is not that much larger when it comes to blade length but much more stout looking. If you draw a Manix in public you’ll most likely see expressions of horror on some faces but most people will not even notice the Calypso Jr. If you’re thinking of getting one I would hurry up. Some retailers have them on sale right now for affordable prices around $ 30. Who knows how long they will be around, so get one while they are cheap and easy to obtain.

Desirable changes? Yes! Although I consider this little knife as very close to perfect I would like to see three things done. First is the issue with the holey clip on the FRN models. Maybe Spyderco could put a solid clip on the next upcoming version of this model (I don’t think they will, but one can dream). Second I would love to see a version done with a carbon fiber handle and mirror finished blade. I know that this would drive up the price up right near the threshold of pain but I think it would look exceptionally good (that could be the perfect tuxedo folder). The last thing which I think that would be really nice is a G-10 version of this knife. Maybe something like a mixture of the UK Penknife and the Calypso Jr.

Cheers,
Rob

March, 2005 / Revised in May, 2006