Spyderco Calypso: Kin to Greatness by Nutnfancy

Published on March 7, 2013
Duration: 16:32

This review of the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB highlights its strengths as a lightweight, fast, and effective tactical and EDC knife. The presenter, Nutnfancy, emphasizes its VG-10 steel blade, G10 handle, and thin profile, comparing it favorably to other Spyderco models like the Police G10 and Endura 4 G10. While noting minor drawbacks like a slightly small deployment hole and the riveted handle scales, the overall assessment is highly positive, recommending it as a collectible sprint run that is also highly functional.

Quick Summary

The Spyderco Calypso C54GPB is a highly recommended sprint run tactical and EDC knife, featuring a 4.4-inch VG-10 steel blade and a lightweight 5-ounce design with an earth brown G10 handle. It's praised for its thin profile, fast deployment, and excellent lock-up, making it suitable for various tasks including defense and food prep.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Police G10 Mention
  2. 00:14Spyderco Police G10 Model C07G
  3. 00:30Hall of Fame Tactical Knife
  4. 00:42Police G10: Light & Big
  5. 00:50Police G10 Specs: 4.4" Blade, 5 oz, VG-10 Steel
  6. 01:04Police G10 Cost-Effective
  7. 01:15Police G10 vs. Stainless Steel Police Models
  8. 01:49Endura 4 G10: HOF Tactical & EDC Blade
  9. 02:04Endura 4 G10 Catalog Check
  10. 02:16Endura 4 G10 Discontinued
  11. 02:25Calypso C54GPB Introduction
  12. 02:37Spyderco Calypso C54GPB Review
  13. 02:52Calypso vs. Police G10 & Endura 4 G10
  14. 03:01Calypso: Similarities & Differences
  15. 03:07Calypso: Reincarnation of 1990s Design
  16. 03:22Calypso vs. Cally Series
  17. 03:44Made in Seki City, Japan
  18. 03:48Calypso: Sprint Run & Limited Edition
  19. 04:02Sheepdog Knife Philosophy
  20. 04:20Calypso: Sheepdog Blade & Defensive Tool
  21. 04:28Calypso Modification: Jimping
  22. 04:32Calypso: Great EDC & Collectible
  23. 04:45Calypso: Food Prep Knife
  24. 04:53Calypso Weight & Feel Comparison
  25. 05:05Thinness of Spyderco Knives
  26. 05:13Calypso VG-10 Steel Performance
  27. 05:17Calypso Abused in Cardboard Cutting
  28. 05:36VG-10 Steel: Easy to Resharpen
  29. 05:44Edge Pro Apex Sharpening
  30. 05:51VG-10 Steel: Rust Resistant
  31. 06:03Calypso Stabbing Tests
  32. 06:05Calypso Lock Up: No Failures
  33. 06:13Cardboard Cutting Test Details
  34. 06:35Deployment Hole Size Discussion
  35. 06:46Deployment Hole Size & Speed
  36. 06:54Deployment Hole Sizes: Calypso vs. Endura/Police
  37. 07:04Calypso Deployment Hole Size Issue
  38. 07:07Calypso Blade Shape: Leaf & Swedge
  39. 07:17Calypso Blade Aesthetics & Functionality
  40. 07:34Calypso Tip & Blade Thickness
  41. 07:40Calypso Blade Length: 100mm
  42. 07:46Calypso Speed & Lockback Performance
  43. 08:01Calypso Lock Up & Strength
  44. 08:06Calypso Handle: Earth Brown G10
  45. 08:16Calypso: Sprint Run Appeal
  46. 08:26Calypso Brown G10: 2012 Release
  47. 08:37Calypso Thinness Comparison
  48. 08:44Calypso vs. Endura 4 G10 Thickness
  49. 08:50Calypso vs. Endura 4 G10 Weight
  50. 08:54Calypso Blade Profile vs. Endura/Police
  51. 09:05Calypso Resemblance to Kali Series
  52. 09:11Calypso Skeletonization
  53. 09:21Calypso Closed Back & Riveted Scales
  54. 09:37Calypso Handle Scale Removal
  55. 09:48Calypso Lockback Detent Feature
  56. 09:54Detent Feature: Notch & Lock Engagement
  57. 10:06Calypso Lock Bar Balance & Ease of Disengagement
  58. 10:14Calypso vs. Tri-Ad Lock
  59. 10:21Calypso: No Stop Pin
  60. 10:25Calypso Capability for Realistic Use
  61. 10:29Calypso Squared Edges on Clip
  62. 10:39Calypso Blade Centering
  63. 10:46Calypso Handle Retention & Lanyard Hole
  64. 10:54Calypso Ergonomics & Jimping
  65. 11:05Calypso Missing Factory Jimping
  66. 11:19DIY Jimping with Dremel
  67. 11:35Jimping Application & Lock Engagement
  68. 11:42Jimping Comparison: Calypso vs. Police G10
  69. 11:50Police G10: Purpose-Built Law Enforcement Knife
  70. 12:01Calypso Weight Advantage
  71. 12:04Calypso Ergonomics
  72. 12:07Skateboard Tape on Handle
  73. 12:11Police G10 Skateboard Tape Application
  74. 12:21Calypso Flat & Easy Pocket Carry
  75. 12:24Calypso Pocket Clip Review
  76. 12:30Pocket Clip Re-Profiling Suggestion
  77. 12:38Pocket Clip Size Discussion
  78. 12:42Pacific Salt Pocket Clip Example
  79. 12:51Blackened Pocket Clip Preference
  80. 13:02Pocket Clip Wear & Scratching
  81. 13:10Pocket Clip Functionality
  82. 13:16Calypso: Ambi Knife for Lefties
  83. 13:21Competitive Options: Endura 4 G10, Police G10
  84. 13:25Pacific Salt Comparison
  85. 13:32Pacific Salt Specs: 3 oz, H1 Steel, $60
  86. 13:44Pacific Salt: No Steel Blade
  87. 13:44Pacific Salt: Not Flat Brown, Not FFG
  88. 13:50Flat Ground vs. Saber Ground Blades
  89. 13:54Edge Pro Apex Sharpening for Edge
  90. 14:00Sharpened Edge Example
  91. 14:13Flipping Competition
  92. 14:18Spyderco Resilience Comparison
  93. 14:21Resilience Specs: 5.2 oz, 8Cr13MoV, $40
  94. 14:28Resilience Blade Length: 2.25 inches
  95. 14:34Resilience: High Value, Great Jimping
  96. 14:36Resilience: Offshore Produced (China)
  97. 14:47Ontario Rat 1 Comparison
  98. 14:49Ontario Rat 1 Specs: 4.8 oz, 8Cr13MoV, Affordable
  99. 15:01Ontario Rat 1: T&P Crew Knife
  100. 15:16Microtech Scarab Comparison
  101. 15:21Microtech Scarab Specs: 4.4 oz, S35VN Steel
  102. 15:33Microtech Scarab: Expensive OTF
  103. 15:41Calypso vs. Scarab Decision
  104. 15:49Final Recommendation: Spyderco Calypso C54GPB
  105. 15:56Get it While You Can
  106. 15:59DIY Jimping & Clip Re-Profiling
  107. 16:06Calypso as a Collectible
  108. 16:13Calypso: Special, Fast, Lightweight, Easy Carry
  109. 16:23Calypso: Special Coloration & Limited Edition

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB?

The Spyderco Calypso C54GPB features a 4.4-inch VG-10 steel blade, a lightweight 5-ounce design, and an earth brown G10 handle. It's a sprint run, making it a collectible, and is praised for its thin profile, fast deployment, and excellent lock-up, making it suitable for tactical, EDC, and food prep tasks.

How does the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB compare to the Police G10 and Endura 4 G10?

The Calypso C54GPB is thinner and has a narrower blade profile than the Police G10 and Endura 4 G10, similar to the Kali series. It shares a similar weight class with the Endura 4 G10 but offers a more distinct aesthetic with its sprint run coloration and leaf-shaped blade.

What are the potential drawbacks of the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB?

The Spyderco Calypso C54GPB has a slightly smaller deployment hole (11mm) compared to other Spyderco models, which might affect deployment speed, especially with gloves. Additionally, the handle scales are riveted and not easily removable, and the factory version lacks jimping on the spine, which the reviewer modified.

Is the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB a good knife for self-defense?

Yes, the Spyderco Calypso C54GPB is considered a capable defensive tool due to its fast deployment, strong lock-up, and sharp VG-10 blade. The reviewer suggests adding jimping to the spine for enhanced grip during defensive applications, a modification they performed themselves.

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