FOG HORN
April 2018 Twobirds Flying Publication
The CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder Spyderco’s Newest Addition to Its Salt™ Series
Copyright 2018, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
Spyderco CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder – the newest addition to its Salt™ Series
2018
Spyderco CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder – the newest addition to its Salt™ Series By: Sal Palma
However, the hackneyed cliché “looks aren’t everything,” certainly applies to a tool you may need in a lifesaving situation; here too, Spyderco has done a superb job. I place a great deal of emphasis on fit, be it a pistol or knife. If a shoe fits well, your feet feel better and you therefore stand or walk comfortably. A knife needs to fit your hand so you can control the blade be it for work or in a defensive situation. So, before diving into blade material and grind, I’ll devote some time to the handle.
Spyderco has been busy building its Salt™ Series line of knives. The thrust of the company’s marine products is delivering a high-performance knife tailored to the harsh marine environment. In 2018, Spyderco continues to add some superbly built knives that are completely rustproof. Such is the case with Spyderco’s Caribbean Leaf.
The Caribbean Leaf is stunning; a visibly gorgeous folder. The only thing you’d need to supply is a straw hat, a mimosa served stirred not shaken and mama in a string bikini.
The Caribbean’s layered G10 scales are anatomically perfect. That’s certainly the case in its interaction with my hand. Finger coils are precisely in the right spot and in the right size.
The handle’s geometry along with its machined scales facilitate transitions. Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Spyderco CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder – the newest addition to its Salt™ Series
Moving from saber grip to reverse grip or an icepick happens in a controlled and comfortable manner without any significant loss of grip. Its machined pattern creates a non-slip very grippy handle. The grip scales are mounted on a skeletonized stainless steel liner which anchors the knife’s high-strength Compression Lock mechanism and provides the mounting for a reversible titanium hourglass clip. The Caribbean’s clip allows the knife to sit tip-up deep into your pocket. Moving forward to its pivot or axis point, the Caribbean has the smoothest blade deployment of any knife I’ve had the opportunity to review in quite some time. Deploying the blade is smooth and effortless with either hand, gloved or bare hand. The knife is also balanced rearward, about an inch behind its axis, and using this folder feels much like a dagger, with dagger-like blade tip speed.
2018
The Caribbean features a 3.7” full flat ground leaf blade with a thickness of 0.141" made from LC200N1. LC 200 N is a high nitrogen alloyed tool steel which exhibits superior corrosion resistance combined with high toughness even at a hardness up to 60 HRC. Compared to standard tool steels like 1.2316, 1.4112 and 1.4125, LC 200 N exhibits higher corrosion resistance and toughness as well as a higher tempering resistance up to 500 °C at an operating hardness of 58-60 HRC. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Carbon 0.3 % Chromium 15.0 % Molybdenum 1.0 % Manganese max. 1.0 % Nickel max. 0.5 % Nitrogen max. 0.5 %
Spyderco uses H-1 and LC200N for their marine products, and the company subjects these corrosion resistant steels to in-house salt spray, hot dry, and Q-Fog testing with consistently positive results. I subjected the review sample to saltwater and wet sand immersion allowing the knife to air dry in the sun with no visible signs of corrosion.
1
LC 200 N is a high performance German steel developed by Zapp Materials Engineering GmbH, Ratingen, Germany Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Spyderco CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder – the newest addition to its Salt™ Series
2018
Manufacturer’s Specifications
The propensity to corrode is accelerated with oxygenation and heat, but other than wet salty sand in every nook and cranny, the Caribbean showed no signs of corrosion nor the beginnings thereof. In closing, I have to admit to being somewhat conflicted. On one hand, you have an absolutely stunning folder. The machined layered G10 scales give the Caribbean a vibrancy that belies its beastly abilities. The blade profile, blade material and grind leave no doubt that this is an accomplished working knife. Blade lock-up, edge retention, and overall robustness make the Caribbean a very credible tool. So, how does one reconcile the beauty and the beast? Buy two!
Overall Length: 8.54" (217 mm) Blade Length: 3.70" (94 mm) Steel: LC 200 N Closed Length: 4.84" (123 mm) Edge Length: 3.67" (93 mm) Weight: 4.2 oz (119 g) Blade Thickness: 0.141" (3.6 mm) Handle: G-10 Clip Position: Ambi Tip Carry Position: Tip-Up Lock Type: Compression Grind: Full-Flat Sheath: N/A Origin: Taiwan
At an M.S.R.P. of $254.95, the Caribbean is not cheap but neither is a Rolex or Mercedes-Benz. They all have one thing in common, uncompromising quality. -SP
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved