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Folders, Review

Spyderco Meerkat CPM-SPY27 Sprint Run –Part II – Casper the Friendly Ghost ?

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You know how much I enjoy giving names to my knives.
Well, this Meerkat Sprint Run is going to be called Casper.

Partly because of its very friendly personality, and partly because of its famous Phantom Lock. It seemed only fitting.

Like the friendly ghost, the Meerkat is small, harmless-looking and easy to like. It quietly disappears into a pocket, only to reappear when needed. And then, of course, there is that Phantom Lock. A lock that remains hidden, mysterious and just a little magical, even after all these years.

So yes, this Meerkat has officially become Casper the friendly folder, especially toward sheeples.

Now, as many of you know, I tend to baptize my knives the traditional Nemo way: with a little bit of my own blood.

And the Meerkat did not disappoint.

Ah ! When closing the blade with a wrist flick after disengaging the Phantom Lock, make sure your middle finger is well clear of the blade’s path.
If it isn’t, it will quickly discover that the Meerkat’s edge is less friendly than its name suggests.

The closing blade comes down like a tiny guillotine, and yes, it cuts very well.

Ask me how I know. 😉

Nothing serious, just a small nick, but it serves as a useful reminder: the Meerkat may be compact and charming, yet it is still a very sharp Spyderco.



But once you start playing with the Meerkat, several things quickly become apparent.

First, it is surprisingly fidget-friendly.

Once you get the hang of it, disengaging the Phantom Lock and flicking the blade shut with a simple wrist movement becomes second nature. It is one of those knives that invites interaction. Before you know it, you find yourself opening and closing it repeatedly just for the pleasure of the mechanism. Just keep that middle finger away !

The second thing I noticed is how enjoyable the knife is to deploy using the good old Spyder Drop.
Draw !!
I know this opening method is no longer fashionable. Nowadays, many users prefer to flick open a tip-up folder with their index finger. But the classic Spyderco opening technique—grabbing the knife by the Round Hole and snapping the blade open with a wrist flick—works wonderfully well with the Meerkat.
The reasons are simple: tip down carry and…
The handle carries a surprising amount of weight thanks to its steel liners, full backspacer and robust construction. That extra mass gives the knife excellent momentum during deployment, making the opening feel smooth, positive and satisfying.

Another pleasant surprise is the ergonomics.
Despite its compact size, the handle comfortably accommodates all four fingers. The index finger naturally settles into the choil, while even the pinky gets its own dedicated space. The result is a grip that feels far more secure and powerful than the knife’s dimensions would suggest.

Then there is the blade.

One detail genuinely surprised me.
Looking at the blade stock thickness, the Meerkat is actually thinner than the famously thin UKPK.

Meerkat: 0.096” (2.4 mm)

UKPK: 0.098” (2.5 mm)

We’re only talking about a tenth of a millimeter, but I still found it amusing.
The UKPK has long been my benchmark for a thin, high-performance cutting blade. Yet here comes this odd little Meerkat, quietly slipping underneath it.
Perhaps that helps explain why the knife feels so eager when slicing wood, food, cardboard or just about anything else.
The Meerkat may look chunky because of its stout handle and full stainless steel liners, but the blade itself is surprisingly lean.

Like many great Spydercos, it hides its elite cutting performance in plain sight.

Its generous belly and thin geometry make it an outstanding cutter. The edge remains in contact with a cutting board through much of the cutting stroke, allowing clean and efficient slicing.

I’ll admit that, despite its tiny size, I ended up doing a surprising amount of kitchen work with it. Tomatoes, vegetables, even breaking down and portioning a chicken—the little Meerkat handled everything without complaint.

Agile in hand and eager to cut, it never feels overwhelmed.

This little knife is a genuine worker.

The textured FRN scales provide excellent traction, preventing any tendency to slip during use. Equally important, I found absolutely no blade play, either vertically or laterally. That’s reassuring on a knife whose pivot is not particularly accessible for adjustment.

In actual use, the Meerkat reveals itself as an exceptionally capable travel companion.

Low profile, discreet and easy to carry, yet remarkably efficient when called upon. Much of that comes from its relatively thick handle, which provides excellent control, while the thin, tall blade slices with a combination of precision and authority that continues to surprise me.

Small sheeple friendly folder, yes but very, very, very serious cutter.
An impeccable companion that disappears into a pocket.
Ghostlike.
Always there when called upon.
And far more capable than its size would ever suggest.

Folders, Review

Spyderco Meerkat CPM-SPY27 Sprint Run – The Return of the Phantom’s Menace.

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Ah, the Meerkat and its magical Phantom Lock… Ah ah ah!
This one takes me straight back to 2002. Back to the Future, Spyderco style.
The Meerkat is one of those knives that seems to have been designed for a single purpose: making knife enthusiasts scratch their heads.
First impression? This is a very small knife. Even compared to the Chaparral.
The Chaparral owes much of its DNA to the C62 Navigator. It was a compact lockback with the same short blade (saber hollow grind) optimized for travel and office-friendly carry. It also carries forward the spirit of the C09 CoPilot, continuing Spyderco’s long tradition of creating small knives that cut far bigger than their dimensions would suggest.

Naturally, I slipped the Meerkat into my fifth pocket, where it fits absolutely perfectly. In fact, it feels like it was designed for that role.

The second thing you notice is that this little oddball is set up for tip-down carry, just like the mighty Spyderco Military. And yes, you can still perform the classic Spyderco Drop without any issue ! 🙂

In hand, the Meerkat feels like a stout little worker. The action is firm, the lock-up is rock solid, and despite its compact size, there is nothing delicate about it. Everything feels purposeful and surprisingly robust.

Then comes the Phantom Lock. The Ghost in the Shell. 😉
I have just found that video made by Wouter (Spydercollector) 16 years ago !

Just hand the knife to another knife enthusiast and watch the show begin. They open it. They admire it.
Then they try to close it.

Confusion follows.
That’s when you starts smiling. 🙂

More than twenty years later, the Phantom Lock remains one of the cleverest and most entertaining locking mechanisms Spyderco has ever produced. It’s practical, it’s secure, and above all, it’s pure Spyderco: innovative, unconventional, and just a little bit crazy. 😄

Sliding the scale to unlock the blade.

Yep, some knives are designed to sell with some tactical bells and whistles.
Others are designed to impress for their cleverness.
The Meerkat never became a mainstream Spyderco classic. It was too small for tactical enthusiasts, too weird for traditionalists, and too clever for its own good. Yet more than twenty years later, Spyderco decided to bring it back as a Sprint Run equipped with CPM-SPY27 steel and cobalt blue FRN scales.

And honestly?
I’m so glad they did !
Because the Meerkat was a knife from the future, designed twenty years ago.

And it is cute !

No, really, it remains one of the most futuristic designs ever released by Spyderco.
At first glance, it looks like a tiny leaf-shaped folder with a humpback silhouette and a blade barely longer than your thumb.
Full Flat Grind, the Spyderco Signature, deep carry clip
Then you discover the lock.
The famous Phantom Lock.
Unlike a traditional back lock, the Meerkat closes by slightly twisting the handle scales in opposite directions. The mechanism releases almost magically, making the knife feel more like a gadget from a science-fiction movie than a conventional EDC your grand’pa would have chosen in a gun show.. Even today, very few production knives offer anything remotely similar.
Sal Glesser is an inventor. He loves his craft. I still can hear his laugh when I have handing a Meerkat to a knife enthusiast, the reaction is the same: “Wait… how do you close this thing?”

Mission accomplished ! (Still confused by the Phantom Lock? Don’t worry, you’re not the first. Just push on the Spyderco logo to slide the scale. Suddenly, the magic trick reveals its secret. And you’ll soon be able to operate it with one hand.)  😉

The Meerkat carries its fully flat-ground blade measuring just over 5 cm (2inches). On paper, that sounds ridiculously small.
In practice, it slices like a miniature lightlaser.

Spyderco’s leaf-shaped blade profile has always been one of the most efficient cutting geometries in the business. Give it a thin full-flat grind and suddenly this tiny folder starts behaving like a much larger knife.

Opening parcels. Food prep. Sharing a fruit. Breaking down cardboard. Removing parcel. Protect your family against enraged bear attacks.
You name it.
The Meerkat will perform all of these tasks with surprising authority.

The blade disappears in any pockets with its deep tip down carry system.


This Sprint Run upgrades the original steel to CPM-SPY27, Spyderco’s proprietary powder metallurgy stainless steel developed with Crucible. The goal was simple: create a steel offering a balance of edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening.

I’ve not used enough SPY27 on larger folders like a Bodacious or a Manix 2 XL to fully explore its limits, but I do understand what Spyderco was trying to achieve with what I often call their “powder metallurgy VG-10.”

My own experience with SPY27 comes mainly from a UKPK that I have nicknamed The Golden Child.

What I’ve discovered is this: SPY27 doesn’t try to win steel competitions. It simply works.
The edge stays keen for a long time, corrosion resistance is excellent, and maintenance remains refreshingly easy compared to some modern “super steels.” Much like Magnacut, SPY27 seems to love a leather strop. A few passes are often enough to bring back that crisp, shaving-sharp edge.

Many users compare its overall performance to S35VN, appreciating how straightforward it is to touch up. Perhaps they’re right. Personally, I don’t really care whether it lands closer to S30V, S35VN or S45VN.
What matters is that Spyderco consistently gets the recipe right.
Because a blade is never just an alloy.
A blade is alloy + heat treatment + geometry.

And Golden’s people understand that better than most.
What I want in 2026 is a blade steel that is easy on my mind.
A steel that won’t punish me for grabbing the wrong sharpening tool while travelling.

A steel that can be maintained without turning sharpening into a science project.

A forgiving steel.

At sixty years old, I find myself caring less about ultimate edge retention and more about living with a knife.
SPY27 feels like one of those steels that wants to work with its owner rather than against him.
For a compact EDC like the Meerkat, that balance is exactly what I want.

This is not a knife meant to chop down forests.
It is, however, a surprisingly capable whittler.
The generous belly, thin blade stock and full-flat grind simply devour wood. Whether shaping a tent peg, sharpening a stick for the barbecue or absent-mindedly carving curls while sitting by a campfire, the Meerkat performs far beyond what its dimensions would suggest.

The blade bites eagerly, tracks predictably and leaves behind clean, controlled cuts.

Small knife.
Big appetite.

Yes, it really is that powerful.

The Meerkat is a knife meant to disappear into your fifth pocket and be forgotten.

Twenty years after its introduction, that’s still what impresses me most about the Meerkat: not the Phantom Lock, not the rarity, not the nostalgia.

The fact that such a small knife cuts so ridiculously well.

The knife represents an era when Spyderco was willing to experiment with strange concepts simply because they were interesting.

Today many manufacturers chase trends.
The Meerkat reminds us of a time when designers chased ideas.
Its unusual lock, compact dimensions and unmistakable silhouette make it instantly recognizable among hundreds of modern folders.

You don’t buy a Meerkat because it is the most practical knife.
You buy it because it is unmistakably a… Meerkat.
Cute, clever and sharp.

That SPY27 Sprint Run does not reinvent the Meerkat.
Fortunately.
It preserves everything that made the original memorable while upgrading the steel to something genuinely useful for modern everyday carry.

Tiny. Strange. Ingenious. Solid, Stout. Great ergonomics for a 2 inches blade. The Meerkat remains one of the most charming oddballs ever released by Spyderco.
And in a knife world increasingly filled with tactical clones and oversized pocket swords, that may be exactly what makes it special.

Not because it is perfect. Because nothing else feels quite like it.
Invention, innovation….
Open it. Read between the line and twist the scales to close it.

The Meerkat is a jewel of a user. The kind of little big knife you can clip into a pocket every morning and completely forget about—until you need a knife. Then it reminds you exactly why it’s there.

Much like the little African animal that inspired its name, the Meerkat has a habit of suddenly popping up when something interesting needs attention. That’s part of its charm.

Disclaimer: This knife has been provided through Spyderco’s Ambassador’s program and friendship. Thank you to them for letting me review it. It felt like welcoming back an old friend I hadn’t seen in over twenty years.

If the Meerkat has piqued your curiosity, do yourself a favor and visit the website of my friend Wouter (“Mr. Blonde”). Few people know Spyderco history better than he does::
https://spydercollector.wordpress.com/tag/meerkat/

Also, there is a great thread on the Spyderco Forums featuring information, anecdotes and historical details contributed by collectors (including my friend and contributor, Robin “Ramonade):
https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?p=1885029#p1885029

Folders, Review

Spyderco Dyad Jr. Lightweight CPM SPY27 Sprint Run — Buddy Double

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From time to time, I open the columns of this small blog to fellow authors who feel like sharing their thoughts on certain knife models. This has already been the case with JD and Pascal. Robin, a gifted French knife maker, is therefore the newest contributor, and here is his take on a knife I do not own but like very much. –Nemo

“Here’s my in-depth take on the Dyad Jr. equipped with Spyderco’s proprietary CPM-SPY27 steel, a knife that quietly embodies much of what makes Spyderco such a compelling brand.

Spyderco is one of the few manufacturers that can still make each Reveal feel genuinely exciting. While many brands rely on incremental cosmetic changes, Spyderco continues to juggle bold new designs with thoughtful revivals of older, sometimes underappreciated models. In the previous Reveal, two knives immediately caught my attention: the Edgerati, a completely new Sal Glesser design, and the Dyad Jr., a classic concept brought back to life with modern materials. One represents Spyderco’s future, the other its heritage, and the Dyad Jr. in particular spoke to me because it pairs a proven design with a steel I genuinely appreciate.

I’ve owned all three incarnations of the Dyad platform: the full-size Dyad, the Dyad Jr., and the Micro-Dyad. Each has its merits, but if I had to pick the most balanced and versatile of the trio, the Dyad Jr. wins without hesitation. It hits that sweet spot between usability and carry comfort. It’s large enough to feel like a “real” tool in hand, yet compact and flat enough to disappear into a pocket without effort.

Picture from “goodruckk” on Reddit.

Comparing this new iteration to the older versions, several differences stand out. The most obvious, and arguably the most important, is the upgrade in steel. CPM-SPY27 is a substantial leap forward from what the Dyad Jr. originally offered. It brings improved edge retention, corrosion resistance, and overall consistency, while remaining easy to sharpen, a balance Spyderco has become increasingly good at striking. The second major improvement is the screw-together construction. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s a meaningful one. Serviceability, long-term maintenance, and overall precision all benefit from a screwed construction, and I personally consider this an unequivocal upgrade over the pinned build of the past.
(Important note: it is also clipless. Something to keep in mind. This folder will be digging deep in your pocket big time like a Swiss army knife – Nemo.)

Pictures from Heinnie Haynes.

Despite its compact footprint, the Dyad Jr. delivers a surprising amount of performance. This has always been true of the design, but it feels even more pronounced here. The plain edge blade features an extremely fine, needle-like tip, easily one of the thinnest I’ve encountered on any Spyderco. It excels at precision work, piercing, and controlled slicing.

The serrated blade, on the other hand, is a pure cutting monster. For fibrous or abrasive materials, it offers edge longevity and cutting aggression that few single-blade folders can match. Having both options available at all times, without compromising ergonomics or carry comfort, is still a uniquely compelling proposition.

Fit and finish are excellent. The knife feels noticeably tighter and more refined than earlier versions. Both blades lock up solidly, with no vertical play whatsoever in my sample. Spyderco’s Seki-City backlocks have always had a strong reputation, but this one genuinely impressed me. In terms of perceived sturdiness, it comes surprisingly close to benchmarks like the Native 5 and Chaparral, which is high praise considering the Dyad Jr.’s dual-blade complexity.

Before I go back to what this knife is clearly meant for—cutting things—there’s one final point worth addressing: the price. Buying Spyderco in Europe is rarely inexpensive these days, and expectations have to be adjusted accordingly. That said, the Dyad Jr. positions itself extremely well. At under 130 €, you’re getting two fully functional blades, a smart and compact design, excellent build quality, and a modern, well-rounded steel that’s easy to live with. In the current market, that’s not just reasonable, it’s genuinely good value.

In short, the Dyad Jr. doesn’t try to be flashy or trendy. Instead, it quietly delivers versatility, performance, and thoughtful execution. For those who appreciate Spyderco’s more engineering-driven designs, this is a return that feels not only justified, but very welcome.”

(I will certainly update that review with more pictures from Robin later this week. – Nemo)

Review

Spyderco -C94GCBL- UK PENKNIFE™ COBALT BLUE G-10 CPM® SPY27® – The Blue Djinn Who Loved Leather.

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This is not the first UKPK I have reviewed in this blog. I was a very early adopter of this Sal Glesser’s approach of the modern slipjoint all made in Golden Colorado.
Some of my favorite are the Salt Versions in FRN: the Green LC200N and the Yellow CPM Magnacut. I even think, the serrated version of the Magnacut version could be an amazing legal travelling knife.

But they are FRN versions. I like FRN but I do love G10. Better, I’m a sucker for sanded G-10. Hence my love for the Heinnie Urban and its non-slip peel-ply texture.
At first glance the satin-finished CPM SPY27 blade and signature cobalt blue peel-plytextured G-10 handle scales are juste gorgeous. Here are the full specs on Spyderco’s pages.

Like the Heinnie the skip joint got a strong mechanism. It is really a pleasure to feel this resistance which was totally absent from the very first drop point UKPK a decade ago. (Picture from Mr Blonde, Spydercollector site)

So far, I cannot imagine my self opening it with a flick like I was able to do on the LC200N FRN version. The Spring here on this G10 version is much stronger.

Let’s do some size comparaison. The UKPK is one of the long Slipit in Spyderco’s collection. It is almost a slipjoint Caly, even longer than a Chaparral. So you really don’t feel “underknifed” when you carry it in your pocket as your only EDC. It is also really handy and practical as a kitchen knife. The best thing is that this design keeps its blade length legal in most countries.

For cooking I often use a Native Chief.

The long leaf shaped blade is a must in the kitchen almost idea. It is pointy enough and its is enough for vegetables. Most of the works done in the kitchen like peeling potatoes, cutting oinions, you name it, was always done with a short full flat ground knife like a “Nogent Couteau d’Office”.

Something about the G-10 version is the spring/back spacer closing the handle of the knife when the FRN got an open handle easier to rinse.
But it is much more gorgeous and with a stronger spring for sure !

It also gives a little more heft to the knife. 48 grams for the FRN and 63 grams for the G10 version -> 31,25% heavier to be precise, almost a third ! But I do really love my heavy butt knives since my Schrade Sharpfinger.

Now this is my first CPM-SPY27 knife. Spy27 is a alloy recipe created in house with Crucible exclusively for Spyderco. It is a CPM ! So this is a premium super steel compared to VG10 or N690… In short it is a American Powder Metallurgy version of the Japanese VG10.

In Sal Glesser words:
“We offer many steels for several reasons;
1) We are Steel Junky’s (even Edge Junky’s) and we like to experience the different flavors and we try to do that.
2) We believe that many of our customers are also Steel Junky’s (even Edge Junky’s) and they too get to experience and play with and “taste” as you say, the many options.

I wanted a USA made “tweaked” version of Gingami 1 by Hitachi and after some effort with Carpenter, we have a powdered USA made steel called CTS-BD1N Which is a refinement of Gingami 1. I wanted a USA made “tweaked” version of Takefu’s VG-10 and now we have a powdered “tweaked” SPY27.“

Carbone1.25%
Chrome14%
Molybdène2%
Vanadium2%
Niobium1%
Azote0.1%
Cobalt1.5%
Manganèse0.5%
Silicium0.5%



There is a very nice analysis in Knifesteelnerd and discussion here: https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=94182

“However, it should be noted that the SPY 27 Larrin used for testing was not heat treated by Spyderco. Some minor differences between Larrin’s heat treatment and Spyderco’s heat treatment can probably be expected. That being said, Larrin is the best source of consistent, objective data and metallurgical interpretation for steel comparisons.” To quote Karl_H in
https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=87383

“SPY-27 will hold the fine edge longer… Its all about the stability of the fine edge, not the total wear resistance until fully dull. In this regard, SPY-27 can do what other stainless steels cant.” to quote Submicron in the same thread.

I am aware that Cobalt’s dust can be an health issue. Of course Rex 45 and Maxamet (10% of cobalt, 1,5% for SPY27) are the heavy weight steel in their tool steel category but the Spy27 (like VG-10), like all cobalt alloys needs to be carefully cleaned after a sharpening process.
(Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. * Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of the lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed. According to https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0520.pdf)


Let say SPY-27 is in the same club as the S35VN steels in terms of performance and it especially loves fine ceramic and leather stropping. It gets easily a very crispy edge like VG10 or BD1N . ( Steel which are “leather super friendly” are also LC200N, 52100, VG10, AEB-L… )
This is a must and a real pleasure for me as I keep my knives sharp mostly with leather. A touch up and it makes flying hairs from my arm again.
And it seems true so far. I have not deshouldered the edge yet and intend to use it with the factory edge for some times but leather made it hair popping sharp. (Once deshouldered it is a straight razor with excellent edge retention… much better than S30V).
To quote Sal:
“SPY27 for some reason, seems to be punching above its weight.”

No crossroads, this Blue Djinn loves leather like the Bill Moran FB01 in VG10 loved it.

No need to use diamonds unless you want to reprofile the blade or round the shoulder then don’t forget to rinse the blade and to clean any dust.
But talking about dangerous dust, I have sanded the scales to preserve my pockets. Never breath that dust !!! Do it under water or wear a mask.
I got a neighbor who has been working around that kind of heavy dust and now he is breathing with two tubes in his nostrils. So be careful with your health.
This Blue G10 got a very nice texture under the thumb like some denim, textil like. It is really pleasant, almost like some Micarta found on the QSP Penguin.

So when you sand G10, just go outside in the wind or work under water. You don’t want to breath G10 dust made of fiberglass and epoxy.
Just rinse it under the tap to have it back to normal.
Once tuned at your hand, G10 is a very very nice material.

As you can notice the scales are even thicket than the blade and the blade is perfectly centered.

There is the famous middle/half stop when closing or opening the knife. It works like a safety measure. This knife is harder to close than to open.

The UKPK is a very ergonomic knife. It feels like it melt in the hand. It is so confortable for heavy cuts. Because this blade can work hard with zero play.

The “pistol grip” is common in many Sal Glesser design like the Endura or the Military. It is much more pronounced on the Massad Ayoob.

No hotspots for me a very safe handle, really, this lil slipjoint is screaming to be used hard.

It is even confortable edge up.

With the Roadie XL. Another great Slipit with a very low profile, almost like a pen in your shirt pocket.

And the mighty Chaparral serrated. Two of Sal’s best designs. Two wolves in sheep disguise thanks to their thin solid blades.

I have decided to de-shoulder the edge for a gentle convex result in the middle of the belly.

My old leather with some polish compound is ready again to smooth the edge to razor level.

Because I want a better touch on the leather, I usually keep the normal edge at the point to keep material there and near the ricasso as I use this portion for special shores like removing the aluminium cap on bottles.

The Coke Bottle Butt test is passed with flying colors. As you can notice the plastic is 3mm thick. Not a single scratch on the blade.

So what do we got so far ?
A master piece of knife design by monsieur Sal Glesser with a strong construction and state of the art in-house alloy serving a thin blade and an ergonomic handle.
My advice: try to grab one before they disappear, it seems that G10 version is not here to last and it is really a sapphire: a true blue jewel !