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
However, the hackneyed cliché “looks
aren’t everything,” certainly applies to a
By: Sal Palma
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™
The Caribbean’s layered G10 scales are
Series line of knives. The thrust of the
anatomically perfect. That’s certainly the
company’s marine products is delivering a
case in its interaction with my hand. Finger
high-performance knife tailored to the
coils are precisely in the right spot and in
harsh marine environment. In 2018,
the right size.
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 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™
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.
Copyright 2018, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Series 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
 Spyderco CARIBBEAN™ LEAF (Rustproof) Folder – the newest addition to its Salt™
Series 2018

Manufacturer’s Specifications

 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)
The propensity to corrode is accelerated  Blade Thickness: 0.141" (3.6 mm)
 Handle: G-10
with oxygenation and heat, but other than
 Clip Position: Ambi
wet salty sand in every nook and cranny,
 Tip Carry Position: Tip-Up
the Caribbean showed no signs of corrosion  Lock Type: Compression
nor the beginnings thereof.  Grind: Full-Flat
 Sheath: N/A
In closing, I have to admit to being
 Origin: Taiwan
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!

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