A Water Beast
You really can't go wrong with any of Spyderco's Salt Series, especially for use in an around water. All variants are true amphibious knives with blade steels and matching compatible internal parts that withstand salt water immersion and severe corrosive environment use. Other premium brand's water knives often don't have the internals to match up. The Caribbean is a large knife with a chunky handle. The handle is a ribbed G-10. It is tip-up pocket carry only. It is made for use on boats, and for fishing and diving. It is easy to grasp and opens well with gloved hands. It is a bit blocky and chunky for comfortable EDC, but hey, you do you, Blackbeard. The blade steel is LC200N which is the middle of the road steel for Salt knives. It is highly corrosion resistant (H1/H2 > LC200N > Magnacut), holds a decent edge (Magnacut > LC200N > H1/H2), Sharpens easily (H1/H2 > LC200N > Magnacut), and is tough to break (H1/H2 > LC200N > Magnacut). It corrects a major flaw of rust proof H1/H2, in that it holds an edge much longer with a little loss of corrosion resistance. Still, all three steels are highly corrosion resistant compared to all others, with Vanax Superclean in the same category. The blade shape comes in a pointier Leaf Shape and a classic sailor's Sheepsfoot, with either serrated or un-serrated options. I prefer the serrated option usually on the Salt Series, and this is a must on H1H2 steel, due to the softness of that steel. You might prefer plain edges on LC200N and Magnacut blades. The serrated blades cut like crazy, especially through the tough stuff. The Sheepsfoot style is made for sawing/slicing cuts, and the tough, rounded tip guards against accidental punctures of your life raft, own forearm, and of other sailors. The detent on the knife is a little soft, so it opens just a little too easily, but the action is still smooth, and you can easily flick it open with a ring finger or thumb, and it has a snappy, unique "clunk" when opened this way. If you don't like showing off, the thumbhole is large and easily accessible for the slow thumb roll. The close is not quite drop-shut. It's a little sluggish. Perhaps this is good on a a work knife on a rocking boat. The compression lock on the spine is very nice, and very solid, and suited to right handed use over lefties. The Caribbean is big and blocky and feels like a work knife or utility knife. It is ideal for use on a boat and around the water and in hard-use environments. Commercial fisherman, pirates, casual boaters, and wet behind the ears weekend warriors will love it. You can cut free your big lines, chop-up bait and fish heads, then slice your limes for the YouTube lady-guest's margaritas, in your quest for buried treasure and influencer-dabloons, or those big oil rig bonuses. It's probably not the most inconspicuous knife, clipped in your pocket, with the bumble bee handle. And definitely not the smallest or most comfortable to carry to the grocery store or a business meeting, or to clip on a diving vest. But in your hunt for Moby Dick's great, great grandson... you can't leave port without it. Consider any of the Spyderco Salt Series variants for use around water, salty environments, and for severely neglectful care of a pocket blade. Pics compare it to the Spyderco Resilience (not salt), Pacific Salts, Salt 2s, and Native Salt, and Tasman Salt.... Read more
