C69 Lil' Temperance
PAGE IN PROGRESS - COPIED TEMPLATE FROM STRETCH PAGE AND AM CHANGING IT OVER TO THE C69
The C69 Lil' Temperance started as a folding version of the Temperance fixed blade design.
Appearance in catalogs
The C69 Lil' Temperance first appeared in the 2009 Spyderco Mid-Year Spyderco Catalog Supplement.
Designer
Sal Glesser
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
The Stretch CF/FRN is often referred to as the "Stretch 2" or "Stretch II", while the FRN version is also additionally known as the "Stretch Lightweight". This "Stretch 2" nomenclature was adopted by the Spyderco forum, but was incorrect, as these versions of the Stretch were based on the same pattern as the Stainless Steel and Krayton version and were therefore variations on the original Stretch. The true Stretch 2 came about with the brown G-10 version, which implemented design changes and used a new pattern, so became a true generational change. This was clarified by Sal after some discussion and research.
On the Spyderco forums:
- "The on-going Stretch 2 review thread" thread contains a lot of pictures and information by "Spoonrobot" (as noted above, this is actually a first generation Stretch)
- "ZDP-189 FRN Stretch 2 Review with Pix and Video" also contains video and lots of pictures by "So-Lo" (as noted above, this is actually a first generation Stretch)
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C69 Lil' Temperance/Lil' Temperance 2
"A little temperance is a good thing" -- Sal Glesser, Spyderco's founder.
The Lil' Temperance folder was designed to deliver high-performance, no-nonsense features needed for MBC or a heavily used EDC. Using the name 'Lil' is a play on words, as the features this model offer are those commonly found on large knives: An MBC strength rated, superior materials, ergonomics all in 'Lil' compact package.
Features include: A socially friendly three inches of CPM S30V blade that is flat-ground. By keeping the blade small to medium in size, the model draws less interest when taken out and used in public. It's also thicker than most production blades at 4mm, with the diameter of the Spyderco Round Hole enlarged to 14mm for big or gloved hands. Recessed contouring milled out of the green G-10 handle and a prominent quillion provide substantial grip surface with enough angles to really wrap the hand around, hold on tightly and muscle down while cutting. Because the folder is for heavy use and MBC applications it has a Compression Lock -- the strongest, highest weight bearing locking system Spyderco manufactures. To lessen wear and tear on a pocket, the clip is rolled along the edges and positions tip-up or down. Three indexing divots (these are mirrored on the opposite side of the handle as well) are for rotating hand-holds during MBC practice and drills. A real scrapper designed to be overworked and still fall within legal blade length limits in most municipalities.
Made in Golden, Colorado.
The C69 Lil' Temperance/Lil' Temperance 2 in Spyderco's online catalog.
C69 Lil' Temperance 3
"Spyderco’s original Lil’ Temperance and Lil’ Temperance 2 took the high-performance qualities of our iconic Temperance™ fixed blade and distilled them into a powerhouse folding knife. Now the Lil’ Temperance 3 revives this classic design in a leaner, simpler form that is ideal for both utilitarian and personal-defense use.
The Lil’ Temperance 3’s broad, leaf-shaped blade is full-flat ground from CPM S30V particle metallurgy stainless steel, giving it an incredible balance of strength, edge geometry, corrosion resistance, and low-friction cutting performance. Its minimal ricasso (the unbeveled portion of the blade near its base) maximizes the length of the cutting edge, while a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole™ allows high-speed one-handed opening of the blade with either hand.
Spyderco’s patented Compression Lock™ mechanism locks the blade securely open during use and also allows safe, easy, one-handed closing. This high-strength lock is built on a foundation of sturdy stainless steel liners nested into CNC-machined recesses in the handle’s textured G-10 scales. In keeping with the design’s original spirit as a potential personal-defense tool, each scale includes a single indexing “divot” that aligns precisely with the concave portion of the knife’s four-position pocket clip to provide a pivot axis for grip-change maneuvers. The clip itself is Spyderco’s time-tested hourglass design and can be easily configured for either left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry.
The Lil’ Temperance 3 is both a rebirth and a significant evolution of a true Spyderco classic. It faithfully honors the spirit of the original design, while incorporating a number of significant refinements that make it even more functional and capable."
The C69 Lil' Temperance 3 in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
The C69 Lil' Temperance uses
C69 Lil' Temperance
SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C69GP | Milled green G-10 | PE | CPM-440V | 2001-2002 | 349.95$ (2015) | Leaf shaped blade. Made in Golden, CO. Used CPM-440V steel through at least early 2002, possibly later. | N/A | Full Flat | Silver 3-hole custom clip with "SAL" makers mark. | RH, TD/TU | Main |
C69GP | Milled green G-10 | PE | CPM-440V (2001-2002), CPM-S30V (2002-2004) | 2003-2004 | 349.95$ (2015) | Leaf shaped blade. Made in Golden, CO. Switched to CPM-S30V steel sometime in 2002 or 2003. | N/A | Full Flat | Silver 3-hole custom clip with "SAL" makers mark. | RH, TD/TU | N/A |
C69 Lil' Temperance 2
SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C69GP2 | Milled green G-10 | PE | CPM-440V | 2001-2004 | 349.95$ (2015) | Trailing point shaped blade. Made in Golden, CO. | N/A | Full Flat | Silver 3-hole custom clip with "SAL" makers mark. | RH, TD/TU | Variant |
C69 Lil' Temperance 3
SKU | Handle | Edge | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
C69GP3 | Black G-10 | PE | CPM-S30V | Mar. 2017- | 319.95$ (2017) | Leaf shaped blade. Made in Seki-City, Japan. | Regular production | Full Flat | Black 4-way Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Main |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C69
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C69 Lil' Temperance
Variations | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
Lil' Temperance | 183mm | 114mm | 78mm | 76mm | mm | 4mm | 130g |
Lil' Temperance 2 | 183mm | 114mm | 78mm | 76mm | mm | 4mm | g |
Lil' Temperance 3 | 185mm | 112mm | 74mm | 74mm | ? | 4mm | 113g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C69 Lil' Temperance:
Variations | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
Lil' Temperance | 7.188" | 4.50" | 3.063" | 3.00" | 0.156" | 4.6oz | |
Lil' Temperance 2 | 7.188" | 4.50" | 3.063" | 3.00" | 0.156" | 4.6oz | |
Lil' Temperance 3 | 7.30" | 4.40" | 2.90" | 2.90" | ? | 0.157" | 4.0oz |
References