C63 James A. Keating Chinook

The C64 Meerkat was introduced in 2001 and the first Spyderco model featuring a Phantom Lock locking mechanism and one of the first Spyderco models with a wire clip (the C35 Q being the first one).

It is a direct descendant of the C61 Pegasus/C62 Navigator and can also be viewed as an indirect descendant of the C09 CoPilot.

Appearance in catalogs

The C64 Meerkat appeared in the following catalogs (older, newer):

• C64JBK: 2002-2004 Spyderco Products catalogs
• C64BK2: 2002-2003 Spyderco Products catalogs

Designer

Spyderco

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

• History note by Sal about US production of the Meerkat on the Spyderco forums.

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C64JBK:

"We categorize the user friendly Meerkat as one of our "Little Big Guy Knives". To qualify for that distinction you need be a small folder that cuts and feels like a larger folder. The Meerkat accomplishes this by having a 1-5/8 inch blade and small but ergonomically adept handle.

Set inside the handle is a Phantom Lock that has no visible unlocking mechanism. To unlock: Settle your thumb on the divot located on the end of the folder (over the bug). Push forward, moving the handle scale downward/forward a couple millimeters releasing the blade, easily done with one-hand. Along the underside of the handle a succession of angles form placement points for the hand and channel ergonomic grip into control over the cutting edge. Steel liners inside the FRN boost the lock's strength and a double as a plate for securing screws attaching the tip-down tension-wire clip. Shaped in a modified leaf pattern, the blade is hollow-ground AUS-6 with a spine cusp for thumb traction."

See also: C64BK2, C64JBG

Variations

The 440C blade variation is made in Golden, U.S.A. All other C64 Meerkats are made in Seki-City, Japan.

The C64 Meerkat is Spyderco's first (and only?) model with a

• Phantom Lock locking mechanism

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C63GP	Black G-10	PE	440C Clip Point Blade	Sept. 2017	339.95$ (2017)	White box, pinned construction, James Keating signature laser engraved on blade, no bug	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3-Screw with hole	LH/RH, TU	Variant
C63GS	Black G-10	PE	440C Clip Point Blade	Sept. 2017	339.95$ (2017)	White box, pinned construction, James Keating signature laser engraved on blade, no bug	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3-Screw with hole	LH/RH, TU	Main
C63GPS	Black G-10	PE	440C Clip Point Blade	Sept. 2017	339.95$ (2017)	White box, pinned construction, James Keating signature laser engraved on blade, no bug	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3-Screw with hole	LH/RH, TU	Main
C63GP	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V Clip Point Blade	2004-		Chinook 2: Grey box, screw construction, James Keating signature laser engraved on blade, no bug, widely spaced jimping on spine above spyderhole	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3- screw old standard clip	LH/RH, TU	Variant
C63GPS	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V Clip Point Blade	2004-		Chinook 2: Grey box, screw construction, James Keating signature laser engraved on blade, no bug, widely spaced jimping on spine above spyderhole	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3- screw old standard clip	LH/RH, TU	Variant
C63G3	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V Clip Point Blade	Sept. 2017	339.95$ (2017)	Chinook 3	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3-Screw with hole	LH/RH, TU	Main
C63G4	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V Clip Point Blade	Sept. 2017	339.95$ (2017)	Chinook 4	Regular Production	Full Flat	Black 3-Screw with hole	LH/RH, TU	Main

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C63

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Questions with an answer:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C63 Chinook:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C63
C63G4	226mm	127m	99mm	93mm		3.5mm	159g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C63 Chinook:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C63
C63G4	8.89"	5.00"	3.89"	3.68"		0.138"	5.6oz