The Spyderco Meerkat is a diminutive, yet extremely capable folding knife with a secret—its unusual Phantom Lock mechanism. Completely hidden within its handle, this clever mechanism locks the blade securely open and is released by pivoting the handle scales in opposite directions.
This remarkable Sprint Run expression of the Meerkat features a three-layer laminated blade with a HAP40 core and SUS410 outer layers. HAP40 is a high-speed tool steel produced by the powder metallurgy process. Containing generous amounts of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and cobalt, it possesses exceptional toughness and high abrasion resistance—key qualities of a superior blade steel. To provide increased strength and corrosion resistance, the high-performance HAP40 core is flanked by layers of SUS410 martensitic stainless steel. This unique three-layer construction is evident when the full-flat-ground blade is examined closely, as the transition between the core and outer layers is visible just above the blade's cutting Edge.
In keeping with our established theme for knives with HAP40 blade, the tough fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle scales of this Meerkat are injection-molded in a distinctive burnt orange color. Each scale features molded grooves to accept a deep-pocket wire clip that is reversible for convenient left or right-side tip-down carry.