lycanthought
01-07-05, 08:43 AM
I'd been umming and ahhing for a while about what knife to get - I wanted a knife for whittling mainly, with a small precise blade. Due to local availability I went out about a month ago and bought a CRKT pikes peak and was almost immediately dissatisfied with it. After my D'alton Holder Toad the blade seemed fat, dull and soft and the double opening studs caught on clothing and didn't feel comfortable to open. Strange really, it seemed fine in the shop, but I guess thats just the allure of impulse buying. I still like the design, just not the performance.
Still, the purchase made me realise that what I wanted was another Spyderco - and the SS Kiwi was only £5 more than the Pikes Peak. I ordered it and it arrived yesterday. A lot of people seem to have a lot of regard for this little knife and I can see why.
First impressions - It's small, really small. REALLY small. The dimesions given don't prepare you for the fact that the (stainless steel) handle is only 6mm thick at the widest point.
Having said that the bumps and choils really give you a secure grip, perfect for precise cuts.
The VG10 Blade was the sharpest out of the box I have ever seen and cut through 2mm leather as if it was paper. The hollow grind meant that the blade was thin enough near the tip (although not quite as thin as the toad due to the narrowness of the blade)
The fit and finish were excellent - although it appears the roundhole has been bored rather than laser cut. Lock up is extremely sound, no play at all in blade when locked (some folded, but thats not really an issue)
The best thing about the constuction is that I can't tell how it is held together! (I'm an engineer......) Inside edges of the handles are a little sharp, but that is to be expected from such a thin handle, and a little work with a small stone will soon sort it out.
Fantastic knife, small and discrete enough to carry anywhere (except on a plane!) and great cutting power. Having said that, I wouldn't want to skin a buffalo with it, but I cannot recommend it highly enough as what it is - a penknife.
Still, the purchase made me realise that what I wanted was another Spyderco - and the SS Kiwi was only £5 more than the Pikes Peak. I ordered it and it arrived yesterday. A lot of people seem to have a lot of regard for this little knife and I can see why.
First impressions - It's small, really small. REALLY small. The dimesions given don't prepare you for the fact that the (stainless steel) handle is only 6mm thick at the widest point.
Having said that the bumps and choils really give you a secure grip, perfect for precise cuts.
The VG10 Blade was the sharpest out of the box I have ever seen and cut through 2mm leather as if it was paper. The hollow grind meant that the blade was thin enough near the tip (although not quite as thin as the toad due to the narrowness of the blade)
The fit and finish were excellent - although it appears the roundhole has been bored rather than laser cut. Lock up is extremely sound, no play at all in blade when locked (some folded, but thats not really an issue)
The best thing about the constuction is that I can't tell how it is held together! (I'm an engineer......) Inside edges of the handles are a little sharp, but that is to be expected from such a thin handle, and a little work with a small stone will soon sort it out.
Fantastic knife, small and discrete enough to carry anywhere (except on a plane!) and great cutting power. Having said that, I wouldn't want to skin a buffalo with it, but I cannot recommend it highly enough as what it is - a penknife.