CRKT Ikoma Sampa

[UnknownVT]

I have courtesy of CRKT this review sample of the Sampa designed by Ikoma.

Ikoma? sounds familiar -
he's the designer of the IKBS - Ikoma Kroth (pivot) Ball-bearing System
that was used in the CRKT Ken Onion Eros and CRKT Ken Onion Ripple (link to reviews)
that I was so very impressed with.





It's a flipper - and its action is really good, even better than the original Ripple - the blade just snaps out with authority, it's harder to compare to the Eros - as that is a smaller lighter blade and the action is softer - almost like a different kettle of fish.

Size closed -

the position of the clip on the Ikoma Sampa means it's a tip up carry.

The handle is pretty substantial and made from aluminum.

This means it cannot be a frame-lock - my preference, and why I was so enamored with the CRKT Ken Onions. But the liner lock on the Sampa is good and well aligned:

Being a flipper means that the ball bearing detent is very distinct and positive - a very good thing.

The blade steel is AUS-8 and at 58-59HRc not exactly exotic - but reputable and more than adequate.

Here's the CRKT catalog page on the Ikoma Sampa:


Disassembled:

I was a little trepid in disassembling the knife - because I knew the ball bearings were not "caged" - but I was told by CRKT when I reviewed the Ken Onion Eros and Ripples that the ball-bearing were held in by grease -

- and so they were - thus it seems unlikely that the ball-bearings would fall out when disassembling the knife. However I still would not disassemble the knife in the field, except if it is unavoidable.

Note the substantial hole for the ball-bearing detent to hold the blade closed in place and to offer enough resistance to load up the pressure to allow the flipper action to be positive.

Another thing was the rubber o-ring/grommet just visible on the pivot screw - the pivot screw I found was not tightly screwed down - that would cause stiffness to the pivot and hamper the flipper opening. there was trace of blue thread locker on the pivot screw - so it was not "loose" - I guess I should use some blue thread locker on that screw.

Overall this is a very impressive knife - the flipper action is outstanding - probably due to the IKBS - alignment is also very good - again due to the IKBS - the blade is well centered even after I "casually" put it back together. That's when I realized that the pivot screw cannot be tightly screwed down and therefore the purpose for that rubber o-ring/grommet.

--
Vincent

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[popedandy]

Nice review, Vincent.

[Alann45]

Nicely done review.

I've been quite impressed with mine. The appearance of the handles is a bit....uhh...funky?....being a bit busier or techie looking that I normally like.

It is very well balanced, and the flipper action seems smoother and more consistent than my Ripples, either due to implementation or ergonomics.

One of CRKTs better current products.

[UnknownVT]

I've been quite impressed with mine.
... and the flipper action seems smoother and more consistent than my Ripples, either due to implementation or ergonomics.

Thanks so much for the input and confirmation.

I've been pretty impressed with CRKT since the Ken Onion offerings - especially the Eros.

I think the Sampa's flipper action is so good probably because of the IKBS, and geometry/mechanical advantage - then probably due to the very positive detent - one can see how defined the detent hole is on the close up pic of the IKBS.

Having just the right amount of resistance to overcome allows for the pre-loading of pressure/tension - so that when the detent is overcome the blade fairly snaps out.

All this is very, very good stuff - to my mind, the flipper has gone from ones that needed obvious wrist action/augmentation - to these later offerings that seem like what Ken Onion coined as "unassisted assists".

I really like seeing these incremental improvements in the knives we can get.

Thanks,

--
Vincent

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[UnknownVT]

A few more Ikoma Sampa pics -

In this batch of CRKT releases -
there is also a Ken onion Ripple Aluminum shown here with the Sampa -
there are things in common - Ripple Aluminum review soon...







--
Vincent

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[jhyde7585]

Very well done, I really appreciate those pics, very helpful with size comparisons.

[flash900]

Thanks for the review and the comparative photos help a lot -- I've become a big Ripple fan!

[awh]

terrific review. i love this knife and think its about the best value out there.

[UnknownVT]

... I really appreciate those pics, very helpful with size comparisons.

...comparative photos help a lot -- I've become a big Ripple fan!

... i love this knife and think its about the best value out there.

Gentlemen - thank you so much for your kind words.

Indeed the Ikoma Sampa is good value.

However I found out the street price of the Ripple Aluminum (K415KXP) - shown in comparison in Post #5
and was impressed how affordable it is for such an advanced knife.

best,

--
Vincent

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[Alann45]

- Ripple Aluminum review soon...

That could be interesting.
I just received the Blade 2012 version of the Al Ripple.

While it's basically the same as the Wallyworld version, there are some interesting differences.

The Blade commem version has a much more consistent "pocket worn" finish than the one I got from Walmart. EDIT: At least mine does, after looking at a pic Blade posted of #1, I can't be sure they all do.
The IKBS action seems smoother.
And the liner lock is polished rather than the black of the Walmart.

Based on my limited samples and those I've read described, there seems to be a great deal of variation in f&f in the Ripple.

[tfields]

very nice review, i have been a fab of CRKT for some time i may need one of these for the collection, thanks!

[flash900]

My Ikoma Sampa just arrived -- and wow!

I didn't think I'd like the unusual looks of the Ripple until I saw one at a show.

Now I have a bunch and I look for anything I can find that uses IKBS pivots.

The Sampa is a little more unusual looking than the Ripple, but the aluminum handles are incredibly light for the size, the flipper is great and it opens fast and smo-o-th. It's much more fun to use than a $300 custom knife I tried that uses IKBS.

The Sampa isn't as inexpensive as the bargain-priced aluminum Ripple, but is a darn good value. I would like to see a version with a not-quite so busy design. CRKT has another great folder for the $$.

Here's hoping we see the IKBS show up more often.

[flatblackcapo]

This is the best knife review I have seen on BF . Thank you vey much for taking the time to do such a detailed review.Even though the Ikoma is not the type of knife I would normally buy ,your review made me want to buy it. I especially liked the disassembled pix!

[flash900]

This is the best knife review I have seen on BF . Thank you vey much for taking the time to do such a detailed review.Even though the Ikoma is not the type of knife I would normally buy ,your review made me want to buy it. I especially liked the disassembled pix!

Well said.