All Kwaikens - love them or hate them?

Every time I am search through knives, my eye always catched the Todd Begg Kwaiken. Sweet blade shape, awesome handle design, just a terrific knife overall aside from the framelock. Great aesthetics, like most Begg knives I have seen.
 
Don't forget the fixies!!
I would love to own one of these beauties from Ben Tendick

IMG_5347.jpg


Photo is Ben's. I took it from his WIP thread here.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1371201-Just-a-couple-JP-Kraikens
 
I looked into acquiring ^ one but it was out of my fixed blade $$$ range. Really cool knife though!
 
Strong Like, not love :D I find myself reaching for other things in times of need.
[video=youtube;KrXmnaEMiEc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrXmnaEMiEc[/video]

cchu518 said:
So I wanted to have a discussion with folks and their opinions on kwaikens. Is it a model that you love or hate?

I have the Boker versions myself.
Pros:
Ultra nasty stabby blade profile
Super compact carry
Really good looking overall package
Different from what is out there
Thick blade allows you to do stuff you wouldn't do with a thinner edge.

Cons:
Ultra nasty shabby blade profile
Too thin to grip in the hand, tad slippery
I had to reprofile the edge to get it to slice ok.

I actually acquired mine as a Christmas present from my brother in law and his girlfriend and the other one from my wife aka I'm forbidden from ever trading them.


This thread is open to all Kwaikens and not just Bokers of course. So what do you about them?

View attachment 618638
Click to expand...
 
I like the style, but I have not seen a single bloody one that has lefty clip drilling! Damn tyrannical oppression!
 
Something about Burnley's interpretation of the kwaiken just calls to me but I have yet to pull the trigger. I've also been interested in his Kihon mid tech, although, I'm not entirely sure it would qualify as a true kwaiken.

Definitely want to give it a try one of these days. I find the slim closed profile really appealing.
 
I think they're cool... But I don't want one, and can't see ever buying one. But I'm glad I get to see other people's.
 
Last edited:
Here is a set of Titanium mini kwaikens I did a while back. 5.5in oal, make great little neck knives....and being full Ti they are 100% rust proof. They have been carbidized on the edge to allow for a nice cutting edge that will hold up to most tasks.

11875289_444945925693223_1859334949_n.jpg
 
Just ordered my first kwaiken, a fixed blade CRKT Burnley Obake with a satin blade and orange handle, it's a BladeHQ exclusive. I wanted one before, but did not like the looks of the plain one because it has that mall ninja paint scheme. Looks great in orange/satin, though.
crkt-orange-cm.jpg
 
So I just got a quote from Big Chris for a regrind of my mini kwaiken. I just did a bunch of knife buying so it has to wait a bit. It's only $60 and that includes return shipping. But I have to re-up my knife budget as I have other things going on. Really excited to have him regrind the mini though!
 
Custom Kwaikens ? Love 'em ! :D

Two from Matt Gregory.

xlarge.jpg

xlarge.jpg


xlarge.jpg

xlarge.jpg

xlarge.jpg


And a few images from Ben Tendick.
Mine's the one in the middle, last pic.
Cape Buffalo wrap Phill Hartsfield style aluminum sheath.

xlarge.jpg

xlarge.jpg

xlarge.jpg


DC
 
Like the style and looking of kwaikens but not much interested in owning them because they look too intimidating, stabby, and weapon-like.
 
I don't love them, but I don't hate them either. The chances of me buying a folding Kwaiken is slim. I prefer a little more shape on the handle and I like finger grooves (ie. Manix 2). If I had to buy one, I'd buy a fixed blade. The Gregory and Tendick are nice.

Like Eon blue said, I may not like all knives but I can appreciate them and the people who like and buy them.
 
Definite love affair for me. Just got a Kwaiken recently (not in hand yet), but I regularly EDC both the Otonashi and the Hissatsu and a Mcusta/Browning Ice Storm. Next on my list is probably a ZT 452 which has a similar look as well.
 
Mine is not the best slicer (yet... Going to get a big Chris regrind for the mini kwaiken) I don't carry my full size.

I find that even though it's not the ideal slicer it's so compact that I'm preferring to edc it on the weekends.
 
I am pretty much not a fan of them. I don't like the design, I don't like the style, they're just not for me. Even the name "kwaiken", I just don't like*.

Luckily, that's not a problem, because plenty of folks do, and seem to buy them regularly. Always glad to see folks who enjoy knives, sharing their favorites with us.




*Ha! Looked the term up, it means "a curved knife formerly used by Japanese women to commit suicide". Maybe that explains it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top