Anyone have a Kiwi 4

mark greenman

mark greenman

Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
662
I've been lusting after a Kiwi 4 for a while, but I haven't come across to many reviews on it. Does anyone here have one, and if so, what do you think?

I'm specifically interested in how it feels in the hand, and how easy it is to open one handed.

Thanks,
Mark
 
I've had one for a couple of months. It's a proper "gentlemans folder" and very sleek. Spyderco really did a great job on this one (again). It's very slim in hand and pocket, but surprisingly dexterous in use with those deep choils.

It's easy enough to open one handed, but it is a mid-lock so won't flick like a PM2, and hasn't washers so it's not as smooooth as the N5 G10. Shakes down for one hand closing OK, as well.

The wharncliffe blade is VG10, really easy to sharpen to really sharp, and has one heck of a point, but truthfully probably isn't as versatile as bellied blades. Looks way more sophisticated, though, and I have other knives for harder use.

Build quality is more than OK - the grind on mine was a smidge uneven, almost like it was made by real people, in a machine shop, with swarf around their feet, rather than by robots, which is fine by me.

It does seem a bit overlooked, however. Perhaps because it's not got flashy steel, milled Ti scales, wilderness pretensions or a designer collab back-story, but to my mind it's got something far more meaningful - Sal's signature.

I like it.
 
The Kiwi 4 my favorite of the unofficial series of Sal folders designed to provide maximum cutting power in the smallest possible package. By "series" I mean this encompasses knives like the Dragonfly 2, Caly 3 and 3.5, and now the Kiwi 4. The latter three are Moki builds, which I have come to love for their maximized cutting power in discreet and featherweight format.

Here is a picture of the Kiwi 4 next to the Caly knives...



Now, when the Kiwi 4 first was announced/released I saw the usual "I will never buy this because it isn't a real Kiwi" and "I will never buy this because it has pins instead of screws" complaints by people beholden to the original design. Of course, these will be the same people crying when it is discontinued for low sales. It's the Spyderco cycle, and it plays out faithfully every single time.

As for me, I love it. I need a folder that is ambidextrous (100%, not just a swappable clip), small, inconspicuous, non-threatening, etc. The Kiwi 4 manages all these things better than either Caly I have, and even better than the Dragonfly 2 which rides a little higher in the pocket. I love all of these other knives but the Kiwi 4's slimmer profile and significant weight reduction (it's even slightly lighter than the Dragonfly 2, which has thicker liners) makes it an easy choice for regular carry. The straight edge does take some getting used to and it won't slice an apple with the finesse of a Caly, but it also works great in hard to reach places without substantial risk of injury. I mean, it's not really a wharncliffe as much as a sheepfoot, as there is really no front-facing tip to it.

As for the pins... I don't know how Sal would have packed the spring and blade into these narrow handles without them. And I can still clean the knife without taking it apart. When I first bought this I was fresh off of a traditional knife bender and had gotten pretty used to rinsing knives in the river and using a drop of oil to flush moisture out of the recesses and pivot. So I wouldn't worry about the pins unless they foil some customization plan you have. My only real complaint is the position of the last pin, which pushes the clip further up the handle. You can see that the Caly knives have a deeper carry design and this does matter to me a lot, but not enough to throw out this particular baby with the bathwater.

Now on the face of it you might think the price is high compared to some of the designer series knives or any of the stuff coming out of Taichung. But there really isn't anything like the Kiwi 4... in my opinion it is Sal's ultimate attempt to make the most compact knife possible with a full grip and decently large cutting edge. If you handle the Kiwi 4 and the Des Horn you will see that even semi-similar designs really don't have the same sense of purpose. So if you like Sal's design work then you owe it to yourself to buy this while you can. Right now the prices are competitive and supplies are plentiful, and as we know that can sometimes change very quickly.
 
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^ Very nice review, CapitalizedLiving. Great photo as well. For some reason I always pictured it in my head as being much longer.

Now I'm regretting missing one for $80 a while ago that I passed on.
I love my Caly 3's, and this looks like it could be a great supplemental blade to others as well. Or just a very discreet carry.
I don't know if it was your intention, but you've definitely suceeded in making me consider taking another look.

Too bad it was never done in full Super Blue like the Calys!




chrisinhove said:
I've had one for a couple of months. It's a proper "gentlemans folder" and very sleek. Spyderco really did a great job on this one (again). It's very slim in hand and pocket, but surprisingly dexterous in use with those deep choils.

It's easy enough to open one handed, but it is a mid-lock so won't flick like a PM2, and hasn't washers so it's not as smooooth as the N5 G10. Shakes down for one hand closing OK, as well.

The wharncliffe blade is VG10, really easy to sharpen to really sharp, and has one heck of a point, but truthfully probably isn't as versatile as bellied blades. Looks way more sophisticated, though, and I have other knives for harder use.

Build quality is more than OK - the grind on mine was a smidge uneven, almost like it was made by real people, in a machine shop, with swarf around their feet, rather than by robots, which is fine by me.

It does seem a bit overlooked, however. Perhaps because it's not got flashy steel, milled Ti scales, wilderness pretensions or a designer collab back-story, but to my mind it's got something far more meaningful - Sal's signature.

I like it.
Click to expand...

I like how you worded this.
 
Thank you SpeedHoles, I would have loved to have paid $80 for mine.

It really is an excellent add-on to a collection of Calys, so anyone who loves those knives should really consider this one as well.
 
Love my Kiwi 4. It's my latest purchase. Not sure what possessed me to buy it but I'm glad I did.

It fits in the hand rock solid- no way it's going to slip with that double choil. It opens easily enough one-handed but doesn't "flick." I have to curl my fingertips so they press into the side of the wire clip in order to safely open it with the thumb hole. If you hold one I think you'll understand what I'm saying.

So far I've only stropped it. I usually sharpen knives with an EdgePro Apex but when the time comes I'll sharpen it by hand with DMT stones so I don't mess up the Wharncliffe straight edge.
 
joepav said:
The materials are not worth the price IMHO…
Click to expand...

This held me back as well. Pm2's can be had for cheaper with better steel but if people are buying them, then they aren't too expensive I suppose. I do love me some Japanese Spydys.
 
adamg01 said:
This held me back as well. Pm2's can be had for cheaper with better steel but if people are buying them, then they aren't too expensive I suppose. I do love me some Japanese Spydys.
Click to expand...

A few retailers have the Kiwi 4 for under $100. I haven't seen a PM2 for under $100 from a dealer in a couple years
 
joepav said:
The materials are not worth the price IMHO…
Click to expand...

This is why I don't own one. For what I've seen it retailing for I can get the ZDP-189 Dragonfly with the Nishijin scales. A knife I already know I love done in higher quality material. The Kiwi 4 is a $75 knife at best.
 
mark greenman said:
I've been lusting after a Kiwi 4 for a while, but I haven't come across to many reviews on it. Does anyone here have one, and if so, what do you think?

I'm specifically interested in how it feels in the hand, and how easy it is to open one handed.

Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

I have one and I dig it! Very easy/smooth to thumb open and a wicked design (I would also highly recommend the ss Kiwi 3 slippie)... :thumbup::cool: Kinda wish it came with polished G-10 scales like the Des Horn wharnie, though, but no regrets! If ya like it, better snap one up before they're gone!

kiwi402_zps71095bd5.jpg

Spyderco Kiwi 4 and Victorinox Cadet

Sorry for the crappy pic, btw (only one I have for now.) :o

-Brett
 
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ATwistedStaple said:
This is why I don't own one. For what I've seen it retailing for I can get the ZDP-189 Dragonfly with the Nishijin scales. A knife I already know I love done in higher quality material. The Kiwi 4 is a $75 knife at best.
Click to expand...

So you could buy a shorter, discontinued, knife with different ergo's and better materials for the same money. Fair enough.

However, I'm not sure why the Kiwi4 should be expected to retail below the price of the smaller Dragonfly G10.
 
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CapitalizedLiving said:
The Kiwi 4 my favorite of the unofficial series of Sal folders designed to provide maximum cutting power in the smallest possible package. By "series" I mean this encompasses knives like the Dragonfly 2, Caly 3 and 3.5, and now the Kiwi 4. The latter three are Moki builds, which I have come to love for their maximized cutting power in discreet and featherweight format.

Here is a picture of the Kiwi 4 next to the Caly knives...



Now, when the Kiwi 4 first was announced/released I saw the usual "I will never buy this because it isn't a real Kiwi" and "I will never buy this because it has pins instead of screws" complaints by people beholden to the original design. Of course, these will be the same people crying when it is discontinued for low sales. It's the Spyderco cycle, and it plays out faithfully every single time.

As for me, I love it. I need a folder that is ambidextrous (100%, not just a swappable clip), small, inconspicuous, non-threatening, etc. The Kiwi 4 manages all these things better than either Caly I have, and even better than the Dragonfly 2 which rides a little higher in the pocket. I love all of these other knives but the Kiwi 4's slimmer profile and significant weight reduction (it's even slightly lighter than the Dragonfly 2, which has thicker liners) makes it an easy choice for regular carry. The straight edge does take some getting used to and it won't slice an apple with the finesse of a Caly, but it also works great in hard to reach places without substantial risk of injury. I mean, it's not really a wharncliffe as much as a sheepfoot, as there is really no front-facing tip to it.

As for the pins... I don't know how Sal would have packed the spring and blade into these narrow handles without them. And I can still clean the knife without taking it apart. When I first bought this I was fresh off of a traditional knife bender and had gotten pretty used to rinsing knives in the river and using a drop of oil to flush moisture out of the recesses and pivot. So I wouldn't worry about the pins unless they foil some customization plan you have. My only real complaint is the position of the last pin, which pushes the clip further up the handle. You can see that the Caly knives have a deeper carry design and this does matter to me a lot, but not enough to throw out this particular baby with the bathwater.

Now on the face of it you might think the price is high compared to some of the designer series knives or any of the stuff coming out of Taichung. But there really isn't anything like the Kiwi 4... in my opinion it is Sal's ultimate attempt to make the most compact knife possible with a full grip and decently large cutting edge. If you handle the Kiwi 4 and the Des Horn you will see that even semi-similar designs really don't have the same sense of purpose. So if you like Sal's design work then you owe it to yourself to buy this while you can. Right now the prices are competitive and supplies are plentiful, and as we know that can sometimes change very quickly.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the wonderful writeup. I'm officially sold! I'll be picking one up for the summer.

Take care,
Mark
 
[URL=http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/hiromiko9/media/moki2_zps4bae53e3.jpg.html said:
moki2_zps4bae53e3.jpg
[/URL]
Click to expand...

How did you manage to get that big chip in your Caly?

Thanks for the pic as it give me a good indication of the size of the Kiwi 4.
 
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