Agreed, on both counts.
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Jay and Karen Sadow are good people and run a good business, good policies and inventory. Highly recommended as reputable dealers who have what they display in stock.
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And my Kit Carson large Model 4 with dropped point 420V is a gem. Big, brutish folder (that's what I wanted), but fit and finish and the lockup are just excellent. Not many drop points on the market as folders, and this is my primary backup hunting knife and primary utility knife around the house. Perfect for these tasks. And the 420V seems to be pretty hard (Rc60-61?), which is fine with me, it was hard to sharpen with diamond, which I consider a GOOD thing as edge holding does appear to be (informally) superior. (talked with Kit at Guild Show... his 420V is Rc58. Suffice to say it's hardest steel to reprofile with diamond I own, and that is actually a good sign).
Only one minor thing that is a preference issue: the blade came sharpened at about 30 degrees final edge. It took some real scrubbing with diamond to bring that back to 25 degrees, but the 420V takes a great edge (toothy and aggressive like I prefer, and I implement with diamond).
Kit has really perfected his construction techniques, and if you like his designs, I highly recommend his knives, no caveats at all.
Along with the CRK Sebenza, this is the stoutest, most precision folder I own. (but I don't own a Joel Chamblin or JW Smith YET).
P.S. Talked with Kit at length during Guild Show. He is a very nice guy. He is very generous and patient in sharing his knowledge, much hard won through hard work and testing. He is a true professional who has really dedicated his career to advancing his knowlege and staying on the leading edge of custom knifemaking, especially around folders and steels/stellites. I also bought a 2nd Model 4 in D2 (12.5% chrome) in his 3.5" size, modified drop point. Nice. Great satin finish on blade, fit/finish par for his course, great. Stout.
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rdangerer@home.com
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 07-25-2000).]
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 07-25-2000).]
