Burger EXK1 -- any experience?

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
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Mr. Burger has just completed a small batch of his cool little EXK1's and I'm poised to grab one, but I have a few questions about it first.

The blade steel on this run is n690. Some compare it to 440C, others say it's very different. Anyone out there have any experience with it? Thoughts, opinions? I'm more concerned with how it sharpens than its performance (e.g. edge holding, wear resistence, stain/rust resistance, etc.)

Shipped from Africa. Are the duty fees to which it will be subjected different than those applied to items shipped from the U.S. (to Canada) or Canada (to U.S.)? Any other border hassles I might encounter, given its African shipping origin?

I'm turning my back on a Strider PT CC in favour of an EXK1 and ZT 350 (or Caly3) double header. I'm still dubious about the decision, but have to act fast before this small run of Exkeliburs sells out. Who would go the PT route instead?

Here's some pictures, courtesy of Marthinus:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546598
 
Funny you asked. I just got mine for less than a month. Fit and finish is high quality and the knife is very light, no problems at all for everyday carry. I am in Hong Kong and I got the knife without any hassles from our local customs. It's a nice knife.
 
N690 is an Austrian steel used by many Europeans and a few American companies, too. I have a few knives with it and they take a nice edge very easily. I have a Hossom Ontario Retribution and 3 Extrema Ratios, the Nemesis, the MPC, and the BA-1.
 
Not familiar with the knife, but it sure looks great in the photos :thumbup:

Nice choice IMO

I have shipped knives into Canada from USA, Japan, Germany, and other products from Hong Kong. Import and Duty costs were about the same, the biggest difference was the shipping time was quicker than from USA (go figure?). Can't say for certain but I don't think it will be any different from Africa.

Kevin

PS just remember to ask them to snug the pivot so CBS can't flick it open during inspection.
 
Dag-nabit said:
PS just remember to ask them to snug the pivot so CBS can't flick it open during inspection.
Click to expand...

I thought about that, but looking at the pivot on this knife it seems like a special tool might be needed to adjust it. Any Burger owners wanna chime in here? What do Strider owners do about this if they don't possess an Atwood spanner baby, Hinderer tool, etc. to adjust those pivots?

Anyway, I never understood the practise of tightening the pivots on folders coming into Canada, as we don't have any laws or regulations relating to folding knives, their locks (like the UK) or whether they can be deployed with one hand or not (like Denmark). Or do we?
 
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Yes, you do. If they can fling the blade out, they will call it a gravity knife and you are out one knife.
 
So then what does one do with these EXK1's and Striders that require special tools to adjust the pivots...assuming one does not have said tools, of course?
 
Fred Burger is best known for his sword canes here is the link to his site.

http://www.swordcane.com/burger_swords_home.htm

He has been a member of the Knife Makers Guild of South Africa for over 20 years and he is a tool and die maker by trade.....

I have several of his customs and they are all beautiful.....
By the folder you won't be sorry.

Steven

By the way N690 is made by Bohler here is the link to their site in SA
http://www.bohler-uddeholm.co.za/
 
KarlMaldensNose said:
Anyway, I never understood the practise of tightening the pivots on folders coming into Canada, as we don't have any laws or regulations relating to folding knives, their locks (like the UK) or whether they can be deployed with one hand or not (like Denmark). Or do we?
Click to expand...

This has already been answered, but a bit of clarification.

If a folder can be opened from the fully closed position with a "flick" of the wrist, it will be considered a gravity knife and will be confiscated.

Depending on the pivot design, tightening the pivot may not snug the blade anyway.

That said, I have imported several folders from various countries, and to date have not had a problem. That isn't to say it can't or won't happen someday.

I suspect most new knives are are probably a bit tight on the tolerances to begin with anyway, taking into account that they will break in with use.

To sum up what I'm trying to say, the risk is minimal, but there is a risk, and now that you are aware of it you can plan around reducing the risk as much as possible.

It is nerve racking the first time you take the plunge with an international order, but the comfort level increases after a few shipments.

Kevin
 
I have some experience with N690 as used on Fox knives (and on the Spyderco Volpe, which was actually made by Fox), and also on a Viper. It's a good steel in my opinion. I have the impression that it's better than 440C. I once read it's similar to 440F which actually didn't make me any wiser :-)
 
A couple more thoughts on your dilema.

1. Are you planning on using this knife? or is it a collector? If you are going to use it, and it requires a specialized tool to tighten the pivot it probably makes sense to have one on hand for future maintenance. Factor in the cost of the tool as part of the ownership cost.

2. If the pivot design is such that it cannot be snugged to tighten the blade, talk to the maker and find out if his lock is designed to also help secure the blade in the closed position. I looked at the photo again and I see it is a liner lock. Liner locks rest against the blade when closed and it may create enough friction to hold the blade closed. Or, the design may even incorporate a detent ball and socket to secure the blade.

Detent Ball and Socket
P3GLockDetail.jpg


Make sure the maker is aware of the border security requirements and if the knife isn't already designed to secure the blade in the closed position, I'm sure he will be wiling to take the effort to make sure it is secure enough to pass inspection.

Kevin

Link
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/daidavies/Knives/P3GLockDetail.jpg
 
I really enjoy my pink PT. It rides nice and small, bombers titanium frame lock, and a no worries warranty. I would highly recommend it. The PT doesn't need a spanner tool. A screwdriver to secure the female bull pivot side while loosening the other with a T6 torx (the female side of my PT doesn't move.) I sent my PT in for a hardware refurb and got her back in 2 weeks exactly. If you go with the larger Strider folders then a member named autoelite makes a sick spanner tool. FYI. Good luck with your purchase.

jb
 
KarlMaldensNose said:
So then what does one do with these EXK1's and Striders that require special tools to adjust the pivots...assuming one does not have said tools, of course?
Click to expand...

I have found the ball detente in the blade for the liners' steel ball holds the blade quite firmly. The knife does not give any problems and because there is no clear way of opening the knife unless you know how to use the "lip" I think most people would use both hands to open it. I haven't got the knife to flick open yet like a spyderco by flicking with the handle. :yawn: pardon the spelling mistakes and If it is all mumble!

O ps. you can get a clip on the knife. Just ask.
 
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