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
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.multiply.com/photos
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
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.multiply.com/photos
Last edited:
