Does this make you worry?

jimmer_5 said:
No, it's not a Busse. But as to the narrowness of the tang where the cutout is, apparently no one here remebers the concept of a stick tang. Stick tang construction is used in many knives such as the venerable KA-Bar Marine Fighting knife, many Randalls, the Buck 119 (and others), and Marbles style knives. Stick tangs are rarely more than 3/8" wide, and are often much narrower. These knives may not be the strongest pieces out there, but many of them have held up to quite a bit of abuse.
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Isn't the narrowness started with a large relief cut after the ricasso and thiness continued to the butt of the knife? I would imagine the because you have a single sharp point of narrowness it would become the weakest point on the knife and most vulnerable to shock.
 
Now... I'll say this: How likely is it that this would fail even under batoning? Is that cutout part much thinner (if any?) than the handle-pieces on the RC Izula? And, I've beat the absolute -shit- out of my Izula and never worried. Just a thought I had.
 
EMT_Lee said:
Now... I'll say this: How likely is it that this would fail even under batoning? Is that cutout part much thinner (if any?) than the handle-pieces on the RC Izula? And, I've beat the absolute -shit- out of my Izula and never worried. Just a thought I had.
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The Izula has a rounded cutout that is part of the handle. Cut the bottom of the loop and then try batoning with it.
 
Josh K said:
The Izula has a rounded cutout that is part of the handle. Cut the bottom of the loop and then try batoning with it.
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Ok, yeah. I see what you're saying. That probably would cause it to bend downwards.
 
jimmer_5 said:
Most of their new designs were unveiled at BLADE show this year, and there was some pretty cool stuff. I don't like to be referred to as anybody's "fanboy", but you have to look at Kershaw as a brand - they like to try new things. Composite steel blades weren't a new idea (Michael Walker did it a while ago), but Kershaw has brought that concept into mass production. Is it a viable idea? That's up to perosnal interpretation, but at least they're trying to innnovate. They've also made a lot of complex CNC machined products with Titanium handles at affordable prices, and their quality is very good. Their newly unveiled Speedform Folder won an award at blade and features a new framelock that is cut at a bias so that it can;t be unsprung and doesn't need a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer.


As for the design that we are currently discussing - this design was actually created by Grant and Gavin Hawk. As far as I know, the cutaway in the handle is only there to accomodate stowage of the wrist lanyard. You may not like the idea, but they're just trying to bring a little innovation to the concept of a fixed blade. Again, this is all subject to personal opinion.

No, it's not a Busse. But as to the narrowness of the tang where the cutout is, apparently no one here remebers the concept of a stick tang. Stick tang construction is used in many knives such as the venerable KA-Bar Marine Fighting knife, many Randalls, the Buck 119 (and others), and Marbles style knives. Stick tangs are rarely more than 3/8" wide, and are often much narrower. These knives may not be the strongest pieces out there, but many of them have held up to quite a bit of abuse.

My point? No, this knife is not a Busse. If you want a knife that sacrifices fine work cutting ability but allow you to use it as a crowbar, buy a Busse. This knife is a different piece, but I think you'd be surprised how well it would hold up to regular use. Would it make a prefect survival knife? Perhaps not, but I have not tested one myself.
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I never labeled anyone a fanboy, and I definitely don't dislike Kershaw--just this knife. I agree that they are quality innovators of affordable unique knives, but I think that the jimping is MORE than excessive and the weak point created by combination choil and lanyard lashing notch may not be hugely important, but the fact remains that it's a completely unnecessary weakening of the knife for a feature that's nothing more than a novelty. :(

Also I don't get the Busse references? I never mentioned Busse at all... :confused:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I never labeled anyone a fanboy, and I definitely don't dislike Kershaw--just this knife. I agree that they are quality innovators of affordable unique knives, but I think that the jimping is MORE than excessive and the weak point created by combination choil and lanyard lashing notch may not be hugely important, but the fact remains that it's a completely unnecessary weakening of the knife for a feature that's nothing more than a novelty. :(

Also I don't get the Busse references? I never mentioned Busse at all... :confused:
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Fortytwoblades, I'm not attacking you or saying you called me a fanboy, I'm just trying to make it clear that I try not to blindly support any knife company without facing reality.

I think Kershaw makes some great, innovative products, but they have their share of hits and misses like anyone else. I agree that the jimping id excessive. The cutaway makes a weak point, but that "weak point" isn't much worse than a lot of accepted designs with stick tang construction. Sure, you may not be able to baton it, but not everyone will use it that way.

I only referenced Busse because they are know for making overbuilt knives that a lot of folks consider to be a good wilderness/bushcraft knife.
 
EMT_Lee said:
Ok, yeah. I see what you're saying. That probably would cause it to bend downwards.
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Bend or break, yes. The strength of the Izula's design comes from the rounding of the cutouts. If they were sharp square corners, or had less of a radius (like the Whiplash) it would be weaker.
 
That is a weird design, no question about it. Another thing that strikes me as "odd" about that knife is that it's made in the USA, but uses Chinese steel. :confused: Kai is importing Chinese steel into the US to make knives with?
 
Josh K said:
Bend or break, yes. The strength of the Izula's design comes from the rounding of the cutouts. If they were sharp square corners, or had less of a radius (like the Whiplash) it would be weaker.
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Incorrect. The strength of the Izula comes from Jeff and Mike pouring a tiny amount of their blood into every batch of RC 1095, hence imbuing the knife with all of their majesty and power!

How's that for fanboy? :D:p
 
EMT_Lee said:
Incorrect. The strength of the Izula comes from Jeff and Mike pouring a tiny amount of their blood into every batch of RC 1095, hence imbuing the knife with all of their majesty and power!

How's that for fanboy? :D:p
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Never thought I'd have to use this picture. :barf:

borat.jpg
 
jimmer_5 said:
But as to the narrowness of the tang where the cutout is, apparently no one here remebers the concept of a stick tang. Stick tang construction is used in many knives such as the venerable KA-Bar Marine Fighting knife, many Randalls, the Buck 119 (and others), and Marbles style knives. Stick tangs are rarely more than 3/8" wide, and are often much narrower. These knives may not be the strongest pieces out there, but many of them have held up to quite a bit of abuse.
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I agree with you, in principle.

But, in practice, the reason a stick or rat tang works, is that in modern times, the thinnest part of the tang is epoxied into a handle, said epoxy and handle medium providing support to that tang. And while they might be pretty narrow at the end, thus the moniker that suggests a rat tail, they gradually get wider to the front, and then with radiused shoulders, bloom to full width.

And those same traditional knives don't have a line of stress risers camouflaged as thumb shredders....

Great discussion.

Marion
 
I think I have one en route for testing purposes. When I receive the knife I'll give it a thorough testing, and write a review. It may turn out better than we think it is, or it may be worse. We'll find out.
 
raylaconico said:
There must be some kind of function for how the handle is cut out like that but I can't figure out what. Also why are those notches cut so deep on the thumb ramp? Other than that, it looks good and I think the blade shape is great.
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there is a lanyard wrapped around the handle
 
dawsonbob said:
I think I have one en route for testing purposes. When I receive the knife I'll give it a thorough testing, and write a review. It may turn out better than we think it is, or it may be worse. We'll find out.
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Thank you, that's the kind of response I was looking for to my question.
I'll be sure to read your review on it because I actually think it looks kind of cool after looking at it for a bit.
 
GWashington1732 said:
Thank you, that's the kind of response I was looking for to my question.
I'll be sure to read your review on it because I actually think it looks kind of cool after looking at it for a bit.
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I'm not sure how soon I'll get the knife, but I'll do an honest and thorough review once it arrives.
 
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