FRN UKPK & Gin 1 Question

J

Jake Bauer

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Sep 19, 2007
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Wow, I didnt know the new FRN UKPKs were gunna be less than $40 bucks. Otherwise I would've asked this a long time ago.. (although im sure its been asked and answered before). What is Gin-1 Comparable to? And since I've never felt a non locking Spyderco before, how solid is the resistance (I want to say lock up..) on these blades compared to say a good SAK?

less than $40, wire clip, 3 in blade, made in USA? What's not to like?
 
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Gin-1 is one of my all time favourite steels. In my experience its edge holding is better than 440c though not quite as good as VG10.

Its a very good steel.:thumbup:
 
if they made a wharnie version of these new UKPKs I'd be all over it!

Like others have said, this to me seems much more like what the UKPK *should* have been. I like a beautiful, $100 knife as much as the next guy, just seemed a bit odd that the UKPK was one.
 
Not odd at all, look at the steel. S30V is not cheap. Then its got G10 and a Gin-1 back spring. Plus it was a more risky model at the time as most users prefer locking knives.

In fact, its worth every penny.

The lightweight is bringing the same basic functions at a far more affordable price for sure. However the full fat UKPK is worth every last bit of money spent on it.
 
I'm not saying it wasn't worth it, just seemed an odd choice to me that they chose to bring it out guns blazing first, instead of the more inexpensive route first. Just the whole idea behind the UKPK to ME, seems much more in line with these current ones. Trust me, I've been very tempted to pick up the "expensive" UKPK on several occasions.

However it seemed to work well, and I'm not going to get into a competition with Sal over who's the better marketer and idea man. :D As he's clearly at the head of the pack.
 
Because its what we wanted in the UK and this knife was aimed and tested via feedback from users in the UK. The consensus was that a higher end materials knife was desired. Though many wanted a wood option... hint hint Sal!;)

Had it been a lightweight model first, the costs from tooling and design would still be in place. The standard model in fact allows the lightweight to be as cheap as it is IMHO. I might very well be wrong there.


Sal saw that over time, many countries and even States would see that the non locking sub 3" option would make a lot of sense.

I prefer a locking knife but for EDC, the UKPK hits the spot.
 
Got both. The G10 FFG first version and the a drop point FRN !
Love both knives. The Drop Point FRN with its beadblasted blade is gorgious.

This is my combo when I go to the UK:
NY-COmbo-1.jpg
 
Another way to look at it is that G-10 costs more per unit, but has very low "start up" cost, pretty much just settings for a CNC machine. FRN, on the other hand, has a much lower unit cost, but the initial investment for the mold can run $40K or better. So, sometimes it does make sense to "test the waters" with a G-10 version first.

As for the OP's question regarding the resistance. I don't currently own a SAK, but I'd say the FRN UKPK has a bit less resistance. On the other hand, if you're holding it the way the instruction manual which comes with it recommends, it can't possibly close on you.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
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I've got one and although I haven't had it but a couple of days I like it. The back spring is not as strong as a SAK at all. Mine was a bit weak when I pulled it out of the box so I tightened the pivot up a bit and that gave it more tension.

It is what it is. Spyderco tried to make a knife with one handed tolerances and make it tight too. I don't know if you can have both perfectly. I am very happy with it and I do not like non locking knives.
 
The Deacon said:
As for the OP's question regarding the resistance. I don't currently own a SAK, but I'd say the FRN UKPK has a bit less resistance. On the other hand, if you're holding it the way the instruction manual which comes with it recommends, it can't possibly close on you.
Click to expand...

The choil is a great improvement for slipjoint. The blade cannot fold and cut your fingers. You are simply holding the knife by the blade.
 
The Deacon said:
As for the OP's question regarding the resistance. I don't currently own a SAK, but I'd say the FRN UKPK has a bit less resistance. On the other hand, if you're holding it the way the instruction manual which comes with it recommends, it can't possibly close on you.
Click to expand...

My gray FRN UKPK's back spring is not as strong as my SAKs (mostly alox). Its definitely not as strong as my Urban. The "click" you get at 90 degrees isn't as pronounced as on the other UKPKs either but its still more than enough for the tasks I bought it for. My finger is always in the choil as well.
 
The General said:
Gin-1 is one of my all time favourite steels. In my experience its edge holding is better than 440c though not quite as good as VG10.

Its a very good steel.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


Ditto. I used an old Native in Gin-1(G2) around and in a lake and never had a problem with rust. Sharpened easy and held an edge too.
 
I just got one of the new Grey FRN UKPK Slipits and really like it. I own an original Black G10 UKPK and a FG and Orange Urban and the Bob T Slipit Slipits. Yes, the FRN model has a weaker spring and is made in Gin1 steel but it came very sharp as do all Spydercos. I have used Gin1 in the very early Spydercos and have no complaint. In fact, this new Slipit seems to have a very crisp, sharp aggressive edge that I like a lot. I am not a big proponet of some of the new steels as I prefer something that sharpens easily and reprofiling S30V or ZDP189 takes a while to be properly done. I use a 12 inch Norton India combo stone but for most of my touch sharpening needs but my Spyderco Sharpmaker handles most of my sharpening needs. The FRN model is smoother than the original Slipits because of the lighter spring pressure and as long as you keep your finger in the choil this knife is safe to use. Quite honestly when I first got this FRN model i did not think I would like it because of the weaker spring but I love this new model and find myself carrying and using it as my EDC with a couple of other Spydercos. Plus it it cost less. What more could you want in using knife. Good job Spyderco!

RKH
 
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