Got Kudu?

Kestrel64

Kestrel64

Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
256
I just got a CS kudu, and while not a huge fan of CS, I have to admit, I like this knife pretty well. The locking (or unlocking rather) mechanism is a bit clunky and takes a bit of getting used to, but other than that, it is a lot of knife for the money. It pretty much makes the original okapi look even worse than it truly is...lol.

While I am happy with the knife, I can't figure out for the life of me why CS made a copy of a really cheap, poorly made, but popular knife...one of those mysteries I suppose.

Would love to hear what other folks think of this fun knife...if you don't have one...they are under 10 bucks, and worth it.
 
I think it's a very good knife. In most respects, much better than the Okapi.

I don't think there's much mystery about why CS makes these. Most likely, they figure they will sell. The best reason of all.

My only criticism of the Kudu is that I think the edge bevel is too thick. If they ground that blade to a near zero edge with a microbevel, it would cut like a laser out of the box.
 
I have one as well. It cuts really well for a 9.99 knife. I bought all four of the new knives in that series. The Finn Bear, Canadian Belt knife, Roach Belly and Kudu. They were all bargans IMO.
 
I am leaning that way myself...if the other knives in that series are as good for the money, I will have 3 more CS in my collection in a very short time.
 
I'm not sure what you mean, but the Kudu has the same kind of "ratcheting" opening and closing like an original Okapi. However, it's smoother than the Okapi.
 
Shecky, I'm just wondering how smooth the opening is and if it can be opened with one hand.
 
Smoke said:
Shecky, I'm just wondering how smooth the opening is and if it can be opened with one hand.
Click to expand...
I just tried with mine and yes it can be opened one handed by placing your thumb on the flat of the blade (as if it had a thumbstud) and swinging it open with your thumb. Pretty smooth too.:thumbup:


Sorry, I left out the initial step, which is to start the blade open with your thumb and middle finger. Once it's out a couple notches, THEN you can open it the rest of the way with just your thumb on the flat.
 
I got one because I thought the design was kind of neat. I side with those saying it's a great cheap knife. My biggest disappointment was with the handle. I do not have much experience with Zytel and the handle feels flimsy to me, lot of give in it.

Somehow, it keeps finding its way into my back pocket. It is a handy conversation piece when using it. Over the weekend, I had this at a "social" camping event were we did pumpkin carving. I brought the Kudu along for cutting the tops open. It did such a nice job, I used it to carve my pumpkin as well. Lot's of comments on the lock back when people tried to fold it back up.

And while we're on the topic, does anyone know the purpose of the ratcheting / catches when it opens? Kind of prevents it from being a one hander. I am working on a technique where I start the blade, like someone else posted here, with the thumb and index finger, then I snag the opening end on a seam of my pants leg. So far I have not been able to do this with any speed and it certainly is not as safe as a knife designed to be a one hander.
 
And while we're on the topic, does anyone know the purpose of the ratcheting / catches when it opens?
Click to expand...

While I don't have a Kudu, I do have a few of the Okapis. As far as why it ratchets open, my guess is that it is so it will be safer to close. Since it takes two hands to get the blade started (one to pull on the ring lock and start the blade closing and the other one to hold the handle) they don't want the blade to shoot closed and hit the fingers on your hand that are holding the handle. Obviously you shouldn't have your fingers in a position to have that happen, but I just played with mine for a second and it would be really easy to have your fingers in a bad position. Since it ratchets closed, it can't quickly shut and take off your fingers. Like I said, this is just a guess but it makes sense to me.
 
I just got my index finger snapped between the blade and handle of my big Okapi while trying to close it. Eight stitches for my stupidity, and it could have been much worse. The spring is like a rat trap, and I keep that edge hair-splitting sharp.
 
I'll stick with the Okapi. I like the color of the bubinga wood and the patina on the carbon steel blade. I have no doubt that the Kudu is lower maintenance and may even hold an edge better. But the rustic look of wood and carbon is part of what drew me to the Okapi in the first place. Anyone have both? I'm curious to see how the 1055 stacks up against the Krupp steel.

Frank
 
I picked one up a month or so ago. I think I got one hell of a deal. The lock takes some getting used to but in a little while I was opening and closing it with one hand. Also got a Finn Bear, which I would also say was a good buy. Can’t beat the price on both of them!:thumbup:

PghMitchS02 said:
And while we're on the topic, does anyone know the purpose of the ratcheting / catches when it opens? Kind of prevents it from being a one hander.
Click to expand...
It’s supposed to be a safety catch I believe (keep you from closing it onto your fingers), but I could be wrong.

-sh00ter
 
Thanks AustinTxShooter and sh00ter01. Makes sense to me too.

I have yet to handle a real Okapi, but I'd sure like to get the chance. Somehow, the Kudu keeps ending up in my back pocket, but I can't say I'm 100% thrilled with the plastic feel of the handle. I like the basic design, but the Cold Steel execution leaves a little to be desired. I've been able to put a decent edge on the blade, but the Krupp steel feels brittle. That last bit is purely subjective and made by novice in this area, so feel free to disagree and / or educate me if I'm off base on that.

On the other hand, for what I paid for the knife, I really can't complain too much. It is usable, it is interesting and comfortable to carry. This has become my "social camping" knife: it travels with my to cut up snacks, serve food, whittle away without making anything and cut up stuff. If it gets lost / broke . . . oh well, I'm not out a lot of money.

I sure would like to replace it with a real Okapi . . . the wood handles look nice and I've always been a fan of carbon steel.
 
PghMitchS02 said:
Thanks AustinTxShooter and sh00ter01. Makes sense to me too.

I have yet to handle a real Okapi, but I'd sure like to get the chance. Somehow, the Kudu keeps ending up in my back pocket, but I can't say I'm 100% thrilled with the plastic feel of the handle. I like the basic design, but the Cold Steel execution leaves a little to be desired. I've been able to put a decent edge on the blade, but the Krupp steel feels brittle. That last bit is purely subjective and made by novice in this area, so feel free to disagree and / or educate me if I'm off base on that.

On the other hand, for what I paid for the knife, I really can't complain too much. It is usable, it is interesting and comfortable to carry. This has become my "social camping" knife: it travels with my to cut up snacks, serve food, whittle away without making anything and cut up stuff. If it gets lost / broke . . . oh well, I'm not out a lot of money.

I sure would like to replace it with a real Okapi . . . the wood handles look nice and I've always been a fan of carbon steel.
Click to expand...


There are not too many Okapi distributors in the US that I know of, which is probably one of the reasons Cold Steel is making the Kudu. I know that Ragnar at Ragweed Forge has Okapi knives and he is great to deal with. A quick google search shows that Cove Cutlery also has them. I have never heard of them so I have no idea if they are a good company to deal with or not.

I have the large ring lock version as well as one of medium sized ones (1979-E). The medium sized one doesn't have any kind of a lock on it but I have never found this to be a problem. I really like both of the knives even though they are not pretty.
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
I'm curious to see how the 1055 stacks up against the Krupp steel.
Click to expand...

All I can give is my limited experience. IMO, carbon steel beats any stainless except in corrosion resistance. My Okapi knives (the ring lock and the sailor's knife) are easy to get sharp and hold an edge nicely. That being said, the Krupp steel seems perfectly functional. Sharpens well enough, holds a reasonable edge. If the Kudu came in 1055, I think it'd it'd beat the Okapi in every department.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top