IKBS Production Knives

Sorry to disappoint, but I can't deliver a Ripple review today due to USPS failure. I'll be too busy tomorrow, so maybe by Sunday. So frustrating. And my 0200KW doesn't arrive until after I leave town.
 
I guess this might be considered custom or semi-production but Three Sisters Forge is now using IKBS on their BEAST model.
DSC01587.jpg
 
What about RJ Martin Q-36 (I believe it's not a fully custom folder). That's one hot IKBS folder and the price looks like a high end production or mid-tech knife. I've been toying with the idea of buying one. :)
 
cziv said:
What about RJ Martin Q-36 (I believe it's not a fully custom folder). That's one hot IKBS folder and the price looks like a high end production or mid-tech knife. I've been toying with the idea of buying one. :)
Click to expand...

The Q-36 is a custom folder and is not considered Mid-Tech or production. RJ doesn't use IKBS though, he uses his own Roller Thrust Bearing washers in the pivot.
 
Yes you're right about the bearing system alright. :thumbup:

Blade Length: 3 7/8" CPMS30V, Rc60, .130" thick
Handle Legnth: 4 7/8" Long
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Blade Thickness: .080" Ti Frames, .120" thick Ti bolsters
Handle Material: Woven C/F scales
Clip: Crinkle coated ti clip
Bearings: Roller thrust Bearings
 
Ok, I got the CRKT Blue Ripple today and while I've only been able to play with it for 15 minutes, I'll share my initial impressions, which are pretty concise anyway.

Buy it. Just do it. It's better than what you're using now. It just is.

This is the best F&F I've had in a long time. As people know, I'm extremely detail oriented but I just can't find something wrong--even inoffensively wrong--with this knife. The anodizing is beautiful and even, the grind is even, it's sharp as hell, the lockup is perfect 50/50, there is no play, the blade is centered, it's absolutely as smooth as you'd expect from an IKBS knife.

The point is, if you like the design, and you should, because the design is fantastic, and you've got $80 to spare on a proper EDC, this is it. There might be some lingering questions on whether you should buy the Eros or the Ripple, and if so, what size--and those are legitimate questions. But I think the answer to the question of "should I buy one" is now foreclosed. The answer is yes.

No matter how little energy I put into the flipper, holding it in the worst-case scenario (straight up), literally attempting to make it not open all the way, it will open and lock up. In a post-IKBS world, there is no use for assisted.
 
I've got my CRKT Eros today and I can sort of understand where Tony is coming from. The thing is thinner than most knives, even my 480-1 Shoki, and gives an impression of being almost "flimsy". However, a quick spine whack and back and forth wrenching of the blade did nothing to disengage the lock. Blade is perfectly centered and the edge is sharper than anything I'd recently put on my knives.

Also curious is how grippy the titanium handles are despite being A) Titanium and B) thin as a paper clip. Ergos are better than my Shoki, though I understand the desire for thicker handles. When you consider that the Spyderco Sage 2 gives you more titanium, a better steel, and an equally good fit and finish for a mere $20 more, I do feel like I paid too much for the knife.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Ok, I got the CRKT Blue Ripple today and while I've only been able to play with it for 15 minutes, I'll share my initial impressions, which are pretty concise anyway.

Buy it. Just do it. It's better than what you're using now. It just is.

This is the best F&F I've had in a long time. As people know, I'm extremely detail oriented but I just can't find something wrong--even inoffensively wrong--with this knife. The anodizing is beautiful and even, the grind is even, it's sharp as hell, the lockup is perfect 50/50, there is no play, the blade is centered, it's absolutely as smooth as you'd expect from an IKBS knife.

The point is, if you like the design, and you should, because the design is fantastic, and you've got $80 to spare on a proper EDC, this is it. There might be some lingering questions on whether you should buy the Eros or the Ripple, and if so, what size--and those are legitimate questions. But I think the answer to the question of "should I buy one" is now foreclosed. The answer is yes.

No matter how little energy I put into the flipper, holding it in the worst-case scenario (straight up), literally attempting to make it not open all the way, it will open and lock up. In a post-IKBS world, there is no use for assisted.
Click to expand...

I bought the Ripple and the Ripple 2.

They both had some hot spots. However, tinkerer that I am, I modified the knives. I used scotch brite on the blue Ripple to make the blue less electric, and also used a Worksharp to polish the top and bottom of the scales to make them shiny stainless steel. I rounded off a lot of the edges. I made the flipper smooth to the touch, with nary an edge on it. I crowned the spine of the blade. And I put a wicked convex edge on it too.

I loosened the frame lock just a tad bit, to allow it to flip open more easily. Also, as the finish on the scales was a bit slippery and made it easy to drop the knife, I used a Norton coarse and then a fine stone to take some of that finish off the sides of the scales, so it would be more tactile.

It ended up being everything I liked in a gentlemanly EDC. Then a friend saw it, along with all my other knives. He really liked it. And then I gave it to him for Christmas.

Here's a pic:

IMGP0201-1.jpg
 
It doesn't give you IKBS or 3D handles or anodizing. If those aren't worth much to you, then you're right.

I bought this as a novelty, but it's sticking around unless something goes wrong with it. Now I need to decide if I need an Eros.

I do have to say I don't like the clip placement on this knife. I'm ok with being tip up only, just because you really can't mess around with a knife this smooth coming out in your pocket. But it sticks up where my hand is and is a little uncomfortable. But I don't think it's that big of a deal, insofar as you're not going to have a death grip on this particular knife, this is just a ELO (executive letter opener)
 
I forgot to mention in my previous post that the edges that I rounded off made the knife uncomfortable to carry in a front pocket of dress slacks. After rounding those edges off, it was like butter, and carried in the front pocket of dress slacks like it wasn't there. Sweet......
 
Folderguy said:
I forgot to mention in my previous post that the edges that I rounded off made the knife uncomfortable to carry in a front pocket of dress slacks. After rounding those edges off, it was like butter, and carried in the front pocket of dress slacks like it wasn't there. Sweet......
Click to expand...

Beautiful work. So far I can't feel it in my pocket either, and I have the bigger Ripple. I really would like to handle an Eros now and maybe I'd anodize it purple.
 
Artfully Martial said:
It doesn't give you IKBS or 3D handles or anodizing. If those aren't worth much to you, then you're right.

I bought this as a novelty, but it's sticking around unless something goes wrong with it. Now I need to decide if I need an Eros.

I do have to say I don't like the clip placement on this knife. I'm ok with being tip up only, just because you really can't mess around with a knife this smooth coming out in your pocket. But it sticks up where my hand is and is a little uncomfortable. But I don't think it's that big of a deal, insofar as you're not going to have a death grip on this particular knife, this is just a ELO (executive letter opener)
Click to expand...

I didn't like the clip either, and removed it. What a sweet, quality knife. Good for envelopes, or cutting tape, or cutting the caps off a good cigar. I might just get another one.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Beautiful work. So far I can't feel it in my pocket either, and I have the bigger Ripple. I really would like to handle an Eros now and maybe I'd anodize it purple.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment.

I also modified the smaller one, the Ripple 2. I ground the blade shorter so it would be Chicago legal, under 2.5 inches long. Also ground the flipper down a bit to reduce the profile. Very nice, unscary little knife.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Ok, I got the CRKT Blue Ripple today and while I've only been able to play with it for 15 minutes, I'll share my initial impressions, which are pretty concise anyway.

Buy it. Just do it. It's better than what you're using now. It just is (...)
Click to expand...

I'm pleased to hear you're enjoying the Ripple! Absolutely love mine (also in that super-cool blue TiNi finish.) I found mine to be a refreshing change that adds a splash of elegance to my folder collection. It's a fine knife to have if you must don the ol' formal wear; you'll find that you dislike the pocket clip less if you carry this knife in the inside breast pocket of a suit jacket, imo.

Isn't the IKBS flipping addictive...? :D
 
Wow, this thread is going to cost me some cash. Thanks to Artfully Martial and Folderguy im gonna have to get a ripple and Ive been looking at 3 sisters for a while, and smcclown05's post was all i needed to flip me to pull the plug now.

Thanks to all,
Noah
 
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