Izula Prototype Update

M

MRpink

Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
3,057
It's been what, 3-4 months since some us very lucky guys have won the prototype. So I thought I'd just give a little update to how it's been doing.

Here it is when I first got it.
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Now.
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As some of you may remember, Ban satined, convexed, and made a kydex sheath for it. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but it's put on a very nice patina, a little orange and purple. The edge is holding up great, partly because of the convex edge and awesome steel plus heat treat. It's my most carried and used knife and I've only had to touch it up a few times on the strop.

Everyone loves the necker, I met up with mtnfolk mike and he used it to make a cool figure 4 trap; and all my friends kept borrowing it when we were making sushi, even with it's thicker saber grind they preferred it over the thin kitchen knives.

For the last few months, I've been carrying it from my keychain, but when I asked Ban to make the kydex, I requested he put the tek-lok holes so I can carry it however I like (not sure what RC has decided on, but something they should highly consider, you could even use the holes to lash paracord and belt carry if you don't have a tec-lok). Well I finally got around to using the tek-lok and I've been carrying it pikal style, which is holding the knife hammer style with the edge facing you, it's a great carry style for self-defense in very close contact. The way the handle is designed, it's comfortable to hold any style.

Here are some pics.
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I love this knife! I know production has gotten pushed back, but it shouldn't be much longer before it comes out, it is going to be a treat! Thank you Jeff and Mike again for the giving me the oppurtunity to have this knife. :thumbup:
 
Nice review MrPink. Here's a newb question...I thought those things were pink. Did you grind off your coating or do the come in different coatings?
 
Thanks. The one I have is a prototype model, there's about 15 others floating around, a few of them have a full flat grind. All the prototypes were blued/satined, so no coating, but the production models, when they come out, will be available in black, OD, tan, and of course, pink.
 
I know the little fixed blades without handles are popular, but I don't know why. I bought a similar one from Swamp Rat and used it once. The RAT-1 folder seems a lot more practical to me. The handle is large enough on a folder for me to actually control the blade in cutting chores. I think these kinds of knives are mostly novelties. But to each his own.
 
Horn Dog said:
I know the little fixed blades without handles are popular, but I don't know why. I bought a similar one from Swamp Rat and used it once. The RAT-1 folder seems a lot more practical to me. The handle is large enough on a folder for me to actually control the blade in cutting chores. I think these kinds of knives are mostly novelties. But to each his own.
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To each his own is right ;)
I don't think they are novelties at all, it just depends on how you use and carry a knife.
I personally don't think that handles without scales are all that comfortable compared to a nice contoured grip, BUT these knives are a lot more versatile to carry, in terms of carry options, than ones with thicker grips BECAUSE they are flat. Thin scales would be ok too, but most handles have too much thickness overall to ride unobstrusively in a pocket, which is how I like to carry small fixed blades. I rarely carry on a belt because things on belts tend to snag on things - narrow gates, fences, dogs, brush, drawer pulls, etc. In the field I carry mid-sized fixed blades on my pack, but a small fixed blade in my pocket will always be there, even if I put my pack down. In town, I don't wear a pack of course, but the small blade in my pocket is still there. My toolbox includes a Spyderco Swick and Spot and a Falkniven WM1, as well as a bunch of easy to carry folders. Folders are nice but I prefer a fixed blade for harder cutting chores. The WM1 is sturdy enough and the handle is thick but not too bad and the spydies are great cutters, but I am really looking forward to the Izula because it looks like a tough little knife that will also be a good cutter. The skeleton handle is also flatter than the WM1.

How's that for a reaction :D
 
dogrunner said:
To each his own is right ;)
I don't think they are novelties at all, it just depends on how you use and carry a knife.
I personally don't think that handles without scales are all that comfortable compared to a nice contoured grip, BUT these knives are a lot more versatile to carry, in terms of carry options, than ones with thicker grips BECAUSE they are flat. Thin scales would be ok too, but most handles have too much thickness overall to ride unobstrusively in a pocket, which is how I like to carry small fixed blades. I rarely carry on a belt because things on belts tend to snag on things - narrow gates, fences, dogs, brush, drawer pulls, etc. In the field I carry mid-sized fixed blades on my pack, but a small fixed blade in my pocket will always be there, even if I put my pack down. In town, I don't wear a pack of course, but the small blade in my pocket is still there. My toolbox includes a Spyderco Swick and Spot and a Falkniven WM1, as well as a bunch of easy to carry folders. Folders are nice but I prefer a fixed blade for harder cutting chores. The WM1 is sturdy enough and the handle is thick but not too bad and the spydies are great cutters, but I am really looking forward to the Izula because it looks like a tough little knife that will also be a good cutter. The skeleton handle is also flatter than the WM1.

How's that for a reaction :D
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Just fine with me. I know the little skeleton handled knives are popular with many. They must fill the needs of some or they wouldn't sell. The friend I gave mine to just loves it. I have just always carried a folder for most daily cutting chores. I also prefer a fixed blade for heavier cutting chores, and the RC-4 or similar sized knives work fine for me and carry well and even fit in my hiking vest pocket.
 
You can always cord wrap the handle if you want. And remove it later in the field if you choose. I always carry spare 550 cord. Also While hiking I always carry some supple leather work gloves. Combine both a cord wrapped handle and leather gloves and you really improve comfort. Even bare handled and glove less it's comfortable enough for many cutting task.
 
I don't know why, but I wants me a pink one when they're out.

I've never actually owned a necker, but I would imagine they're primarily backup knives? I toyed with the idea of picking up a Buck Hartsook. I think it was like twenty or thirty dollars, and is S30V IIRC, but never got around to it. Not only will this be my first necker, but also first skeleton-handled knife. I'm looking forward to wrapping it with some cord. What do you think, orange cord + pink blade = one hard to miss eyesore in the middle of the woods hahaha
 
I think the cord wrap looks really sharp on these knives. Here is my proto that I wrapped up.
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Horn Dog said:
I know the little fixed blades without handles are popular, but I don't know why. I bought a similar one from Swamp Rat and used it once. The RAT-1 folder seems a lot more practical to me. The handle is large enough on a folder for me to actually control the blade in cutting chores. I think these kinds of knives are mostly novelties. But to each his own.
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Everyone keep in mind that this is coming from a man who likes to dress up as a viking, running around with an ax in one hand and dogfather in the other. ;)
 
Horn Dog said:
All true, but what's your point, MrPink?
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Part of it is just a scrapyard joke, other part is that you have that Viking build. In your avatar you make the DFCG look like a DMCG, so I couldn't imagine you'd like a skeleton knife like the Rat Warden or Izula. Just stating the obvious. Vic, we're friends and I'm just joking around. :cool:
 
MRpink said:
Part of it is just a scrapyard joke, other part is that you have that Viking build. In your avatar you make the DFCG look like a DMCG, so I couldn't imagine you'd like a skeleton knife like the Rat Warden or Izula. Just stating the obvious. Vic, we're friends and I'm just joking around. :cool:
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Sounds to me like HD is just busting on ya and not really upset with you.
 
I'm not upset at anybody. MrPink told the truth. Even normal knives feel small to me. My idea of a fixed blade EDC is the RTAK.
 
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