Japanese Grafting Knife. Wood Carver?

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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Hey guys. In my quest for a folding pocket carver I've come across this knife.

pk400a.jpg


I'm wondering what you guys think about it. My concern is that the laminated white steel might be too brittle as they run it extremely hard. I can't remember exactly how hard, but something in the mid 60's.

Anyone ever owned one? They are kind of beautiful to me in their own right, and I might like it for edc in any case.

As a tack on question, have any of you ever tried carving wood with a kiridashi?

Any pics of either types of knives would be most appreciated.

Thank you!
 
Also how is lock strength? I can't exactly tell how it works. It almost looks like a pre cursor to the kind of lock that spyderco uses on the paramilitary 2.
 
Looks an interesting little knife, personally I like the look of it. I wouldn't worry about the laminated steel being too brittle, the Japanese know steel, and Frosts laminated runs in the early 60's and is absolutely great IMO :)
 
The lock looks like a regular backlock to me. The Compression lock used on the Paramilitary 2 really has no precursors, it was a very original idea. As for this knife's suitability for carving, it should work very well, since it is essentially made for tree surgery. That's what grafting is. I'd be curious to know if it is V grind or chisel grind. Most of the grafting knives I've run across have been chisel grind.
 
I might be very, very wrong, but my eyes see the picture of a friction folder with an extended tang that gets caught "inside" the handle (like a Svord Peasant), so that your hand and grip keeps it closed and "locked".
But again, I might be very wrong, and my "friction folder roots" may be tricking me :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
Mmmmmmm second thought.
Looking at it again, it might have one of those "lift-up" locking system used in some Spanish navajas, or in that Belgian folder someone posted a while ago.

Fausto
:cool:
 
It's a chisel grind and a fairly large knife. Not very pocket friendly by my standards. The lock is like a liner lock except on the backside of the knife. The tab you see is to push the liner to release the lock. Ill try and get some pics up later.
 
It is big, I believe the blade is around 4",but I'm not sure the cutting edge.

Very interested to see actual user pics!

These can be ordered straight from Japan with all kinds of options. I believe the one in the pic has an optional deep hollow chisel grind.
 
Looks like a friction folder to me.... But I could be wrong, I'm just going off that "photograph."
White steel, from what I've heard, is great for a pocket knife. Maybe not for a machete or axe or big chopper that will sustain impacts, but for a pocket knife that just cuts, brittleness isn't much of an issue (unless you're Lynn Thompson-ing a car door, which not many of us do here).
 
I guess my biggest fear from high RcH White is from all the reading I've done regarding how to use the stuff in carving tool applications. Very specific rules on how to use the thin edges to avoid damaging them.

Maybe the geometry is totally different though. As Jack pointed out they are tree cutting knives. Itty bitty trees, but still. :D
 
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