Japanese Styled Utility Knife, What To Know?

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Ya think ya have a pretty good idea about this knife thing and then something hits ya like this.

I have been shown how much I have overlooked the Japanese stlyed utility knives, and how little I know.

I have been looking for the perfect daily carry knife. Blade 3.5 inches to 4 inches, compementary handle. Blade shape should be pointy but with some curve.

And then I see this....

KOZUKAS_MODELS.jpg


The pointy one.

I have kinda looked at this image before on RJ Martins site, www.martinsite.com, but this time I SAW it, and started to grok it.

I plan on a knife like this with multiple sheaths, so that I don't have to mess with changing the attachment around. One each for IWB, horizontal, neck, static cord, etc... I want to make it really easy to carry this bad boy all day long, every day.

What shoud I look for in the way of cord and all that.

Please educate me as to what my options are, what you have carried and liked, how did you carry it?

Would you consider subtle contours on the handle to help with retention?

This has really fired me up, wow.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Review of the World Survival Institute, Chris Janowsky survival knife, the Ranger.

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
I’ve carried and used my R J Martin Kozuka for almost a year, and I’m crazy about it! The handle feels great and I’ve had no trouble with retention, even when the knife is wet. I’ve really used it hard on several occasions, and the A2 steel holds a sharp edge noticeably better then my handmade 154CM/ATS-34 folders. I’ve had no problem with rust (I use tuf-cloth on it), but I have had a small amount of staining. This is easy to clean up with a well used piece of 600 grit wet/dry paper.

Chisel grinds are known for their strength, but I feel that this is generally an erroneous assumption. The body of the blade may retain more steel when ground on only one side, but the edge is often half as thick as a typical 30+ degree inclusive double grind. The thin edge gets scary sharp, but it can also be fragile. So much for theory as I understand it
smile.gif
. The fact is, this knife’s edge is as good as new in spite of being beaten like a rented mule.

I carry mine handle-up in my front pocket with the cord attached to a belt loop using a small clasp. It stays vertical in jeans and is no more obtrusive than a medium-sized folder because it’s so slim. You draw the knife and the sheath stays behind, hanging from the cord. I added this myself at R J's suggestion instead of the neck chain. This thing is too heavy for my delicate neck! I also carry it clipped to a backpack strap or on the outside of my waistband, handle-down. In this position, it’s the fastest knife I’ve ever used. Both the large steel clip and the internal sheath magnets offer 100% retention. I’ve never worried about the knife coming loose while hiking.

There’s no need to be concerned with the durability of the nicely wrapped cord and same' handle. It’s so well impregnated with resin that it kinda "rings" like ceramic when you tap it with your fingernail. Much better then Hartsfield's handles, and I've used both.

I strongly recommend the Kozuka, preferably sans the “tanto” grind. The curved grind seems much more versatile. This is my favorate all around user. I adapted to the chisel grind quickly, and now I actually prefer it. R J knows how to get the geometry right (and thankfully, grinds it on the correct side for a righty, unlike so many makers who are more concerned with looks then performance.)
RJMKozuka.JPG

RJMKozukaSheath.JPG





[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 10-02-2000).]
 
I have both of those MDP, and nice post Rick.

While I have in my past posts voiced my favorite RJM profiles, in retrospect they're all my favorites!

I have both models shown in your pic along with the dropped point model, and like them all, but I tend to carry the more utilitarian-oriented model on the left that I bought from Islander, fellow forumite, and friend "Hoss".

I carry the same way as Rick, with the blade in the front pocket, or clipped OWB in the handle down position. You can really get the blade out really fast from this method of carry.

AL


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"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
 
MDP: Well, what are you waiting for? You won't believe it until you have used it yourself.

And, guys-stop posting better pics than I have on my own website!! You're making me look bad
smile.gif


RJ
 
Guys, thanks. That CF sheath seems like a real bonus.

RJ, I am yet a bit too poor for your fine blades, but I am mighty tempted. That green handled one that Brad Kenney had for sale was a real treat to put the orbs on. Along with Les Robertson does anyone else deal your knives regularly?

MDP
 
I bought mine from Jay at Arizona Custom Knives. He gets em every so often (though they have none at the moment).

AZCK
 
Originally posted by Marion David Poff:
...... but this time I SAW it, and started to grok it.
Click to expand...

"Stranger" are you?
wink.gif


Haven't heard that one in a long time.

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iktomi
 
Gentlemen, you have hit the "nail on the head".

Dollar for dollar the best Japanese Tactical Type knife is made by RJ Martin.

Marion, you are headed in the right direction.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Rick :

I?ve really used it hard on several occasions, and the A2 steel holds a sharp edge noticeably better then my handmade 154CM/ATS-34 folders.
Click to expand...

How have you been sharpening it?

R.J. are you taking custom orders yet and will you do a handle with a more aggressive surface like sharkskin?

Les, if you ignore the cost factor, are thier better blades of this style, concerning functional only, I am not concerned about appearances.

-Cliff
 
Cliff: No, I'm not taking orders. In the future, I believe I will simply make knives and put them on my website for sale. For a full timer, orders are manageable. For me, not so. Too much waiting for my customers, too much hassle for me.

As for sharkskin, sure, I could do that. You should note that most of the grip is provided by the nylon diamondwrap, not the underlying skin, and, I have the nylon in coarse/fine, and also have silk, which, being the stiffest of the lot, gives the roughest grip after impregnation.
Grip is NOT a problem-I have done bloody, oily, greasy, wet, soapy-never felt even remotely insecure.



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Stay Sharp,

RJ Martin
http://www.martinsite.com
 
You can't go wrong with one of RJ's Kozuka's or mini Kozuka's. I've got one of the larger (thanks Les) that I picked up at the last ECCKS. curved blade, black stingray covered in black wrap with a silver dragon menuki! Awesome!

RJ will you be at the November NY show?


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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum
 
Cliff,

Dollar for dollar RJ's are the best.

With that in mind, I would also recommend you look at Don Polzien and Mike Snody's work.



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Cliff, all I’ve needed to bring the edge back to razor sharp thus far is a fine (white) round ceramic rod and some stropping on a homemade leather strop. Fact is, in spite of some serious hardwood shaving and heavy cardboard cutting, the edge never required much beyond a quick touch up.

I concur about the diamond wrap offering excellent retention. I was a little nervous at first about using the knife hard, given its lack of a handguard, but if you tuck the end of the handle into your palm a little, you’d be surprised at just how much pressure can safely be applied to the blade.

One minor modification I’d like to see would be a slightly less symmetrically shaped handle at the “pommel”. This would help index by feel which way the edge is facing when the knife is sheathed. When the knife is in my front pocket, I sometimes have to run my thumb over the end of the handle to find a small familiar bump in the wrap to index which side is which. I orient the blade edge forward so that, if drawn in reverse grip quickly, the edge will always face out.
 
R.J., should have been clearer, I meant plain skin wrapped, no overlying cord. Sorry to hear about the orders, understandable though.

Rick, has this resulted in a visible secondary bevel along the edge?

-Cliff
 
Les Roberston delivered a Kozuka to me and I couldn't have been happier with it. One reaches a point when buying knives that after buying almost everything, you begin to be more selective, and especially so about which pieces you carry on a daily basis.

RJ's kozuka is with me nearly all the time. I carry it strong side ITWB with 550 cord (inner cord removed) looped in a lark's head knot around a belt loop. Super low profile, easy acces, no clip exposed.

Worth EVERY penny. One of the few knives you can sell used and get your money out of. Les Roberston also really goes out of his way to work with you.

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"Women bring life into the world
and much death, for they sway the
destinies of men." -Anneas
 
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