- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,569
Hi folks -
I was lucky to be selected as one of three people who were allowed to participate in a passaround of The JK Handmade Knives
Folding Cub-Scout (a smaller version of the Folding Scout) Liner Lock.
John makes both Liner-locks, and Frame-Locks. I own Serial #1 of the Frame-lock, which I previously reviewed here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ium-Frame-lock-impressions-specs-and-pictures
On with the review of the Cub-Scout Liner-Lock
Specifications:
Weight:3.1 oz - 88 grams
Scales:
Material: Micarta
Thickness: .125" (per maker)
Length: 3.59" - 91.3mm
Overall Width: .569" - 14.37mm
Note: JK offers many scale material options, pleae check at the following link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/852778-All-Linerlocks...
Liner:
Material: Titanium
Thickness: .063" (per maker)
Blade:
Material: 01 tool steel
Thickness: .114" - 2.90mm
Usable cutting edge: 2.19" - 55.71mm
Overall Length:
6.08" - 154.67mm
Construction:
01 steel spear-point blade
Note: JK will make any blade design that you can design, he is making this same knife in a wharncliffe design as well.
Titanium liner-lock using two .032" bronze washers and a hand-fitted 3/8" bronze bushing which rides inside the blade tang
and locates the bronze pivot washers. The blade tang includes a small protrusion that which contacts the stop-pin/spacer
when the blade is opened.
Ball-detent in liner-lock engages with divot on blade tang for blade retention.
Three .250" stainless steel barrel-spacers, with the blade-pivot boss acting as a fourth spacer.
Stainless steel button-cap hex screws.
All subsequent Cub-scouts will have a titanium pocket clip included, this example did not have a pocket clip.
Cost: $235 for micarta or G10 scales ($200 if ordered before July 1, 2011).
Options include $25 for carbon fiber scales.
Impressions:
I have carried the knife for just over a week as my EDC blade.
My initial impression was that the knife is very well made, with quality touches visible in the details, such as quality hardware, nicely finished scales, smooth operation of the blade and lock.
The lockup is very tight, with a miniscule amount of side-to side blade play when locked. There is no up-and-down blade-play.
The rounded spine of the blade is beautiful and adds a classy touch.
With the blade opened and locked, the blade and the scales provide a sturdy place to press your thumb or other finger against for more pressure.
I love the look of the top of the blade pivot area when the blade is open, it just has a quality, classy look.
The knife rides well in my pocket and is not noticeable, although being a knife-nut, I always keep my right-front pocket free of keys and other items, so my knife is normally the only item in that pocket.
I was very happy with the size of the knife, it is just large enough to be a serious cutting tool, but small enough that it did not make me look like I was smuggling cucumbers in my front pocket.
I used the knife to cut open boxes, paper, string-trimmer line and some tape. I did carefully sharpen the knife. I have been able to get John's 01 steel to a shaving edge, and this knife is no exception. I made a few swipes on my DMT diafold and the knife would easily wipe hair from my forearm.
The knife is a "three and a half" finger knife in my hands, but it has plenty of handle to be able to effectively cut tougher materials.
Critiques:
I made it a point to show this knife to many of my friends - people who know knives and people who don't. I think that kind of feedback is helpfull.
I showed the knife to my dentist - he is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He admired the knife and mentioned that it felt very rugged and of a higher quality than other knives he is used to seeing.
Another friend mentioned that he would like the scales to be thicker, and more rounded. That same friend also asked if the edges of the scale materials could retain the color of the flats. That I am not sure about, but I wanted to mention it here for John's benefit.
This knife was originally made with yellow Micarta scales, and did not have the recessed hardware that it currently sports. I think that is a personal preference call, but I liked the yellow and raised hardware better. I think John would make the knife either way a customer desired.
When I was examining the knife closely, I noticed that it appeared that the blade edge was contacting one of the rear spacers when the knife closed. Closer inspection shows this to be true. I took a close-up picture to show the small mark that is being made from the blade touching the spacer barrel when the blade is closed.
I don't think this is a big problem, but it is something that John needs to know about for future knives, and I beleive that this one could be corrected. However, the blade is not showing any sign of being affected by the contact.
I would probably just leave this as is, since it is knife #1.
Final thoughts:
I really like the knife, and John has done an incredible job making a beautiful liner-lock that functions beautifully. The design is clearly JK.
I would proudly carry this knife, and I would love to have this one, perhaps when the dust has settled from my new roof I will be able to talk John out of this one.
I am anxious to see how John continues to improve and tweak his design, and what customers design up. As I mentioned before, one of the customers has already ordered a Wharncliffe blade on a liner-lock.
Thank you, Mr. Kiedaisch for allowing me to carry this great little folding knife in the passaround!
How to contact JK Handmade Knives:
You can contact John by posting in his forum at bladeforums.com:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/830-JK-Handmade-Knives?order=desc
or by phone - (708) 479 9328
or via email - jkiedaisch@sbcglobal.net
best regards -
mqqn
I was lucky to be selected as one of three people who were allowed to participate in a passaround of The JK Handmade Knives
Folding Cub-Scout (a smaller version of the Folding Scout) Liner Lock.
John makes both Liner-locks, and Frame-Locks. I own Serial #1 of the Frame-lock, which I previously reviewed here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ium-Frame-lock-impressions-specs-and-pictures
On with the review of the Cub-Scout Liner-Lock
Specifications:
Weight:3.1 oz - 88 grams
Scales:
Material: Micarta
Thickness: .125" (per maker)
Length: 3.59" - 91.3mm
Overall Width: .569" - 14.37mm
Note: JK offers many scale material options, pleae check at the following link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/852778-All-Linerlocks...
Liner:
Material: Titanium
Thickness: .063" (per maker)
Blade:
Material: 01 tool steel
Thickness: .114" - 2.90mm
Usable cutting edge: 2.19" - 55.71mm
Overall Length:
6.08" - 154.67mm
Construction:
01 steel spear-point blade
Note: JK will make any blade design that you can design, he is making this same knife in a wharncliffe design as well.
Titanium liner-lock using two .032" bronze washers and a hand-fitted 3/8" bronze bushing which rides inside the blade tang
and locates the bronze pivot washers. The blade tang includes a small protrusion that which contacts the stop-pin/spacer
when the blade is opened.
Ball-detent in liner-lock engages with divot on blade tang for blade retention.
Three .250" stainless steel barrel-spacers, with the blade-pivot boss acting as a fourth spacer.
Stainless steel button-cap hex screws.
All subsequent Cub-scouts will have a titanium pocket clip included, this example did not have a pocket clip.
Cost: $235 for micarta or G10 scales ($200 if ordered before July 1, 2011).
Options include $25 for carbon fiber scales.
Impressions:
I have carried the knife for just over a week as my EDC blade.
My initial impression was that the knife is very well made, with quality touches visible in the details, such as quality hardware, nicely finished scales, smooth operation of the blade and lock.
The lockup is very tight, with a miniscule amount of side-to side blade play when locked. There is no up-and-down blade-play.
The rounded spine of the blade is beautiful and adds a classy touch.
With the blade opened and locked, the blade and the scales provide a sturdy place to press your thumb or other finger against for more pressure.
I love the look of the top of the blade pivot area when the blade is open, it just has a quality, classy look.
The knife rides well in my pocket and is not noticeable, although being a knife-nut, I always keep my right-front pocket free of keys and other items, so my knife is normally the only item in that pocket.
I was very happy with the size of the knife, it is just large enough to be a serious cutting tool, but small enough that it did not make me look like I was smuggling cucumbers in my front pocket.
I used the knife to cut open boxes, paper, string-trimmer line and some tape. I did carefully sharpen the knife. I have been able to get John's 01 steel to a shaving edge, and this knife is no exception. I made a few swipes on my DMT diafold and the knife would easily wipe hair from my forearm.
The knife is a "three and a half" finger knife in my hands, but it has plenty of handle to be able to effectively cut tougher materials.
Critiques:
I made it a point to show this knife to many of my friends - people who know knives and people who don't. I think that kind of feedback is helpfull.
I showed the knife to my dentist - he is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He admired the knife and mentioned that it felt very rugged and of a higher quality than other knives he is used to seeing.
Another friend mentioned that he would like the scales to be thicker, and more rounded. That same friend also asked if the edges of the scale materials could retain the color of the flats. That I am not sure about, but I wanted to mention it here for John's benefit.
This knife was originally made with yellow Micarta scales, and did not have the recessed hardware that it currently sports. I think that is a personal preference call, but I liked the yellow and raised hardware better. I think John would make the knife either way a customer desired.
When I was examining the knife closely, I noticed that it appeared that the blade edge was contacting one of the rear spacers when the knife closed. Closer inspection shows this to be true. I took a close-up picture to show the small mark that is being made from the blade touching the spacer barrel when the blade is closed.
I don't think this is a big problem, but it is something that John needs to know about for future knives, and I beleive that this one could be corrected. However, the blade is not showing any sign of being affected by the contact.
I would probably just leave this as is, since it is knife #1.
Final thoughts:
I really like the knife, and John has done an incredible job making a beautiful liner-lock that functions beautifully. The design is clearly JK.
I would proudly carry this knife, and I would love to have this one, perhaps when the dust has settled from my new roof I will be able to talk John out of this one.
I am anxious to see how John continues to improve and tweak his design, and what customers design up. As I mentioned before, one of the customers has already ordered a Wharncliffe blade on a liner-lock.
Thank you, Mr. Kiedaisch for allowing me to carry this great little folding knife in the passaround!
How to contact JK Handmade Knives:
You can contact John by posting in his forum at bladeforums.com:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/830-JK-Handmade-Knives?order=desc
or by phone - (708) 479 9328
or via email - jkiedaisch@sbcglobal.net
best regards -
mqqn
Last edited:
